Original subtitles

Let me live a life free and easy.

Put the toothbrush in my hand.

from the Justice O 'Connor interview. Got it. And you know my number if you

to reach me. Oh, Miles, how many times are you going to ask me that? Now get

going. I'm as good as gone.

Six days of fun and sun in Tobago.

No long nonstop phone calls. Goodbye chronic deadlines.

Frank! Your piece on the big three automakers has to be edited by Tuesday.

What's he still doing here?

Just say you'll do it, Frank.

I'll do it, I'll do it.

Ah, look.

Here's the elevator.

Miles, look. I know that...

This is your first vacation away from FYI, but you've got to learn to loosen

my man.

Look, the only thing that you should be worrying about is how you're going to

fend off all those gorgeous island women.

Frank, you think I'm going there to meet women?

I am not going there to meet women.

It's just a chance to unwind, recharge the old brain.

You know, the book takes care of everything.

You don't even need your wallet. You pay for things with little beads that you

wear around your neck. That's a good thing, because I don't really see...

just leaving. Bye, Miles. Just a memo about the sponsors meeting. The third

this morning. I just wanted to make sure my desk was clear so I could get out of

here.

Knowing that you've screened the piece on the CIA.

Yes. And you've checked with New York about reserving satellite time.

Did you find out if they're going to give you... Get out, damn it. Murphy,

him go. I'm sick of him.

Miles, do we have to fax you there?

Come on, I think we can get by without you for six lousy days.

Yes, I know.

Okay.

even left the building.

I completely forgot to give you the list of things I want from the duty -free

shop.

I wrote them down in order of importance, but if you give yourself

at the airport, you should be able to get everything.

Now, I definitely need a bottle of Shalimar perfume.

Not the cologne, not the toilet water, the perfume.

They may try to sell you one of those boxes with a lot of little perfumes in

I don't want that.

If you get it,

for it.

Now, the next thing I need is some... Hey, gotta go.

Everybody say goodbye to Miles. Bye, Miles.

Okay.

See you on show night.

Marv, Marv, I'm counting on you.

Bobby, you got the new graphics. Frank, if there's any problem... Shoot.

Yeah, I told you. She stepped away from her dad.

Did you get calls? All day you get calls, and everybody wants something.

don't have a life, too.

Another message from Miles.

He's called 27 times in six days. I'm the one who needs a vacation.

Well, he's coming home today. I'm sure that will ease the burden of your

workload. You know, I quit my last job because I couldn't stand the pace

anymore. So far, this isn't much better.

What was your last job?

18 years at the DMV.

Blink all you what jerk face. I'm on a break.

Get off the phone. Get off the phone. You're going to thank me for this.

Get off the phone.

I'm sorry she's not here right now. She's at the cheese shop.

I'll have her call you when she gets back.

This had better be good.

I heard from my ears at the Pentagon.

Word is, an American pilot just took off with a fighter jet.

Frank, that's not get -off -the -phone material. So some cowboy's taking a

joyride at Mach 1. Oh, yeah?

This cowboy is riding a jet loaded with nuclear warheads, and he has no

intention of bringing it back.

You're kidding.

Got any confirmation?

Not yet, but I'm working on it. Murphy, Frank, I just heard something.

I don't want to talk out of school.

Nothing's been confirmed yet. We can't jump the gun on merely hearsay and

Jim just cut to the chase.

Some bozo stole a plane.

And he's threatening to blow up nuclear missiles on board.

Wait a minute. A pilot can't detonate those missiles himself. Doesn't he have

have a code? He has the code.

I want to put a team on this right now. Find out how the fail -safe system broke

down. Guys, get a load of what just came in over the wire. Yeah, we know. What

do you want to do?

It's your call, Jim.

Scrap tonight's show.

Pull as many people as we need.

Let's go live with this tonight. All right. You got it.

Murphy Brown's office.

Ah, Miles, reach out and touch somebody else. I can't talk to you now. Hold on.

No, Murphy, don't put me on hold!

Terrific.

You know what I was just thinking, Miles?

What are the chances out of all the people in the world that you and I would

paired off in a sing -along? And now here we are, both of us, stuck in the

Tobago airport.

I can't believe this.

We're sending men to the moon in rockets to Neptune, and this stupid airline

can't even get me to Washington on time.

I'm going to miss the broadcast.

I find your work so fascinating.

My ex -boyfriend Neil was in sales.

I think sales attracts passive -aggressive people.

He was basically manipulative.

Not like you.

You know, Rochester isn't far from Washington.

I went there once my senior year in high school. I haven't been back since, but

then... I never had a reason to.

Here, the Air Force will only acknowledge a missing plane. What do you

Jim? In situations like this, the Pentagon always pulls their wagons in a

circle. I tell you, I've been through this before. It's going to take hours

before we get just one piece of the puzzle.

Okay. At 11 .17 Eastern Daylight Time, Air Force pilot Major Glenn Dixon took

off in an F -15 Eagle from MacDill Air Force Base.

At 11 .47, he veered off course over Venezuela.

He radioed in that unless his estranged wife, one Bonnie Dixon, reconciles with

him, he's going to detonate the nuclear devices on the jet.

Whoa, Corky.

Nice job. Who's your source?

I just had lunch with a congressional aide. He told me everything.

He wants to get to first base like he has a prayer.

Gun spokesman is Stonewall, and you should hear his voice crack. It's as

a confirmation.

Murphy, you got a source at the Defense Department.

Can you find out where that jet is now? I'm on it. Oh, damn, Miles.

Miles, if you're calling to have me confirm your kosher meal on the plane

more time... Hi.

My plane's been delayed.

I'm going to miss the broadcast tonight.

This is a disaster. I came this close to going to Cancun, but no, I had to stay

50 bucks.

Miles, get a grip.

a major story here. An Air Force pilot took off with a fighter jet and he's

threatening to blow up the warheads on board.

Oh, jeez!

The biggest story of the year hits and I'm stuck in a hot, sweaty little

watching luggage spin.

Here, let me put more cream on that nose.

I'm in hell.

Miles, I've got to go. We're trying to locate the pilot. Just get back here

you can.

I'm trying to. I'd be on my way now if they hadn't closed the runway down.

Let me tell you this.

I had better get double mileage on my frequent flyer account because they do

know who they're dealing with.

Murphy, can you hold on for a minute?

Do not hang up.

Hi, is this really Murphy Brown?

bought one just like it. Did you have trouble with the button holes

Murphy, what kind of plane did you say that pilot has? An F -15.

The Eagle, right? The long -range twin -engine interceptor with the dual tail

fins? Wow, where did all those tanks come from?

Murphy, either they're having a very small air show, or I know where that

landed.

Okay, this is important.

Copy this article on the F -15 Eagle, transcribe this tape, and run to the

newsroom and pick up the information being faxed to me from MacDill Air Force

Base.

Sandwiches for everybody.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, you want 30 sandwiches in 30 minutes, this is what

But I slice the pickle, and I don't do that for just any outfit.

So you guys must be feeling pretty good.

The nightline guys are over there crying in their beer about how you aced them.

We got lucky. We got Miles on the island and an hour of live television in prime

time. Now we got to make it work.

Some vacation Miles took, huh?

If that bomb goes off, all the sunblock in the world won't save you.

Murphy Brown's office.

Miles! Guys, it's Miles!

Tell us what's going on there. What's happening?

They're evacuating the entire island.

Almost everyone's gone.

Everyone except some guards, a few tanks, me, and a lunatic with an H

I want you to listen to me very carefully.

Nobody has to be a hero. If you want to get out, it's okay.

I know that, Murphy.

But this is a once -in -a -lifetime situation.

This is what it's all about, right?

They're boarding my flight.

I could stay with you. No.

I mean... Thanks anyway, Phoebe.

But it's too dangerous.

I can't allow the rift that I take in my line of work.

To hurt innocent people.

My dear, sweet, brave Miles.

Always thinking of others.

Even if it means having to face this alone.

Just think, Miles.

I could be the last woman you ever see.

ever dreamed.

Miles?

Miles, where are you?

Oh, I'm here. I'm here. We need more information.

Has anybody approached the fighter jet?

No. Looks like there's some Air Force bigwigs here and a few guys from the

Department. They set up a command post up in the control tower.

I tried to get up there, but I couldn't get past the guard.

He's having trouble getting past the guard.

Miles, listen to me. This is what you do.

Make a connection with him.

If he has a brother, you have a brother. If his family's from a small village,

your family is from a small village.

Get his trust, then bribe him.

Don't put the ego, Miles.

Tell him you'll put him on the air. Well, forget the guard. Forget the guard

altogether. There have got to be people going in and out of the control tower.

Make contact with one of them. Just push your way in. Be aggressive. But don't

scare them off. They're not going to talk if they're defensive.

Try the local officials. What about the wife? Have you talked to the wife? Is

she there yet? See if he's at a time. Slow down! Slow down!

That's it. Frank and Jim have to go now. don't you, Frank and Jim?

You are doing a great job, buddy. Got to run. Wonderful job, truly.

I'm still here, Miles.

Now, I'm going to say this one more time.

This is a tough one, even for a seasoned reporter.

Maybe you should get out while you still have the chance.

Look, Murphy, I hear things around the office.

I know some people don't think of me as a real journalist.

They think I'm just a pencil pusher.

I want this story.

It's important to me.

Then do it, Miles.

Get into that control tower.

We all know you can do it.

I'll talk to you on the phone again tonight.

On the air.

Okay, listen up, people. Here's the rundown. We start with Miles' live phone

report from Tobago, throw it to Frank at the Pentagon, we go to Murphy's pre

-taped interview from the State Department, and we finish with Corky's

Unbelievable. We still don't know how the pilot got those detonation codes.

public depends on us for facts, yet minutes before we go on the air, we're

struggling to pull information from a hundred places. Our resources push to

limit. John. Yeah, Jim. Does it get any better than this?

Oh, did anybody get a picture of Miles up to the booth, the key on the screen

during his report?

I did. I found one in his office.

Thank you.

Miles, what else do you have?

Well, that's me.

Look, Miles, whatever you have, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Ain't that Miles?

Yeah. Tell him that our prayers are with him and that we're very proud of what

he's doing to give the world its only close -up account of an event that could

wreak environmental havoc and affect the course of world politics. And tell him

that even if he gets nervous or blows it completely, we'll still love him.

Corky says hi.

All right, people, take your places. This is it.

Good luck.

Going live in 5, 4, 3, 2...

Good evening. Welcome to

a special edition of FYI. For your information tonight, something out of a

movie, something the experts said couldn't happen, is taking place on the

island of Tobago.

An Air Force fighter pilot, despondent over the breakup of his marriage, is

holding the Western Hemisphere a nuclear hostage.

Only one newsman, FYI's executive producer, Miles Silverberg, is at the

in Tobago. In this exclusive live report, he talks by phone to Murphy

Miles, we've all heard the official reports coming out of the White House

the Pentagon, but you alone are there at the scene. Tell us, what is happening

at the airport?

What can you see?

Ring.

I can make you ring.

I can make you ring.

Right now.

I can make you ring.

Right.

Right.

I can make you melt.

Miles? Miles! Guys, it's Miles.

Before you jump on me, I thought I had enough change.

I've got beads up the wazoo, but no change.

I tried to call collect, but there's not a single operator left on the island.

Okay, okay. How are you calling now?

Well, I saw this car phone in one of the jeeps, so I borrowed it.

Way to go, Miles.

All right, we got Miles hooked up. We're going live.

Wait a minute.

Miles, just remember.

You can do this.

I've seen you under pressure, and I'm here to walk you through it. Good luck.

In five, four, three, two... We've reconnected with FYI's

Miles Silverman. He was the only newsman on the scene at Tobago.

He now talks with Murphy Brown.

Miles, can you describe the scene for us?

Murphy, it's been over 12 hours, and the pilot is still holding his ground for

the...

Being so quiet, you'd think even the birds have left the island.

I'm on the runway.

What? You're where? I'm in a jeep now, parked about ten feet from the waiting

jet. What's he doing? He's crazy.

Tell us, Miles. How did you get there?

I saw a jeep.

I got into it.

I drove it real fast.

Oh, my God.

I can see Major Dixon inside the cockpit.

He spotted me.

I am holding up my press card.

He's raising the hatch.

Miles, I know a good reporter like yourself doesn't need to be reminded

frequently these people are in no mood to talk. Major Dixon, my name is Miles

Silverberg.

I have a live hookup to the States.

If you speak loudly, you can send a message to your wife.

Can you hear me?

We can hear him. We can hear you.

for some orange Gatorade and a little Charlie Pride over the headset.

Major, why did you steal the jet?

If you know a better way to get my wife's attention, I'd like to hear it.

Ever since she moved out, she won't take my calls, answer my letters. Hell, I

even sent her flowers.

Big deal.

Is there anything you'd like to say to your wife now?

Just give me a chance to talk to you first.

Just talk to me and I'll climb down out of this plane.

That's it.

That's all I have to say for now.

Thank you, Major.

A man who loves his wife.

I guess this story isn't so complicated, Murphy.

Back to you, Jim.

We will continue with this special edition of FYI, Tobago Time Bomb of

after this.

We are in the commercial!

And as the hatch closes, a light rain begins to fall upon the giant bird of

destruction. A gentle rain that lets linger the fateful question whether

innocent babes of this island may return to the suckle of mother's milk safely.

God, I hate the day after a big story.

Such a letdown.

The rush of adrenaline gone.

Your steps slower.

Fainted, a madman with a warhead can really spoil you.

Here's the article on that jet you wanted copied.

It's a funny thing, Frank.

After talking to him, I felt confident he'd surrender.

Just wasn't afraid.

Hell, he could have fried you. You could be radioactive dust right now

contaminating somebody's drinking water.

You know, I've been in situations that weren't half as bad as that, and I've

been afraid.

Great. Because I was scared out of my mind.

My legs felt like rubber, I was sweating everywhere, and my stomach was clamping

up like it was... Have some pride, Miles.

I just want you all to know it really helped knowing you were back here

supporting me.

Thanks.

Murphy?

Lyle?

Oh, what'd you think?

Nice job.

I knew you could do it.

Thanks.

Wait a minute.

It's not true.

I didn't think you could do it, Miles.

I didn't think you had it in you.

I was wrong.

You were really great out there.

Real great.

Right now, I feel like I can handle anything.