"Rebecca"
Written by
Aaron Sorkin
Directed by
Thomas Schlamme
Table Draft - 12/10/98
Teaser/A/B/C
1st rev. - 12/11/98 (Blue)
2nd rev. - 12/13/98 (Pink)
(this is a complete draft which
includes scenes previously
distributed)
SPORTS NIGHT
"Rebecca"
#N315
Cast
Sports Night
(TEASER)
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 1)
(Dan, Casey, Isaac, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot,
Chris, Will, Dave)
DAN AND CASEY ARE ON THE AIR AND A VIEWER MAIL GRAPHIC IS ON
THE SCREEN
CASEY
Leonard Mooker of Newton,
Massachusetts asks: "If the 1927 New
York Yankees team played the 1998 New
York Yankees team in the World Series,
who'd win?" Leonard? Get a grip. The
World Series, by tradition, is
contested by players of two different
teams that are alive at the same time.
But if you want an answer to your
question, my guess is that the '27
Yankees would be confounded by the jet
airplanes flying overhead. And that
does it for "Ask Dan and Casey". Dan?
DAN
We've got more comin' up including
Michigan/Indiana and a swim in the
shark tank, plus you never know when
Casey's gonna freak out on the air.
You're watching Sports Night on CSC,
so stick around.
DAVE
We're out.
KIM
Three minutes back.
DAN
So do you understand?
CASEY
No.
DAN
You don't?
CASEY
No.
DAN
Really?
CASEY
Yes.
DAN
Can I spread it out for you in a
nutshell?
CASEY
No.
DAN
I can't?
CASEY
No.
DAN
Why not?
CASEY
'Cause I'm tired of you mixing your
metaphors. Spread it out for you in a
nutshell? How 'ya doin', I'm a
professional writer.
DAN
You got a little spot on your tie
there.
CASEY LOOKS DOWN AND DAN RUNS HIS FINGER UP AND BOINKS HIM IN
THE NOSE
DAN (CONT'D)
Whoop.
ELLIOT
Two and a half back.
DANA
Does 20B have film?
NATALIE
The end of the Michigan game?
DANA
Yeah.
NATALIE
Not yet.
DANA
Jeremy, we don't have film on the end
of the Michigan game?
JEREMY
No.
DANA
Why not?
JEREMY
We're waiting for them to play the end
of the Michigan game.
DANA
Yeah, alright. Load 16 and 16A.
NATALIE
And show me Denver.
WILL
Denver's up.
JEREMY
It was 66 degrees in Denver today.
DANA
Tell me quickly why I care.
JEREMY
No earthly reason.
ELLIOT
Two minutes back.
DAN
So you really don't understand.
CASEY
No.
DAN
Then I'm gonna have to spread it out
for you in a nutshell.
CASEY
Okay.
DAN
I was riding in the elevator a couple
of weeks ago--
CASEY
Riding up to work?
DAN
No, Casey, just riding around.
CASEY
Listen--
DAN
You don't have to ask questions, I'll
tell the story clearly. The things you
need to know, I'm gonna tell you.
CASEY
Yeah, but I married someone once who
said that, and now she has half my
stuff.
DAN
I don't want your stuff.
CASEY
You say that now.
DAN
Natalie introduced me to this woman
who works in the building.
CASEY
Did you make a pass at her?
DAN
There again, there's the asking of the
questions.
CASEY
Did you?
DAN
I don't think people say "make a pass"
anymore.
CASEY
I just did.
DAN
I did not make a pass at her. You know
why?
CASEY
Cause you're not that guy?
DAN
Cause I'm not that guy.
ELLIOT
Ninety seconds back.
JEREMY
I guess my point was that it was
unseasonably hot in Denver.
DANA
Was it a record?
JEREMY
No.
DANA
Then I don't care.
JEREMY
That's okay.
DANA
In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't
have cared even if it had been a
record.
JEREMY
There was record rainfall in Katmandu.
DANA
Are you sensitive about being a
weather nerd? I mean, if I make fun of
your being a weather nerd, will it
hurt your feelings?
NATALIE
He prefers meteorology nerd, don't you
sweetie?
JEREMY
Yeah.
DANA
Where's 20B?
JEREMY
You understand you're asking for film
of something that hasn't happened yet.
DANA
Well thank you Mr. Helper.
NATALIE
Don't get persnickety.
DANA
Was I getting persnickety?
NATALIE
A little persnickety.
DANA
You're wrong. Where the hell's 16?
WILL
16's up.
CHRIS
You want 16B?
DANA
16B?
CHRIS
Yes.
DANA
No. And the way you can tell that I
don't want it is that I didn't ask for
it.
CHRIS
(UNDER HIS BREATH) That was
persnickety.
DANA
I heard that.
NATALIE
Dana's preoccupied.
DANA
Natalie--
KIM
Why?
DANA
Kim--
NATALIE
She thinks Gordon's about to break up
with her.
DANA
Natalie, are you able to distinguish
between conversations we have in
private and conversations we have in a
room full of people?
NATALIE
Also, she's secretly in love with
Casey.
DANA
I want this commercial break to be
over so bad.
ISAAC ENTERS--
ISAAC
Dana, I'd like the senior staff in the
conference room after the show.
DANA
Why?
ISAAC
Because I said so.
DANA
(TO EVERYONE) Oh and that's not
persnickety?
ELLIOT
He makes it work.
DANA
At this meeting after the show, are
any of these other people here gonna
get fired?
ISAAC
No.
DANA
'Cause I don't care if they do.
ELLIOT
30 seconds back.
DAN
But then I started going out on a
couple of dates with Elaine and now it
would be wrong to call this girl and
ask her out even though Natalie keeps
telling her that I'm gonna.
CASEY
Telling who?
DAN
The girl from the elevator. There's
only one girl in this story, Casey.
CASEY
There were three girls in that story.
ELLIOT
10 seconds back.
DAN
Anyway, that was it in a nutshell. You
understand now?
CASEY
Actually?
DAN
Yeah.
CASEY
No.
DAVE
In three...two...
CASEY
Welcome back.
END OF TEASER
ACT I
(A)
INT. STUDIO/CONFERENCE ROOM/CORRIDORS/NEWSROOM/DAN AND
CASEY'S
OFFICE/CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 1)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave)
DAN
The horse's owner, Sheik Abdul El Ben-
Venista, said the syndicate will
seriously consider entering Fool's
Ransom in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer
Tubby Likk said he thought Fool's
Ransom could run the table and win the
Triple Crown. Fool's Ransom declined
to comment. Casey?
CASEY
That's gonna do it for us. We'd like
to welcome the Four Corners Cable
System in Penablanca, New Mexico to
the Continental Sports Channel Family.
Any of you out there in Penablanca,
New Mexico who are watching us right
now, turn off your television sets and
go outside, you live in New Mexico
for cryin' out loud. You've been
watching Sports Night on CSC, we'll
see you tomorrow.
DAN
G'night.
DAVE
Music.
CHRIS
Go.
DAVE
Animation.
WILL
Go.
DAVE
We're out.
DANA
(INTO MIC) Everybody? Senior staff in
the conference room.
DAN AND CASEY ARE UNHOOKING THEMSELVES--
DAN
I'm gonna try telling you this story
one more time.
CASEY
Can I just make a suggestion?
DAN
Sure.
CASEY
What if, instead of telling me the
story right this second, what if you
never told me the story ever.
CASEY AND DAN BEGIN HEADING TO THEIR OFFICE AS WE:
RESET TO:
INT. CORRIDORS/NEWSROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 1)
DAN
I'm riding in the elevator with
Natalie, when Natalie says "Oh, hey,
Rebecca."
CASEY
And Natalie wasn't talking to you?
DAN
No I think she was talking to Rebecca.
CASEY
'Cause I thought maybe you had a new
nickname.
DAN
I don't.
CASEY
So if I shout "Yo, Rebecca," you won't
turn around.
DAN
No.
RESET TO:
INT. DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 1)
AS THEY WALK IN--
CASEY
What about Becky?
DAN
Anyway, we talked for maybe 14 floors,
she gets off--
CASEY
Natalie?
DAN
REBECCA, and I say to Natalie, "Hey,
she seemed nice." A couple days later,
Natalie tells me that Rebecca really
liked me and I should call her. So I
said I would. So a couple days go
by and Natalie is telling me how much
Rebecca wants me to call her, but
unbeknownst to either Rebecca or
Natalie, a third character has entered
the story.
CASEY
Elaine.
DAN
I started dating Elaine.
CASEY
Tell me I'm not paying attention.
CUT TO:
ACT I
(B)
INT. EXECUTIVE CORRIDOR - NIGHT - (NIGHT 1)
(Dana, Natalie)
DANA AND NATALIE ARE LEANING AGAINST THE WALL AND HAVING
A PRIVATE CONVERSATION.
DANA
(QUIETLY) The break-up's coming He's
gonna break up with me. I've gotta
pull a rabbit out of a hat.
NATALIE
You should talk to someone.
DANA
I'm talking to you.
NATALIE
You know who you should talk to?
DANA
Who?
NATALIE
Casey.
DANA
Would you please, in the name of
everything holy, give that up.
NATALIE
You should talk to Casey.
DANA
That's your only advice?
NATALIE
No, I have other advice.
DANA
What.
NATALIE
(BEAT) That was my only advice.
DANA
Natalie, I'm really scared.
NATALIE
(GENTLY) I know you are. (BEAT) You
know what you should do?
DANA
What?
NATALIE
You should talk to Casey.
DANA
Why should I talk to Casey?
NATALIE
Casey's good at this.
DANA
We have a meeting.
NATALIE
Also, you're secretly in love with
him.
DANA
I'm not secretly in love with him.
Alright? I'm in love with Gordon.
Publicly. That's why you can hear me
saying it. I am on every level in love
with Gordon.
NATALIE
I know.
DANA
Good.
NATALIE
But you're secretly in love with
Casey.
DANA
We have a meeting.
DANA HEADS DOWN THE CORRIDOR AS WE:
CUT TO:
ACT I
(C)
INT. NEWSROOM/CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 1)
(Dan, Casey, Isaac, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot)
AS DAN AND CASEY HEAD OUT OF THEIR OFFICE AND TOWARD THE
NEWSROOM. NATALIE AND DANA WILL BE COMING OUT FROM THE
EXECUTIVE CORRIDOR AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME, WITH DANA WAY
OUT IN THE LEAD. DANA WILL HEAD RIGHT INTO THE CONFERENCE
ROOM.
DAN
So you understand my problem?
CASEY
Oh, now?
DAN
Yeah.
CASEY
No.
NATALIE IS ON HER WAY INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM--
NATALIE
(TO DAN) You gonna call Rebecca?
DAN
Absolutely.
NATALIE
Yeah?
DAN
I'm absolutely gonna call Rebecca.
NATALIE
She can't wait.
NATALIE GOES INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM AND SOON AS SHE
DOES --
DAN
(TO CASEY) I can't call Rebecca.
WE FOLLOW DAN AND CASEY INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 1)
DANA, JEREMY, NATALIE, KIM, AND ELLIOT ARE ALREADY IN THE
ROOM AS CASEY AND DAN ENTER--
CASEY
Anybody know what this is about?
DANA
Isaac called it.
CASEY
Is there any food?
DANA
No, 'cause the caterer called in sick.
CASEY
(TO NATALIE) What's with her?
NATALIE
Nothing.
CASEY
Is it nature's special time?
DANA
Oh you know what, bite me so hard for
that.
CASEY
Sixty-six degrees in Denver today.
JEREMY
Two inches of rain in Katmandu.
DANA
The geek boys.
ISAAC ENTERS--
ISAAC
Is everyone here?
NATALIE
Yeah.
ISAAC
Thanks, this won't take long. There's
gonna be a piece in tomorrow's Wall
Street Journal. Don't worry about it.
(BEAT) That's all.
ISAAC STARTS TO EXIT, BUT--
DAN
Whoa, whoa--
CASEY
Isaac--
ISAAC
(TURNING AROUND) What?
DAN
(BEAT) What are you, Agatha Christie?
DANA
What's in the Journal?
ISAAC
(SIMPLY) Don't worry about it.
ISAAC LOOKS AT THEM A MOMENT LONGER.
ISAAC (CONT'D)
G'night.
ISAAC EXITS.
THERE'S A LONG SILENCE IN THE ROOM BEFORE...
CASEY
Well that was reassuring.
CUT TO:
ACT II
(D)
INT. EXECUTIVE CORRIDOR - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana)
DANA IS STANDING AGAINST THE WALL OUTSIDE ISAAC'S OFFICE.
CASEY COMES AROUND THE CORNER WITH A COPY OF THE WALL
STREET
JOURNAL IN HIS HANDS.
DANA
You can't go in there yet.
CASEY
Why not?
DANA
He's in with J.J.
CASEY
What are you doing?
DANA
Waiting for him to be done with
J.J.
CASEY
How long has he been in there?
DANA
About 20 minutes.
CASEY
How long have you been out here?
DANA
About five minutes.
CASEY
What do you think--
DANA
How many more questions do I have in
my future, Casey?
CASEY
Makin' a little conversation.
DAN COMES AROUND THE CORNER--
DAN
What's goin' on?
CASEY
Dana's not fielding any more questions
right now.
DANA
He's in with J.J.
DAN
I didn't think it was so bad.
DANA
(TO DAN) Who do you think their source
is on the quote?
CASEY
Danny thinks it's Luther.
DAN
It's Luther.
DANA
(TO CASEY) Who do you think it is?
CASEY
I think it's Luther, too.
DANA
You're both idiots.
CASEY
Who do you think it is?
DANA
Oh I think it's Luther, I'm just
saying you're both idiots.
DAN
Let's go in there.
DANA
He's in a meeting.
DAN
I think we should join the meeting.
DANA
I don't think we were invited to the meeting.
DAN
Perhaps he didn't know we were
available.
CASEY
He's right.
DAN
Knock on the door and say you're
looking for a pencil.
CASEY
A pencil's too obvious.
DAN
You're right, it should be less--
CASEY
A staple remover.
DAN
A staple remover is good.
DANA WAVES HER ARMS QUICKLY--
CASEY
What are you doing?
DANA
I was trying a magic trick on the off-
chance that the two of you would burst
into flames.
DAN
No luck.
DANA
Yeah.
CUT TO:
ACT II
(E)
INT. ISAAC'S OFFICE/EXECUTIVE CORRIDOR/NEWSROOM - DAY-
(DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Isaac, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, J.J.)
ISAAC IS SITTING WITH J.J., WHO'S GOT A COPY OF THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL.
J.J.
You're a hundred percent right to be
upset.
ISAAC
I'm not upset.
J.J.
You seem upset.
ISAAC
I'm about to be upset.
J.J.
Isaac--
ISAAC
When I'm upset you'll know it.
J.J.
Yes.
ISAAC
(READING) "While confirming the two
hour meeting between Sachs and
Delahanson, a spokesperson for CSC
denied that the meeting was an effort
to court the programming veteran.
'Luther Sachs and Dick Delahanson are
social acquaintances said the
spokesperson', they met for lunch'".
Who was the spokesperson?
J.J.
Betty Gates in P.R.
ISAAC
I've heard stronger denials.
J.J.
She's already been called on the
carpet.
ISAAC
(READING) "One source, familiar with
the situation and speaking on the
condition of anonymity, said that
recent friction between Sachs and
Sports Night's managing editor, Isaac
Jaffee, had more to do with on-air
content then off-air differences of
opinion." Who's the un-named source?
J.J.
We have no idea.
ISAAC LOOKS AT J.J. FOR A LONG MOMENT...
J.J. (CONT'D)
Isaac, we have no idea.
ISAAC
When I say something, I put my name
next to it. This is chicken-ass.
J.J.
Luther wants you to know that he
regrets that the lunch with Delahanson
became public, and he wants you to
know that he regrets any embarrassment
this may have caused you.
ISAAC
I can tell by the way he hasn't called
me all morning.
THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR--
ISAAC (CONT'D)
Come in.
JEREMY OPENS THE DOOR AND STANDS IN THE DOORWAY...
JEREMY
Isaac, I'm sorry to bother you. I was
just wondering if you had a staple
remover. Hey, J.J.
DAN APPEARS NEXT TO JEREMY--
DAN
Hey Jeremy, you got that staple
remover we were--Oh hey, J.J.
J.J.
Hi Dan.
ISAAC
Who else is out there?
CASEY AND DANA APPEAR IN THE DOORWAY, SORT OF WAVING FROM THE
BACK.
CASEY
How ya doin'?
DANA
Hi.
CASEY, DAN, DANA AND JEREMY STAND IN THE DOORWAY, JUST
LOOKING STUPID, BEFORE...
ISAAC
What's up?
DAN
Not too much.
ISAAC
Remember when I said don't worry about
it?
DANA
Yeah.
ISAAC
Don't worry about it.
JEREMY
Should I close the door?
ISAAC
As long as you're all on the other
side of it, yes.
JEREMY CLOSES THE DOOR AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. EXECUTIVE CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
NATALIE IS STANDING IN THE CORRIDOR AND FALLS IN STEP WITH
THE REST OF THEM--
NATALIE
What did he say?
DANA
He said not to worry about it.
CASEY
(TO DAN) You feel like doing some tape
work?
DAN
Yeah, in a minute, but I'm gonna go
see that person first.
THEY START TO SPILL OUT INTO THE NEWSROOM AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. NEWSROOM - CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
CASEY
You're gonna see her?
DAN
It's the menschy thing to do.
CASEY
It is.
DAN
I could blow her off--
CASEY
But you're not that guy.
DAN
I'm not.
DAN CONTINUES ON OUT AND CASEY HEADS INTO HIS OFFICE AS DANA
AND NATALIE STAND AND TALK. THEY COMPLETELY IGNORE JEREMY,
WHO'S STANDING WITH THEM--
NATALIE
(TO DANA) This'd be a good time to
talk to him.
DANA
Leave me alone.
NATALIE
'Cause you can see he's by himself in his office.
DANA
What makes you think that Casey's
interested in advising me on how I can
get Gordon to not break up with me?
NATALIE
He's not, but he'll do it anyway.
DANA
Why?
NATALIE
'Cause he's secretly in love with you.
DANA
He's not.
NATALIE
He's only pretending he's not.
DANA
We've been through this, you and I.
He's pretending he's pretending he's
not so I'll think he is. But he's not.
But he thinks he is. Which doesn't
matter anyway because I'm in love with
Gordon.
NATALIE
I know.
DANA
Good.
NATALIE
But you're secretly in love with
Casey.
DANA
(TO JEREMY) What do you need?
JEREMY
This'll sound ridiculous, but I
actually need a paper clip remover.
DANA
(TO NATALIE) Leave me alone.
DANA STARTS OFF AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT II
(H)
INT. REBECCA'S OFFICE - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Rebecca)
DAN KNOCKS ON THE OPEN DOOR--
DAN
Hey.
REBECCA
Hi there.
DAN
Listen, you have every right to be
mad, but before you say anything, can
I just speak?
REBECCA
Sure.
DAN
Here's the thing: I did tell Natalie
that I liked you when I met you in the
elevator and I did tell Natalie that
I'd call you, but then, like a day
later, I went out on a date with a
woman named Elaine. And then I went on
another date with her and it's gotten
a little serious, which is why I never
called you.
But I wanted to come up and tell you
personally, first of all because I
thought it was the menschy thing to
do, and second of all because I really
did like you when we met in the
elevator. Now you should free to yell
at me.
REBECCA
Who the hell are you?
DAN
(BEAT) It's me.
REBECCA
Is this a joke?
DAN
No.
REBECCA
It isn't?
DAN
No.
REBECCA
I'm not that good with jokes.
DAN
You don't have to be good with jokes,
this isn't a joke.
REBECCA
Jennifer didn't put you up to this?
DAN
I don't know Jennifer.
REBECCA
I don't know you.
DAN
I'm Dan Rydell.
REBECCA
(REMEMBERING) We met in the elevator.
DAN
Yes we did.
REBECCA
What can I do for you?
DAN
I'm Dan Rydell.
REBECCA
So I heard.
DAN
And here I am.
REBECCA
Yes you are. (BEAT) And Jennifer
didn't put you up to--
DAN
Stop with Jennifer.
REBECCA
Okay.
DAN
Natalie told me you were expecting me
to call you.
REBECCA
No.
DAN
You didn't think I was gonna call you?
REBECCA
No.
DAN
(BEAT) Well. (BEAT) Okay.
DAN LEAVES AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT II
(J)
INT. EDITING ROOM - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana)
CASEY SITS AT THE MONITOR WHERE HE'S VIEWING FOOTAGE OF A CAR
RACE AND MAKING SOME NOTES.
DANA (OS)
Wow.
CASEY TURNS AROUND TO SEE DANA THERE.
CASEY
Wow what?
DANA
Those cars are going fast.
CASEY
They're going as fast as they can,
'cause the first one across the finish
line gets a trophy and a check.
DANA
Like a race.
CASEY
Right.
DANA
What do you need?
CASEY
What do I need?
DANA
Yeah.
CASEY
You came in here.
DANA
Right.
DAN WALKS IN PAST DANA--
DAN
I just had a strange experience.
CASEY
Wait. (TO DANA) Why'd you come in
here?
DANA
I honestly can't remember. I'll see
you later.
DANA EXITS--
CASEY
That woman is crazier than than any
ten people I know.
DAN
She wasn't expecting me to ask her
out.
CASEY
Rebecca.
DAN
Yes. In fact, she barely remembered
who I was.
CASEY
That had to be awkward.
DAN
Oh indeed it was.
CASEY
She didn't remember you from the
elevator.
DAN
Eventually. But first she thought that
Jennifer was playing a practical joke.
CASEY
Who's Jennifer?
DAN
Who cares, I was standin' up there.
CASEY
Natalie blew the call?
DAN
Well Natalie blew the call in a big
ol' way, but that's not my real
problem.
CASEY
(BEAT) I want you to note right now I
am not asking you what your real
problem is.
DAN
My real problem is that I seem to have
made no impression on her at all in
the elevator. And then I was talking
to her just now, being cute as a
button, thinking that she'd say--
CASEY
"Well as long as you came all the way
up here, how 'bout a date for lunch?"
DAN
--something along those lines.
CASEY
Yeah, but the reason you went up there
was to tell her you couldn't go out
with her in the first place.
DAN
Right now that seems very much beside
the point.
CASEY
(RE: THE MONITOR) Does that look like
he ran the caution?
DAN
He's moving on the outside.
CASEY
That's what I thought.
DAN
I'm gonna go talk to her again.
CASEY
Okay. I'm gonna stay here and do our
job.
DAN
Those guys are going pretty fast.
CASEY
They do it professionally.
DAN EXITS AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT II
(K)
INT. ISAAC'S OFFICE - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Isaac, J.J.)
J.J.
Is there a message you want delievered
to Luther?
ISAAC
A message I want you to deliver?
J.J.
I'm on your team, Isaac. I know you
don't think of me that way. But I'm a
good go between.
ISAAC
I don't need a go-between. Luther
Sachs isn't hiding out in the
mountains with the rebel army.
J.J.
Isaac--
ISAAC
This has gotta stop, J.J.
J.J.
I agree.
ISAAC
I worked in newspapers for 23 years
and I know how to read one.
J.J.
The P.R. office was called on the
carpet.
ISAAC
Luther's P.R. office works for Luther,
and you can't tell me that somebody
got their signals crossed. Now listen
to me--
J.J.
Isaac, Luther regrets--
ISAAC
Luther can meet with whoever he wants
and if he wants to replace me with
Delahanson, he knows my phone number,
but when you people start dissing the
show--
J.J.
Isaac--
ISAAC
"...more to do with the problems on
camera..."? That's not good for the
show. It's not good for CSC, it's not
good for Continental Corp, and it's
not good for Luther. (BEAT) Give him
that message.
J.J. GETS UP--
J.J.
(BEAT) I wish you'd use me more,
Isaac. I think I could help.
ISAAC
I suppose you're right.
J.J.
My fiancee's back in town. You mind if
I bring her to watch the show tonight?
ISAAC
I don't mind. Ask Dana.
J.J.
I'll see you later.
J.J.EXITS AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT II
(L)
INT. REBECCA'S OFFICE - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Rebecca)
REBECCA IS SITTING AT HER DESK WHEN DAN APPEARS AND TAPS ON
THE DOOR--
DAN
Excuse me.
REBECCA
Hey Don.
DAN
Dan.
REBECCA
Dan.
DAN
I just wanted to come back because I
felt bad about our first meeting.
REBECCA
In the elevator?
DAN
No, that meeting I felt good about
until our second meeting which I felt
bad about.
REBECCA
Dan, there's really no need to feel
bad about any of our meetings.
DAN
That's easy for you to say, you can't
remember any of our meetings.
REBECCA
It was ten seconds in an elevator.
DAN
Yeah, but you've seen me on TV.
REBECCA
When have I seen you on TV?
DAN
I'm Dan Rydell.
REBECCA
And we're back to the starting gate.
DAN
"Good evening, from New York City I'm
Dan Rydell alongside Casey McCall."
I'm that Dan Rydell. Sports Night.
REBECCA
I've never seen Sports Night.
DAN
Don't you work for CSC?
REBECCA
I work for Continental Corp, so I do
work for CSC, but I'm an analyst. They
don't make me watch the show.
DAN
There are people who watch it
voluntarily.
REBECCA
I'm sure there are.
DAN
It's a good show.
REBECCA
I liked the part where you said your
names.
DAN
We do more than that.
REBECCA
I would think.
DAN
(PAUSE) Anyway, like I said, but for
this woman Elaine--
REBECCA
Thanks for stopping by.
DAN
You bet.
DAN EXITS...
...THEN COMES BACK IN--
DAN (CONT'D)
Hi.
REBECCA
I really do have to work, so--
DAN
No, listen, I was just thinking. I
really like you. I mean these little
conversations have been kinda fun, and
I was wondering if you'd like to maybe
have a drink later.
REBECCA
Oh that's really sweet of you, but no
thanks.
DAN
The thing with Elaine isn't that
serious.
REBECCA
Who's Elaine?
DAN
Exactly.
REBECCA
Dan I've really got work to do.
DAN
Do you--
REBECCA
Dan? I'm flattered. Honestly. But I'm
just not interested.
DAN
(BEAT) Hey. You don't have to hit me
over the head. At least you don't have
to do it seven or eight times.
REBECCA
It was good talking to you.
DAN
Yeah, it was a real clambake. I'm
gonna go scoop my self-image off the
floor and then get ready to do my show
which, by the way, can be seen every
night on your network.
REBECCA
I'll keep an eye out for it.
DAN
Excellent.
DAN EXITS AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT II
(M)
INT. DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Casey, Dana, Kim (V.O.))
CASEY IS IN HIS SHIRT AND TIE AND WIRED FOR THE SHOW. HE SITS
TYPING FURIOUSLY AS DANA STANDS THERE. THEN SHE LAUGHS TO
HERSELF, BUT WITH THE INTENT OF STARTING A CONVERSATION.
CASEY
(WITHOUT LOOKING UP) What?
DANA
I just thought of a funny visual.
CASEY
I may need more time in the 20's.
DANA
I can take it out of Seattle.
CASEY
Thanks.
DANA
Don't you want to know my funny
visual?
CASEY
Does it have to do with a Zamboni?
DANA
How did you know?
CASEY
You like Zambonis.
DANA
Everybody likes Zambonis.
CASEY
I think you're wrong.
DANA
There are people who don't like them?
CASEY
I wouldn't say that, but I would say
that most people are probably
indifferent toward them.
DANA
Do you think I'm weird?
CASEY
In so many different ways.
DANA
Because I like Zambonis?
CASEY
What's on your mind?
DANA
I don't know how to keep Gordon. I
don't know what to say to him.
CASEY
What do you want to say to him?
DANA
Don't break up with me.
CASEY
That's not going to work.
DANA
It won't?
CASEY
No. What else you got?
DANA
Nothing.
CASEY
You're wrong.
DANA
No I'm not.
CASEY
You've got the truth.
DANA
I don't have the truth.
CASEY
You'd be amazed at how attractive the
truth can be sometimes.
DANA
Not for a woman.
CASEY
You're wrong.
DANA
The truth is I have a job that
involves me and stimulates me and
rewards me and takes up a lot of my
time.
I'm not willing to do my job just a
little bit, I want to do all of it.
It's part of me and I'm different
without it. And that is who I am, and
that is who you need to love. (BEAT)
Except it won't work.
CASEY
Yes it will.
DANA
It won't.
CASEY
Say it just like that.
DANA
It won't.
CASEY
Dana, any man who hears that and
doesn't say "For a woman like you,
for a person, for you, I will take
whatever time you can give me and be
grateful all my life for that", any
man who hears that and doesn't throw
you down on the nearest flat surface,
is just taking up space for the rest
of us. (PAUSE) And you shouldn't need
Natalie to shove you in here when you
want to talk about something.
DANA
She didn't shove me in here.
KIM (VO)
Five minutes to air, please, first
team to the studio.
CASEY
I gotta go.
DANA
I appreciate your talking.
CASEY
I can have that time in the 20's?
DANA
Check back with me.
CASEY GOES OFF AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT II
(P)
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Casey, Isaac, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot,
Chris, Will, Dave, J.J., Judith)
THE PLACE IS STARTING TO GEAR UP. J.J. IS STANDING IN THE BACK
OF THE CAMERAS WITH HIS FIANCEE, JUDITH.
DAVE (VO)
Two minutes to VTR, two and a half
live.
J.J.
(TO JUDITH) "VTR" means Video Tape
Record. That's the taped intro. Then
they come live to the studio 30
seconds later.
ISAAC COMES ALONG--
ISAAC
J.J.?
J.J.
Isaac. Judith, this is Isaac Jaffee,
the managing editor. Isaac, this is my
fiancee, Judith.
ISAAC
How do you do. It's nice to finally
meet you.
JUDITH
I hope I'm not imposing.
ISAAC
Judith, you are charming and you are
welcome here whenever you like.
JUDITH
Thank you.
J.J.
Watch out for Isaac and the ladies.
ISAAC
Yes.
AS NATALIE COMES BY--
ISAAC (CONT'D)
Natalie, this is J.J.'s fiancee,
Judith.
NATALIE
Nice to meet you.
JUDITH
Hi.
ISAAC
Would you give Judith a quick
introduction to Dan and Casey before
we start.
NATALIE
Sure.
NATALIE TAKES JUDITH OVER TO THE ANCHOR DESK WHERE DAN AND
CASEY ARE GETTING WIRED UP AND LOOKING OVER COPY. WE SEE THEM
IN THE BACKGROUND AS ISAAC TALKS TO J.J.
ISAAC
I was thinking about what I said
earlier.
J.J.
About what?
ISAAC
Creating division between the show and
the network. I said it's not good for
the show, it's not good for CSC, it's
not good for Continental Corp and it's
not good for Luther Sachs.
J.J.
And I couldn't agree more.
ISAAC
J.J.?
J.J.
Yeah.
ISAAC
I find out that quote in the Journal
came from you, I'm gonna own your ass.
(BEAT) I mean I'll absolutely own it.
THERE'S A MOMENT BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM BEFORE JUDITH COMES
BACK.
JUDITH
They're both very nice and very funny
and they like you a lot, J.J.
J.J.
Good.
JUDITH
(TO ISAAC) You're sure I'm not in the
way?
ISAAC
Absolutely sure. Enjoy the show.
DAVE
Stand by audio, stand by VTR.
ELLIOT
60 seconds to roll.
KIM
90 seconds live.
DANA
Jeremy, what do you have for a 30
second fill?
JEREMY
What do you need?
DANA
Something that's 30 seconds.
JEREMY
How 'bout a precocious little high
pressure system moving in over the
Rocky Mountain region creating winds
up to 30 miles per hour out of the
Northwest?
DANA LOOKS AT HIM...
JEREMY (CONT'D)
Or how 'bout something having to do
with sports?
DANA
Excellent.
NATALIE
(TO DANA) You talked to him?
DANA
Yeah.
NATALIE
What'd he say?
DANA
Nothing.
NATALIE
How do you feel?
DANA
A little better.
DAVE
Stand by.
DANA
Good show everybody.
DAVE
Roll VTR.
DAN
I don't think she's playing hard to
get. I think she has no interest in me
at all. You gotta respect her for
that.
CASEY AND DAN SIT AND SCRIBBLE THEIR NOTES IN SILENCE FOR A
MOMENT...
DAN (CONT'D)
I don't even know her. And no joke, I
really like her. And it's a little
painful that I won't be seeing her
tonight. (BEAT) You understand what
I'm saying?
CASEY
Truthfully? Yes I do.
DAVE
In three...two...
DAN
Good evening, from New York City I'm
Dan Rydell alongside Casey McCall.
Bats and balls, balls and strikes,
let's play ball it's time for spring
training.
WE START TO PULL BACK DURING...
CASEY
It's also time for the greatest show
on wood. Championship week begins in
college hoops. All that comin' up
after this. You're watching Sports
Night on CSC, so don't go away.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF SHOW