Story by
Matt Tarses
Teleplay by
Aaron Sorkin
Directed by
Bob Berlinger
Final Draft - 2/23/99 (Yellow)
SPORTS NIGHT
"Ten Wickets"
#N321
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 Davis-Reed
Will........................Ron Ostrow
Dave....................Jeff Mooring
Rebecca....................Teri Polo
Alyson............Suzanne Kellogg
SPORTS NIGHT
(TEASER)
FROM THE DARKNESS WE HEAR:
(Kim (VO))
KIM (VO)
Two minutes to air, first team in the
studio please.
INT. PROP ROOM/CONTROL ROOM/STUDIO - NIGHT - (NIGHT 1)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Atmosphere)
DAN IS GETTING A CUP OF TEA. CASEY ENTERS.
CASEY
It's been a week.
DAN
I know.
CASEY
It's been a week.
DAN
As a matter of fact it hasn't.
CASEY
It's been a week.
DAN
It's been six days. It was a week ago
tomorrow.
CASEY
It was a week ago tomorrow that
somebody tried to blow up the
building.
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
Tomorrow it'll be a week.
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
Since the time that somebody tried to
blow up the building.
DAN
Yes, and I think it's time for you to
get over it.
CASEY
Doesn't really seem like that's gonna
happen though, does it?
DAN
I'm not optimistic.
DAN EXITS TO THE STUDIO
DAVE (VO)
60 seconds to VTR, two minute live.
CASEY CROSSES INTO THE STUDIO
INT. CONTROL ROOM/STUDIO - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 1)
NATALIE
Ready 1.
WILL
Stand by animation.
CHRIS
Stand by 1 and F/X-1.
DANA ENTERS--
DANA
I'm forgetting things.
NATALIE
What are you forgetting?
DANA
Nothing specific.
NATALIE
You're not forgetting anything
specific?
DANA
No, I have this sense about me of
forgetting things. Losing things.
JEREMY
What've you lost?
DANA
Nothing specific. (PAUSE) You know
you're almost tempted to consider the
possibility that I'm just going stark
raving mad.
JEREMY
Well you sure don't have to sell me.
DANA GIVES HIM A LOOK.
JEREMY (CONT'D)
Casey, Robbie Alomar just made the
last out at first.
INT. STUDIO
CASEY
Thank you. (TO DAN) Wouldn't you think
that when a guy threatens to blow up a
building in the name of God, wouldn't
you think religious leaders would step
forward at that point?
DAN
I do.
CASEY
Wouldn't you think that rabbis and
priests and ministers and cardinals
would step forward and say "Fella, we
think that pretty much any hope you
have of getting into heaven will be
ruined if you blow up that building"?
Would you think they'd say that?
DAN
I would.
CASEY
And when they didn't--
DAN
Casey--
CASEY
What?
DAN
It's just that we've had this
conversation a few times already.
CASEY
When they don't, --
DAN
Wouldn't I think somebody would ask
why?
CASEY
Wouldn't you think somebody would ask
why?
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
You agree.
DAN
I'm right with you.
CASEY
Thank you.
DAN
I, however, have decided to move on.
CASEY
So you're not with me.
DAN
I am.
CASEY
No, I'm here, you've moved on.
DAN
Yes.
INT. CONTROL ROOM
DANA
There are three things that I'm doing.
I'm losing things, I'm forgetting
things--and there's a third one.
DAVE
Roll VTR, 60 seconds live.
NATALIE
(INTO MIC) Everybody, this is your
nightly two-minute confirmation that
I'm still Jeremy's girlfriend.
JEREMY
No you're not.
NATALIE
I am.
JEREMY
(INTO MIC) She's not.
NATALIE
Oh yes.
JEREMY
I've broken up with you. I've broken
up with you and I break up with you
again. Right there. Right then is
when I did it. We just broke up.
NATALIE
Look, whoosh, I undid it.
JEREMY
Can we please--
NATALIE
(SING-SONG) Jeremy loves me.
DAVE
30 seconds live.
INT. STUDIO
CASEY
You were with me.
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
You were with me for a time.
DAVE
In ten.
CASEY
You were with me for a time, but then
you moved on.
DAN
I did.
CASEY
You moved far away.
DAN
Not far enough.
DAVE
In three, two--
DAN
Good evening, from New York City I'm
Dan Rydell alongside Casey McCall.
Those stories plus, we've got double
plays in the West and triple threats
in the South.
CASEY
We've got the Phoenix Suns in the
morning, we've got Warren Moon at
might, we got rhythm, music, the
works. All that, comin' up after this.
You're watching Sports Night on CSC,
so stick around.
END OF TEASER
ACT I
(A)
INT. EDITING ROOM/STUDIO/CORRIDOR/CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY -
(DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Atmosphere)
JEREMY IS ON THE PHONE AT THE EDIT DESK. HE HAS TO SPEAK UP--
JEREMY
(INTO PHONE) Yes. Yes. You're breaking
up now. Hello? You're breaking up. Now
you're not there at all. There's
nobody there at all. Yet I'm still
talking. (HANGS UP THE PHONE) Alright.
DANA COMES IN--
JEREMY (CONT'D)
Dana--
DANA
Yes.
JEREMY
I was just talking to a guy in
Trinidad.
DANA
When were you in Trinidad?
JEREMY
I wasn't in Trinidad, the guy was in
Trinidad. He was talking to me about a
cricket match in New Delhi.
DANA
But--
JEREMY
Neither of us were in New Delhi. The
cricket match was in New Delhi, the
guy was in Trinidad, I was right here.
DANA AND JEREMY CROSS INTO THE STUDIO.
INT. STUDIO - CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
DANA IS SCANNING THE ROOM--
DANA
Have you seen my shoes?
JEREMY
What?
DANA
I'm missing my shoes.
JEREMY
(PAUSE) Among other things, yes. Dana,
seriously--
JEREMY FOLLOWS DANA OUT INTO THE CONTROL ROOM.
INT. CONTROL ROOM
DANA CONTINUES SEARCHING
DANA
The cricket player.
JEREMY
It was incredible.
DANA
What was incredible?
JEREMY
I don't know.
DANA
You don't know?
JEREMY
I don't know anything about cricket.
DANA
Brown suede heels, you really
haven't seen 'em?
JEREMY
No, I really haven't.
DANA EXITS TO THE CORRIDOR. JEREMY FOLLOWS.
INT. CORRIDOR
DANA
You don't know anything about cricket?
JEREMY
That's what I'm saying.
DANA
Really?
JEREMY
Yeah.
DANA
Nothing?
JEREMY
No.
DANA
And there's no information you can
give me about my shoes?
JEREMY FOLLOWS DANA INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
JEREMY
Dana, a very big sports story is
happening.
DANA
Jeremy, if a very big sports story was
happening, we'd know it.
JEREMY
We do know it, we just don't
understand it.
DANA
You don't understand it.
JEREMY
You understand cricket?
DANA
I know a little something.
JEREMY
What?
DANA
I know they drink tea.
JEREMY
I think they do more than that.
DANA
I didn't claim to be a student of the
game.
PEOPLE BEGIN ENTERING FOR A RUN-DOWN MEETING--
DANA (CONT'D)
Natalie, do you know anything about
cricket?
NATALIE
I know they drink tea.
DANA
Elliot?
ELLIOT
No.
KIM WALKS IN--
DANA
Kim, do you know anything about
cricket?
KIM
What's goin' on?
DANA
A guy in New Delhi just did something.
KIM
What?
DANA
Jeremy won't tell us.
JEREMY
I honestly don't know. And I wouldn't
have even brought it up except that
whatever this guy did it was huge.
NATALIE
What did he do?
JEREMY
He took all ten wickets in an inning.
NATALIE
What does that mean?
JEREMY
I don't know.
DANA
Elliot, get on the international wire
and get Jeremy the play by play of
this cricket match in Tripoli.
JEREMY
Trinidad, and the cricket match was in
New Delhi.
DANA
I don't think it matters if the
cricket match was at the Carnegie
Deli, we're not gonna know what the
hell went on, but get it anyway.
JEREMY
The guy's name is Chauncy St. John.
DANA
What guy?
JEREMY
The guy! The cricket player! His name
is Chauncy St. John. Elliot, go.
ELLIOT
Got it.
ELLIOT EXITS AND DAN ENTERS--
DANA
Dan, do you know anything about
cricket?
DAN
Ahhh, cricket. The game of the
civilized sportsman.
DANA
Do you know anything about it?
DAN
No.
DANA
You like it though.
DAN
What's not to like? They wear white,
they drink tea.
NATALIE
Guy in New Zealand got all ten
rickets.
JEREMY
Wickets in New Delhi. This is an
international news story. There are
countries other than ours.
DANA
Yes. There is, for instance, Belgium.
To name but one.
CASEY ENTERS--
CASEY
What's up?
JEREMY
Please don't ask.
CASEY
Don't ask about what?
DANA
Jeremy was on the phone with a man who
was in Trinidad at the time who told
him of a cricket player in New Delhi
named Chauncy St. John who got all ten
wickets in one inning. (TO JEREMY)
Thought I was gonna blow it, didn't
you.
JEREMY
Yes I did.
DANA
Anyway, don't ask.
CASEY
Okay.
DANA
Folks, before we start, I'd like to
say that I've been forgetting things
lately. And losing things. I apologize
in advance and you'll know it when you
see it. Anyway, that's all.
DANA TURNS AND EXITS. EVERYONE SITS IN SILENCE UNTIL
DANA
WALKS BACK IN.
DANA (CONT'D)
We have a run-down meeting now.
EVERYONE
Yes.
DANA
Item one:
CUT TO:
ACT I
(B)
INT. EDITION ROOM CORRIDOR/EDITING ROOM/CRAFT SERVICE
AREA/STUDIO/CSC CORRIDOR/NEWSROON/DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE -
DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dan, Casey, Jeremy, Atmosphere)
CASEY AND JEREMY WALK DOWN THE EDITING ROOM CORRIDOR
JEREMY
This is from The International Herald.
THEY ENTER THE EDITING ROOM
INT. EDITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
JEREMY (CONT'D)
It says if you compared it to
baseball, it'd be like pitching three
perfect games on three consecutive
days.
CASEY
Really?
JEREMY
Not exactly.
CASEY
Why not exactly?
JEREMY
It says the final four batters scored
16 runs.
CASEY
Doesn't sound good.
JEREMY
It certainly doesn't sound perfect.
CASEY
Right.
JEREMY
In baseball, if the final four batters
scored 16 runs, it's be hard to
consider that perfect.
CASEY
Right. Jeremy, I don't know how
comfortable I am reporting a story I
don't understand.
JEREMY
It's not that hard to understand.
There's a bowler, see, and there's a
batsman.
CASEY
What's a bowler?
JEREMY
I don't know.
CASEY
What's a batsman?
JEREMY
I don't know.
CASEY
Well keep it up.
DAN POPS HIS HEAD IN--
DAN
Hey!
CASEY
Hey.
DAN
Ask me my name.
CASEY
What's your name?
DAN
Mr. Happy Guy.
CASEY
Rebecca?
DAN
Flying back tonight. Meeting me after
the show.
CASEY
Good.
DAN
I love it when she meets me after the
show.
JEREMY
Here's something: (READING) "Raj
Rajhan edged a Humble snorter to the
slips where Suarav Ganguly dived to
his right to pick up a low snatch."
CASEY
I don't think I'm allowed to say that
on the air.
JEREMY
(IMPLORING) The Kumble snorter went
straight to the slips and the snatch was
obviously lower than it ordinarily is.
CASEY
Yes.
JEREMY
I'm getting to the bottom of this.
CASEY
Keep me posted.
CASEY LEAVES AND DAN FOLLOWS AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CRAFT SERVICE AREA/STUDIO/CSC CORRIDOR/NEWSROOM -
CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
DAN
Casey?
CASEY
Yes.
DAN
I'm Mr. Happy Guy.
CASEY
Yeah we met back there.
DAN
I don't believe it.
CASEY
What?
DAN AND CASEY MOVE TOWARD THEIR OFFICE
DAN
You're not with me.
CASEY
I'm with you.
DAN
No. I wasn't with you on the religious
leaders deal so you're--this is payback.
CASEY
Yes.
DAN
This is punitive.
CASEY
Yes it is.
DAN
These are two totally different
things. I'm excited 'cause Rebecca's
coming back, and you're, you know,
just a ranting lunatic.
CASEY
I am not a ranting lunatic, this is
honest outrage!
Somebody made a bomb threat because a
radio deejay did a sketch where Jesus
was gay. In the name of religion,
this man threatened the lives of about
700 people. The absence of
admonishment from the church is
totally bizarre!
DAN
Yes.
CASEY
Yes?
DAN
I'm with you.
CASEY
Now you're just saying that.
INT. CSC CORRIDOR
DAN
No I'm not.
CASEY
You're just saying that 'cause you
want me to be with you on the other
thing.
DAN
I'm not.
CASEY
Yes you are.
INT. NEWSROOM - CONTINUOUS
DAN
Yes I am, but I can fake my enthusiasm
and you'll never know the difference.
CASEY
That's all I'm asking.
DAN
So the deal is I'll be outraged about your thing
and you'll be happy 'cause Rebecca's back.
CASEY AND DAN ENTER THEIR OFFICE.
RESET TO:
INT. DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - (DAY 2)
CASEY
Fine.
DAN
You're not happy.
CASEY
I am.
DAN
No you're not. You're not happy that
Rebecca's back.
CASEY
Danny, this is gonna go badly for you.
DAN
No it's not.
CASEY
She's got a blind spot for Steve
Sisco.
DAN
Her ex-husband is not--
CASEY
He's not her ex-husband. They're
separated.
DAN
I know.
CASEY
They're in counseling.
DAN
He's a jerk, Casey.
CASEY
I know.
DAN
You shoulda seen the way he treated
her.
CASEY
I know how he treated her.
DAN
And you still think she's gonna end up
going back to him?
CASEY
Danny--
DAN
Be happy for me.
CASEY
I am happy for you.
DAN
Are you faking it?
CASEY
Doesn't matter.
CUT TO:
ACT ONE
(C)
INT. ISAAC'S OFFICE - DAY - (DAY 2)
(Dana, Natalie)
DANA IS ON THE PHONE--
DANA
(INTO PHONE) I'm right here. I'm right
here, Isaac, I'm in your office right
now. I've got everything completely
under control except I can't find my
shoes. (BEAT) No. (BEAT) No. (BEAT)
Did I look on my feet? That was a
funny joke. You're a senile old man,
and this stroke is a punishment for
not having been nicer to me. (BEAT)
Then why won't you let me come down
there? (BEAT)
NATALIE ENTERS--
DANA (CONT'D)
You heard what I said, I said why
won't you let me come down there?
NATALIE
Is that Isaac?
DANA
(INTO PHONE) Natalie's here.
NATALIE
Let me talk to him.
DANA
(INTO PHONE) She says she doesn't want
to talk to you, Isaac.
NATALIE
Yes I do.
DANA
(BEAT) 'Cause you're a stubborn person
and she's not interested in speaking
to stubborn people.
NATALIE
Yes I am.
DANA
(INTO PHONE) No she's flat out
refusing. Good-bye.
DANA HANGS UP THE PHONE--
DANA (CONT'D)
He's very stubborn.
NATALIE
What's he say?
DANA
He made it up and down the corridor
with a cane.
NATALIE
Good.
DANA
I can't believe he won't let us come
there.
NATALIE
Leave it alone.
DANA
I won't leave it alone.
NATALIE
No I don't think you will.
DANA
He's being stubborn.
NATALIE
Then he is.
DANA
That's right.
NATALIE
Dana, this is a fully grown man of
enormous dignity and accomplishment.
He has covered wars and he's dined with
Kings and he can't move the left side
of his body and he doesn't want us to
see him like that, now what's wrong?
DANA
Everything's wrong.
NATALIE
I mean with the forgetting things and
the losing things.
DANA
I don't know.
NATALIE
Really?
DANA
I don't know.
NATALIE
Okay.
DANA
I know I don't like it when Casey's
mad at me.
NATALIE
I know.
DANA
He's never gonna stop being mad at me.
NATALIE
Yes he is.
DANA
Here's the thing.
NATALIE
What?
DANA
He's got a point.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
(D)
INT. EDITING ROOM/CRAFT SERVICE AREA - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Jeremy, Natalie)
NATALIE IS WATCHING SOME FOOTAGE ON THE MONITOR AS JEREMY
STANDS BEHIND HER--
NATALIE
This is a spectacular play.
JEREMY
You don't even know what you're
looking at.
NATALIE
Yes I do.
JEREMY
No you don't.
NATALIE
I'm a sports professional, gumdrop,
and I happen to know a little
something about the cricket stylings
of New Guinea's Mr. Chutney St. Joan.
JEREMY
Yes, New Delhi's Mr. Chauncy St. John,
and that's not him.
NATALIE
What are we doing tonight?
JEREMY
Nothing.
NATALIE
Really?
JEREMY
Yeah.
NATALIE
Dinner?
JEREMY
No.
NATALIE
Late movie?
JEREMY
No.
NATALIE
Wanna rent some porn?
JEREMY
Natalie, we can't go out tonight.
NATALIE
Why?
JEREMY
'Cause we're not going out anymore.
NATALIE
That doesn't mean we can't go out
anymore.
JEREMY
It sorta does.
NATALIE
Jeremy--
JEREMY
I just want to get over it.
NATALIE
Get over it.
JEREMY
Yes.
NATALIE
No, I'm saying get over it.
JEREMY
I'm trying. I know it's been all of
three weeks, I'll see if I can speed
up my nervous breakdown.
JEREMY AND NATALIE EXIT TO THE CRAFT SERVICE AREAD.
INT. CRAFT SERVICE AREA
NATALIE
That's fine.
JEREMY
Thank you.
NATALIE
Nobody's rushing you.
JEREMY
I appreciate it.
NATALIE
Are you over it yet?
JEREMY
Natalie--
NATALIE
How 'bout now?
DAN COMES IN WITH A GIFT--
DAN
Hey look.
NATALIE
What's that?
DAN
It's an abacus.
NATALIE
Excellent.
DAN
An antique abacus.
JEREMY
Probably the only kind there are.
DAN
I got it in Chinatown at a place
called Dang Luck. Isn't it great?
NATALIE
It's wrapped.
DAN
If you could see it you'd think it was
great.
JEREMY
Dan's Mr. Happy Guy.
DAN
Yes I am.
NATALIE
I can see.
DAN
It's an abacus.
NATALIE
So you said.
DAN
She's a market analyst. Numbers.
Arithmetic.
NATALIE
You know if she opens a new checking
account on the corner, they'll give
her a free calculator.
DAN
I'm not sitting on the sidelines
anymore, Natalie, I'm getting in the
game.
NATALIE
Yes.
DAN
Steve Sisco wants his wife back, the
road goes through me.
NATALIE
I love it.
DAN
Tonight Rebecca's getting an antique
abacus from Dang Luck.
NATALIE
Yes.
DAN
What am I crazy?
NATALIE
No.
DAN
Am I Mr. Crazy Guy?
NATALIE
No.
DAN
I am.
NATALIE
You're not.
DAN
I'm crazy.
NATALIE
Crazy in love.
DAN
No, just crazy.
NATALIE
Dan--
DAN
An abacus? What is that, cute?
NATALIE
It's cute.
JEREMY
It's a little cute.
DAN
Natalie--
NATALIE
What market analyst wouldn't love an
antique abacus from Dang Luck.
DAN
Honesty. Honesty and directness are what's
required. I love her. It's that simple.
Honesty will win the day. (BEAT) Thank you.
DAN EXITS.
NATALIE
(TO JEREMY) I'm talkin' about really good porn.
JEREMY
Natalie--
NATALIE
Let's work.
NATALIE AND JEREMY EXIT TO THE EDITING ROOM.
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
(E)
INT. DAN AND CASEY'S OFFICE - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Casey, Dana, Kim (VO))
CASEY IS DRESSED FOR THE AIR AND IS AT THE TABLE TYPING AS
DANA COMES IN--
DANA
Hey.
CASEY
Hey.
DANA
Couple a notes.
CASEY
Fire.
DANA
Ten seconds less on the Arizona
bullpen.
CASEY
Done.
DANA
Write a shorter intro for the S.O.T.
on the amateur draft.
CASEY
Done.
DANA
Stop making Jerry Falwell jokes on the
air.
CASEY
No.
DANA
Yes.
CASEY
I don't do Jerry Falwell jokes.
DANA
The asides, the drop-ins, I'm telling
you, stop it.
CASEY
A week ago today somebody threatened
to blow up this building and all the
people in it, including me.
DANA
And you think it was Jerry Falwell?
CASEY
I've not ruled him out as a suspect.
DANA
I'm serious.
CASEY
What are you afraid of?
DANA
Offending people.
CASEY
Who? Our legions of viewers who take
Jerry Falwell seriously? Charo's got
a bigger fan base.
DANA
Casey--
CASEY
No, I know I'm alone on this. I know
the vast majority of people consider
Jerry Falwell a spiritual pillar of
great and gentle wisdom. I know that
most people consider him a scholarly
and tolerant man who would never judge
others harshly just because they were
different. I know that most people
find his calm leadership to be a
gentle soothing beacon in a time of
great social chaos. His guidance, for
instance, on the great purple
Tellytubby matter, was fraught with
the kind of theological sophistication
that only Jerry Falwell and a
cafeteria full of sixth graders could
devise. I know I'm going way out on a
limb, but I think Jerry Falwell's a
fat-ass. Who did I just offend?
I'm eager to talk to them. I've got a
typewriter and I'll use it as I see
fit.
DANA
Not on my show.
CASEY
Dana they're just jokes.
DANA
Do other jokes.
CASEY
What is with you?
DANA
Not on my show, Casey.
CASEY
Is this it?
DANA
Yes.
CASEY
You're gonna bench me?
DANA
Absolutely.
CASEY
Say it.
DANA
Do another Falwell joke and you're
suspended for a week.
KIM ENTERS
KIM (VO)
Five minutes to air. First team in
the studio, please. Five minutes.
CASEY AND DANA ARE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER...
DANA
Casey--
CASEY WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM AS WE
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
(H)
INT. STUDIO - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Jeremy, Elliot, Rebecca, Atmosphere)
IT LOOKS LIKE THE SHOW WILL BE STARTING SOON. REBECCA WANDERS
INTO THE EMPTY STUDIO, STILL WEARING HER COAT. SHE STANDS
THERE A MOMENT BEFORE JEREMY COMES IN--
JEREMY
Hey Rebecca.
REBECCA
Hey Jeremy.
JEREMY
You just get in?
REBECCA
Yeah. Is Dan around?
JEREMY
He's just--
REBECCA
--if he's busy--
JEREMY
No, I'm--
REBECCA
They just said he's on the air in five
minutes, of course he's--
JEREMY
I'll get him.
REBECCA
He should be concentrating on the
show. Don't tell him I'm here.
JEREMY
He'd kill me.
REBECCA
Jeremy--
JEREMY
He's very excited to see you.
REBECCA
I know, but--
ELLIOT WALKS THROUGH--
ELLIOT
They're in extra-innings in
Pittsburgh.
JEREMY
I'll feed it to Casey in the 20's.
ELLIOT'S GONE--
JEREMY (CONT'D)
(TO REBECCA) What were you gonna say?
REBECCA
Nothing.
JEREMY
Rebecca--
REBECCA
I'll go wait in my office.
JEREMY
Rebecca?
REBECCA AND JEREMY LOOK AT EACH OTHER FOR A MOMENT--DAN ENTERS--
DAN
Let's go everybody! Good show!
JEREMY
Dan.
DAN
Yeah. (SEEING REBECCA) Hey!
REBECCA
Hi.
DAN
You're early.
REBECCA
We hit the jet stream.
DAN
I love the jet stream.
REBECCA
Yes.
DAN
I want you to know I'd kiss you right
now, full on the lips, but there are
people around and it's unprofessional.
(SHOUTING) Leave people!
(TO REBECCA) I'm just gonna run
backstange where I have several gifts
for you. Including one that's
functional.
DAN GOES BACK BEHIND THE SET, LEAVING JEREMY AND REBECCA
ALONE AMONGST THE PRE-SHOW ACTIVITY.
JEREMY
What were you gonna say?
REBECCA
I think I should tell Dan first, don't
you?
JEREMY
Yeah.
JEREMY AND REBECCA WAIT IN SILENCE FOR A MOMENT UNTIL DAN
COMES RUNNING BACK, CARRYING FLOWERS, WIN AND THE GIFT-
WRAPPED BOX.
DAN
I'm back. I've got wine. I've got
flowers. I've got a gift that I had to
shop for.
JEREMY
Dan?
DAN
Yeah?
JEREMY
Uhm...three minutes.
DAN
Good show.
JEREMY
Good show.
JEREMY EXITS--
REBECCA
I've got a hot tip for you. I heard
some people talking on the plane about
Barry Bonds, who plays for the San
Diego Giants--
DAN
The San Francisco Giants.
REBECCA
Right.
DAN
What about him?
REBECCA
They say he's good.
DAN
He is good.
REBECCA
They say the San Francisco Giants are
gonna be a good team.
DAN
They will, but not this year.
REBECCA
What about Barry Bonds?
DAN
Unfortunately, the rules prohibit
Barry Bonds from batting before and
after himself and he probably can't
play right field and pitch at the same
time.
REBECCA
Ah.
DAN
Yes.
REBECCA LOOKS AT HIM--
DAN (CONT'D)
Uh-oh.
REBECCA
Yeah.
DAN
You're going back to Steve.
REBECCA
He's my husband. (PAUSE) I want you to
know that--
DAN
It's okay.
REBECCA
No, I have to tell you that--
DAN
Don't worry about it. We'll see each
other around the building. (PAUSE)
I've gotta--
REBECCA
Danny, thank you for--
DAN
Hey, no, it was really--it was my
pleasure.
REBECCA
Steve's waiting downstairs.
DAN
Tell him hi.
REBECCA TAKES ONE MORE LOOK AT DAN, THEN TURNS TO GO. SHE
TURNS BACK--
REBECCA
These people really seemed to think
the Giants were gonna go all the way
this year.
DAN
(BEAT) They're wrong.
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
(J)
INT. STUDIO/CONTROL ROOM/CORRIDORS/CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT -
(NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Casey, Dana, Jeremy, Natalie, Kim, Elliot, Chris, Will,
Dave, Atmosphere)
DAVE
Stand by.
CHRIS
Animation's standing.
WILL
Stand by music.
DAVE
Back from commercial in three, two--
CASEY
That's all for us, come back tomorrow
and we'll let you know if the Pirates'
game ever ended.
DAN
You've been watching Sports Night on
CSC, have a good night.
CASEY
G'night.
DAVE
Music.
WILL
Go.
DAVE
Animation.
CHRIS
Go.
DAVE
We're out.
NATALIE
Good show.
DANA BOLTS INTO THE STUDIO--
DANA
Casey.
CASEY
What?
DANA
I'm sorry.
CASEY DECIDES "OKAY, i'LL TALK TO HER". HE NODS HIS HEAD THAT
SHE SHOULD FOLLOW HIM TO SOMEPLACE PRIVATE.
DANA FOLLOWS CASEY AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CORRDIORS - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
DANA (CONT'D)
What're you doing?
CASEY
Going someplace private.
DANA
Yeah, but what was that with your
head.
CASEY
I was signaling you.
DANA
Signaling me what?
CASEY
That we should go someplace private.
DANA
Okay, but don't do that thing with
your head.
CASEY
Or you're gonna suspend me for a week?
DANA
I'm sorry about that.
CASEY SIGNALS WITH HIS HEAD THAT THEY SHOULD STEP INTO THE
CONFERENCE ROOM, WHICH THEY DO, AS WE
RESET TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS - (NIGHT 2)
DANA (CONT'D)
I'm sorry about that. That was a very
big gun to pull out. I'm sorry.
CASEY
I'm sorry I've been testing your
authority. You're the boss.
DANA
Okay.
CASEY
Okay.
CASEY WAITS A MOMENT, THEN TURNS TO GO--
DANA
Wait.
CASEY STOPS.
DANA (CONT'D)
I'm sorry I bailed on the show that
night. It was -- I know if you'd done
it to me, I'd have felt abandoned.
CASEY
I was surprised by it.
DANA
Yeah.
CASEY
It's not a big--
CASEY KEEPS TALKING FOR A SECOND AND ALMOST DOESN'T HEAR DANA
SAY--
DANA
Gordon's gonna ask me to marry him.
CASEY
I'm sorry.
DANA
He's in Washington. And he told me on
the phone that when he gets back he's
gonna ask me to marry him. You know,
he wants to do it--make it a big deal.
CASEY
(BEAT) What're you gonna say?
DANA
I'm gonna--what're you kidding?--I'm
gonna say "yes".
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
(K)
INT. NEWSROOM - NIGHT - (NIGHT 2)
(Dan, Casey, Jeremy, Natalie)
NATALIE IS SITTING AT A DESK, LOOKING OFF IN THE GENERAL
DIRECTION OF THE CONFERENCE ROOM. JEREMY APPROACHES.
NATALIE
Gordon's gonna ask Dana to marry her.
JEREMY
(BEAT) Really.
NATALIE
Yes.
JEREMY
How do you know?
NATALIE
'Cause I have special powers, Jeremy.
JEREMY
Hey--
NATALIE
She told me.
JEREMY
Yes.
NATALIE
And I think she just told Casey.
JEREMY
Ah.
NATALIE
Are you over it yet?
JEREMY
Yes.
NATALIE
Well that's just too bad. You know
why? 'Cause--what?
JEREMY
I'm over it. I want to get back
together with you.
NATALIE
We were never broken up.
JEREMY
Yes we were.
NATALIE
No.
JEREMY
We were.
NATALIE
That's sweet, but...no.
JEREMY
Listen to me. We broke up. I had some
things to sort out, and I broke up
with you. Now I decress that we're back
together.
NATALIE
You should kiss me now.
JEREMY
Okay. Wait. Rebecca went back to her
husband.
NATALIE
Where's Dan?
WE HEAR DAN SINGING FROM HIS OFFICE--
DAN (OS)
TIMES WERE TOUGH...
LOVE WAS NOT ENOUGH...
SO YOU SAID "SORRY JOHNNY, I'M
GONE, GONE, GONE"...
JEREMY
I think he's in his office.
DAN EMERGES FROM HIS OFFICE, HOLDING THE NOW OPEN BOTTLE OF
WINE AND CARRYING SOME PAPER CUPS.
DAN (CONT'D)
I'm right here.
NATALIE
Hey Dan.
DAN
I'm on my feet. Bobbin' 'n weavin'.
Breakin' tackles. Nothin' but open
field.
NATALIE
How ya doin'?
DAN
I've had a little wine. Someone wants
to make book on whether or not I'll be
havin' a little more, I would not bet
against me.
JEREMY
You mihgt want to save some of that
for Casey.
DAN
What's wrong with Casey?
CASEY ENTERS--
CASEY
Natalie.
NATALIE
Casey.
CASEY
Don't I rely on you?
NATALIE
Yes, but--
CASEY
Don't I rely on you for information?
NATALIE
Casey, she didn't tell me until just
before air time. I didn't want to tell
you before you went on the air.
DAN
Didn't stop Rebecca.
JEREMY
That was my fault.
DAN
Then you are my sworn enemy.
JEREMY
Dan--
DAN
I love you, man, gimme a hug.
CASEY
Danny.
DAN
I love you, too, Case. You're like my,
you know, much older brother.
CASEY
Danny.
DAN
Bobbin' 'n weavin'.
CASEY
Gordon asked Dana to marry her.
DAN
(BEAT) Wow.
CASEY
Yeah.
DAN
No seriously, Casey.
CASEY
I know.
JEREMY
Listen. Think about this. Halfway
around the world, a lone man has
accomplished an extraordinary athletic
feat.
DAN
What?
JEREMY
I don't know.
DAN
Good enough.
EVERYONE RAISES THEIR CUPS OF WINE--
JEREMY
I give you Mr. Chauncy St. John of New
Delhi.
ALL
(TOATING) Chauncy St. John.
THEY ALL DRINK...
CASEY
Ahhhhh...somehow.
DAN
Somehow what?
CASEY
Somehow...in time...I'm gonna figure
out a way to blame this on Jerry
Falwell.
NATALIE
(TOASTING) Jerry Falwell.
ALL
(TOASTING) Jerry Falwell.
THEY ALL DRINK...
NATALIE
The thing is, Casey:
CASEY
What?
NATALIE
I didn't hear it.
CASEY
Hear what?
NATALIE
Did you hear it Dan?
DAN
I didn't hear it, did you hear it,
Jeremy?
JEREMY
I didn't hear it.
NATALIE
Nobody's heard it, Casey. Nobody's
heard the bell ring.
CASEY
Yeah?
NATALIE
Yeah.
CASEY
(PAUSE) I'm gonna need a plan.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF SHOW