Firefighters Pancake Breakfast

**Firefighters Pancake Breakfast** is the seventh episode of the second season and the 17th overall episode of **Rutherford Falls**.

## Short Summary

With the election approaching, Bobbie faces off against Feather Day. Nathan bonds with Nelson.

## Full Summary

Nathan says Bobbie is one point of Feather in the polls, but polls make no sense anymore, so it could mean anything. Terry says the firefighters pancake breakfast is crucial. It's the final stop on the trail before the debate. They tell Bobbie to shake every hand and not bring up the fire chief's views on how round or flat the Earth might be. Reagan had to meet that guy on Twitter and he was getting her to doubt things. Most important, don't let Feather outshine them. Bobbie says they can be very persuasive. Reagan says Nelson will be at the event and she wants Nathan and him to bond. Nathan says he'll make Nelson his best bud. Terry has some proposals for Reagan to look at before they leave. Reagan again presses upon Nathan that he needs to bond with Nelson. Nathan already has a plan, which involves a terrible icebreaker.

Nathan tells Bobbie the firefighters will love them. Bobbie already knows all their names. They point to Linda, who rock climbs; Ghost, who chose his own nickname; and Lou, who just had a son. They plan to play up the hero angle when speaking to the firefighters.

Terry tells Reagan what she's done with the cultural center despite the limitations is incredible. Terry just wants to add a little something extra and says he's secured Auntie Anne's pretzels as a corporate sponsor. He shows her the proposal. She just has to let them install a counter in the gift shop and a cart outside. Reagan doesn't like the idea because space is already so limited.

Nathan apologizes for not hanging out with Nelson and Reagan at the Halloween party. Nelson says he didn't really notice. Nathan starts to ramble about his relationship with Deirdre. Nelson says he and Deirdre are doing the same thing Nelson's parents did. When he was 12, his dad stole his identity to support the kids he had with three different women from three different tribes.
he two of them watch as Larry talks to the kids about becoming firefighters, then comment on Larry's unusually large calves. They also doubt Larry's claim that the firefighters save lives every day. Nelson says sometimes fire's a good thing and many Native tribes used controlled burns. Nathan didn't know that, but is eager to learn more, which surprises Nelson.

Reagan is upset at Terry, though she already knew he was a capitalist. Terry says he'll find another way. Reagan is suspicious at how quickly he's given up. She knows something's wrong. Terry stops the car and says things with Ye Olde Rutherford Village aren't going well. They're at 40% of the projected income. Even if Bobbie wins, without a major influx of cash, the village, the casino expansion, and the cultural center will all be gone.

Bobbie works a crowd of firefighters. They're interrupted by Feather, who has a cart full of freebies for the firefighters. They all flock to her to get some.

Reagan is looking over things and sees how bad it all is. Reagan says Terry must have a binder that will tell them what to do in this situation, but he doesn't. If he shows up to the next casino conference having bankrupted them, Roy Crooks will never let him live it down. Reagan digs into her purse and gives Terry some THC, which she says may help solve his problems. Terry is doubtful, saying he's never used drugs before and he's not about to start now. She says it's not drugs. It's weed. It'll help. She tells him just to eat the head of the weed gummy bear. He does that while she eats a whole one.

Nathan says he likes Nelson 100 times more than Reagan's last boyfriend. Nelson says Nathan is way cooler than Josh made him sound in the podcast. Nelson thinks Josh sucks. Bobbie comes up to Nathan panicked because they don't have any swag to hand out like Feather. Nathan tells them to stick to the plan. Bobbie says firefighter calendars are a lie. The building is depressing and dirty and they're running out of empty compliments to give. Nelson starts to tell Bobbie about Natives using controlled burns, but Bobbie fakes a phone call to get away.

Reagan and Terry lie back in his truck bed and talk. Reagan has a few ideas for how to fix things, some more helpful than others. Terry thanks her for trying to help. Terry can't stop thinking about getting some apple fritters. He wants to get some, but they agree they're not in a position to drive.

Feather talks to the firefighters and hands out mousepads. Bobbie asks if they really want a bunch of tacky garbage. Bobbie is horrified that the firefighters have to work out of such a dump after everything they do for the town. Feather tries to say the firefighters don't need frills, but Lou actually thinks frills could be nice. Linda agrees that the place sucks. Bobbie may be young, but they won't waste their time. They'll make their quality of life a top priority. Ghost likes their style. Bobbie promises to be honest, starting with saying Ghost isn't catching on. Lou says they've got his vote.

Terry says this is the most relaxed he's ever been. He can see now that they have to stop focusing on the past and instead look to the future. Reagan says he just needed a reboot. Terry says it's bigger than that. They need to get into the legal cannabis business. He used to think it was just for burnouts, but now he knows that isn't true. They have a built-in infrastructure with the smoke shops. It would be perfect. Reagan is excited to get some wholesale prices and edibles that are hard to find. The state is in a legal gray area, but their jurisdiction allows them to cut through all that. They could be leaders in the region. The only snag is that Council won't fund something like that. He can't present it to them without a way to pay for it. Reagan says she knows someone who knows a lot about cannabis and has a lot of money. Roy Crooks. His Nation made a killing in legal weed. Terry refuses to consider asking him for help. Reagan says they need cash and Roy has it.

Nathan and Nelson make fun of the firefighters, specifically Larry. Larry comes up behind them as they laugh, startling them. Bobbie and Ghost walk up at the same time. Larry doesn't appreciate their jokes. Nathan tries to apologize, but Feather uses a bullhorn to draw attention to Nathan's joking and then suggests Nathan do the devil's jump demo the firefighters were going to do. She gets the crowd on her side. Larry gives Nathan his helmet.

Terry stares at the box of fritters on his desk for a moment and then picks up the phone. When Roy answers, Terry says he wants to talk business. Roy says he'll come to Terry, then hangs up. Terry pulls a fritter out of the box and starts eating it.

Reagan finds Nelson and Nathan and sees Nathan dressed in turnouts. Nathan says they can't take a joke. Nelson says it's just a jump through a burning door. It's nothing, but Nathan doesn't see it that way. Reagan is pleased that they've bonded. Bobbie tells Nathan not to do it, but Nathan would feel responsible for losing Bobbie votes. Larry comes to get Nathan for his stunt.

Nathan goes through the course, ending with the Devil's Jump through a burning door. He makes it and the crowd cheers. Except the baby doll is on fire. He tries to tamp it out, but the firefighters turn the hose on him, knocking him down onto a table. After a moment, he holds the baby up and the crowd applauds.

As Lou bandages Nathan's hand, Bobbie says Lou's a real hero, the way he saved Nathan. Lou's surprised Nathan went through with it as most big talkers don't. Nathan says they keep their promises, him and Bobbie. Bobbie says that's what they'll do as mayor. Bobbie asks Lou to tell them everything they need. Feather, meanwhile, is ready to leave for the day.

Terry gets on Roy's jet. Terry struggles to get out the words as he asks for Roy's help. Roy asks if he needs help with logistics or funding. Terry admits that while he's figured out the logistics, they're lacking in the area of seed money. Roy says he'll give them the money upfront and he and Terry can negotiate a reasonable profit share. Roy's in. They have plenty of money and if they don't help each other out, who will? They shake on it and Terry smiles.

## Cast

### Main Cast

* Ed Helms as Nathan Rutherford
* Michael Greyeyes as Terry Thomas
* Jana Schmieding as Reagan Wells
* Jesse Leigh as Bobbie Yang
* Dustin Milligan as Josh Carter (credit only)

### Guest Stars

* Dallas Goldtooth as Nelson
* Kaniehtiio Horn as Feather Day
* Migizi Pensoneau as Roy Crooks
* Ian Roberts as Larry

### Co-Starring

* Jeremy Cohenour as Ghost
* Mia Hunt as Linda
* Jared Farid Ward as Lou
* Matt Corboy as Announcer

## See Also

 **#02** | "The New Curator"
 **#03** | "Aunt Sue"
 **#04** | "Land Back"