Planes: Fire & Rescue 2014 full script

Planes: Fire & Rescue

Directed by: Roberts Gannaway
Produced by: Ferrell Barron
Screenplay by: Bobs Gannaway, Jeffrey M. Howard
Starring: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, Wes Studi, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Stacy Keach, Danny Mann, Dale Dye
Music by: Mark Mancina
Edited by: Dan Molina
Production company: Walt Disney Pictures, DisneyToon Studios, Prana Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates: July 15, 2014 (El Capitan Theatre), July 18, 2014 (United States)
Running time: 84 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $50 million
Box office: $147 million
MPAA Rating: PG: "Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children."
Rotten Tomatoes: Critic Score: 44%. Average Rating: 5.2/10. Reviews Counted: 89. Fresh: 39. Rotten: 50. Critics Consensus: Although it's too flat and formulaic to measure up against the best family-friendly fare, Planes: Fire & Rescue is a passable diversion for much younger viewers.

(The message reads: Dedicated to the courageous firefighters throughout the world who risk their lives to save the lives of others. The musical score plays over the logo)
(On a night sky background, we see a star, a la Pinocchio. Then, some clouds appear, a la Mary Poppins, and a pirate ship, a la Peter Pan. We then see the castle, a la Cinderella, done in CGI, while different fireworks are appearing. A circular line is drawn over the castle (in the same vein as the previous logo), then the castle enters many dots from the bottom of the screen to reveal "DiSNEY", in the post-1979 Disney script logo font, albeit slightly revised. The circular line is nearly staying visible on the logo. The musical score plays over the logo)
(On a black background, a light at the top of the screen rotates counterclockwise to reveal a parchment background, on which "Disney" is printed in its usual corporate font. The word "TOON", in similar font, is then wiped in next to "Disney" by a small sprinkling of fairy dust, and then the word "STUDIOS" in a plain font fades in below "DISNEYTOON", and continues to slowly zoom in. The musical score plays over the logo)
(ZIP-ZIP-ZIP! Eight planes zoomed past the logo and...)
(EXT. RACE COURSE, DESERT — DAY. And around the course, racing over the barren desert. The grandstands were filled with thousands of cheering cars, planes, and trucks, all watching the race with great anticipation)
(The roar of the fans really got Dusty Crophopper's engine going. It was a sharp contrast to what he used to hear back in his days working as a crop duster. Flying over the cornfields in the early hours of the morning was a quiet, lonely job. The occasional rustling of the wind through the cornstalks and the quiet hum of his sprayer were the only sounds for miles. The crowd was far more exciting to listen to! Dusty was also thrilled by the revving of his engine as he pushed himself to get ahead. He truly loved to race)
(Dusty trailed behind a few other planes...but not for long. He pushed hard as the needle on his torque gauge climbed. Dusty knew he would have to use maximum power to win the race, and he wasn't afraid to do it. He tore around the posts, weaving his way to the head of the pack. He could see the finish line in the distance as he inched up behind the leading racer. His engine buzzed as he strained and pushed even harder)
(BRENT MUSTANGBURGER, the best sportscaster on the Racing Sports Network, leaned forward to speak through the PA)
BRENT: Look at them go! Into the final lap.
(VROOOOOM!)
(TITLE CARD: PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE)
Brent: And here comes number seven... Dusty Crophopper!
(Brent's words rang out across the desert as the crowd went wild. Dusty's best friends from Propwash Junction—CHUG, DOTTIE, SKIPPER, and SPARKY—were in the crowd. They hooted and hollered with all their might as Dusty crossed the finish line first)
Brent: And Dusty wins the gold!
Chug: Go, Duster
(It was true that Dusty loved racing for its own sake, but nothing compared to the rush of winning. He was more than happy to scribble autographs for adoring fans and smile for pictures after the race)
(Dusty had been on tour for a while and was winning again and again, collecting trophies, giving television interviews, and appearing in magazines and newspapers. He had become a very famous airplane)
(EXT. PROPWASH JUNCTION — DAY. Everyone crowd around a tiny television to watch Dusty's interview with Brent Mustangburger)
Brent: Dusty, you were just a small-town crop duster who overcame impossible odds to win the Wings Around the Globe Rally. And now, you're an air racing legend.
Dusty: Well, Brent, I've had an amazing team supporting me every step of the way. The best coach, the best mechanic... and the best fuel truck that anyone could ask for.
(Dusty was calm and cool on television, and it was just like him to be modest and thank his friends in Propwash. Skipper, Dottie, Chug, and Sparky couldn't help smiling when he mentioned them)
Sparky: Hey, wait a minute. You're a gas consultant.
Chug: That's correct. I've got gas.
(EXT. PROPWASH JUNCTION — DAY. When Dusty returned home to Propwash Junction, everyone at the Fill 'n Fly, the garage and fueling station, was enjoying all the magazine and newspaper articles about Dusty)
Sparky: (CHUCKLES) Awesome pic, Dust, except your eyes are closed.
(He looked proudly at the picture of friend in the newspaper. He carried the paper over to Dusty, who was getting some oil from his buddy Chug, the fuel truck)
Chug: Racing with your eyes closed, huh? So, that's your secret.
Dusty: Oh, yeah, you figured it out, Chug.
(MAYDAY, an old fire truck who wore thick black-rimmed eyeglasses, rolled up)
Mayday: That was some pretty fancy flying, Dusty. Saw it all on my radio with pictures.
Dusty: Um, you mean your TV.
Mayday: No, no. That's clearing up. My bumper was nearly corroded right through.
Dusty: All right.
Mayday: Disgusting looking. Ah, yeah, it was all rusty and blistered.
Dusty: I got it. Anyway, what else is going on?
Mayday: Dottie gave me some of that Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment. (SNEEZES) How's it look now?
Dusty: Looks great. Fine.
Mayday: Take a closer look.
Dusty: That's close enough.
(A fender fell out)
Mayday: What was that?
Dusty: Didn't need to see that.
(As much as Dusty loved racing, he was always happy to get back to his friends. Propwash Junction was just a tiny little farm town in the middle of the country, but it was home to everyone Dusty loved most)
Sparky: Oh, hey, hey, guys, guys. Listen to this. (reading the newspaper) "After his Red Bulldozer win, Dusty Crophopper..."
Chug: That's you.
Sparky: "...returns to Propwash Junction..."
Mayday: That's here.
Sparky: "...where he will be performing at their annual Corn Festival."
Mayday: They mentioned the Corn Festival?
Chug: Oh, it's national news!
Dusty: Seriously? That's great.
(The Corn Festival was a Propwash tradition, and everyone in town looked forward to it all year long. The festival was full of corn-themed food, entertainment, contests, costumes, and music, and plenty of corny fun. The gang couldn't believe it—the Corn Festival was national news! With that kind of press, this year's festival would be ginormous!)
(Everyone in town could hardly contain their excitement. The motel's was already ringing off the hook)
Brodi: Yeah. The phone's been ringing off the hook here at the motel. Gonna have to get out the inflatable hangars.
Female Owner: Oh, yeah, everybody wants to see you, Dusty.
Dusty: It's gonna be the biggest Corn Fest yet.
(Dusty was happy to see everyone in Propwash coming together for the festival. He knew it was going to be the biggest and best one yet!)
SKIPPER: Dusty.
(Skipper had taught Dusty how to race and had prepared him for the Wings Around The Globe Rally. Besides being Dusty's coach and very good friend, Skipper was also a World War II veteran who had flown with the Jolly Wrenches squadron in the navy)
Skipper: Ready to do some flying?
Dusty: Absolutely, Skipper.
Mayday: Don't stay out too late.
Sparky: Later, Dust.
Chug: Remember to open your eyes. (CHUCKLES)
(EXT. TAXIWAY — DAY. The sun was making its way into the clear blue sky, beginning to light up a perfectly beautiful day. Dusty rolled onto the taxiway, and Skipper followed)
(They revved their engines, turned toward the end of the runaway, and prepared for takeoff. As much as Dusty loved racing and traveling to far-off places, it always felt good to be home, flying with Skipper)
DUSTY: Hey, Propwash Tower, this is Crophopper Seven. Flight of two, ready for takeoff.
Propwash Tower: Crophopper Seven, Propwash Tower. Wind's calm. Runway two-seven clear for takeoff. Have a great flight, fellas.
Dusty: Crophopper Seven flight, on the roll.
(Their engines roared as they cruised down the runaway and rose into the air. They retracted their landing gear and soared gracefully across the sky, passing the water tower, proudly painted with the words PROPWASH JUNCTION—HOME OF RACING CHAMPION DUSTY CROPHOPPER)
(EXT. SKY — DAY. Dusty and Skipper made a wide arc through the crisp air, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on their wings. After a moment, Dusty broke off, zigzagging this way and that around grain elevators while Skipper flew along, watching him closely)
SKIPPER: Snap into those turns. Tighten it up.
(Dusty took Skipper's advice and adjusted his wings)
Skipper: There you go.
(Dusty flew between the trees, then glided over the river. With Skipper behind him, he followed the river's winding path, skimming the surface of the sparkling water)
Skipper: Now let's work that vertical!
(Dusty grinned as he revved his engine, gearing up for the vertical climb. He had to gain a lot of speed to pull it off. He dove beneath an old railroad bridge and then pushed his engine as he climbed straight up, higher and higher until...PTT! PTT! PTTTTT! Suddenly, his engine stuttered)
(Dusty paused and tried to figure out what was going on. PTT! PTT! PTTTTT! His engine stuttered again. Uh-oh, Dusty thought. Something was definitely not right. He shuddered as his insides rattled and whirled. He didn't feel well at all. Before he could think of what to do, he began to spin out of control)
(Skipper pulled up next to him)
Skipper: Dusty! Dusty, are you okay?
Dusty: My engine.
(Dusty was out of breath and unable to finish his sentence. He was losing altitude fast and felt weak. The sound of the wind rushing by as he spiraled toward the ground was sickening)
Skipper: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, steady, there.
(Skipper had to get Dusty safely to the ground as quickly as possible)
Skipper: Propwash Tower, this is Jolly Wrench Seven. We're a flight of two, five miles north of the airport... inbound for a precautionary landing.
PROPWASH TOWER: Roger. Proceed direct to the numbers. Wind two-seven zero at five. Runway two-seven clear to land.
(As they approached the runaway, Skipper guided Dusty in and the two landed safely)
(INT. DOTTIE'S GARAGE — DAY. They headed straight for Dottie's Garage. Dottie, a forklift and Dusty's good friend and trusted mechanic, would be able to figure out what had gone wrong out there. Sparky gave Dusty an oil change as Skipper waited nearby)
Dusty: I don't know what it was. I wasn't doing anything different. Pylon turns, a vertical, like we do every day. I feel great now, but...
(Dottie sighed and headed over to her work table. She sprayed water on an air filter to remove large metallic chunks from it. They landed in a petri dish)
Dottie: I got a love-hate relationship with you, Dusty. Love that you're my best customer, hate what you're doing to yourself.
Dusty: Come on, Dot. You saw me at the Red Bulldozer race. I kicked Aston Martin out there!
Dottie: You're not even listening to what I'm saying.
(As usual, Dusty thought Dottie was overreacting. He knew she was protective of him, but he felt fine—how could anything be wrong)
(Dottie placed the metallic chunks beneath a microphone, and an enlarged view of the metal appeared on a nearby monitor. She dropped liquid acid onto them and red smoke appeared. Dottie sighed. She clearly was not happy with the results, but Dusty didn't notice. He was too busy thinking about his next big race)
Dusty: And hey, Speed City Airfest is just a few weeks away. And I think, if I get a little more speed coming out of my turns, really work that radial-G, I can definitely improve my time. Yeah, I'm feeling it. I'm feeling good about my next race.
(Dottie faced Dusty)
Dottie: Well, no damage to the casing or compressor blades.
Dusty: See? I told you. Just a hiccup.
Dottie: But there is...
(Before Dottie could continue, Chug barreled into the garage)
Chug: Dusty! Dusty! What happened? Are you okay, Dust?
(Chug was worried about his friend, but Dusty quickly assured him that he was fine)
Dusty: It's okay.
Chug: Was it your fuel? I tested it this morning. I always take a little sip. Gets me going.
(Dusty told Chug that Dottie had checked him out and found nothing)
Dusty: It's okay. I got quite a little scare there. But Dottie here...
Dottie: Dusty!
Dusty: And it's all good news, gave me the all-clear.
(Frustrated, Dottie took a deep breath and blurted out the news:)
Dottie: Your reduction gearbox is failing.
(The room fell silent)
Dusty: My gearbox?
Dottie: Your chip detector had a cluster of steel shavings on it. Flakes from the gears. That's what caused the trouble.
(Dusty didn't understand why Dottie seemed so gloomy. Couldn't she just order another gearbox and replace it? She would be able to fix him right up)
Dusty: Well, you could just replace it. Order a new one from A-G Parts. It'll be here by the end of the week. (CHUCKLES) Right?
(Dottie gazed at Dusty)
Dusty: What?
(Dusty pressed her for an answer)
Dottie: Your gearbox... It's... (SIGHS) It's out of production. Long since discontinued. Can't even remember the last time I saw one.
(It had been discontinued a long time ago)
Chug: But, Dottie... Come on, can't you just build Dust a new one?
Dottie: No. It's too complex. It has to be factory.
(Dusty couldn't believe what he was hearing. How could he be unfixable?)
Dusty: Well, I mean, there has...
Dottie: From now on, you have to back off the torque. Keep it under 80 percent.
Dusty: What? 80 percent? Dottie, you've got me cranked up to 140. I need that to race.
(Dottie stared at Dusty sternly)
Dottie: If you push yourself into the red, your gearbox will fail.
(Dusty didn't want to hear this)
Dusty: No, Dottie!
Dottie: And then your engine will seize.
Dusty: Maybe the test that you did was wrong!
Dottie: Dusty, listen!
Dusty: But I've got a race coming up!
(He couldn't deal with this)
Dottie: You'll crash!
(Dottie repeated it, to make sure Dusty was listening)
Dottie: You push yourself into the red, you'll crash.
(Dottie installed a warning light on Dusty's panel)
Dottie: Look, I'm gonna install a warning light on your panel.
Dusty: A warning light?
Dottie: If it comes on, you'll need to pull power. Slow down.
Dusty: But, Dottie... You're saying... I can't race anymore.
(Dusty was heartbroken)
Dottie: I'm so sorry.
(Chug, Sparky, and Skipper were at a loss for words, and a grim silence hung over the garage)
(EXT. HONKERS SPORTS BAR — DUSK. The neon sign in front of Honkers Sports Bar buzzed and flickered to life as darkness fell over Propwash Junction. A typical crowd packed the room. Honky-tonk music played. Everyone was drinking cans of oils)
BAR TRUCK: Can you believe it? She left me for a hybrid. I didn't even hear him coming.
(They were having a great time)
Female Pitty: All right, boys, I got three Crudeweisers, and who ordered the Spruce Goose?
Cargo Plane: What? It's tangy.
Pickup Truck: Hey, sugar rims, you just fall out of a B-17? 'Cause you're da bomb.
Female Car: Pickup trucks.
Female Plane: Mmm-hmm.
(They didn't expect Dusty)
Skipper: Dottie's an excellent mechanic. You know as well as I, she wouldn't have said what she said unless she was sure.
(Then Chug and Sparky showed up, full of excitement)
Chug: Hey, Dusty! Dusty!
Sparky: Hey, Dusty!
Sparky: Dusty, hey!
Chug: There he is.
(They had just gotten off the radio with someone they knew in Grand Flaps)
Chug: Dust, listen, we just got off the radio with Ethan up in Grand Flaps.
Sparky: Old "Grand Flaps Ethan."
Dusty: He's got the gearbox?
Chug & Sparky (Both): (CHUCKLING) No.
Chug: But his buddy owns 21 service hangars.
Sparky: 21!
Chug: Twenty-one of them, and he's gonna check his inventory, and he's gonna put the word out for you, Duster.
SPARKY: Oh, yeah!
Chug: It's a good start, right?
Sparky: It's a great start! Can you believe it?
Chug: Because if that gearbox is out there, we're gonna find it for you, buddy.
(Dusty smiled. Even though he felt broken, it sure was nice to have such great friends)
(Just then, LEADBOTTOM rolled up. Leadbottom was an old biplane and had been Dusty's boss when Dusty worked as a crop duster)
LEADBOTTOM: And, hey, if you don't, it's all right. Because the answer is "Yes."
(Dusty looked at Leadbottom, confused)
Dusty: "Yes?"
Chug: What?
Skipper: Yes?
Sparky: Huh?
Leadbottom: Yes, of course you can have your old job back. Don't even have to bother asking. That's just the kind of guy I am.
SKIPPER: Leadbottom, I'm sure Dusty appreciates your offer...
Leadbottom: Of course, you got to start back at minimum wage, and you lost all your vacation time, gotta go through orientation again.
SKIPPER: Leadbottom, please!
Leadbottom: Once you acquire the taste for Vitamin mulch, you can't live without it. It's like Mama's jalapeño chili. Spicy. Twice!
Skipper: It's just that now is not the best time.
(Leadbottom was not picking up on Skipper's hints)
LEADBOTTOM: Come on, Skipper. I can get his old sprayer back from that Germany place. Have it cleaned up and bolted back on him in no time.
(Leadbottom made obnoxiously loud drilling noises as he pretended to bolt Dusty's old sprayer back on)
Skipper: I'll tell you what, let me buy you a can of oil.
LEADBOTTOM: I'll tell you what, Dusty is the best duster I've ever known.
Chug: And I'm telling you that Dusty don't crop dust no more.
Sparky: That's right, no more!
Chug: He's a racer.
Sparky: A racer!
Chug: He's gonna be back to racing in no time.
Sparky: In no time!
Chug: Right, Dusty?
Dusty: Right, Dust?
Chug: Dust?
(Chug and Sparky looked over, but Dusty was gone. They hadn't noticed, but while Leadbottom was going on and on about Dusty working as a crop duster again, Dusty had snuck out of the bar)
(EXT. PROPWASH JUNCTION — NIGHT. Dusty wanted to be alone. He couldn't even think about going back to dusting crops. Alone and sad, he went for a solo night flight, soaring high over Propwash Junction. He just couldn't believe what was happening. How was it that just a few short hours ago, he had been flying with Skipper and everything was okay? Things had been going so well for him. Now his whole world had shifted. How had it fallen apart so quickly?)
(Dusty stared at his torque gauge as he flew faster and faster. He was angry. He was a racer, and racers needed speed. They needed to push their engines to race. And if Dusty couldn't race, what would he do? It was all he'd ever wanted to do with his life)
(With his eyes fixed on his gauge, Dusty ascended higher into the air, picking up speed. He watched as the needle climbed toward the yellow zone. He continued, flying faster and faster, pushing his engine so hard that the ground beneath him began to blur. Dusty locked his eyes on the torque gauge, mesmerized, as the needle crept closer and closer to where the yellow met the red. The needle was about a hair's breadth from the red line when...FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! The red warning light came on)
(Dusty slowed down to bring the needle back to the yellow zone, and the light stopped flashing. But then he noticed another flashing red light. It wasn't his warning light. Where was it coming from? Dusty looked up and saw that the wire suspension tower was flashing its light—and it was right in front of him! He tried to dodge it, but his wing clipped the top of the tower!)
Dusty: Argh!
(The tower light popped, and sparks rained down like fireworks against the night sky)
(Dusty was unable to gain control. He breathed heavily as he spiraled toward the ground. He tried to adjust himself, but he continued to plummet toward the earth until...CRASH!)
(He landed too far down the runaway, and he was going fast! He careened onto the taxiway but couldn't stop. He was headed straight toward the Fill 'n Fly)
(Dusty swerved this way and that but couldn't slow down. Finally, he slammed right into one of the station's support beams and rolled back slowly, coming to a stop. Phew! He was safe)
(Second later, he heard a sickening creak coming from the support beam....CRASH! The beam collapsed. Then the gas station's overhang dropped onto a gas pump. KA-BOOM! The pump exploded and a fire erupted! Dusty watched helplessly as the Fill 'n Fly lit up like the Fourth of July, engulfed in flames)
Dusty: Fire. Fire! Somebody get some help!
(Outside Honkers, Skipper, Sparky, and Chug stood wide-eyed as they took in the terrible sight of the Fill 'n Fly being swallowed up by towering flames)
SKIPPER: The Fill 'n Fly!
(They immediately sprang into action)
Sparky: I'll go get Mayday.
Chug: I'll hit the shut-off valve.
(The three sped off)
(Sparky hurried into Mayday's fire station and pressed the emergency button. The rusty old fire bell let out a wimpy little ring and then rattled as the center bolt came loose and hit the floor with a CLANK. Mayday's fire station was definitely out of date. No one in Propwash could even remember the last time that bell had rung!)
Mayday: (spotting the smoke) Oh, I'm on it!
(He sped off but quickly returned)
Mayday: Had to get my glasses.
(He raced off and knocked down the rickety firehouse sign on his way out)
(Once on the scene, Mayday threw open his gate)
Mayday: Now, listen up! We gotta cool this down before it spreads.
(Dottie and Sparky unrolled his fire hose and clasped it onto a hydrant. Then they threw a lever and watched the hose puff up as it filled with water)
Sparky: Oh, yeah!
(Mayday aimed his nozzle at the flames, but the old hose had lots of leaks! Sparky tried to cover each little hole, but the pressure built up and shot him straight across to Chug)
Chug: I got you.
Sparky: Thanks.
(With water spouting out of the holes, Mayday wound up with nothing more than a sad little dribble at the end of the hose. When he looked into the mouth of the hose—DRIP!—a lone drop leaked out, hitting him right between the eyes. The hose was not going to put out this fire. Mayday had to come up with a new plan fast)
Chug: Now what?
(He fixed his eyes on the water tower, then looked at his friends behind him)
Mayday: I'm gonna need some help.
(In no time at all, everyone was in position at the water tower. Dottie loosened one bolt from the tower's base, and Sparky pried up another. They wrapped the old fire hose around the legs of the tower, and everyone grabbed hold. Mayday hooked his winch cable to the tower)
MAYDAY: Now, pull! Pull!
(Mayday, Skipper, Chug, and Dusty grunted as they pulled with all their might. The tower let out a long, low groan as it began to lean. The old hose frayed as the crew pulled harder and harder)
(Suddenly, the tower tilted and collapsed, crashing onto its side. Water gushed in every direction, flooding the entire area and extinguishing the flames. The fire was finally out)
(Dusty looked down to see one of the Corn Festival flyers floating among the burned pieces of metal and ash. He felt awful)
(EXT. PROPWASH JUNCTION — MORNING. A couple of representatives from the Transportation Management Safety Team (TMST) showed up to investigate the fire. The charred Fill 'n Fly was quickly surrounded with bright yellow caution tape. RYKER, a strict aircraft rescue fire vehicle with a very serious expression, arrived with an uptight-looking forklift. They eyed Mayday as the gang stood by, concerned)
CHUG: "TMST"?
Sparky: "This Means Serious Trouble."
Dottie: (SIGHS) "Transportation Management Safety Team."
(The TMST vehicles scattered orange safety cones around the area and then approached Mayday to discuss the fire. The forklift even put safety cones around poor Mayday! Then he harshly clicked his pen and began writing furiously in his notepad)
(Ryker asked an uneasy Mayday a bunch of questions while the forklift took notes)
Ryker: Mr. Mayday, were you at the specified point of attack, and applying an extinguishing agent within three minutes from the time of alarm?
MAYDAY: Well, I... I didn't have time to look at a clock. (CHUCKLES) Is that guy writing down everything I say?
Ryker: Yes.
MAYDAY: Well, I... So he just wrote that down?
Ryker: Yes.
Mayday: And that?
Ryker: Yes.
Mayday: Oh.
Ryker: Can you provide me with your self-inspection records and emergency procedure plans?
(Mayday chuckled timidly and explained that Propwash Junction didn't have many emergencies. Ryker did not like that answer. Or when Mayday added)
Mayday: Oh, look, now, we don't have many emergencies around here. Besides, we did get the fire out.
Ryker: Is that your contingency plan, Mr. Mayday? Every time there's an incident, you topple a water tower?
(He was clearly not giving an inch)
(Mayday was ashamed. He stood there, speechless)
(Dusty stepped in)
DUSTY: This was my fault.
Mayday: Hmm?
Dusty: I clipped the tower. I flew out last night because I... (SIGHS)
(Mayday looked at his friend with understanding)
Mayday: Dusty. It was an accident.
(But Ryker did not want to hear any more)
Ryker: (CLEARS THROAT) It's clear this airport has no plans for an emergency, and equipment from last century. So, unless Mr. Mayday gets refurbished, and acquires a second fire-fighting vehicle in accordance with CFR title 14, volume three, chapter one, section 139, sub-paragraph B, I am pulling this airport's certificate of operation for non-compliance of rescue and fire-fighting regulations.
Mayday: Oh, Chevy.
(The forklift clicked his pen closed and tucked away his notepad)
(MOMENTS LATER. Then he and Ryker took off, leaving everyone in shock. No one could believe it. Shutting down the airport meant shutting down the whole town! Without an active runaway, no one could land)
(Everyone in Propwash gathered around the main terminal to discuss the terrible news. They immediately started worrying about the Corn Festival. Would there even be a Corn Festival this year? If the town was closed, they'd have to cancel it. This was a disaster)
Leadbottom: Propwash Junction just got shut down?
Forklift: With no active runway, how can anybody land?
Female Plane: They can't. That's the problem.
Male Biplane: There goes the Corn Festival.
Female Owner: But I already finished my corncob costume.
Skipper: Now, everybody, calm down.
BRODI: Calm down?
SKIPPER: Calm down.
Brodi: Calm down? Motel's booked. This Corn Festival is what butters my corn.
Skipper: Brodi, we've already figured this out. Dottie, show them.
(He and Dottie had a plan)
Dottie: This is Mayday now.
(Sparky held up a drawing of Mayday)
Chug: I did the drawings.
Dottie: We add a new 400-watt siren, a 2,000 GPM roof turret, a high-capacity water tank with integrated class A foam cell...
(Sparky dramatically switched the picture for a new one of Mayday that showed what he would look like after the upgrade. Mayday looked futuristic and totally cool!)
Dottie: And we'll have an all-new Mayday.
(The crowd started to feel better. Maybe they could save Propwash after all)
Sparky: Get out! He gets rocket boosters?
Chug: That's right. Fuelled by good old hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Of course, remember, that stuff is highly explosive, so you'll want to keep it away from any open flames.
Sparky: But he's a fire truck.
Chug: Exactly. Go on, Dottie.
Dottie: So, for Mayday to keep his job and get Propwash reopened, we just need to find a second firefighter.
Leadbottom: What? At this time of year? It's fire season.
CITIZEN: How much is another firefighter gonna cost?
LEADBOTTOM: I'll tell you how much. Too much! If we hire one, we might as well hire two.
BRODI: Oh, for crying out loud. Gee, this tarmac is getting awful hot.
(Mayday sadly rolled toward his fire station. With the sun setting on the horizon, he adjusted his crooked fire station sign before he went inside)
(INT. FIRE STATION — DAY. Dusty quietly approached Mayday, who was sitting alone, staring at the back wall of his station)
Dusty: Knock, knock.
Mayday: (CLEARS THROAT) Oh. Hey, Dusty.
(Mayday looked at Dusty but then turned back and continued to stare at the wall)
(Dusty felt terrible. This whole mess was his fault)
Dusty: I just... Hmm. I wish there was, uh... You know, I wish there was something I could do.
Mayday: (his voice cracking) Oh, there's nothing. It's all right. I'm old, Dusty. Looks like my firefighting days are over.
(Dusty looked at all of Mayday's memorabilia hanging on the wall. There were plaques, medals, pictures, and articles from his many years as a firefighter)
Dusty: Uh, no. No, Mayday. Look, there's still plenty of firefight left in you.
(He leaned in for a closer look at one of the plaques)
Dusty: Look at... I mean, right here, "Firefighter of the Year."
Mayday: Huh, 1968.
Dusty: Okay. Your Bronze Star.
Mayday: Old and tarnished. Like me.
(Dusty came up to a picture he had never noticed before. He gazed at it closely, inspecting the scene. It looked like an old crop-dusting plane dropping water)
DUSTY: Oh. Is this you and an old crop duster?
Mayday: Hmm?
Dusty: This one, right here.
(Finally, Mayday turned around and rolled over to Dusty. He squinted at the picture)
Mayday: Oh, yeah. Mendocino, 1956. Oh, '55, '55. Yeah, I was there. Yeah, I was there. I got to witness one of the very first aerial firefighters.
DUSTY: Oh.
Mayday: Nowadays known as a "SEAT."
DUSTY: A "SEAT"?
MAYDAY: Yeah. A "Single Engine Air Tanker."
DUSTY: Huh.
MAYDAY: You see, instead of dusting crops, you know, like you used to do, they drop water.
Dusty: Wow.
Mayday: Yeah.
(Suddenly, Dusty had an idea)
Dusty: Uh, Mayday?
Mayday: Mmm-hmm?
Dusty: What if I became our second firefighter?
Mayday: You?
Dusty: Yeah. Dottie will fix you up, and I'll get certified.
Mayday: What about your racing?
Dusty: Look. Right now, we need to get Propwash reopened. Me... And you.
(Mayday smiled at his friend, nearly in tears)
Mayday: I don't know what to say. Thanks, Dusty.
(Dusty knew it was the right thing to do, and for the first time since he'd found out about his gearbox, he felt hopeful about the future)
(EXT. ROAD — MORNING. The next morning, Dusty was ready to go. He was going to fly to Piston Peak Air Attack Base and meet up with Mayday's old friend, Blade Ranger. Blade was the chief of Fire and Rescue, and he was going to train and certify Dusty to be a firefighter)
(After the morning rush, during which a total of five cow tractors crossed the road)
CHUG: One, two, three, lil' jon-jon, and five. Okay, that's it. That's the morning rush. Highway's all clear, Duster.
(Mayday, Dottie, Chug, Sparky, and Skipper surrounded Dusty, ready to send him on his way)
Mayday: Now, when you get to Piston Peak Air Attack, you're gonna ask for Blade Ranger.
Dusty: Blade Ranger.
Mayday: You got it. Yeah. He's their Chief of Fire and Rescue. He's an old friend of mine. He can train and certify you.
Dusty: Consider it done, Mayday.
Skipper: And, Dusty, be careful.
Dusty: I will.
Mayday: Good luck, Dusty!
Dottie: Take it easy out there!
SKIPPER: You can do it, Dusty.
CHUG: We're proud of you, pal!
Sparky: Good luck!
(Dusty smiled gratefully at his friends, then took off, soaring into the sky. He climbed toward the clouds and flew over miles and miles of golden cornfield. He felt great. But as soon as his torque gauge rose into the yellow zone, his smile faded. He backed off the power and continued to cruise at an average)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — DAY. Dusty enjoyed the long flight to Piston Peak. He passed over the impressively rugged badlands, with the striking rust-colored mountains. He flew over quaint towns and wide-open farmlands. He knew he was getting close when he caught the fresh scent of breathtaking forest stretched out below him)
(Towering pines, redwoods, and sequoias covered huge mountains. A railway bridge wound its way around the forest. The Piston Peak Railway locomotive came into view, happily puffing and chugging along the track. He blew his whistle when he saw Dusty. Dusty returned the friendly gesture with a dip of his wing. The park was absolutely magnificent—Dusty was sure it was one of the most beautiful places on earth. He tilted slightly as he zoomed through a hole in the trunk of one majestic sequoia)
Winnie: Oh, Harvey, it's just like I remember.
Harvey: Winnie, how many pairs of tires did you pack?
Winnie: Harvey, you spoiled it. Now you spoiled the moment.
(When he flew over the main gate, on which a sign read PISTON PEAK NATIONAL PARK, he could see cars and RVs pouring through the entrance. Soon he could see the awe-inspiring V-6 Valley and, in the distance, the magnificent Piston Peak itself. This place was amazing!)
(The massive, rustic Fusel Lodge was nestled in the V-6 Valley. The hotel was five stories high and had a wide veranda. Planes touched down on a small airstrip, and helicopters landed on balconies. Dusty smiled as he took in the scene. Gasket Geyser sent up a spout of water in front of the lodge as he flew by. A shiny luxury SUV named CAD SPINNER greeted guests as a concierge forklift hovered by his side)
CAD: Hello! Welcome, guests, to the grand reopening weekend of the magnificent Fusel Lodge! Ah, we're gonna wipe off those muddy tires, aren't we? Yes, we are. Oh! Good heavens! Look who we have here!
(Dusty flew past Piston Peak, spotting deer tractors grazing on the grass below below. Finally, the Air Attack Base came into view. There was a small, modest airstrip with corrugated-steel hangars. Dusty landed and rolled to a stop)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DAY. The base was oddly quiet for the faint, tinny sounds of a song playing out of an old PA speaker. Dusty looked around. Was this really the air attack base?)
(PATCH, a female tug, was cleaning a spot off a window inside a control tower. WINDLIFTER, a massive heavy-lifting helicopter, was grunting as he curled dozens of logs with his hoist. DIPPER, a super-scooper plane, was relaxing, using a corrugated steel reflector to sun herself. MARU, a forklift mechanic, dropped a tool on his tire and jumped up and down in pain)
Maru: Argh! Stick shift! (MUTTERING)
(CABBIE, a cargo plane, was listening to a ham radio. These are the firefighters? Dusty thought)
DRIP: Ripping!
(VROOM! Suddenly, DRIP, a wild-natured ATV with a grabber claw, roared off the top of a muddy ridge and flew right over Dusty, nearly colliding with him!)
Dusty: Whoa!
(Dusty ducked and Drip landed on the other side of the runaway)
Drip: Whoa, whoa, whoa!
(Another ATV, DYNAMITE, hurried over, followed by BLACKOUT. Two other ATVs—AVALANCHE, a mini-bulldozer, and PINECONE—appeared at the top of the ridge)
Dynamite: Drip, what the heck is the matter with you? You nearly took off the guy's canopy!
Drip: But Blackout said it was okay to go, dude.
Blackout: I did?
Dynamite: He did?
Drip: Yeah, he was like, "He's okay to go, dude."
Dynamite: Hmm.
(Dusty spoke up)
DUSTY: Uh, I'm sorry. I know you're busy, but I am looking for Piston Peak Air Attack.
Drip: You are there!
Blackout: Copy that, jefe.
Dynamite: Serving beautiful Vee-Six Valley since 1958. You must be the SEAT. Hmm. We heard you were coming. I'm Dynamite. This is Blackout, Pinecone, Avalanche...
Avalanche: Hello!
Dynamite: ...and Evel Kenumbskull over there is Drip.
Drip: Did you guys see that?
Dusty: Hey, guys, what's up? I'm Dusty Crophopper.
(When Dipper heard "Dusty Crophopper," her eyes popped wide open and she raced over to meet him)
Dipper: Dusty Crophopper? Dusty Crophopper!
BLACKOUT: Go, go, go, go, go!
Dipper: The air racer?
Dusty: Uh, hi.
Dipper: Shut the hangar door! I'm your biggest fan! I have seen every single one of your races on RSN. Wow! You're smaller than I thought, but that's okay.
Dusty: Um, thanks.
Dipper: So, what is a world-famous racing superstar doing here?
Dusty: Um... Um, well... I'm here because I'm between races right now, so I'm helping out some friends...
Dipper: Oh, that's so sweet!
Dusty: Back home.
Dipper: I'm Dipper. That's what everyone calls me, so you can, too.
Dusty: Okay, Mrs...
Dipper: "Miss."
Dusty: Miss.
Dipper: Miss, yeah.
Dusty: Dipper. Yep.
Dipper: Dipper. Yep. Rarr! (CHUCKLES)
(She had a big crush on Dusty)
Dusty: It was great to meet you. (CLEARS THROAT) I'm looking for Blade Ranger.
Dynamite: He's out scouting for spot fires. He should be back in a few.
Dusty: Thanks.
(Windlifer, the helicopter, looked up at the sky as the wind blew, and spoke softly and strangely)
Windlifter: The one the Lakota call Haokah beats his drum with the wind to make thunder. With thunder comes lightning, and with lightning comes fire.
(Dusty was wondering what the heck Windlifter was talking about)
Dusty: Okay. (CLEARS THROAT) Yeah, very nice.
Dipper: Windlifter, stop scaring our guest. I don't hear any drums.
Windlifter: Kilawu.
(Everyone was quiet as Windlifter slowly turned to the tower speakers, seeming almost hypnotized. Then a blaring siren cut through the silence, and Patch's voice came through the PA)
PATCH: All aircraft, we've got a report of a wildfire.
(Everyone quickly snapped into action, and the ragtag crew became a firefighting team before Dusty's eyes)
(Maru sped out of his hangar)
Maru: Come on, boys, let's load up! Patch, drop the needle!
(Heavy-metal music blasted out of the little speaker as the team prepared to take on the fire)
Dusty: It's an actual fire?
Dipper: Yeah. It happens all the time. You guys only hear about the big ones.
PATCH: Fire is due to an unattended campfire. Location, 10 clicks northwest, heading two-niner-seven. Slow rate of spread. Ten acres with a northerly wind on it.
(Dusty watched, bewildered by the swirl of activity as the crew prepared to go out. The Smokejumpers clicked into their parachute packs on the side of a hangar and rolled out. Cabbie fired up his engine and lowered his enormous ramp, allowing the Smokejumpers to back in. They piled into the plane)
(Maru hooked a hose to Dipper and threw a lever, and she filled up with water. Windlifter attached his retardant tank, and the firefighters taxied out to the runway and took off)
(Dusty followed excitedly)
Dusty: I gotta see this.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — DAY. Clouds of smoke drifted up from beyond a ridge)
Dipper: Thar she burns, fellas!
(Once they got past the ridge, they could see the fire burning up the valley below. Dusty looked down with shock and amazement)
(Suddenly, VROOM! A fire and rescue helicopter emerged from a column of smoke. He climbed into the air and dove back down as he turned and flipped to release his red retardant on the raging fire below)
Dusty: Whoa!
(Dusty was beyond impressed. He knew right away that this awesome firefighter had to be BLADE)
BLADE: All right, mud droppers, watch your altitude. Too low, and you'll spread the embers. Dipper, set up for a drop and vee the head of the fire.
Dipper: Copy that. I'm away.
(She went off, diving and releasing her retardant on the edge of the fire)
BLADE: Windlifter, you're clear to maneuver.
Windlifter: Windlifter copies.
(On Blade's command, Windlifter laid retardant on the other side of the fire)
BLADE: All right, Cabbie... Let's get some wheels on the ground.
Cabbie: Jumpers, South Meadow looks clear. Should put you approximately 100 yards below the fire.
DYNAMITE: Looks good, Cabbie.
(BZZZZ!)
(The Smokejumpers grinned. The loud buzzing noise was accompanied by a green light)
Drip: Let's ride the silk elevator, boys.
Cabbie: I will never understand why you gravel crunchers want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Dynamite: We're not. We're jumping out of you!
(They hooted and hollered, jumping off the ramp)
(The Smokejumpers twirled through the air like acrobats, flipping and spinning around, before finally deploying their bright yellow parachutes. The parachutes puffed open and caught the wind, allowing the jumpers to gracefully drift to the ground and land about a hundred yards from the fire. Once down, Dynamite made sure everyone had landed and then radioed Cabbie)
Dynamite: Everyone's down. We're good.
(Cabbie soared off)
Cabbie: Cabbie copies. Be careful out there.
Blade: Dynamite, use that creek bed as a natural barrier to create a firebreak.
Dynamite: All right, jumpers, let's anchor into the bed and start building a line.
(The Smokejumpers immediately went to work. Everyone had a specific job to do, and they knew exactly how to do it. Blackout sawed trees, Avalanche pushed debris. Drip lifted a log, and Pinecone raked up brush. They worked together seamlessly, each one performing their task without missing a beat)
(Blade spotted several deer tractors scurrying away from the fire as trees fell around them. A burned pine tree cracked and began to fall toward an unsuspecting deer. Blade pitched sideways, opened his side door, and activated a hoist. ZZZZIP! The hoist snatched up the deer just as the burning tree smashed to the ground! Blade set the wide-eyed, grateful deer safely on the rocky ledge)
Dusty: Awesome!
(When Blade noticed Dusty, he was not happy)
Blade: Who the... Get out of this air space!
(Dusty wasn't paying attention and didn't realize how he was flying. He was very close to the fire)
Dusty: Oh, sorry. Sorry!
(Just then, Dipper swooped in. She didn't see Dusty and dropped a load of retardant right on top of him. SPLOOSH! The red retardant covered him from nose to tail)
Dipper: Oh-oh.
(Dusty, red-faced with retardant, sputtered and wobbled. Blade glared at him)
(INT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DAY.)
Dusty: (LAUGHS)
(Maru blasted him with the icy-cold water from the fire hose back at the base. Maru was trying to wash off the retardant)
Maru: Ah. That ought to do it. Well, back to work. I gotta mix up a fresh batch of retardant.
Blade: Once you dry out, you can wing it on back to the lodge with the rest of the tourists.
Dusty: I'm not a tourist. Actually, I'm the guy that May...
Windlifter: He's the trainee.
(Blade stopped in his tracks, annoyed)
Blade: You're the SEAT Mayday radioed about? Oh, for the love of...
(Dipper stepped in and proudly introduced Dusty to Blade)
Dipper: Come on, Blade. He's not just some SEAT.
Dusty: No, no, no.
Dipper: Seriously. It's Dusty Crophopper, the champion air racer.
Dusty: "Champion."
DIPPER: Don't be shy. Come on! Tell him!
Dusty: No big deal.
Dipper: He raced all the way around the world!
(Dusty suppressed a chuckle)
Dusty: (CHUCKLES) I did. I did do that.
(Blade stared at Dusty for a moment, unimpressed)
Blade: The world wasn't on fire though, was it?
Dusty: Was the whole world on fire? No.
Blade: Hmm. (leaning menacingly toward Dusty) Maru!
Maru: What?
Blade: Rip off his landing gear.
Dusty: Wait, what?
(He didn't like the sound of that. He looked toward Maru, concerned. Maru grinned, revealing his missing tooth. he chuckled evilly a he flipped down his visor and held up a welder, sparks flying)
(INT. MARU'S CLUTTERED SERVICE HANGAR, PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DAY. Racks and workbenches were piled high with old spare parts and equipment. It looked nothing like Dottie's neat and organized garage. Tools, cans of oil and random parts and pieces of metal were scattered all about. It looked more like a wacky inventor's workshop than a service hangar)
MARU: (SINGING) Muskrat, muskrat candlelight
(Once Dusty's landing gear was off, Maru welded a set of patched-together pontoons on Dusty)
Dusty: It feels pretty weird without the tip tanks.
Maru: Tip tanks? (SCOFFS) You couldn't exactly go flying into fire with fuel tanks on your wings. Kaboom! Nope. You're gonna need these pontoons. They may be old...
Dusty: Old?
Maru: But they'll let you scoop water right off the lake.
Dusty: You're goofing on me. Do you have any new ones?
Maru: New? (LAUGHS) We don't even know what that word means around here. I rebuilt these babies myself. They're better than new.
(Maru finished welding)
Maru: Give them a go.
Dusty: Huh? All right. Let me just get this...
(Dusty tried to move across the floor, but the pontoons were clunky and awkward)
Maru: Pop the wheels, genius.
Dusty: The whee... Yeah. Pop the wheels.
(Dusty looked down. KACHUNK! The wheels extended from the pontoons and he was able to roll around. Gaining a few inches was pretty cool—he felt tall!)
Dusty: (GASPS) Oh. That's it.
Maru: Yeah, you think?
Dusty: Yeah, I'm tall. Look at this.
Maru: (MUTTERING)
(He rolled over to one of the walls, where Maru had hung photos of Fire and Rescue aircraft)
Dusty: Hey, you guys have a wall of fame just like the Jolly Wrenches. So, what's the deal? What do you have to do to get your picture up here?
Maru: Crash.
Dusty: Oh.
Maru: Yeah, it's dangerous work, but that's the job of a firefighter. Risking their lives for people they don't even know. They fly in when others are flying out. It takes a special kind of plane.
(Dusty looked at the photos of the fallen firefighters with respect and admiration)
(EXT. AUGERIN CANYON, PISTON PEAK — MORNING. Blade took Dusty to Augerin Canyon to begin training. The narrow canyon was breathtaking as it twisted and curved into the pine-covered forest, following the river. Huge outcroppings of rocks and boulders dotted the landscape. Natural arches stretched across parts of the canyon like strange, jagged bridges)
(At the far end of the canyon a narrow road by the river met up with a massive wooden bridge. Whitewall Falls, a mile-high rushing waterfall, thundered down the mountain behind the bridge)
BLADE: Fighting wildfire means flying low. And that's why we have Augerin Canyon, our own little obstacle course. All you gotta do is stay below the rim, and when you get to the bridge, fly under and pull out.
Dusty: Flying low. No problem.
Blade: Overconfidence, the kind of attitude that can get you killed.
(EXT. WHITEWALL FALLS — MORNING. Dusty dove into the canyon and expertly avoided arches and obstacles, showing off his agility)
Blade: Okay, now, let's see you make it under that bridge.
(Dusty sped up and headed for the wooden bridge by the falls. He was so focused on the task that for a moment, he completely forgot about his busted gearbox. His face fell when he remembered, and he looked at the torque gauge. It was climbing through the yellow zone, toward the red)
(The needle touched red, and the warning light started to flash. Panicking, Dusty pulled up and out of the canyon, easing back on his power. The flashing stopped, and Dusty cleared the rim and joined up with Blade)
Blade: Why did you pull power? You gotta firewall it.
Dusty: The bridge, it's too close to the falls.
Blade: No excuses. If there had been a downdraft, you'd be dead.
(EXT. ANCHOR LAKE — DAY. Next, Blade brought Dusty over to Anchor Lake to learn how to scoop water. The big, shimmering lake was home to an anchor-shaped island, and Dipper was there to demonstrate as Blade and Dusty took in the view. Dusty watched as Dipper flew over trees and dropped down sharply toward Anchor Lake.
Blade: Make a normal seaplane approach. Stay on the step while collecting water through the scoops. Just like that.
(She gracefully skimmed the surface, scooping up water. Then she climbed back above the trees on the opposite side. She made it look so easy)
Blade: Climb out loaded, return to your holding orbit, and drop as directed. Copy that?
Dusty: Copy that.
(Now it was Dusty's turn. he took a deep breath and descended, wobbling nervously)
Blade: Okay, you've got 12 to 15 seconds to scoop... Then 50 feet to climb out. And watch out for the tree!
(Dusty dropped quickly and skipped across the water, bouncing up and down. He was barely airborne when he met up with the treeline and was unable to avoid it)
(His pontoons scraped the trees. Blade frowned)
(INT. MAIN HANGAR, PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DAY. Later, Dusty went inside the main hangar and listened as Blade lectured about firefighting safety. Maru helped by pointing with a marker to a list on the blackboard, on which SAFETY FIRST was circled)
Blade: Indirect attack, parallel attack, direct attack. Know what your fire is doing at all times. Wind speed and direction. Temperature, relative humidity. And finally, all aircraft must be on the ground 30 minutes after sunset. Flying low at night is the fastest way to get your picture on the wall.
(Dusty listened carefully and took notes)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DAY. Next, it was time for Dusty for practice dropping flame retardant. He would need to line up and aim before dropping the retardant to hit the target. Big, flaming wooden barrels were set up on the tarmac as practice targets)
(Dusty took a deep breath breath and dove over the flaming barrels. he aimed and released his retardant...extinguishing only one of the barrels)
Blade: Too early.
(Dusty tried again, and this time his retardant sprinkled down weakly. It didn't hit even one barrel!)
Blade: Too high!
(On his third attempt, the drop knocked all the barrels over...but they were still lit!)
Blade: Too low. Those crops of yours, they die a lot?
(INT. HANGAR, PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — NIGHT. That night, Dusty was exhausted but sept restlessly. In the middle of the night he felt like someone was watching him. When he opened his eyes, he was startled. He saw Dipper's adoring eyes peering through the hangar door. It was creepy! As soon as she knew she was caught, she quickly ducked out of sight)
(EXT. WHITEWALL FALLS — DAY. Dusty tried to conquer the bridge in Augerin Canyon once again. Determined, he headed for the long wooden bridge)
Blade: Approach looks good. Now, increase your airspeed. Redline it. Go to max torque.
(And then—FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! Warning light again)
Blade: Don't back off. Don't back off!
(Dusty slowed his engine to make the warning light stop and pulled up before making it under the bridge)
Blade: Oh, why did you bail out again? If you don't push it, you're not gonna make it and you won't be certified.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — DAY. Dusty was really frustrated. he felt that he was completely failing as a trainee. Then he noticed smoke on the horizon, coming up from the forest. He grinned at Blade and zoomed toward the smoke. Dusty was determined to do something right. He dove, focused, and got ready to make a drop. He aimed and released the water right at the base of the column of smoke)
(Blade came over to see what Dusty had done. The two looked down to see a soaking-wet family of four RVs around a soggy campfire. The two kid RVs cried as their mother tried to comfort them. The dad RV scowled up at Blade and Dusty)
Blade: Good job! You just saved those folks from a nice vacation.
(Dusty couldn't even look at Blade, he was so humiliated)
(INT. HANGAR — DAY. Later that evening, Dusty rolled into his hangar dirty, exhausted, and disappointed in himself. THe radio crackled to life)
SKIPPER: Propwash Junction to Dusty. Come in, Dusty. Propwash Junction to Dusty.
(It was Skipper! Dusty pushed down on the pedal and spoke into the radio)
Dusty: Hey, Skipper.
Skipper: Hey! How's it going?
Dusty: This is tougher than I thought, but it is so good to hear from you.
(INT. DOTTIE'S GARAGE — DAY. Skipper, Dottie, Mayday, and Sparky were on the other end, to. His friends were calling with some exciting news)
Skipper: Well, we wanted to radio...
Chug: Skip, let me tell him.
Skipper: Oh, all right, Chug.
Dusty: Tell me what?
Chug: Okay. That we... (CHUCKLES) Oh, I can't! You tell him, Sparky.
Sparky: Uh, well. So, okay, there's this fella out in California.
CHUG: California!
Sparky: The Skipper and I know him from back when we were stationed in Coronado.
Chug: Near San Diego!
Sparky: We all used to go down to Baja.
Chug: Near Coronado!
Sparky: Oh, boy, there was this one time we went to this bar, and Skipper put a hula skirt and coconuts on his...
SKIPPER: Sparky!
Sparky: Right, okay. Sorry. Sorry. The point is, he has one of your...
Chug: Gearboxes! We got the gearbox!
Dusty: You got the... You got the... Are you kidding me?
Sparky: Oh, wait. It gets better. He's going to ship it out tonight.
Chug: We'll have it in a couple of days!
Dusty: This is the best news. This is just what I needed to hear right now.
Dottie: We'll let you know as soon as we get it.
Mayday: Hey, Dusty! Listen to my new siren.
(He took a big breath and squinted while trying to force out his siren sound. SQuuuuuEEEEEEEEEEeeeee! It sounded like a big, old balloon slowly letting out air. The room was silent as Mayday waited for a big response)
Mayday: Huh?
DOTTIE: Yeah, I haven't actually hooked up his siren yet.
(Just then, Patch's voice came over the PA)
PATCH: All aircraft, be advised...
Dusty: Something's up. I gotta go, guys.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DAY. He went outside to see what was going on)
Patch: I repeat, Superintendent Spinner has entered the base.
(Maru was washing Dipper and Windlifter. Dusty asked him what was up)
Dusty: What's going on?
Maru: Park superintendent.
Windlifter: He waxes himself... daily.
(It was obvious to Dusty that his new friends were not fans of the park Superintendent)
(Cad Spinner rolled up to the base, honking his horn obnoxiously)
CAD: Honk, honk! Beep-beep! Park superintendent coming. I sign your paychecks. Anybody gonna greet me? Yes, you are!
Maru: I got some oil pans to change.
(He rolled off)
Cad: Blade, Blade, Blade.
(Blade approached Cad)
Blade: What do you want, Cad?
Cad: That's a big hill. Listen. Do you think I like driving all around over here and up there, over there just to complain? Answer... No, I don't. But, I heard from some campers that one of your staff just soaked them with that red fire phosphorescent stuff that you use. The deodorant.
(Dusty rolled forward to apologize)
DUSTY: Yeah, I'm sorry. That was my fault.
(Blade cut him off)
Blade: The team needs to train. There's gonna be some mud spilled along the way.
(Dusty was surprised that Blade had come to his defense)
(Then Cad recognized Dusty and he didn't want to talk about the unhappy campers anymore)
Cad: Are you kidding me?
(Cad rolled up to Dusty and stared at him)
Blade: No, that's the way it works.
Cad: No, you are not! Blade, you're hiding a world famous racer right here at Piston Peak!
(Dusty grinned, embarrassed)
Cad: Ripslinger!
Dusty: Uh, it's "Crophopper."
Cad: Crophopper!
Dusty: Dusty.
Cad: Yeah, right. Me, Cad Spinner. You, one fast plane. What are you doing up here?
Dusty: Well, I'm getting...
Cad: Doesn't matter. Tomorrow night. The lodge. Grand reopening party. You're invited! And I'm thinking, high-speed flyover. What are you thinking?
Dusty: I'm thinking it'll be... It'll be dark.
Cad: Hey! There's gonna be a lot of VIPs. "Very Important Planes." How would you like to rub tires with the Secretary of the Interior of the United States of America? I smell photo op! Flash! Cha-ching.
(blade started talking to Cad about safety)
Blade: I smell something else.
(He was irritated with Cad for his lack of concern)
Cad: Blade, Blade, Blade. Can I explain something? Yes, I can. Look, spilling mud on people makes for sad campers. Big party at my lodge makes for happy campers. You understand?
Blade: You've packed too many happy campers into the park and way too many into that lodge.
(He is referring to Engine Pulaski, a fire truck who worked by the lodge)
Cad: Oh, we've got a structural fire engine down there protecting it.
Blade: This isn't just about protecting the lodge. There's low humidity...
(Dipper leaned in and whispered to Dusty)
Dipper: He got the Park Service to shift 80 percent of our budget to his lodge restoration project.
Blade: This base is held together with baling wire and duct tape! Maru had to rebuild that old tower himself.
Maru: It's better than new!
(Cad didn't seem to care)
CAD: Hear me, fellow forest friends, dirty though you may be. This is an historic weekend.
(His cell phone rang and he raised his antenna to answer it. The others watched, annoyed, as he took the call)
Cad: Cad, you got 30 seconds. Go. Ah, I don't care how much it costs. Yes, get the crystal glasses. Yes, fluted! Were you built in a barn? Come on! The lodge is only gonna be grand-reopened once. I'm not gonna... Could you hold on a second?
(Cad rolled off to finish his conversation)
Cad: Then fire the old lady, and get somebody who can get them!
(Then he returned to the crew)
Cad: You're not the only ones who can put out a fire, right? (CHUCKLES) Will I see you at the party? Yes, I will. (CLICKING TONGUE) Superstar! (driving off) Can you believe it? Dusty Cropslinger! He's even more famous than you, Blazin' Blade.
(Without another word, Blade huffed and rolled toward his hangar. Confused, Dusty turned to Dipper and Windlifter)
Dusty: "Blazin' Blade?"
Dipper: Shh!
Dusty: What?
Dipper: Shh.
Dusty: What, me, shush?
Dipper: Shh!
Dusty: I just said "Blazin' Blade."
Windlifter: Kilawu!
Dusty: (WHISPERS) What?
(Once Blade was out of earshot, Windlifter spoke quietly)
Windlifter: Tonight. Main hangar. Tell no one. Especially Blade.
(EXT. MAIN HANGAR — NIGHT. That night, the moon cast a silvery glow over the air attack base. All was calm and still as Dusty quietly rolled over to the main hangar, eager to answers. He waited in front until a peephole opened)
Maru: Password.
(Dusty was confused)
Dusty: Password? You didn't tell me...
Maru: Shh!
(Dusty tried again, whispering this time)
Dusty: (WHISPERS) You didn't tell me a password.
Maru: It's "Inferno."
(Then he smiled, revealing his missing tooth)
Dusty: Okay.
(Maru waited as his smile turned to a frown)
Dusty: Oh. Inferno.
(Maru slid the peephole firmly shut and opened the hangar doors)
Maru: Glad you could make it. You like "Inferno"? It was either that, or "Maelstrom," but that was so Nordic.
(INT. MAIN HANGAR — NIGHT. Dipper, Windlifter, and Cabbie were sitting around an old rear-projection television. The Smokejumpers rolled up close to the screen and fought over where to sit. Everyone excitedly grabbed cans of oil and got comfortable)
Dipper: Park it over here, Dust Storm. Our first date, and I saved you a spot.
(Warily, Dusty rolled over to Dipper. She scooted close, cuddling against him. Then she slowly and shyly put her wing around him)
Dipper: Yeah. They're real.
(Maru held up an old videotape with the title Howard the Truck)
(Dusty had no idea what was going on)
Dusty: "Howard The Truck"? You invited me here to watch...
Drip: Dude, dude, dude. Judge not a video by its cover.
(Maru slid the tape out of the case to reveal its white homemade label: EPISODE 17: "DISCO INFERNO" was scribbled on it in blue maker. Maru pushed the tape into the VCR, and it whirred to life when he hit the play button)
(After an old commercial for the law offices of Larry H. Parkinglot)
Larry H.: I'm Larry H. Parkinglot, and I'll fight for you!
(A disco beat began to play over a black screen. Two blue-and-gold California Helicopter Patrol copters appeared in the sky over a big city. The snappy theme song began as the show's title, ChoPs, appeared on the screen. The two stars grinned as their names popped up: "BLAZIN'" BLADE RANGER AND NICK "LOOP'N" LOPEZ!)
Dusty: Hold on. Blade was a TV star?
Dipper: 139 episodes of law-breaking love.
(The Smokejumpers eager to enjoy the show, shushed everyone)
Avalanche: Quiet!
(On the screen, a boot was being clamped onto a five-spoke mag wheel)
Blade: Good move, partner.
Car: Man, why you choppies always spoiling my fun?
Nick: Hey, you think it's fun running station wagons off the road, you punk? If I had a nickel for every crook like you...
Blade: Hey, hey, hey! He ain't worth it, Nick.
(The show was pretty cheesy, but Blade and Nick were the heroes and they had a lot of charm)
ANNOUNCER: All units, we have a code 904-S. Structural fire downtown at Studio 4x4.
Nick: L.A. Seven-Mary-Four, this is Officer Nick Lopez. We're on it!
(In the "Disco Inferno" episode, they busted a surly-looking muscle car and then got called to a burning high-rise, where a pink Ford Pinto was screaming from a balcony)
Ford Pinto: Help! Help!
(Blazin' Blade activated his hoist to save the Pinto)
All: Hoist!
(And then simultaneously slurped from their oil cans. Dusty could see that this was a tradition with the crew)
Blade: Are you all right, miss?
Nick: Hey, baby.
Ford Pinto: Ooh, I am now.
Windlifter: Hmm.
Police Car: As much as it pains me to say this, you two jokers... You did a good job.
Nick: Nice catch today, Blade. Speaking of which, she's got a sister.
Ford Pinto: Hi.
Blade: Good move, partner.
(Once the show was over, the credits rolled by as the theme music played again)
Drip: Dudes, let's watch episode 38, "Super Copter"!
Cabbie: "Super Copter"? This show stinks.
(The Smokejumpers got defensive and started yelling at Cabbie. The loved ChoPs!)
Dynamite: What are you talking about? This show is the best.
Windlifter: I'm with Cabbie.
(Dusty couldn't even form an opinion about it)
Dusty: Guys? Hey, guys?
Avalanche: Quiet!
Dusty: Thanks. I just don't get something. If Blade was such a big TV star, what is he doing here?
Drip: I don't know.
Avalanche: We don't know!
Drip: It's a mysterious mystery.
(The jumpers had all kinds of theories, but nobody knew for sure)
Pinecone: It's like my fiancé. He just vanished. Poof!
Cabbie: From my experience, this kind of stuff is classified.
Avalanche: Black ops!
Blackout: I heard he went cuckoo on the set.
Cabbie: You know, probably top secret.
Avalanche: CIA!
Cabbie: I'm sure he could tell us.
Avalanche: Yes!
Cabbie: But he'd have to kill us.
Avalanche: I don't want to die!
Dynamite: Whatever the reason is, it's his business, and we're not asking.
(INT. HANGAR — NIGHT. Later that, bright streaks of lightning cracked across the dark sky as a storm hit Piston Peak. Dusty peered out of his hangar and saw Blade perched on an overlook, keeping watch on the sky and the valley beyond. Dusty could see how important firefighting was to Blade. He took his job very seriously)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — MORNING. The siren blared across the base, alerting the crew. Patch's voice sounded urgent on the PA)
Patch: All aircraft and jumpers, lightning storm came through. We've got multiple starts north of Skyline Drive, east of Coil Springs.
(Maru got busy right away, mixing up flame retardant)
The Smokejumpers sped across the tarmac and loaded into Cabbie after he lowered his gate)
Blade: Lightning storm started a whole slew of spot fires and they've merged. This is a big one.
(What made matters worse was that the wind was causing the fire to spread rapidly)
Patch: Winds are out of the southwest with a moderate rate of spread.
Windlifter: Rapid.
Patch: Wait. We have an update. Rapid rate of spread.
Blade: Dipper, you and Windlifter load up. Champ, wait in the hangar.
Dusty: What?
Dipper: Blade, Dusty's been practicing so hard.
Blade: This ain't no campfire.
Dusty: Come on, I can do this.
Blade: You're not certified.
Dipper: Just give him a shot.
Blade: He's not certified!
Windlifter: We need every plane we've got.
Dusty: I want to help.
(Blade thought for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and called to Maru)
Blade: Maru!
Maru: Yeah, Blade?
Blade: Load him up.
Maru: Okay!
(Maru rolled up and snapped a picture of Dusty with his camera)
Dusty: What was that for?
Maru: The wall.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — DAY. At the fire, the Smokejumpers were busy at work, doing what they did best. Blackout sawed through a thick log, and Drip dragged it out of the way. Pinecone raked the brush into a pile, and Avalanche pushed the pile off to the side)
BLADE: Dipper, move into position. Split load. Coverage level eight.
Dipper: Dipper copies.
(Dipper flew overhead, releasing retardant on the fire)
BLADE: Come left one wingspan on your next drop. Champ, tag on and extend. Split load.
Dusty: Copy that.
(Dusty dove and lined up for his drop, focusing on the target. He concentrated, aimed, and dropped)
BLADE: Too high! It all dispersed. Windlifter, finish off that ridge.
Windlifter: Windlifter copies.
(Dusty huffed in frustration. He was trying his best—why had he missed his target?)
(On the ground, Dynamite eyed the ridge, sensing a problem. The wind suddenly shifted, and the smoke started blowing in the other direction. Then, the fire jumped the line and ignited the trees behind the jumpers!)
DYNAMITE: Pull back! Pull back! Let's go, let's go right now!
(With embers blowing all around them, the Smokejumpers turned away from the fire as it quickly moved toward them. Dynamite led the jumpers to a dry creek bed. They thought they could find safety there, but then there was a sudden loud CRACK as a massive burning pine tree fell to the ground, blocking their path)
Dynamite: Blade, we got a situation. The wind shifted. The fire jumped the line.
BLADE: Can you make it to your safety zone?
Dynamite: No, no good. Our escape route is blocked. We need a drop.
Blade: Copy that. Dipper, Smokejumpers trapped. Left flank, set up for a drop.
(But Dusty responded first)
DUSTY: I see them. I've got it.
(He was determined to help out)
(Dusty soared above the Smokejumpers. Concentrating, he aimed and released his retardant...right on target! Dusty had finally done it! The flames were extinguished)
DYNAMITE: All right. We're clear. Let's move. Let's get to the lake.
(They were safe)
DIPPER: That's my Dust Muffin!
BLADE: Champ, load and return. We still got a lot of work to do.
Dusty: Copy that.
(He had finally done something right!)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DUSK. The crew worked hard to contain the fire, and Dusty continued to do his best to help. It was a really long day, but at the end of it, Dusty felt great)
(Once the sun finally started to set, the crew returned to the base, exhausted and covered in soot)
PATCH: Dynamite just reported in. They're gonna camp out tonight and mop it up tomorrow.
(Maru asked Cabbie)
MARU: Cabbie, how's it looking?
Cabbie: We got that sucker boxed in.
Maru: Nice work!
CABBIE: That's why we're here.
Dusty: (SIGHS) So, that's it?
Dipper: Yep, fire is contained. The jumpers will stir on it until it's out. You did a great job out there, sweet SEAT.
Dusty: Thanks. I saw the jumpers in trouble...
(Blade rolled by)
Blade: You broke formation in a crowded airspace. Could've been you spread all over the woods instead of retardant. Don't go planning your certification party yet, Champ.
(Blade rolled off, leaving Dusty feeling as charred as the burned-up pine trees)
Dusty: Oh, man.
Dipper: Come on, that's just Blade's way of saying "Good job."
(SHOOOOM! A big private jet flew right over their heads)
Dipper: Whoa. That was low.
(Windlifter knew it was Cad's VIPs arriving for the big grand-opening party)
Windlifter: Cad's VIPs.
(Dusty had completely forgotten—the party was later that night)
Dusty: Oh, yeah, that's right. He's having a big party up at the lodge tonight. We should go!
Dipper: A second date? Wow! Room!
Dusty: Uh, I kind of meant all of us. You know, you and me, and Windlifter, and just everybody.
Dipper: Oh! Okay. Okay, okay, yeah. Mmm-hmm. You're right, you're right. I should get to know your friends.
Dusty: But they're your friends.
Dipper: (CHUCKLES) Well, yeah, I guess. Yeah. Let's not bicker.
(Dusty looked at Windlifter, bewildered. Windlifter just shrugged)
(EXT. FUSEL LODGE — NIGHT. The Fusel Lodge looked absolutely gorgeous against the night sky. Gasket Geyser erupted every now and then, adding a dramatic touch to the scenery)
(EXT. FUSEL LODGE — NIGHT. Inside, the lodge was buzzing with activity as excited vehicles entered the luxurious lobby. Bellhop forklifts swiftly rolled by, wheeling towering racks of luggage and leading visitors to their rooms. It was clear that Cad had spared no expense in restoring the old place. Magnificent chandeliers sparkled as they hung from the high ceiling, and a fire crackled in the giant stone fireplace, warming the cars lounging in solid oak rocking chairs. The train tracks curved in, right behind the check-in area, allowing the train to drop off passengers inside)
Bellhop Forklift: Welcome to the Fusel Lodge.
Female Bellhop Forklift: Be sure to get your complimentary bumper sticker over at the Gift Garage.
(Dusty, Dipper, Windlifter, and Maru entered the lodge, still covered in soot and grime from fighting the fire all day. They certainly stood out against the elegant lodge)
DUSTY: Whoa! Look at this place.
DIPPER: It's so beautiful. Dusty-poo, this is the perfect date! Let's check it out before we check in.
Bellhop Forklift: Hey, there, folks.
Dusty: Hi.
Bellhop Forklift: Like to get your picture taken with the superintendent?
Dusty: Uh...
Maru: Ha! Classy.
(ANDRÉ, the stuffy concierge forklift, noticed a bride and groom)
Concierge Pitty: Oui, you're all set with the Piston view deluxe honeymoon suite on our zero-emission floor.
(HONKING BRIDAL MARCH TUNE)
Concierge Pitty: Enjoy your stay.
(Dipper noticed a bride and groom drive by, obviously on their honeymoon)
Dipper: Wow. They do weddings here. Did you know that?
(EXT. TRAIN STATION, FUSEL LODGE — NIGHT. The train puffed into the station more guests poured out, including the one Cad was most excited about: the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. Cad waited eagerly to greet him with a welcome party of forklifts)
Cad: Welcome, Mr. Secretary, to the grand reopening weekend of the magnificent...
Secretary of the Interior: It's a pleasure to be here, Spinner.
Cad: And is it a pleasure to see you, sir? Yes, it is.
(He led the Secretary toward the main lobby)
Secretary of the Interior: So, now, what's this I hear about a fire?
Cad: Uh, fire...
(ENGINE PULASKI, the lodge's fire truck, and his assistant, RAKE, rolled by)
Pulaski: The Whitewall Fire is contained, sir.
Cad: Right.
Pulaski: It's under control.
Cad: It's absolutely under control. Thank you...
Pulaski: Engine Pulaski, sir.
Cad: Who-ski?
Pulaski: "Pulaski."
(Cad quickly changed the subject and went back to addressing the Secretary)
Cad: Right. Anyway, right this way, sir. And if there's any other questions you have for me, please, I am your man.
(INT. MAIN LOBBY, FUSEL LODGE — NIGHT.)
Maru: Don't even have normal coffee here. I had to get something called a "Highway Expresso."
Windlifter: What do you think?
Maru:  You look good.
Windlifter: Eh.
Secretary of the Interior: Tell me, how's the park's indigenous wildlife population?
Cad: The what?
(Cad seemed to be caught off guard. He obviously didn't know the answer to the Secretary's question)
Secretary of the Interior: The wildlife.
Cad: Oh, the wildlife! Well, if you come to the party tonight, there'll be plenty of party animals. Ho, ho, ho. Huh?
Secretary of the Interior: I see. Yes.
(OL' JAMMER, an old tour bus and park ranger, had overheard the Secretary's question)
Ol' Jammer: The deer population is steady. And we've had a healthy increase in the number of red-propped balsa thrush.
Secretary of the Interior: Ah, glad to hear it. Say, I didn't quite catch your name.
Ol' Jammer: Ranger Jammer, sir. Seventy-two years at Piston Peak.
Secretary of the Interior: Pleased to meet you, Jammer.
Ol' Jammer: Well, it's a true...
(Cad was clearly irritated that Jammer was befriending the Secretary)
Cad: Bumper kisser.
(Nearby, Dusty and Dipper were admiring the beauty of the lodge)
Dipper: Wow, look at that ice sculpture! (GASPS) This could be our room if we were little, tiny pieces of ice.
(Suddenly, Dusty heard his name being called out and a fan appeared before him, snapping pictures with his cell phone)
Steve: Dusty Crophopper! My buddies are never gonna believe this. Hey, do my voice-mail.
Dusty: Your voice-mail?
(The fan held up the phone)
Steve: Go!
Dusty: Oh, hi, this is Dusty Crophopper.
Steve: "World racing champion."
Dusty: World racing champion. Please leave a message at the beep.
Steve: Now, beep.
Dusty: What?
Steve: Do it!
Dusty: Beep!
Steve: (LAUGHS) That was awesome!
(Then Cad spotted Dusty and rushed toward him. He was eager to get away from Jammer, who was still chatting with the Secretary)
Cad: Move along. Dusty! You have to meet the Secretary of the Interior.
Dusty: Okay.
(Then he leaned in close and whispered)
Cad: I'm up for a promotion. You understand. You're upwardly mobile, right?
Dusty: Sure.
Cad: Of course, you are. You're a plane.
(Then Cad noticed someone else who was famous—BOAT REYNOLDS, a boat with a manly mustache)
Cad: Hey! Boat Reynolds! Boat, loved you in Best Little Boathouse in Texas.
(He quickly left Dusty, rushing off to try to meet the famous actor)
(A nice old RV couple, WINNIE & HARVEY, approached Dusty. They had honeymooned in the park fifty years before and were celebrating their wedding anniversary. They seemed to be as much in love as they must have been when they got married)
Harvey: Excuse me, son. Do you work here?
Dusty: No, not really.
Harvey: Great, come over here. It's our anniversary.
Winnie: We honeymooned here 50 years ago.
Harvey: Can you believe it?
Winnie: I was 50 years younger and half a ton lighter.
Harvey: More to love!
Winnie: And Harvey, bless his heart, is trying to find the spot where we had our first kiss.
Dipper: Oh, that is so sweet!
(She leaned into a confused Dusty)
Dipper: You don't do things like that anymore.
Harvey: Honey, honey, listen, I'm telling you. There was a bridge, and a magnificent waterfall, and... You.
(He looked lovingly at Winnie)
Winnie: I love you, Harvey.
Dusty: Hey, you know, that sounds like Augerin Canyon.
Harvey: Yeah, that's right! Anger Canyon.
Dusty: By Upper Whitewall Falls.
Harvey: By Whitewash Falls! See? I told you I knew where it was.
Dipper: Hey, in honor of your anniversary, why don't you join us?
Dusty: We'll buy you a can of oil, on me.
Winnie: Oh, thank you, dear.
(EXT. VERANDA, FUSEL LODGE — NIGHT. Windlifter, Dipper, Winnie, Harvey, Dusty, and Maru went out to the veranda. They sat around a table with a small fire pit in use center and drank cans of oil as they chatted and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. Dusty felt a little like he was back home at Honkers Sports Bar. It was really nice hanging out and relaxing with his new friends)
Harvey: Oh, sure, sure. I've been around the block a few times. I worked as a taco truck, sold carwash curtain rings for a while. Then, I got into RV tire sales. Winnie here was my showroom model.
Winnie: That's how we met.
Harvey: It's true.
Dusty: Aw, nice.
Harvey: For our wedding day, bought her the best set of whitewalls.
Winnie: We wore off the treads on our honeymoon.
Dusty: Yeah, oh...
Winnie: Driving!
Maru: Oh, driving! Of course!
Dusty: She said "Driving." Delete that thought.
Maru: Deleted!
HARVEY: You know, Dusty... Maybe this firefighting thing will be a second career for you.
Dipper: Oh, yeah. This is a second career for all of us. Windlifter was a lumberjack, Cabbie was in the military, and me, well, I hauled cargo up in Anchorage. Yeah, a lot of guys up in Anchorage. I was beating them off with a stick. (VOCALIZING) "Come here, boy. No." Boom!
(Dusty wondered...he had been a crop duster and then a racer. Maybe Harvey was right. Firefighting could be his next career)
Harvey: Hey, big whirlybird, you haven't said much. How about a toast?
Dipper: Uh, Windlifter's not really much for speeches.
(Windlifter, who was chanting to himself, suddenly stopped)
Windlifter: (CHANTING) A toast to Coyote. It was he who drove all day and all night to the base of Bright Mountain. With much difficulty, he climbed the mountain to obtain fire, and brought it down to the first vehicles. But in so doing, he burned his tires. And when Coyote saw his blackened tires, he thought they were his favorite snack, and he ate them!
(Everyone gasped—except Maru, who just smiled)
(Windlifter continued)
Windlifter: For he knew they were still full of life. And it was in this way, he let go of the old, and renewed himself like fire renews the earth.
(Everyone sat silently, glancing around at each other for a moment. No one had ever heard a story like Windlifter's before. They were all speechless)
(Finally, Dusty broke the silence)
Dusty: Uh, I'm just gonna say it. You had me up until the part where he eats his own tires.
Maru: (CHUCKLES) Best toast ever, Wind. (raising his can) Cheers!
Everyone: Cheers!
(They clink their oil cans together)
(INT. HANGAR — EARLY MORNING. Dusty was still asleep when sunlight began to stream through the window of his hangar. The radio crackled and squawked to life, waking him)
SKIPPER: Propwash Junction to Dusty.
Dusty: Oh? Huh? Oh? Oh, oh.
(Tired, Dusty rolled backward, knocking into a pile of boxes)
Skipper: Come in, Dusty. Come in, Dusty. Propwash Junction to Dusty.
(Skipper's voice sounded far away through the scratchy old radio)
(Dusty yawned)
Dusty: Hey, Skip. Oh.
(oops. Dusty realized he'd forgoteen to step on the pedal. He rolled onto the pedal, holding it down, and tried again)
Dusty: What's up? Oh, did the gearbox come in?
(INT. DOTTIE'S GARAGE — EARLY MORNING. Dottie, Sparky, Chug, and Skipper looked somber. An open parts sat on a bench beside them. Skipper fumbled for an answer)
Skipper: Well, we...
Dusty: What?
SPARKY: So... Dust...
(The gang shared a sad look. No one wanted to be the bearer of bad news)
Chug: Sparky, I'll tell him.
(Finally, Chug's voice crackled through the radio)
Chug: It was the wrong one. The crate... It was mislabeled. We've called every parts supplier, repair shop, and junkyard in the country. Nobody has your gearbox.
(Dusty shut his eyes. it took a moment for the news to sink in)
Skipper: Dusty?
Dusty: I'm here.
Skipper: I'm sorry.
(Dusty fought back tears. For a moment, he was too disappointed to talk)
Dusty: I gotta go. Thanks.
(He lifted off the radio pedal and sadly looked at his torque gauge. What was he supposed to do? He felt as worthless as the junk scattered about the hangar)
(Suddenly, the blast of the siren rang out across the base, and Patch's voice came blaring over the PA)
PATCH: All aircraft, we've got two fires.
(Dusty stayed completely still as he heard the crew getting ready to fight the fire. He felt paralyzed by the disappointing news about the gearbox)
(Just then, Maru burst into Dusty's hangar, startling him)
MARU: Hey, Crophopper. Get this, Cad's fancy jet VIPs flew in too low over the burn area last night, blew embers in all directions.
(Dusty had no reaction and remained motionless. Then Blade rolled up alongside Maru and called loudly)
BLADE: Champ, let's load and go.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — DAY. Smoke billowed into the sky as two massive fires burned on either side of V-6 Valley. he fires were moving forward fast, getting closer and closer to each other. If they joined up, the resulting fire would likely burn down the entire forest)
Blade: The fire broke containment and split in two. Windlifter, you and Dipper take the Coil Springs fire. Me and the SEAT will take Whitewall Rapids.
Windlifter: Windlifter copies.
(Windlifter and Dipper peeled off to the left as Blade and Dusty went to the right)
(The mountainside was ablaze, and the flames were rapidly growing and spreading. As Blade and Dusty crested the mountain, they could see the fire climbing toward the lodge)
(Blade radioed Maru)
Blade: Maru, come in.
Maru: Yeah, Blade?
Blade: It's worse than we thought.
Maru: Yeah?
Blade: Get on the horn to the lodge. That fire is about four hours from their front door. They're gonna have to evacuate.
(INT. MAIN LOBBY, FUSEL LODGE — DAY. Maru radioed Cad right away, but Cad didn't want to hear it)
Cad: Absolutely not!
MARU: Blade insists. To be safe, you gotta get everyone out.
Cad: I've been working on this lodge for five years. I'm not gonna evacuate now just to be "safe."
MARU: You got less than four hours.
(He made it very clear that they would be in danger if they stayed in the lodge)
Cad: Why am I talking to you? Where's Blade?
Maru: Oh, he's out back sipping a motorjito. Where do you think he is? He's out fighting the fire!
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — DAY. Waves of flames ripped through the pines at an incredibly fast rate as the fire advanced up a ridge. Blade and Dusty flew toward it side by side)
BLADE: If we're gonna save the lodge, we've gotta keep this fire from cresting the ridge. I'll drop, then you tag on and extend. And make it a split load. That way, we can double up and widen it downwind of the ridge...
(Dusty wasn't listening. He was distracted by the news about his gearbox. He focused on his torque gauge and listened closely to the sound of his engine. Blade's words were not reaching him. Chug's and Dottie's voices echoed in his head)
DOTTIE: If you push yourself into the red, you'll crash.
CHUG: Nobody has your gearbox.
BLADE: Copy that? Hey!
(Dusty snapped to attention)
Dusty: Huh?
Blade: You copy that?
Dusty: Yeah. Yes. Copy that.
(Blade dropped a line of retardant in front of the fire. Dusty followed, and then dropped all of his retardant down on the fire as well)
Blade: You gotta be kidding me. Was that your whole tank?
Dusty: Yeah.
Blade: You just wasted all of it.
Dusty: I was just following your orders.
Blade: I said, "Split load." We were going to make a secondary line to protect that lodge.
Dusty: It'll be fine. I can reload at the lake.
Blade: Negative! Return to base.
Dusty: No! There's no time. Let's just get this fire out.
(He began to arc toward the water)
Blade: Hey, hey! You need to listen to me!
Dusty: I'll be fine!
(EXT. LAKE — DAY. Blade went after him, following)
BLADE: These crosswinds are too strong. Return to base!
DUSTY: This is what you trained me to do!
BLADE: Not under these conditions.
(But Dusty refused to listen)
Dusty: If we're gonna get this fire out, I've gotta reload.
Blade: Pull up, that's an order!
Dusty: No, I can do this.
(He approached the lake. When he touched its choppy surface, he bounced up and down wildly, like a stone skipping across the water)
(Dusty's prop hit the lake, and water sprayed everywhere. he tried to start his engine, but it wheezed and choked)
Dusty: I've taken in too much water. My engine stalled.
Blade: Stalled?
(EXT. WHITEWALL RAPIDS — DAY. Dusty was stuck as he helplessly started to drift down the rapids and straight toward Whitewall Falls)
Blade: Keep your pontoons downstream. I'll keep ahead of you.
(The rapids dragged Dusty down the the river, but he still didn't want to listen to Blade)
DUSTY: I'll get out on my own.
(Blade followed Dusty from above)
BLADE: How you planning on doing that?
DUSTY: I'll restart my engine.
BLADE: Just hang on. I'm gonna pull you to shore.
(He lowered his hoist and swung it toward Dusty but missed)
(Dusty tried to start his engine again and again, but it kept stalling. He didn't know what to do. He was helpless, drifting down the rapids like a toy boat)
Blade: Are you all right?
Dusty: I'm okay.
Blade: (flying past) There's too much coverage. Don't worry, I'll get you at the next clearing.
Dusty: Right.
(Dusty banged into a log. The river was moving quickly, knocking him this way and that. Dusty had no control over what was happening or where he was going. Blade waited in a clearing, ahead of Dusty. When Dusty approached, Blade tossed his hoist down. But Dusty got caught between some rocks underwater and stopped moving. He was stuck. Blade's hoist missed again, falling into the river)
Blade: The hoist, it's caught.
(Finally, Dusty broke free from the rocks and screamed as he was pulled down the rapids again. Blade attempted to fly forward, but he couldn't move—his hoist was caught on a fallen tree)
Dusty: Blade... Blade!
(He continued to float downstream)
Blade: Oh, come on. You need to start your engine. You've got clear water. You can take off before the falls.
(Dusty paused. he was scared)
Blade: It's your only chance.
(Whitewall Falls was just ahead and coming up fast. Dusty tried to start his engine again—and it worked!)
Dusty: Right! Right. Got it. I'm good!
(Blade tugged on his hoist, trying to free it, but it was still firmly wedged beneath the giant fallen tree)
Blade: Now, redline it.
(Dusty managed to get a little lift, but his pontoons were still in the water)
Blade: Push your engine!
(Dusty pushed harder and watched his torque gauge near the red zone)
Blade: Redline it! You need more lift!
(Even with his pontoons in the water and the falls quickly approaching, he could only focus on his gauge)
Blade: Redline it! Redline it!
(Then Dusty's warning light flashed. he panicked, let off the power, and lost his lift)
Blade: Why are you holding back? Redline it!
(Whitewall Falls was right in front of him! Dusty clipped a rock and spun right into the massive waterfall!)
(WHOOSH-CLANK! Blade's hoist hooked Dusty in a flash. Blade strained as he lifted Dusty up and out of the falls. SMASH! Dusty shrieked as he crashed right through a burning tree branch)
(EXT. AIRWAY MEADOW — DAY. They finally reached the ground and caught their breath)
Blade: Why didn't you redline it? You could've made it! What were you thinking?
(The Blade eyed the fire, looking very worried. It was ripping through the forest and getting closer to them)
DUSTY: What? What's wrong?
Blade: This ain't good. Head down that path. Follow me.
(Blade and Dusty flew off)
(Blade led Dusty to an old mineshaft tucked into a hillside. Fallen timber and burning debris surrounded the mine, but it was the safest place for them to be)
Blade: Champ, come on! In here.
Dusty: An old mine? We can't go in there. We'll suffocate!
Blade: It's our only chance. We'll let it burn over.
Dusty: No, you go on. I'll keep moving.
(He turned down the path. The ground vibrated as burning trees fell in the distance, pounding the earth)
Blade: What are you doing? Hey. Hey!
(Blade landed right in front of Dusty, blocking his path. he stared him right in his eyes)
Blade: You can't outrun the fire.
Dusty: You know what? I'll find my way out.
Blade: Like you found your way out of the rapids.
Dusty: I didn't want to push my engine.
Blade: You didn't "want" to?
Dusty: Blade, listen to me.
(Blade was furious)
Blade: This isn't about you. This is about life and death. You need to follow orders. I told you, "Split load," you dropped it all. I told you not to reload on the lake, you did it anyway. I told you, "Redline it," you pulled power. You don't have what it takes! You don't!
Dusty: Fine! I never wanted to be a firefighter anyway!
Blade: Then go back to racing! Go win yourself another trophy, Champ.
Dusty: I can't! My gearbox is busted! All right? That's why I pulled power. I'm never gonna...
(Dusty was exhausted and miserable. He was so overcome with disappointment and sadness that he didn't even feel like himself anymore)
Blade: Life doesn't always go the way you expect it. But you came here to become a firefighter. If you give up today, think of all the lives you won't save tomorrow.
(He paused. Then he asked Dusty:)
Blade: So, what are you going to do?
(Blade's words washed over Dusty as he stood there amid the rising smoke, falling embers, and ash. He thought for a moment and then slowly entered the mine. Blade looked back at the encroaching flames and followed)
(The mine wasn't very deep. Dusty rolled back as far as he could go, and Blade rolled behind him, but there wasn't enough room for both of them. Blade remained half exposed at the entrance)
(The terrifying roar and crackle of the forest flames grew louder. Soon smoke began to fill the mineshaft as flames danced across its entrance. Burning embers fell, and Dusty shut his eyes. He had never been so frightened)
(Ahhh! A beam collapsed, scraping Dusty's side and partially tearing off his #7 racing decal. Flames clawed, trying to get inside the mine, but Blade blocked them as best he could. The heat caused the paint on his side to bubble and blister, but he didn't budge. Blade stood firm in the entryway, shielding Dusty from the flames)
(EXT. FUSEL LODGE — DAY. Cad was beaming as he stood next to a tarp and spoke to a big crowd. Guests and staff members were there, as was the Secretary of the Interior. They were all waiting for Cad to unveil a commemorative plaque for the lodge)
(Smoke appeared on the horizon, but Cad wasn't about to let that distract him from his big moment)
Cad: Is it a beautiful day here at Piston Peak Park? Yes, it is! Thanks for coming out, everybody. And I'd like to give a special welcome to the Secretary of the Interior who is joining us for the unveiling of this commemorative... (CLEARS THROAT) Plaque.
(Off to the side, Engine Pulaski argued with André, the concierge)
Pulaski: The safety of the tourists is at stake!
(Cad noticed and glanced back at the crowd, smiling big)
Cad: (LAUGHS) Sorry about that. If you could excuse me for a moment, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you.
(Annoyed, he sped over to Pulaski)
Cad: Am I giving a speech? Yes, I am, Pnewski.
Pulaski: No, sir, "Pulaski."
Cad: Papooski.
Pulaski: "Pulaski."
Cad: P'tootsie.
Pulaski: "Pulaski."
Cad: That's what I said. We're saying the same thing.
(Pulaski had enough)
Pulaski: With all due respect, Superintendent Spinner, the smoke over the ridge is growing closer.
Concierge Pitty: Yeah, perhaps we should turn on the roof sprinklers?
(Cad couldn't be bothered with the fire at the moment)
(But Pulaski was insistent)
Pulaski: We must evacuate.
(Just then, Ol' Jammer rolled up)
Ol' Jammer: Better listen to them, Cad. They're right.
Secretary of the Interior: Come on, Spinner! Let's see that plaque.
(None of the guests had noticed the fire yet)
Cad: Right away, sir!
Pulaski: We need to cancel the unveiling.
Ol' Jammer: The longer we wait, the worse it'll get.
(André begged Cad to listen to them)
Cad: (MUTTERING) Who are you? You're a glorified bell boy. You're an overpriced sprinkler, and you're old, and you have a dumb hat on.
(Cad sounded like a child having a temper tantrum)
Cad: Who am I? I'm the Superintendent, and today is about me and my lodge. And now is the moment I've been waiting for!
(He turned back to the crowd to continue with his unveiling. He dramatically pulled away the tarp to reveal a shiny brass plaque of his own grinning face with the lodge in the background)
(Suddenly, a car in the crowd screamed)
Cad: Now, that's just rude.
CAR: Fire!
Cad: Oh.
(Everyone turned to see that a nearby mountain was covered in flames! Panic set in as everyone scrambled in multiple directions. It was absolute chaos!)
(INT. FUSEL LODGE — DAY. André rushed up and down the halls)
Concierge Pitty: Quickly! Quickly. We must evacuate. Don't panic! We must evacuate!
(Vehicles headed toward the exit and piled onto the train. Ol' Jammer and the Secretary of the Interior helped usher everyone out)
OL' JAMMER: This is a mandatory evacuation, but we have plenty of time. Keep moving. Keep going at a steady pace.
Secretary of the Interior: Keep moving slowly, but carefully.
(Cad tried to reassure his guests)
Cad: All right. Look, there's no need to panic. It's really just a small, little fire. If you all just calm down, you can come back next year. Sure, you can all come back next year. I'll see you right here!
(EXT. TARMAC, FUSEL LODGE — DAY. Engine Pulaski guided planes on the tarmac)
PULASKI: Move along. That's it. And remember, avoid the smoke, stay above the canyon walls, you'll be okay.
(They took off)
Pulaski: All right, next, please.
(An old-lady plane rolled up, preparing to take off. She spun her prop, and suddenly—WHOOSH! A fancy jet pulled right in front of her)
Jet: Out of my way, tail dragger.
(Pulaski pushed in front of the fancy jet)
Pulaski: Hold on, there, big fella. No cutsies. You don't want to upset my buddy, here.
(Pulaski's assistant, Rake, struck an angry gaze and snapped down his fire shield)
(The jet slinked off, terrified)
PULASKI: All right, ma'am, you're clear for takeoff.
Old-Lady Plane: Thank you!
PULASKI: Remember to avoid the smoke and stay above the canyon walls!
(EXT. TRAIN STATION, FUSEL LODGE — DAY. Once the train was full, it closed its doors)
CONCIERGE PITTY: Move along. Quickly, please. I'm sorry. I am sorry. That is all. The train is full. Remaining guests, please follow a staff member. They will lead you to the main road exit. All aboard!
(The train whistled as it chugged off, pulling away from the station)
(EXT. AIRWAY MEADOW — DUSK. The fire had finally passed. Blade pushed through the charred debris and slowly rolled out of the mineshaft. He was marked with some bad burns, and one of his tires was melted flat. Dusty coughed as he joined Blade outside the mine. Smoke still filled the air. The burned remains of the forest were blackened and smoking from the heat)
(Dusty noticed Blade's burned side)
Dusty: Blade...
BLADE: Airway Meadow should be clear. We'll take off from there. Let's go.
(When they got to the scorched meadow. Dusty revved his engine and rolled across the terrain. It was a little bumpy, but he managed to climb into the air. Blade took off behind him, but before he was more than a few feet off the ground, his engine whined and seized. Blade tilted over and slammed down hard, right into the blackened ground. His rotor tore up chunks of earth until he lay there, completely still)
(Dusty circled back and quickly flew down to Blade's side)
Dusty: Blade! Blade!
(But Blade didn't answer or even move. Dusty called Patch right away and spoke with urgency:)
Dusty: Patch, come in, this is Crophopper Seven. Patch, come in!
PATCH: I read you, Crophopper Seven.
Dusty: Blade is down. I repeat, Blade is down!
Patch: I'll send Windlifter to respond. Stay at your location.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — DUSK. Dipper and Dusty flew alongside Windlifter as he carried Blade to the air attack base. Everyone gathered as Windlifter lowered Blade gently onto the helipad)
MARU: Okay, that's good. Slow, slow. Good, good. Careful!
(Windlifter lowered Blade to the ground)
Maru: Good. We're good! Pinecone, get those straps off. Avalanche?
Avalanche: Yes!
Maru: Push the ramp alongside the access panel and be careful.
(The two Smokejumpers quickly got to work. Then Maru rolled up the ramp, opened Blade's panel, and began his examination)
(Dusty anxiously turned to Cabbie)
Dusty: He'll be okay, right?
Cabbie: It's bad, but, Maru, he's the best there is. He'll make him better than new.
(Maru let out a frustrated sigh)
Maru: His hydraulics are completely fried. He's losing fluids. I gotta get him back to the garage, stat. Dynamite, tow hook!
Dynamite: Coming right up.
(Dynamite pulled the tow, and Maru hooked Blade up and pulled him to the garage. Maru continued to shout out orders to the others, and everyone worked as a team to help)
Maru: I'm gonna need hydraulic fluid from the shed.
Drip: Copy that.
Maru: Blackout, we'll need another generator.
Blackout: I got it!
Maru: Try the main hangar. And grab another heat lamp!
BLACKOUT: Yes, boss!
Maru: The surface burns are bad, but the interior damage is repairable. As long as we move quick, we got a good chance.
(Dusty could hear the concern in Maru's voice as his words trailed off. He couldn't believe it. None of this would have happened if he had only listened to Blade. This was all his fault. If Blade didn't make it, Dusty would never forgive himself. He didn't even want to think about that)
(EXT. GARAGE — EVENING. Maru worked long hours trying to fix Blade. Later that evening, he finally closed the door to his garage, leaving Blade to rest inside. Dusty timidly rolled up)
DUSTY: How is he?
Maru: He's resting now.
Dusty: Oh.
Maru: I've done everything I can.
Dusty: (SIGHS) Do you think he's gonna be...
Maru: Look, Dusty, don't blame yourself.
Dusty: He should have left me out there.
Maru: Nah. That ain't Blade's style.
(He paused a moment before continuing)
Maru: Especially since what happened to Nick.
Dusty: Nick? You mean Nick Loopin' Lopez from the TV show?
(EXT. HANGAR — EVENING. Maru turned on the lights)
MARU: It was just a routine day on the set. And Nick, he was doing his trademark loop for a stunt scene.
(Maru slowly rolled up to the Wall of Fame)
Maru: But there was this freak crosswind.
(He pushed aside a box on his workbench, revealing a picture of Nick "Loop'n" Lopez)
Maru: Blade was the first one on the scene... But he didn't know what to do.
(Dusty couldn't believe it. He could only imagine how horrible Blade must have felt)
Maru: His best friend was gone. And Blade thought his life was over, too.
(Maru began to busy himself, cleaning up some oil cans while he finished telling the story)
(Dusty sadly looked off toward Blade's hangar as he listened)
Maru: But he didn't give up. He got trained, got certified, and came here. Blade, he used to pretend to save lives. Now, he saves them for real.
(EXT. FUSEL LODGE — NIGHT. Cad watched as the lodge's rooftop sprinklers sprayed weakly)
CAD: What's going on up there? We're not getting enough water. (to André the concierge) Hey! We're not getting
enough water on the lodge. Reroute the main water line to the roof sprinklers.
(André refused)
Concierge Pitty: Oh. No, no, no! The firefighters need that water to make retardant.
(Cad interrupted him)
Cad: How do you know that?
Concierge Pitty: I'm the concierge. It's my job to know everything.
Cad: I don't care! Do you work for them? No, you work for me, what's-your-name. Now, are you gonna do it, or do I have to do it myself?
(André glared at him in defiance)
Concierge Pitty: (HUFFS)
(Seconds later, Cad leaned on the lever with all his might)
Cad: Come on, come on!
(He finally pushed it into position)
Cad: (GRUNTS) I got it!
(With the increased water pressure, the rooftop sprinklers drenched everything in the lodge)
(EXT. MAIN ROAD EXIT — NIGHT. A massive traffic jam had formed as hundreds of panicked cars and RVs packed the only route out of the park. Making matters worse was the fact that the exit road was very narrow, with only one lane going in each direction. The raging fire burned on either side of it, and cinders rained down, hissing and popping as they sent sparks all over the road)
(Engine Pulaski sprayed water from his nozzle onto the ridge, trying his best to keep the fire from reaching the exit)
(Ol' Jammer and the Secretary of the Interior continued to keep guests quiet and organized)
OL' JAMMER: All right, everybody, stay calm.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: Both roads are open.
OL' JAMMER: Keep your headlights on low-beam and stay under five miles an hour. And be careful!
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: That's right. It's going to be fine. Keep moving. We're gonna get everybody out.
(The train appeared, chugging down the tracks toward the exit, when suddenly—WHOOSH! A gust of wind blew a wall of flames over the ridge and sent burning debris right in front of the exit tunnel!)
Ol' Jammer: Good gracious!
(The train slammed on its brakes, and sparks flew as it came to a screeching stop. With the tunnel blocked, the train was stuck! Cars and RVs gazed up at the fire, terrified)
(Then things got even worse. A group of tall pine trees burst into flames, and one of them was lifted right up from its roots as it began to fall over. The giant, flaming pine tumbled down the ridge, bringing an avalanche of fire and rocks with it! Pulaski looked to see Ol' Jammer and the Secretary of the Interior directly underneath, in the path of the avalanche)
PULASKI: Watch out!
(He pushed them out of the way. SMASH! The trees and debris crashed into Engine Pulaski, breaking his nozzle)
(The Secretary of the Interior and Ol' Jammer had escaped unharmed, but the nozzle on Pulaski's pump was broken. He could no longer fight the fire)
Secretary of the Interior: Pulaski, you hurt?
Ol' Jammer: Are you okay?
Pulaski: No, sir. Pump's busted.
Secretary of the Interior: We're gonna have to find another way out.
OL' JAMMER: That's the problem, Mr. Secretary. There is no other way out.
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — NIGHT. The emergency siren blared)
PATCH: (on PA) Listen up, y'all, we got big trouble. Wildfire jumped the main exit road and now it's blocked.
Dipper: I know it's after sunset, but you're in command. It's your call.
(Windlifter looked up into the sky and then gazed at Dipper)
Maru: There's not much time. If you're gonna go, you better go now.
Dusty: And we'll need every plane we've got.
Windlifter: Load up.
(Everyone quickly prepared to go out and fight the terrible fire. Maru hooked up the hoses and they puffed to life as they inflated with retardant. The Smokejumpers loaded into Cabbie)
Maru: We'll have you out of here in 60...
(WHOOSH! Maru was unable to complete his sentence as heard the loud sound of whooshing air and watched as the hoses sadly deflated. He twisted the value on the main pipe and squeezed the trigger on the tank's filling hose, but nothing came out. He checked the gauge on the main tank)
Maru: Problem! There's no water pressure.
(Without water, he couldn't fill the team's tanks with retardant)
Cabbie: Main line must have burst again.
Dipper: Hey, Patch, what's the lake look like?
Patch: (OVER PA) Negative. No visibility. Boxed in by fire and smoke.
(The team looked at each other. What could they do?)
Windlifter: All we have left is what's in our tanks. Let's make it count.
(Then he lifted off. Everyone rolled toward the runaway and took off, heading toward the main road exit)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — NIGHT. As the team soared over the burning landscape, Dusty glanced at his torque gauge. Below, deer tractors stampeded away from the flames as the fire continued to rip through the forest)
DUSTY: We're headed straight into the fire. Aren't we gonna fly around it?
Dipper: The fastest way to the main road is through the fire.
Windlifter: Brace yourselves.
(He led them through the smoke. Roaring winds rushed by them as glowing embers and gray ash flew through the air)
DIPPER: (MUFFLED) Hold on, Dusty!
(The smoke blurted Dusty's vision, and he had trouble seeing where he was going)
(Once they flew out of the smoke and made it to the other side, into the valley, they got a good look at the blazing forest. Scattered blackened trees stood among some that were still flaming like gigantic torches. The forest floor was speckled with smocking bare spots and shrubs that were burned to a crisp)
(Then they flew past the lodge and noticed the sprinklers dousing the roof. Cad stood nearby, looking up at them as they flew overhead)
(EXT. MAIN ROAD EXIT — NIGHT. Ol' Jammer was still working hard to keep the crowd calm)
(The train, now surrounded by flames, blew his whistle, begging for help. The passengers looked out the window in fear as they watched the flames rise around them)
(Finally, the team approached, buzzing above the hopeful cars and RVs below. Windlifter swooped in and dropped his retardant right on target, extinguishing some of the flames. White smoke filled the air as Dipper dropped her retardant...right on target. The train blew his whistle again while flames burned both in front and behind it. Dusty glided in and aimed to drop on the fire surrounding the train. He dropped...right on target! The cars and RVs on the ground cheered. The fire was out!)
DYNAMITE: Let's clear this road.
(The Smokejumpers landed and cleared the fallen trees and debris, and soon traffic began to move again)
Ol' Jammer: All right, now, be careful. Slow and steady. We don't want to see any fender benders around here.
(Patch's voice came over the radio)
PATCH: (on radio) Windlifter, do you copy?
Windlifter: Go ahead, Patch.
Patch: We've got two old RVs trapped in Augerin Canyon.
(Dusty flew up alongside Windlifter)
Dusty: Two old RVs? Oh, no. (STAMMERING) It's Harvey and Winnie. We met them earlier. They're looking for the place they had their first kiss.
Windlifter: Augerin Canyon. That's at the other end of the park.
(Dusty had to help them)
Dusty: I can get there the fastest.
Windlifter: The canyon will be engulfed in flames and you have no retardant.
Dusty: I'll scoop off the river. There's a clear stretch of water.
(Windlifter looked at Dusty, considering)
Dusty: Windlifter, I can do it.
Windlifter: Go. And be safe.
(He watched with concern as Dusty gunned his engine and peeled off, back into the smoke)
(EXT. AUGERIN CANYON — NIGHT. Dusty tore through the forest as fast as he could, his engine screaming. He looked down at his torque gauge, rising from the green zone into the yellow. He accelerated. He knew he had to get to Winnie and Harvey quickly to have any chance of saving them)
(When he reached the two old RVs, they were huddled together in the middle of the burning bridge, terrified)
HARVEY AND WINNIE: Help!
Winnie: Help.
Harvey: Help!
(The flames burned on either side, rapidly getting closer and closer to them. Dusty assessed the situation. He knew he'd have to extinguish on side of the bridge so Winnie and Harvey could drive off safely)
(Dusty zoomed down into the canyon, toward the rapids. The fire surrounded him as he flew lower and lower, but he continued. He needed to scoop water into his tank of he wouldn't be able to extinguish the fire. He tried to touch down in the rapids, but a rock outcropping blocked his way. He dodged the rocks and tried again, but it wasn't working)
(He steadied himself to gear up for another try, and an army of enormous burning pine trees began to fall right in front of him, as if they were attacking! He rolled left, then right, then left again, avoiding the massive timbers. Two flaming pines fell and spiked down into the ground. Dusty breezed through them as if they were a racing gate)
(Dusty was ready to make another attempt at scooping when an advance of car-sized boulders tumbled down the hillside. He tried to avoid them, but one of the giant boulders bounced and whacked him on his side) after several more quick maneuvers, he managed to get past the avalanche to the other side)
(The bridge near Augerin Canyon began to collapse)
Harvey: Winnie, hang on!
WINNIE: Aah!
(Dusty could hear Winnie and Harvey screaming in the distance. He was running out of time and had to act fast. He approached Whitewall Falls and rolled, weaving through the falling trees and rocks that continued to fall all around him)
(Over on the burning bridge, Winnie and Harvey cuddled close, fearing for their lives)
Winnie: Harvey, Harvey, don't let go!
Harvey: Hold on, it'll be okay.
(The bridge was mere seconds from collapsing! They were just about to slip and fall down into the deep canyon when...Blade's rotors made a thundering sound as he appeared through the smoke. He lowered his hoist and hooked Harvey, straining to keep the couple from falling off the bridge)
(Dusty looked down at the water. He he eyed the falls. His warning light started to flash, and his torque gauge climbed into the red. But Dusty didn't stop. He dove, buzzing beneath the burning bridge, and pulled up sharply. Using every ounce of power, he flew straight into a vertical climb and skimmed the waterfall, scooping water from it!)
(Then Dusty shot straight up into the air and lost momentum. He hung there for a moment before falling backward, tail first, until his nose dropped back down. Then he torpedoed toward the bridge, skimmed along it, and dropped the water directly onto the fire)
(Blade pulled the hoist, leading Winnie and Harvey back onto the bridge. As the wood splintered and crumbled behind them, Winnie and Harvey raced to safety. Once they got to the tunnel, they shared a kiss while the bridge finally collapsed)
(Dusty flew low over the canyon and saw Harvey and Winnie, safe on the other side of the bridge. He breathed a sigh of relief)
BLADE: Dusty.
(Dusty moved his eyes and looked at Blade. He was very proud of him)
Blade: Good move, partner.
(For a brief moment, Dusty felt like he was on top of the world. Abruptly, POP! BANG! GRIIIIIIND-CHUNK! Dusty's prop made a grinding noise as it came to a sickening halt. Smoke came out from Dusty's prop, blinding him. His smile vanished as he looked at the torque gauge. What have I done? he thought. He pushed his engine so much harder and his gearbox failed completely. All of the alarms started beeping as Dusty began to fall from the sky! He smashed through trees, nicking his sides against the thick, protruding branches. He tried to make a safe landing, but one of his pontoons hits one of the trees, breaking off from him as he finally slammed into the earth. CRASH! But Dusty couldn't feel a thing. He was unconscious)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK — MORNING. Windlifter is carrying Dusty, who is all completely battered and bended, back to the air attack base on the helipad)
(EXT. PISTON PEAK AIR ATTACK BASE — MORNING. Dipper, Maru, Patch, and the Smokejumpers watched as Windlifter lowered Dusty gently to the ground)
(EXT. HANGAR — MORNING. They put Dusty in a coma (deep sleep) and work five days to get him fixed. Dipper watch Maru fix Dusty during five days)
(EXT. HANGAR — DAY. Maru watched Dusty wake up inside his hangar feeling groggy and confused)
DUSTY: Maru?
Maru: Hello, there. Ha-ha!
(Dusty rolled out into the sunlight and was quickly greeted by the Piston Peak crew)
Maru: He's awake! I'm a genius.
Blade: Morning, mud dropper.
Dusty: (EXHALES) How long have I been out?
Blade: Five days. Dipper stayed by your side the whole time.
(Dipper leaned in close to Dusty and whispered)
Dipper: (SOFTLY) I like watching you sleep.
(Cabbie and the Smokejumpers rolled up)
DRIP: He's alive!
CABBIE: Looking good, Dusty.
(Patch's voice came over the PA)
PATCH: (on PA) All aircraft, the superintendent has entered the base. The superintendent has entered the base.
(Ol' Jammer rolled up along with Engine Pulaski, Rake, and André)
Ol' Jammer: Well, you had us worried, Dusty. Glad to see you're out and about.
(They were so happy to see that he was okay)
Dusty: You're the superinten... What happened to Cad?
Pulaski: (LAUGHS) Sprinkler saved the lodge, but not his job. Secretary of the Interior did the right thing. Put Ranger Jammer, here, in charge.
Avalanche: Yay!
(Windlifter turned to Maru)
Windlifter: Maru, did you tell him?
Maru: Uh... (SIGHS)
Dusty: Tell me what?
Maru: I replaced your prop. Repaired the damaged wing ribs. Hammered out what damage I could. Even got your pontoons back on. (CHUCKLES) But your gearbox...
(Dusty is slumping and looking down at the ground)
Dusty: I know. Thanks for trying, Maru.
Maru: You're welcome!
Dusty: What?
Maru: Because you're fixed!
Dusty: Wait. Really?
(Dusty wasn't sure he'd heard him right)
Maru: Yeah, that was the hardest thing I've ever done. You've got yourself a custom-made epicyclic, concentric reduction gearbox.
(Dusty was stunned)
Dusty: A new gearbox?
Maru: No. It's better than new.
Blade: Crophopper, I'd say you've earned that certification.
(Dusty strained and his turbine whined...Then, slowly, his prop spun up and came to full power! He beamed, overjoyed. He couldn't believe it was true—he was fixed! Everyone smiled at Dusty, delighted. They were thrilled to see him back in action. Dusty felt like the luckiest plane in the whole world)
(EXT. PROPWASH JUNCTION — DAY. Soon after Dusty got back to Propwash Junction, the folks from the TMST returned for an inspection. Ryker and his assistant stood outside the control tower, as they had before. But this time, they brought good news)
Ryker: In accordance with CFR title 14, volume three, chapter one, section 139, sub-paragraph B, Propwash Junction is recertified and open for operation.
(The note taking forklift clicked his pen one las time, and everyone in Propwash cheered)
AVALANCHE: Go, Dusty!
(Chug and Sparky rolled up excitedly)
Chug: Hey, Dusty, I won, I won! Duster, guess what. I've been crowned official Corn Colonel.
(He was proudly wearing a Grand Corn Colonel hat)
Sparky: And I'm his Private Niblet.
Chug: Can I wear my official hat to your race next Saturday?
Dusty: Absolutely, Chug. As long as the boss, here, will give me the day off.
Mayday: Anytime.
(Chug motioned to Sparky)
Chug: Okay, Niblet, time to hit the festival!
Sparky: Sir, yes, sir. (following the Corn Colonel toward the festival) Hey, you think the deep fried corn cob on a stick guy...
(Mayday rolled over to Dusty)
Mayday: Aw, Dusty, we're all so proud of you.
Dusty: Thanks, Mayday.
Mayday: What you did for me, for all of us, I want to thank you.
Dusty: You don't have to thank me.
Mayday: Yes, I do. To do what you did, it takes a special kind of plane.
(Dusty was touched)
(EXT. CORN FESTIVAL — DAY. The gang headed over to the Corn Festival, uh inch was in full swing. The festival was packed, and everyone was having an excellent time. There was corn-themed food, and plenty of fun. Chug got everyone's attention by announcing into the PA)
CHUG: (on PA) Ladies and gentleplanes, turn your attention to the skies for today's featured aerial presentation. The Propwash Junction Corn Fest is proud to present the Piston Peak Air Attack team and our very own world champion racer and firefighter, Dusty Crophopper.
(The gang from Piston Peak was there! Dusty, Blade, Windlifter, and Dipper roared overhead as the Smokejumpers parachuted out of Cabbie. The crowd cheered wildly! The team zoomed over the runway. They performed their routine, doing water drops as the Smokejumpers zoomed off several ramps below. Dusty, up in the clouds, dove down sharply, putting on a show for the excited crowd. He released his tank of water, spraying it across the sky. With old friends on the ground and new friends in the sky, Dusty couldn't have felt better. It was great to be a firefighter)
(THE END)

Dane Cook – Dusty Crophopper
Ed Harris – Blade Ranger
Julie Bowen – Lil' Dipper
Curtis Armstrong – Maru
John Michael Higgins – Cad
Hal Holbrook – Mayday
Wes Studi – Windlifter
Brad Garrett – Chug
Teri Hatcher – Dottie
Stacy Keach – Skipper
Cedric the Entertainer – Leadbottom
Danny Mann – Sparky
Barry Corbin – Ol' Jammer
Regina King – Dynamite
Anna Meara – Winnie
Jerry Stiller – Harvey
Fred Willard – Secretary Of The Interior

(EXT. DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK — HOT SUNNY DAY. The car came to a sickening halt after the engine sputtered. Steam came out from his hood. Cad Spinner stands near the sign that reads DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK)
Cad: Welcome to Death Valley National Park. Is it hot? (LAUGHS WHEEZILY) Yes, it is.

CAST
Dale Dye – Cabbie
Matt Jones – Drip
Bryan Callen – Avalanche
Danny Pardo – Blackout
Corri English – Pinecone
Kari Wahlgren – Patch
Patrick Warburton – Pulaski
René Auberjonois – Concierge
Kevin Michael Richardson – Ryker
Erik Estrada – Nick 'Loop'n' Lopez
Steve Schirripa – Steve
Brent Musburger – Brent Mustangburger
John Ratzenberger – Brodi
ADDITIONAL VOICES: Caroline Aaron, Ferrell Barron, Roberts Gannaway, Kate Micucci, Masasa Moyo, Brad Paisley, Fred Tatasciore

LOOP GROUP: Jack Blessing, Ranjani Brow, William Calvert, Michael Corbett, Debi Derryberry, Lynn Evans, Chase Montgomery Fein, Dan Gordon, Kerry Gutierrez, Geno Henderson, Bridget Hoffman, Wendy Hoffmann, Rif Hutton, Ashley Lambert, Scott Menville, Juan Pacheco, David Sheinkopf, Kelly Stables

(POST-CREDITS SCENE)
(The Smokejumpers appeared)
DYNAMITE: Let's keep up the pace! Avalanche, Blackout, move, move, move!
(They move the credit out of the black screen)
DRIP: Did you guys see that?
Dynamite: Let's go! Let's go!
DRIP: Yay!

(On a black background, a light at the top of the screen rotates counterclockwise to reveal a parchment background, on which "Disney" is printed in its usual corporate font. The word "TOON", in similar font, is then wiped in next to "Disney" by a small sprinkling of fairy dust, and then the word "STUDIOS" in a plain font fades in below "DISNEYTOON", and continues to slowly zoom in until the logo fades out)
(Walt Disney Pictures logo: The short version of the CGI castle)