Written by
Aaron Sorkin
Directed by
Bob Berlinger
Final Draft 2/2/99 (Yellow)
1st rev. 2/3/99 (Green)
2nd rev. 2/3/99 (Goldenrod)
SPORTS NIGHT
"Eli's Coming"
#N319
Cast
Dan...................................Josh
Charles
Casey................................Peter
Krause
Isaac...........................Robert
Guillaume
Dana............................Felicity
Huffman
Jeremy................................Josh
Malina
Natalie.............................Sabrina
Lloyd
Kim....................................Kayla
Blake
Elliot....................................Greg
Baker
Chris.....................Timothy
David-Reed
Will....................................Ron
Ostrow
Dave.................................Jeff
Mooring
Rebecca.................................Teri Polo
Bobbi Bernstein...............Lisa
Edelstein
Alyson.........................Suzanne Palanuk
SPORTS NIGHT
(TEASER)
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM/EDITING ROOM/STUDIO/AUDIO
ROOM/CSC
CORRIDOR/NEWSROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 1)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Atmosphere)
WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BROADCAST.
DAN
Ernie Els, who missed eight fairways
on the back-nine, still managed to
finish the day one under par to stay
within three strokes of the leader,
Tiger Woods, who some of you may have
heard of.
CASEY
That's all for us. Don't forget,
tomorrow's a big day as March Madness
heads into the Round of 16. You can
join us starting at three o'clock when
Dan and I'll begin our continuing
coverage of the Sweet 16. We'll be
joined by analysts in the field and
Bobbi Bernstein right here in the
studio.
AT THE MENTION OF BOBBI BERNSTEIN, DAN, OFF-CAMERA, NEARLY
CHOKES ON HIS WATER.
CASEY (CONT'D)
The fun starts tomorrow afternoon at
three and we'll be with you straight
through till eleven p.m. You've been
watching Sports Night on CSC, have a
good night.
DAN
G'night.
DAVE
Music.
Will.
Go.
DAVE
Animation.
CHRIS
Go.
DAVE
We're out.
DAN
Whoa.
CASEY
Take it easy.
DAN
Whoa.
CASEY
Dan--
DAN
When did this happen?
CASEY
You're talking about Bobbi Bernstien?
DAN
Yes, yes I am, I'm talking about Bobbi
Bernstein.
CASEY
I guess Dana forgot to tell you.
DAN
I guess she did, Casey, I guess she
forgot to tell me.
DANA COMES INTO THE STUDIO--
DANA
Oh, hey, you know what, Dan? I forgot
to tell you about Bobbi Bernstein.
DAN
Yes you did.
DANA
Bobbi's gonna sit in for Jack.
DAN
What happened to Jack?
DANA
He's sick.
DAN
How sick?
DANA
He has flu-like symptoms.
DAN
Oh honestly, who doesn't?!
DANA
What's the problem with Bobbi
Bernstein?
DAN
No problem.
DANA
She's good.
DAN
She's very good.
DANA
Knows college basketball.
DAN
She's very good.
DANA
Listen, Isaac's gonna want to show us
pictures from his vacation, so I'm
gonna get a "welcome back" cake and
we'll have a little party in his
office tomorrow.
CASEY
What kind of cake?
DANA
What kind of cake?
CASEY
Yes.
DANA
I don't know, Casey, why do you ask?
CASEY
I'm particular about cake. And I have
to say, it's been my experience that
men buy better cake than women. I've
found that women tend to get these
yogurt-frosted low-cal things laced
with a rum and fruit concoction that
make eating cake into something you do
to be polite. So that's why I was
asking what kind of cake you were
planning on getting to celebrate Isaac
returning from vacation.
DANA
Wow. I didn't know you felt so
strongly about it. But now that I do,
I guess the answer is "whatever cake I
damn please."
CASEY
Excellent.
DANA
(TO DAN) Bobbi's coming in from St.
Louis, she'll be here a little before
three.
DAN
Good.
DANA
There's no problem with Bobbi?
DAN
No ma'am.
DANA
Good.
DANA HEADS OFF TOWARD THE EDITING ROOM. DAN STANDS THERE AND
LOOKS HELPLESSLY AT CASEY.
CASEY
I'd go for it.
DAN HUSTLES AFTER DANA AS WE RESET TO:
INT. EDITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT1)
DANA COMES IN AND PICKS UP A COUPLE OF TAPES AS DAN
CATCHES
UP TO HER.
DAN
Dana--
DANA
Can you believe I get a whole little
"cake" speech from that guy?
DAN
Yeah--
DANA
Is there anything he won't make a
speech about? Is there anything he
won't sit in judgement on? I mean I'm
sorry for ending two sentences in a
row with a preposition like that, but
no kidding, Danny--
DAN
Dana.
DANA
(BEAT) Yeah?
DAN
Hi.
DANA
Hi.
DAN
(BEAT) Here's the thing: Bobbi and I
have a peculiar relationship.
DANA
I didn't know you had a relationship.
DAN
We don't.
DANA
I'm confused.
DAN
You and me both.
DANA
Dan--
DAN FOLLOWS DANA AS SHE CROSSES INTO THE STUDIO--
RESET TO:
INT. STUDIO - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 1)
DAN
When I tell people this they don't
believe me. They think I'm lying.
DANA
Don't be ridiculous, Dan, of course
I'm gonna believe you.
DAN
You say that now, and that's nice, but
then I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say,
and you're not gonna believe me.
DANA
I'll believe you.
DAN
Really?
DANA
I'm standing here telling you I'll
believe you.
DAN
Bobbi Bernstein is convinced that
several years ago, in a hotel room in
Spain, she and I slept together and
that I never called her again. Now,
three things are important. I
never met Bobbi Bernstein until she
started doing field work for the show.
I've never slept with Bobbi Bernstein.
And I've never been to Spain. Thank
you for believing me.
DANA
Danny.
DAN
What?
DANA
You never called her.
DAN
Dana--
DANA
Women like a phone call, Danny.
DAN AND DANA CROSS INTO THE AUDIO ROOM
RESET TO:
INT. AUDIO ROOM - CONTINOUS - (NIGHT 1)
DAN
Okay, listen, there's something in the
stuff you guys are putting in your
hair.
DANA
Let me tell you something, I put
nothing in my hair. I was born with
this hair and I don't think enough
people know that.
DAN
Rebecca's gonna be here tomorrow.
DANA
Rebecca, by the way, colors her hair.
DAN
Dana--
DANA
She's a lovely woman but I'm saying
that's not her natural hair color.
DAN
Nonetheless, I think I'd like to keep
her on as my girlfriend.
DANA AND DAN HEAD TOWARD THE NEWSROOM
RESET TO:
INT. CSC CORRIDOR/NEWSROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 1)
DAN (CONT'D)
Rebecca and I are in a very delicate
period of our relationship, and if
she's standing around while Bobbi
Bernstein's launching into arias about
how I didn't call her after sleeping
with her in Spain--
DANA
You shoulda called her.
DAN
I didn't sleep with her.
DANA
Can I ask you something?
DAN
Sure.
DANA
Are Rebecca's breasts real?
DAN
You're not gonna be any help to me,
are you.
DANA
It doesn't look like it, does it.
DAN
No.
CASEY COMES THROUGH--
CASEY
Chocolate cake. Chocolate filled,
chocolate frosted, chocolate cake. I'm
just sayin'.
END OF TEASER
ACT I
(A)
INT. NEWSROOM/DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will, Dave, Atmosphere)
CASEY IS ADDRESSING A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STANDING OR
LEANING AGAINST DESKS.
CASEY
There are days. Days that separate the
men from the Men.
KIM
The men from the men?
CASEY
That's right.
ELLIOT
What does--
CASEY
The second "men" was with a capital
"M".
KIM
Ah.
EVERYONE REACTS
CASEY
There are these days. This is one of
those days. You should enjoy the
moment.
ELLIOT
What moment?
CASEY
This moment. The Sweet Sixteen.
Expanded Coverage. Don't you love
expanded coverage?
ELLIOT
Yes.
CASEY
All day and all night. A foxhole
mentality. Enjoy this moment.
DAN ENTERS--
DAN
Casey--
CASEY
I'm pumping up the troops.
DAN
That's great. Lemme talk to you.
DAN HEADS INTO HIS OFFICE--
CASEY
All right. (TO EVERYONE) While I'm
gone, everyone should still continue
enjoying the moment.
ALL
Thanks/Okay/Take it easy...
CASEY FOLLOWS DAN INTO THE OFFICE AS WE RESET TO:
INT. DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
DAN
So listen to this, and this is all I
want to tell you, and then I'm not
gonna say anything more. I just went
down to Rebecca's office and Steve
Sisco was there.
CASEY
(PAUSE) Expanded coverage. All day,
all night.
DAN
Maybe I'll talk about it a little more
than that.
CASEY
Steve Sisco was in her office?
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
On a Saturday?
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
What's Steve Sisco doing in her office
on a Saturday?
DAN
Who cares that it's Saturday? What's
Steve Sisco doing in her office?
CASEY
Hey, Rebecca, Steve Sisco, Bobbi
Bernstein, you're gonna have quite a
little day.
DAN
Yeah, but I'm not talkin' about it and
I'm not thinkin' about it.
CASEY
Good.
DAN
We've got a lot of hours on the air
today.
CASEY
That's right.
DAN
The point is, Steve Sisco was in
Rebecca's office--
CASEY
On a Saturday.
DAN
--on a Saturday. My girlfriend's ex-
husband was in her office on a
Saturday, and I'm fine.
CASEY
Good.
DAN
And I'm not saying "I'm fine" in that
dramatic way that's obviously meant to
indicate that I'm not fine. That's not
what I meant when I said "I'm fine".
CASEY
What did you mean?
DAN
I meant I'm fine.
CASEY
Okay.
DAN
I am.
CASEY
Excellent.
DAN
Look at me.
CASEY
I am.
DAN
Don't I look fine.
CASEY
You look good.
DAN
I do.
CASEY
You're a good looking man, Danny.
DAN
Moreover, my girlfriend's in her
office talking to her ex-husband, it's
all happening on a Saturday, and guess
what?
CASEY
You're fine?
DAN
I'm fine.
CASEY
I want you to know right now how
frightened I am of today's broadcast.
DAN
Yeah, I hear ya.
ACT I
(B)
INT. ISAAC'S OFFICE - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Dave (VO))
NATALIE AND JEREMY ARE ON STEP-LADDERS, HANGING A BANNER OVER
THE WINDOW THAT READS: "WELCOME BACK". DANA IS SUPERVISING.
DANA
A little higher.
NATALIE
Me?
DANA
Jeremy.
JEREMY
Higher?
DANA
Yes.
JEREMY
There?
DANA
Too high. Actually. Wait. Yes.
Natalie, you go higher. Right there.
JEREMY
Good?
DANA
Yes.
NATALIE
We can come down now?
DANA
By all means. Take a look. I like it.
I like the visual image, don't you?
The city skyline, the banner--
NATALIE
Yes.
DANA
Here's the thing:
NATALIE
What.
DANA
I'm not wild about the text.
NATALIE
The text?
DANA
Yeah.
JEREMY
It says "Welcome Back".
DANA
Right.
NATALIE
What's the problem?
DANA
I don't know, it's a little on the
nose, don't you think?
NATALIE
Welcome back?
DANA
Yes.
NATALIE
Do I think it's on the nose?
DANA
Yes.
NATALIE
I suppose I do.
DANA
But it doesn't bother you?
NATALIE
Not that much.
DANA
You know who it would bother?
NATALIE
Who?
DANA
Casey. I think it would bother Casey.
I find Casey to be judgemental. And in
my case I find him to be hyper-
judgemental.
JEREMY
Did he say something about your hair?
DANA
No, he said something about--wait,
what would he say about my hair?
DAN AND CASEY ENTER--
DAN
Listen to this: And I'm just gonna say
this and then that's the end of it.
Steve Sisco's with Rebecca in her
office right now.
NATALIE
Really?
DAN
Yeah.
NATALIE
On a Saturday?
DAN
What the hell--
CASEY
Danny--
DAN
I'm fine.
DANA
What do you think?
CASEY
About what?
DANA
About the banner.
CASEY
I like it.
DANA
Do you?
CASEY
It's a good banner.
DANA
You don't think it's on the nose?
CASEY
Welcome back?
DANA
Yeah.
CASEY
I think it's precise.
DANA
Really?
CASEY
Yes.
DANA
Thank you.
CASEY
There's an economy of language.
DANA
Oh and that's unusual for me? Like I'm
the one who can't shut up?
CASEY
Dana--
DANA
You're damn right there's an economy
of language. Got the job done with two
words. And I think I can make another
cut. Yes. We don't need "back". We can
cut the "back".
JEREMY
Cut the "back"?
DANA
Yes.
JEREMY
And have it just say "Welcome"?
DANA
Yes.
CASEY
Welcome?
DANA
(TO CASEY) Do you have a problem with
that?
JEREMY
He'll think he just cleared Customs.
CASEY
He's got a point.
NATALIE
What if you add an exclamation point?
DANA
I'm going to get the cake.
CASEY
Also, it should be a little higher on
the right.
DANA
Shut up.
DAVE (VO)
Two minutes to VTR, three minutes
live.
CUT TO:
ACT I
(C)
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Alyson, Bobbi)
KIM
Live in three minutes.
NATALIE
Let me hear 'em. Continental Arena.
CHRIS
On 1.
NATALIE
Thompson-Boling.
WILL
Up on two.
NATALIE
Trans World Dome?
CHRIS
They're coming.
NATALIE
America West.
WILL
On 4.
DANA ENTERS
NATALIE
Dana, we're still waiting for the Trans
World Dome but your team's on the field.
DANA
I think it's strange that Isaac isn't
here.
NATALIE
When was he supposed to get in?
DANA
He said he'd be here well before the
show started.
NATALIE
The show hasn't started yet.
DANA
Yeah, but he said he'd be here well
before the show started. It's now two
minutes before the show is starting.
NATALIE
Was he coming right from the airport?
DANA
Yeah.
JEREMY
Maybe he stopped off.
DANA
Where?
JEREMY
For a pretzel.
DANA
I'm serious, he was supposed to--
JEREMY
The man's been in Europe for two
weeks, he hasn't had a decent pretzel,
maybe he stopped off and that's the
cause for the delay.
DANA
And how long does it take to buy a
pretzel?
JEREMY
(BEAT) Well you've punctured a hole in
my theory.
NATALIE
Also Bobbi isn't here yet.
JEREMY
She called from the car.
DANA
And?
JEREMY
Stopped off for a pretzel.
DANA
Jeremy--
JEREMY
She's on her way up.
DAVE
60 seconds to VTR, two minutes live.
ALYSON IS FINISHING UP ON DAN AS CASEY LEADS A QUIET PEP
RALLY.
CASEY
Eight hours of continuing coverage. At
the end of the workday we'll have done
a day's work, people, enjoy the
moment.
ALYSON
You guys are all set, have a good
show.
DAN
Thank you, Alyson.
CASEY
Alyson?
ALYSON
Yeah?
CASEY
It doesn't look to me like you're
enjoying the moment.
ALYSON
I am.
CASEY
It doesn't look like you are.
ALYSON
I'm enjoying it.
CASEY
Okay.
ALYSON
Can I go?
CASEY
Sure.
ALYSON GOES--
CASEY (CONT'D)
(TO DAN) She's not enjoying it.
DAVE
Roll VTR, 60 seconds live.
THE SHOW MUSIC BEGINS AS DANA COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL ROOM.
DANA
Isaac isn't here yet.
CASEY
When was he supposed to get here?
DANA
He said well before the show started.
CASEY
The show hasn't started yet.
DANA
Well, well, well before. Does anybody
listen to me? I talk, I say things,
and nobody listens to me.
CASEY
I'm sorry, what?
DANA
Dan, Isaac isn't here yet.
DAN
I heard you.
DANA
What do you think?
DAN
Did he know there was gonna be cake?
DANA
Thank you.
DANA HEADS BACK TO THE CONTROL ROOM AS DAN CALLS AFTER HER--
DAN
Oh like where were you when I needed
you on Bobbi Bernstein?
CASEY
Yeah!
DAVE
45 seconds live.
DAN
This day's got the earmarks, Casey.
Where's Rebecca? I ask you that. She
was gonna come by to hang out a little
bit, yet she's down in her office with
Steve Sisco.
CASEY
But you're fine.
DAN
Rebecca isn't here, Isaac isn't here,
there's a strangeness about this day.
DAVE
30 seconds live.
DAN
Eli's coming.
CASEY
Eli?
DAN
From the Three Dog Night song.
CASEY
Yes.
DAN
Eli's something bad. A darkness.
CASEY
"Eli's coming, hide your heart girl."
Eli's an inveterate womanizer. I think
you're getting the song wrong.
DAVE
In ten--
DAN
I know I'm getting the song wrong, but
when I first heard it, that's what I
always thought it meant, and things
stick with you that way.
DAVE
In three, two--
CASEY
Good afternoon, from New York City I'm
Casey McCall alongside Dan Rydell.
Lions and Tigers and Bearcats, oh my!
We've got expanded coverage of the NC
Double-A Men's Basketball Tournament,
a/k/a March Madness.
DAN
We'll be taking you to Knoxville, East
Rutherford and St. Louis, where the
Jayhawks are about to tip off, and we
want to bring you up to date on some
developments out in Phoenix, so we're
gonna take you to the America West
Arena right after this. You're
watching a special Saturday edition of
Sports Night on CSC. We're just
getting' started, so stick around.
DAVE
We're out.
KIM
Two minutes back.
DAN
They say it's always calmest before
the storm. That's not true. I'm a
serious sailor. It isn't calm before
the storm. Stuff happens.
NATALIE COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL ROOM WITH BOBBI BERNSTEIN,
WHO'S STILL WEARING A COAT AND CARRYING AN OVERNIGHT BAG.
NATALIE
Look who's here.
BOBBI
Hey Casey.
CASEY
Hey Bobbi.
BOBBI
Hello Dan.
DAN
Eli's coming.
FADE TO BLACK
END OF ACT I
ACT II
(D)
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM/BACKSTAGE/STUDIO/EDITING
ROOM/CONTROL ROOM/STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM/CONFERENCE
ROOM/STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM/DAN AND CASEY'S
OFFICE/STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Bobbi, Rebecca, Alyson)
DAN AND BOBBI ARE SITTING SILENTLY AT THE ANCHOR DESK. DAN
IS
UNCOMFORTABLE.
AFTER A MOMENT...
DAN
How ya doin'.
BOBBI
Oh I'm fine, Dan. I'm doin' fine.
DAVE
In three, two--
DAN
Hello again. We'll send you back to
Knoxville in just a moment, but first
I'm joined by CSC analyst Bobbi
Bernstein. Bobbi, is Virginia's first-
half press a surprise to anyone?
BOBBI
Dan, the Cavs came out on defense doing
exactly what they said they'd do, and
that's contain Martin McMurtry. Let's go
to the first-half video tape and you can
see Georgia Tech--
MONITORS IN THE CONTROL ROOM SHOW SEVERAL BASKETBALL GAMES
INCLUDING THE VIDEO PLAYBACK OF THE MARYLAND GAME WITH
BOBBI'S VOICE OVER.
BOBBI (CONT'D)
--try to counter the zone and spring
McMurty.
BOBBI'S VOICE OVER CONTINUES AS ELLIOT WALKS IN THE CONTROL
ROOM.
DANA
What do you know?
ELLIOT
They said his plane landed four hours
ago.
DANA
And there's no answer at the house?
ELLIOT
No.
DANA LOOKS AT JEREMY AND NATALIE...
JEREMY
Dana? No kidding. Saturday night.
Coming in from JFK. If he took the
Triboro? Four hours wouldn't be a
record.
DANA
Yeah okay.
JEREMY
Elliot call the airline. Call
Heathrow, see if he got on the plane.
BOBBI
That's what Virginia's been doing all
season, Dan, that's what Georgia
Tech's gonna see all night long.
DAN
And how's Rebecca's ankle?
OFF-CAMERA, CASEY SHAKES HIS HEAD.
BOBBI
(BEAT) I'm sorry?
DAN
Rick. O'Brian. How's Rick O'Brian's
ankle?
BOBBI
X-ray's are negative and O'Brian could
see action in the second half.
DAN
Thanks very much. Bobbi Bernstein'll
be with us throughout the evening as
we send you back to the Thompson-
Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.
DAVE
We're out.
DAN
(TO BOBBI) Sorry about that.
BOBBI
Don't worry about it.
DAN AND BOBBI CROSS BACKSTAGE
RESET TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
DAN
(BEAT) Hard not to notice that you're
a little calmer than usual.
BOBBI
Look, Danny, I know you're worried I'm
gonna go turbo on you. It's really okay.
DAN
What's really okay?
BOBBI
It.
DAN
It?
BOBBI
Yes.
DAN
Bobbi--
BOBBI
I don't know why you're pretending you
don't remember. You're obviously not
addle-minded. Let's just forget it.
DAN
No let's not forget it. You know I've
done enough rotten things to women I
like. There's no question I'm going
straight to hell. I really don't need
you padding the ballot box.
BOBBI
Dan--
DAN
The reason I never called you after sleeping
with you in Spain is that I never slept with
you in Spain. And the reason I never slept
with you in Spain is that I've never been to
Spain. And the next time you bring this up,
you better be armed with a photograph of me
in a hotel room with you in Spain.
BOBBI REACHES INTO HER BAG, PULLS OUT A PHOTOGRAPH AND HANDS
IT OVER TO DAN.
DAN STARES AT THE PICTURE...
DAN (CONT'D)
That's me.
BOBBI
Yes. Can you read what it says on the
towel?
DAN
"Hotel de Espana".
BOBBI
Yes.
DAN
Wait a second, I was at that hotel.
BOBBI
Yes.
DAN
The Hotel de Espana's in France.
BOBBI
The Hotel de Espana's in Spain.
DAN
The Hotel de Espana's in Biarritz. I
was in Biarritz.
BOBBI
The Hotel de Espana's in San
Sebastian.
DAN
San Sebastian's in France?
BOBBI
San Sebastian's in Spain. The Hotel
de Espana's in Spain.
You were in Spain. You drove there
from Biarritz with your friends. It's
possible you were drunk.
DAN
Well...it was college so that's
certainly not out of the question.
BOBBI
Can I have the picture back?
DAN
How did you get this picture?
BOBBI
It was my camera.
DAN
That's me. That's me in this picture,
but that's not you.
BOBBI
Yes it is.
DAN
No it's not. I know this girl.
BOBBI
Yes.
DAN
I know this girl.
BOBBI
Yes.
DAN
Her name's Roberta. (BEAT) Oh holy cow.
BOBBI
Bobbi Bernstein, nice to meet you.
DAN
Bobbi, this looks nothing like you.
(BEAT) This--
BOBBI
Yeah--
DAN
I mean--
BOBBI
I turned into quite the babe, didn't
I?
BOBBI AND DAN CROSS BACK INTO THE STUDIO
RESET TO:
INT. STUDIO - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
DAN
I...uh...I don't know what to--I mean,
did you know that there are places in
France which, geographically, are very
close to places in Spain?
BOBBI
Yeah.
REBECCA
My ankle's fine.
DAN LOOKS UP TO SEE REBECCA WALKING TOWARD HIM--
DAN
Hey.
REBECCA
They put some ice on it and shot me up
with cortisone, I'm good to go.
DAN
This is Rebecca Wells, she works
downstairs. Bobbi Bernstein.
REBECCA
Hi.
BOBBI
Nice to meet you.
REBECCA
(TO DAN) You have time for coffee?
DAN
Natalie, do I have a little time?
NATALIE
Four and half minutes.
BOBBI
I'm gonna look over some tape.
DAN
Yeah.
DAN AND REBECCA HEAD OVER TO CRAFT SERVICE.
DAN (CONT'D)
You want me to make you a sandwich?
REBECCA
No thanks. In fact, I didn't even
really want coffee.
DAN
We have espresso and cappuccino.
REBECCA
What I meant was--
DAN
And due to a budget surplus, I can now
offer you latte.
REBECCA
Dan--
DAN
But it's gonna look and taste an awful
lot like the espresso and the
cappuccino.
REBECCA
Danny.
DAN
(INDICATING THE EDITING ROOM) In
there.
DAN AND REBECCA GO INTO THE EDITING ROOM AS WE RESET TO:
INT. EDITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
REBECCA
Was that weird for you?
DAN
Seeing Steve Sisco in your office?
REBECCA
Yes.
DAN
No.
REBECCA
Really?
DAN
Yes.
REBECCA
It wasn't?
DAN
No.
REBECCA
It wasn't weird for you?
DAN
No.
REBECCA REACHES UP AND GIVES DAN A QUICK KISS ON THE LIPS.
THIS,
APPARENTLY, IS HER THUMB-SNAP SIGNAL FOR "TELL ME THE TRUTH NOW".
DAN (CONT'D)
It was weird for me.
REBECCA
Don't you want to ask me why he was there?
DAN
No.
REBECCA
Really?
DAN
It's none of my business.
REBECCA
It's a little your business.
DAN
We've been dating for two weeks.
REBECCA
He was in my office on a Saturday.
DAN
Why does everyone care that it's
Saturday? Would it be okay if he'd
been in your office on a Tuesday?
REBECCA
Would it?
DAN
It's none of my business.
REBECCA
So you don't want to know why he was
in my office on a Saturday?
DAN
No.
REBECCA REACHES UP AND KISSES HIM QUICKLY AGAIN.
DAN (CONT'D)
Why was he in your office on a Saturday?
REBECCA
Danny, Steve and I aren't divorced.
DAN
You're not.
REBECCA
No.
DAN
You're married.
REBECCA
We're separated.
DAN
I see.
REBECCA
Are you upset?
DAN
No.
REBECCA
Really?
DAN
Yes.
REBECCA REACHES UP AGAIN BUT DAN WAVES HER OFF--
DAN (CONT'D)
Get away from me with that thing, of
course I'm upset, what're you nuts?
Are you just some...nutty, nut-girl
who's nuts? There's a difference
between divorced and separated. One is
divorced and the other is separated.
That's why they have those names. I
never imagined that in a building
populated by me, you, Casey, Dana,
Natalie and Jeremy, Bobbi Bernstein
would turn out to be the sanest person
here! Separated means you're thinking
about getting divorced. It also means
you're thinking about not getting
divorced.
REBECCA
Are you finished?
DAN
No, I'm not finished. (BEAT) Yes, I'm
finished.
REBECCA
I'm sorry I lied to you. If it's any
consolation, I never felt like I was
lying. I felt like I was withholding
the truth.
DAN
Yes, that's a huge consolation,
Rebecca.
KIM (OVER PA)
Dan, 60 seconds.
DAN
So why was he in the office? It was
nothing, right? He just stopped by.
REBECCA
He wants to go into counseling.
DAN
Let me tell you, that guy could use
counseling. He is, among other
things, an inveterate womanizer, not
unlike the title character from the
song by Three Dog Night if you choose
to look at it that way, which I don't.
I see it as a portent of something
dark. But that's not what you meant by
counseling, is it.
REBECCA
No.
DAN
He wants to go into couples' counseling.
REBECCA
Yes.
DAN
With you.
REBECCA
Yes.
DAN
(BEAT) I have to go on the air.
REBECCA
Danny--
DAN
For just a second. I'll be right back.
DAN HEADS BACK TO THE STUDIO AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CONTROL ROOM/STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS-
(NIGHT 2)
DAVE
We're in the studio in 20.
WILL
Stand by 14.
CHRIS
Stand by F/X A-1. Apple-1.
DANA
What's the rule on when do you call
the police?
JEREMY
Well in my house it was 15 minutes
after school let out.
CASEY JOINS DAN AT THE ANCHOR DESK AND IS ATTENDED TO BY
ALYSON.
CASEY
Hey Alyson.
ALYSON
Hey Casey.
CASEY
Still enjoying the moment?
ALYSON
Yes.
CASEY
Good.
DAVE
In three...two...
CASEY
So much basketball, so little time.
We're gonna bring you some first-half
highlights of Memphis/Cincinnati
before we toss you out to The America
West Arena, but first, a paid
commercial announcement from one of
our many sponsors.
DAN
You're watching a special expanded
edition of Sports Night on CSC, so
come on back.
DAVE
We're out.
NATALIE
Don't anybody go too far.
CASEY
I saw Rebecca.
DAN
She's back there.
CASEY
Did you talk to her?
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
And?
DAN
You know how you can be in the
beginning of a relationship, and
something comes along to threaten it,
but then the woman tells you that
you're worried about nothing and
everything's fine and you feel stupid
for having thought anything in the
first place?
CASEY
Yeah.
DAN
None of those things happened.
CASEY
Ah.
DAN
No. Wait. Hang on a second. I feel
stupid.
CASEY
So there's that.
DAN
Be right back.
DAN GETS UP AND GOES BACK TO THE EDITING ROOM.
DANA
I'm saying five more minutes.
NATALIE
'Till what?
DANA
'Till I call the police.
NATALIE
Okay.
CASEY ENTERS--
CASEY
Hey.
JEREMY
Hey Casey.
CASEY
Hey Jeremy.
CASEY STANDS THERE AND LOOKS AROUND FOR A MOMENT...
CASEY (CONT'D)
Boy, it's been a long time since I've
been in here during a show.
DANA
I can't tell you how much we've missed
you.
CASEY
Thank you. (BEAT) So what're you guys
doin'?
NATALIE
Sometimes it's a little hard to tell.
CASEY
I think the show's going well.
DANA
Do you?
CASEY
Yes.
DANA
'Cause you're approval is important to
me.
CASEY
Dana, whatever we're gonna do, can we
not do it in front of the help.
CASEY HEADS TOWARD THE DOOR--
DANA
(TO NATALIE) I'm right outside.
DAVE
Three minutes back.
DANA FOLLOWS CASEY OUT THE DOOR AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
CASEY
What's the problem?
DANA
Let me off the hook.
CASEY
For what?
DANA
You know for what.
CASEY
I don't.
DANA
You do.
CASEY
I really don't.
DANA
You really do.
CASEY
You dumped the show off to Sally.
DANA
It was after one o'clock in the
morning.
CASEY
That's right.
DANA
Fedrigotti had taken it to five sets,
Casey, that match was never gonna end.
CASEY
Plus Gordon was here.
DANA
Yes.
CASEY
And Gordon was mad.
DANA
Yes.
CASEY
So you dumped the show.
DANA
I handed it off.
CASEY
For Gordon.
DANA
(BEAT) Yes.
CASEY
And you want me to let you off the
hook.
DANA
Yes.
CASEY
Well, later, when there's time, I'll
see if I can let you off the hook.
Right now there isn't time to let you
off the hook. Right now there's our
show. If something more important
comes along, you'll let me know,
right?
CASEY TURNS AND LEAVES.
DANA
Yeah.
NATALIE COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL ROOM--
NATALIE
Casey--
CASEY
(WALKING PAST HER) I'm there.
CASEY IS GONE, NATALIE OPENS THE DOOR TO THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
NATALIE
What's goin' on?
DANA
I want so badly to rip his face off.
RESET TO:
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
AS CASEY SITS DOWN AT THE DESK--
DAVE
In ten.
RESET TO:
INT. DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
AS DAN WALKS INTO THE EMPTY ROOM--
DAN
Rebecca?
DAN'S MOMENTARILY CONFUSED. THEN TURNS AROUND TO SEE REBECCA
STANDING IN THE DOORWAY.
REBECCA
Did you think I'd left?
DAN
I was looking for you.
REBECCA
I wouldn't have.
CASEY APPEARS ON THE MONITOR--
CASEY
Welcome back--
DAN
Listen, there's something I forgot to
tell you before.
REBECCA
What?
DAN
If you want to work on repairing your
marriage, I will, in whatever way you
want, support that.
REBECCA
Really?
DAN
Yeah.
REBECCA REACHES UP AND KISSES DAN...
REBECCA
Really.
DAN
(BEAT) Really.
REBECCA
(BEAT) I think I'd rather not think
about it anymore today.
DAN
That's okay too.
REBECCA
Thanks.
DAN TURNS TO LEAVE--
DAN
He's such a bad guy, Rebecca. I'm
sorry if that hurts you, but I know
these things. I'm not that good
myself.
REBECCA
(BEAT) Can I stay here and watch you
on TV?
DAN
Yeah, sure.
DAN WALKS OUT AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
CASEY
--8 for 12 from the field, perfect
from the line, he leads all scorers
with 31 points, besting his regular
season average by five. Back to Larry
and George.
DAVE
We're out.
DAN'S STANDING OFF-CAMERA. CASEY LOOKS UP AT HIM.
CASEY
You don't look so good.
DAN
I'm a good lookin' man, Casey.
CASEY
Yes.
DAN
I've gotta get my head in the game.
I've been out of it all day.
BOBBI COMES IN--
BOBBI
Dan, it's you and me next, right?
DAN
Yeah.
BOBBI
You wanna go over some stuff.
DAN
Yeah. (TO CASEY) You wanna look at
this?
CASEY
I'm gonna go talk to her.
CASEY EXITS INTO THE CONTROL ROOM.
AFTER A MOMENT...
BOBBI
I've got some pretty compelling stats
from the Duke game, so if you ask me
about North Carolina's bench--
DAN
What a jerk I was.
BOBBI
(BEAT) To who?
DAN
To you. (BEAT) I should've called you.
If my not calling you made you feel
like any less that what you are... I'm
sorry.
BOBBI SMILES. SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHETHER SHE'S GONNA LAUGH OR
CRY.
BOBBI
Thank you.
DAN
All right, so I start you off on the
North Carolina bench.
CUT TO:
ACT II
(E)
INT. NEWSROOM/STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Bobbi, Atmosphere)
DANA AND NATALIE ARE LEANING AGAINST THE CIRCULAR
TABLE.
DANA
Oh and like he's never made his
personal life a priority. I guess we
won't count the ten years he was
married to Lisa and I had to stand
around and watch that. And who the
hell is he to judge--
NATALIE
Dana--
DANA
--no I really don't understand this.
NATALIE
I know, but--
DANA
Who the hell is he to judge the
quality of my relationship with
Gordon?
CASEY COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL ROOM--
CASEY
Dana.
DANA
Oh excellent, 'cause I'm due for
another scolding.
CASEY
Dana, Isaac's at Columbia
Presbyterian. He's had a stroke.
DANA
(BEAT) What?
CASEY
Isaac had a stroke at the airport.
(BEAT) I don't know anymore than that.
NATALIE
Oh my God.
CASEY
I have to go tell Danny.
CASEY GOES BACK INTO THE CONTROL ROOM...
DAVE
30 seconds back.
DANA
I need a drink of water.
RESET TO:
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
DAN AND BOBBI ARE SIDE BY SIDE AT THE ANCHOR DESK AS CASEY
COMES IN--
DAN
Coaching vacancies'll be good for the
7-block, but I can tease it right now.
CASEY
Dan.
DAN
Yeah.
CASEY
Isaac's had a stroke.
DAN STARES AT CASEY...
DAN
Is it bad?
CASEY
We'll go to the hospital after the
show.
DAN
Is it bad?
CASEY
Yeah.
WE HEAR THE OPENING ORGAN STRAINS OF "ELI'S COMIN'"...
IN THE CONTROL ROOM, IT'S CLEAR THAT EVERYONE'S HEARD THE
NEWS. EVERYONE KEEPS THEIR EYES FOCUSED STRAIGHT AHEAD.
DAVE
(FINALLY) In ten.
CASEY
(TO DAN) Are you okay?
DAN
Yeah.
CASEY
Danny--
DAN
Casey. I'm fine.
DAVE
In three...two...
"ELI'S COMIN'" CONTINUES AS--
DAN
Welcome back, if you're joining us
from East Rutherford, I'm joined once
again by CSC analyst Bobbi Bernstein.
Bobbi, let's talk about the North
Carolina bench.
DAN AND BOBBI CONTINUE OVER THE MUSIC AS WE
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF SHOW