Disclaimer

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With a few minutes to go before the next run down, we follow different members of the "Sports Night" crew as they go about their jobs. We're going to flow along with their movement, going down different paths and retracing some.

Marcus gets up from his desk holding a few sheets of paper. He walks from his office and down the hall. He passes a few people by as he rounds the corner and continues down another hall. As he reaches the end of the hall, he emerges into the newsroom.

Marcus proceeds to Chris' desk and the two start a short conversation as Marcus hands the sheets over to Chris. Chris hands Marcus a tape, and Marcus thanks him. Marcus begins his journey once again. He walks back through the newsroom, passes by Isaac, and Marcus spins around to greet Isaac as he goes by. Isaac smiles and returns the greeting as they both head off in opposite directions.

Marcus walks down the hall and to the door of the editing room. He looks through the window to see if anybody is inside. Marcus opens the door and walks into the empty room. He sits down and pops the tape into the editing machine and he turns the monitor on. He pulls a small spiral notebook from his back pocket, pulls out a pen, flips it open, and starts to jot down things in the notebook.

Will is walking down the hall with Dan, as they go by the editing room.

Will: So you're going to work it in?

Dan: It's going to be the last story of the evening.

Will: Great. Thanks.

Dan: No, thank you. Great research.

Natalie comes toward the two from ahead.

Natalie: Come on, guys. Let's go.

Dan: We're on our way.

Natalie: Great.

Natalie, Dan, and Will walk back through the newsroom. Natalie notices Elliott and Kim finishing up something.

Natalie: Come on, guys.

Elliott and Kim look up, notice Natalie, and they make their way across the room. They join Natalie, Dan, and Will at the back of the group. They collectively walk to the conference room.

They open the door and walk in. Dana is standing at the head of the table, and the rest of the team is assembled and seated: Chris, Marcus, Isaac, Jeremy, Dave, and J.J.

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The entering groups take their seats at the table.

Dana: Okay, everybody. Chapman is starting off the show tonight. Marcus, you have anything else on it?

Marcus: Nothing new. Last report has him leaving campus. He didn't attend classes or practice today. Still trying to get hold of his mother to see if she has heard anything.

Chris: The alleged victim has been arrested and charged.

Dana: Good. Got that.

J.J.: I would like to interject here.

Dana rolls her eyes.

Dana: Yes, J.J., go ahead and tell us to proceed with caution with this story.

J.J.: And all future stories. Make sure you have all the facts before you make a story.

Natalie: We were the first to break the story. And we didn't have all the facts for a few days.

Jeremy: I thought we were quick and accurate with getting the story together. We worked with what we had.

J.J.: We could have done a much better job on this.

Isaac: What J.J. is trying to say is that we should have just presented the facts, and probably said there was an ongoing investigation-

Dan: I did say that.

Isaac looks at Dan.

Isaac: -and that all the facts have not been released to the public.

Dan: That's reiteration.

J.J.: No, it's not.

Dan: Yes, it is.

J.J.: Dan.

Dan: J.J.

Isaac: We could have done a better job.

Everyone looks at Isaac, surprised he is agreeing with J.J.

Isaac: This was a learning opportunity. Let's use it to grow and become better.

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Charlie is sitting down at the kitchen table. Casey walks over and places a plate of food in front of him.

Charlie: Thanks, Dad.

Casey takes a seat next to Charlie, as Charlie quietly says a prayer before eating. After the prayer is finished, Charlie picks up his fork and starts eating.

Casey: I know what you meant by not wanting to be a snitch.

Charlie looks up at his father.

Casey: Early in my career, I came across a story. It was a big story. An informant told me of some wranglings going on in the L.A. Raider organization.

Casey pauses for a moment.

Casey: The informant, whose name I adamantly refused to divulge, had told me of some illegal happenings involving steroids. It was going to rock the National Football League.

Charlie: Did you tell them?

Casey: No.

Charlie: How come?

Casey: He wanted to be protected. He was scared for his life. But I started doing my own homework. After a week, I found out he had fabricated some evidence.

Charlie: What did he do?

Casey: The steroids were taken by individual players, and they were not endorsed by the Raiders one bit. He produced a tape implicating the Raiders, but it was a fake.

Charlie: What did you do?

Casey: After much thought, I revealed my source because he was untrustworthy. I had to do it to save my reputation. I would not be at 'Sports Night' if I didn't let everyone know who was fabricating the story.

Charlie: Oh. (looks down at his plate)

Casey: I'm not telling you to be a snitch, Charlie. You just need to think about yourself and your future. You need to examine if you will be better off later on by telling what you know about today. It's your choice.

Charlie looks up at his father.

Charlie: Thanks, Dad.

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Back to the conference room, where the run down is wrapping up.

Dana: Why are we closing with the story about the hunters?

Dan: It's funny.

Dan looks over at J.J.

Dan: In an awkward, different kind of way.

Dana: I've already read it.

Jeremy: What is it about?

Chris: One hunter was injured and another was trampled, while both were trying to shoot the same deer.

Will: It seems they found a stray deer on a dairy farm. Each approached the deer from opposite sides, not knowing about the hunter approaching from the other side.

Kim: Did they shoot each other?

Chris: No. The first hunter tried to fire off a shot, but the casing jammed and the rifle blew up in his hands.

Natalie: Cool.

Will: The sound of the exploding rifle spooked some nearby cows, thus creating a stampede-

Dan: In the direction of the second hunter.

Everybody, including Dana, starts laughing.

Natalie: Oh man! We're they hurt?

Dan: Only minor injuries.

A huge smile can be seen across Jeremy's face.

Jeremy: We need to use it.

Everyone's attention turns to J.J. and Dana. J.J. just shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.

Dana: Is there anything else we need to know?

Dan: I don't know. Guys?

Will: That's all the facts.

Dana: Okay. Use it.

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Jeremy pulls Natalie aside behind the set.

Natalie: Okay, Jeremy. What's up?

Jeremy: I need to know this. I know this may sound adolescent, but I need to let this out.

Natalie: Uh-oh.

Jeremy: Do you have any sort of feelings for Marcus?

Natalie: You're jealous?

Jeremy: Yes, I am Natalie. I am jealous.

Natalie: You're jealous!

Jeremy: Natalie.

Natalie: You're being ridiculous. You are being ridiculous.

Jeremy: Admit it, Natalie.

Natalie: No.

Jeremy: I've seen the signs.

Natalie: What signs?

Jeremy: You were holding his hand.

Natalie: When?

Jeremy: Earlier.

Natalie: When?

Jeremy: I don't know, Natalie. Earlier today. When... when Dan and Marcus were shaking hands.

Natalie: Oh, that thing.

Jeremy: I see it, Natalie.

Natalie: You don't see anything.

Jeremy: The look.

Natalie: What look?

Jeremy: You get this look in your eyes. It's like a fiery, passion, possessed-

Natalie: You're saying I'm possessed?

Jeremy: Intense. You get this intense, passionate look in your eyes.

Natalie: When?

Jeremy: Right before we do it.

Natalie: So?

Jeremy: You had that look earlier today.

Natalie: I did not.

Jeremy: I saw it.

Natalie: No, you didn't!

Jeremy: Natalie!

Natalie: Jealousy. This is because of your jealousy. You didn't see anything.

Jeremy: I didn't become jealous until I saw the look.

Natalie: And I'm saying there wasn't a look.

Jeremy: Nat-

Natalie places her hand over Jeremy's mouth.

Natalie: Listen to me, and you better listen to me good. He is just a friend. I am not running off with him and having some sort of wild fling.

Jeremy: (muffled) Naf-

Natalie: I cannot believe you do not have enough trust in me. You think I'm going to leave you for Marcus?

Jeremy: (muffled) Whu-

Natalie: Shush. I thought I knew you. This is a different side of you Jeremy. This is a dark side of you I do not like very much. Accusing me of having an affair. Damn you, Jeremy. Damn you.

Natalie pulls her hand away from Jeremy's mouth and storms off.

Jeremy: Natalie!

Natalie opens a door and slams it behind her, leaving Jeremy behind and standing alone.

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Dana is sitting at her desk, when the phone rings. Dana picks it up.

Dana: (on phone) This is Dana Whitaker. (listens) Kevin! Oh, hi. (listens) Yeah, I got your flowers earlier today. (reaches over and adjusts the vase holding the flowers) Yes, they're beautiful. (starts to twist the telephone cord around her fingers) Yes, I was surprised. (listens) The note? Yeah, I read the note. It was sweet. (listens) Tonight? I've got a show to do tonight, remember? (smiles) You won't see me on television. (listens) Well, I'll be thinking of you, too. Good night.

Dana hangs up the phone. She sits back in her chair, looks at the flowers, smiles, and takes a deep breath.

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The show is coming to a close. Dan and Marcus are saying their 'good nights' as you look inside the control room.

Dave: Music's up. Credits rolling.

Dana takes off her headset. Natalie leans over to her.

Natalie: What did you think?

Dana: Marcus did excellent writing on the Chapman story, but...

Natalie: But what?

Dana: Something was missing.

Natalie: Like?

Dana: Chemistry. I noticed the lack of chemistry.

Natalie: Well, Dan and Marcus just met today.

Dana: No, it wasn't that. They're professionals. They didn't have the chemistry.

Natalie looks at Dana and hopes to get a better explanation, but her hopes go unfulfilled.

Dave: We're out.

Dana: Good show, everybody.

Everybody starts gathering their things and they start to leave.

As people exit the control room, Isaac enters.

Isaac: Dana?

Dana: Isaac.

Isaac: Could I have a word with you?

Dana walks over to Isaac.

Dana: Sure. What's up?

The control room is now occupied by only Dana and Isaac.

Isaac: We just heard from David Chapman.

Dana: You did? That's great.

Isaac: He's all right and he had a message for Marcus.

Dana: Marcus?

Isaac: Yes.

Dana: What did he say?

Marcus enters the control room from the studio.

Marcus: Hey, Dana and Isaac. You guys coming tonight?

Dana: Marcus! Yeah, wait a sec-

Isaac: I'm sorry I'm not going, Marcus. You go ahead and run along and Dana will catch up to you in a minute.

Marcus: Sure thing. I'm buying tonight. You'll be missing out.

Isaac: I'll run that risk.

Marcus leaves the control room.

Dana: What did Chapman say to Marcus?

Isaac and Dana both turn and watch Marcus walk down the hall.

Isaac: He said, "Thanks. For believing in me."

Marcus walks down the hall with a smile on his face and completely unaware of the praise which was given him by an All-American college basketball player. Even though, Marcus just told the story, David Chapman feels as if he finally has someone on his side.

Marcus works his way to his office and grabs his jacket. As he walks out, he flips it over his shoulder and walks toward the newsroom.

Marcus walks down the hall, turns the corner, and continues toward the newsroom. He makes his way to the newsroom as you start to pull away. You notice a bunch of the crew joining Marcus as he leads the pack toward the elevator.