Disclaimer

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Jeremy is standing outside of a closed locker room with Ted, who is holding a camera. A handful of reporters also surround the locker room.

The door opens and a portly, older gentleman steps out. He closes the door behind him as flash bulbs pop and the reporters barrage him with questions.

"Good evening, everybody. I regretfully inform you that Antonio Mitchell will not be available for interviews tonight. But the rest of the team will be available shortly."

""Is there any truth to the fact that Mitchell has asked to be traded?"

"I have no comment at this time.."

Jeremy addresses the gentleman.

Jeremy: Good evening, Mr. Shultz. Jeremy Goodwin, CSC. I was invited to interview Antonio.

"What is the status of Antonio's injury?"

"He injured his knee earlier today, and he will be leaving the team to head back to Los Angeles to see the team doctors." (to Jeremy) "I'm sorry, I don't recall Antonio granting any interviews."

"Is it true he's using this injury as an excuse?"

Jeremy: We were supposed to interview him two days from now, but because of his injury, we were told to come up tonight.

"Has there been any talk about dissension among the players?"

"I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen. I have no further comment, and the players will be out shortly.." (to Jeremy) "I'll double-check, but I can't promise you anything."

The gentleman goes back into the locker room as reporters continue to ask questions.

-----

Dan and Casey are in their office.

Casey: You've met your match. JoAnne's so much like you that you don't know how to handle her.

Dan: Like me? She's like me?

Casey: She's professional, driven, and smart. She knows just about everyone in the building, and they all like her. She works hard, and plays hard. That's you to a 'T.'

Dan: We are somewhat similar, only she hasn't been nominated.

Casey: Better get to her before you start to swing back down.

Dan: I'm not intimidated by her.

Casey: Good. Then what are you waiting for?

Dan looks around the office- looking for an excuse. He walks to the door.

Dan: Where's her office?

Casey: Second floor... watch out for her pocket-protected friends though... might not like you interrupting game time.

Dan sarcastically smiles, recalling his initial comment to Casey about "techies" and heads off into the newsroom.

-----

Jeremy and Ted are inside the locker room with the rest of the reporters. The players are in various stages of dress and undress as they speak with them in front of their lockers. Jeremy looks off toward the training room, where he sees the door is partially open. He motions to Ted to follow him.

The two make it to the training room door, and Jeremy knocks on it. He swings it open and a couple of coaches, trainers, and executives are standing and talking. One person is sitting in a chair- Antonio Mitchell.

"Hey! No cameras! No reporters!"

A couple of people make their way toward the door to shut it. Jeremy and Ted jump inside before they could be forced out.

Jeremy: Excuse me, gentlemen. I'm Jeremy Goodwin from CSC. This is my camera operator, Ted. We were given permission to speak with Antonio about an upcoming feature.

"You need to deal with his agent."

"You guys need to get out."

"Hold on, hold on, hold on, guys."

Everyone stops and looks to see who made the last comment. It was made by Antonio Mitchell.

Antonio: Go ahead and ask your questions.

Jeremy whips out his notebook, and Ted sets the camera up on his shoulder.

Antonio: No cameras.

Jeremy: But-

"You heard him- no cameras."

Jeremy: Okay.

Ted turns the light off from his camera, takes it off his shoulder, and sets it down on the floor.

Jeremy: How are you doing, Antonio?

Antonio: What kind of question is that?

Jeremy: I'm asking about your health. I want to know how badly you are injured.

Antonio: Next question.

Jeremy: What is your response to the allegations about you exaggerating your injury?

Antonio stands up and speaks to the executives.

Antonio: This guy's an ass. Get them out of here. (to Jeremy) Interview over.

A number of people come over to physically escort Jeremy and Ted from the room.

Jeremy: Hold on here! Let go! Let go of me!

Jeremy is able to shake free.

Jeremy: We had an agreement. Your agent agreed. You made a promise!

Antonio: Move on.

Jeremy: Fine. Just remember this- what you've done this season is out there. It is in print, on television, and on the radio. You cannot change that. You have an opportunity here to set the record straight and straighten things out. I am going to do the feature and you and your posse can deny all of it. But what I see out of you is a lack of heart.

Antonio: Heart! Why I oughta'-

A couple of people restrain Antonio from going after Jeremy.

Jeremy: You're mailing in the games. You don't hustle. It was evident tonight. Two minutes to go, you guys are down by four. Everybody on the bench is cheering for a rally. Everybody, except you. The cameras got that tonight, and it is going to be on every network you can imagine. You have an opportunity to clear things up-

"Get the hell out!"

Jeremy: -and you've proved everything is true. You're a loser, and no one can deny that fact.

A number of people roughly handle Jeremy and Ted, and they toss them out of the training room.

-----

Dan walks at a brisk pace onto the set. Casey is already seated and ready.

Dave: (over intercom) Sixty seconds to you Casey.

Alyson and others gather around Dan to do any last minute touches.

Dan: I did it.

Casey looks over at Dan.

Casey: You did it?

Dan: We're going on a dinner date after the show. She's nice.

Casey: Very nice. Dan?

Dan: She has a thing for me.

Casey: Dan?

Dan: What, Casey?

Casey: She's a good one, but she's major league. She'll keep up with you. Don't compete with her.

Dan: What?

Casey: She won't fall for empty lines. She has those herself; she'll wrap you around her little finger in no time.

Dan: I'm in control.

Casey: Yeah. She won't let you play games. So wipe that lipstick of your face, and make sure you know what you want.

Alyson hands Dan a tissue. Dan starts to wipe the lipstick off.

Dan: I found that out just now. And I like it.

Casey: Just promise me one thing.

Dan: What's that?

Casey: That this thing isn't going to stop you from helping me be cool again.

Dan straightens out the papers on the desk.

Dan: It's not. And remind me to get Jeremy to get us off that e-mail list and then to kill him afterward.

Casey gives Dan a "I have no idea what you are talking about" look.

-----

Jeremy and Ted are walking down a street. Jeremy pulls out a sheet of paper, looks at it, then looks at the building.

Jeremy: This is it.

Ted: Hurry up, Jeremy. We can't miss our flight.

Jeremy opens the door to the building and pulls out a key from his pocket.

Jeremy: This will just take a minute.

Jeremy walks down a corridor while searching for the safe deposit box which will contain the contents he is looking for. He stops, makes sure he has found the correct box, and inserts the key. He turns the key and opens the small door. He pulls out a drawer and looks inside. Jeremy reaches in and pulls out a bundle of letters wrapped in twine.

-----

Dana and Casey are sitting and having a drink at Anthony's.

Casey: Nervous?

Dana: About what?

Casey: I don't know. The Super Bowl. Kevin. The nominations.

Dana: Why should I be nervous?

Casey: Well, you and Natalie are nominated in the same category.

Dana: That's not too bad.

Dana looks over at Casey and sees him grinning.

Dana: Don't say it.

Dana takes a sip of her martini.

Casey: I was just wondering how you felt about... you know... Sally being nominated.

Dana: I'm sure it's an honor for her also. And wipe that damn smirk off your face, Casey.

Casey straightens up and drinks his beer.

-----

Jeremy is sitting next to Natalie at his desk. The twine has been untied, and Jeremy is reading the first letter. After reading the first paragraph, he stops and looks at Natalie.

Jeremy: They're the love letters my parents wrote to each other.

Jeremy puts the letter on top of the rest of the pile.

Natalie: That's what they promised they would give you when you got engaged, huh?

Jeremy: Yeah.

Jeremy gets up from his chair.

Jeremy: This seems like such a farce. They're... they're not even together anymore. Why would they even do such a thing.

Natalie gets up and holds onto Jeremy from behind.

Natalie: I think it is beautiful.

Jeremy: Natalie.

Natalie: I think it is beautiful to see two people who took the time to write to each other. These are not just notes from the past, they are expressions of love.

Jeremy: It's difficult to read them.

Natalie: Don't just read them, Jeremy. Also, look at the words and emotions... the love which was put into these letters. They gave these to you for a reason Jeremy, and I think it is beautiful.

Jeremy turns around and hugs Natalie.

Jeremy: Would you do me a favor, Natalie?

Natalie: Anything.

Jeremy: Read them with me.

The two sit back down as Jeremy grabs the first letter and starts to read it aloud. You move toward the window and the night sky. You come back down and fade into a restaurant.

Dan and JoAnne are sitting down eating and having a good time. JoAnne is smiling and laughing, as Dan is telling an amusing story. He holds up a French fry with his fork while telling his story, and JoAnne leans over and bites half of it. Dan stops momentarily as JoAnne looks over him with flirtatious eyes. Dan starts the story back up as JoAnne laughs once again.

You fade back into the newsroom, where you see Jeremy laying on his back with his hands folded behind his head. Natalie is reading a letter his mother had written to his father so many years ago.