Disclaimer

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Natalie and Casey are walking through the newsroom.

Natalie: So you got the press conference from Tulsa?

Casey: Yes, I did.

Natalie: Good. What are you working on right now?

Casey: Isaac asked me to meet with him in his office.

Natalie: About what?

Casey: I don't know, Natalie. That's why I'm meeting him.

Dana approaches Natalie and Casey from behind.

Dana: Casey?

Casey: (turns around) Dana?

SPLASH!!!

Dana throws water from a glass into Casey's face.

Casey: What was that for?!

Natalie: Yeah, Dana. What was that about?

Dana: Ooo... Casey! That's for... for... doing what you did!

Casey: What did I do?!

Natalie: Yeah, Casey. What did you do?

Dana: You went behind my back to Isaac! That's what you did! I am just furious with you!

Casey: I have no idea what you are talking about! I'm supposed to be meeting Isaac right now! I can't go looking like this!

Dana: Well, that's just too bad. You should have thought about it before you went to Isaac.

Natalie: Shame on you, Casey.

Casey: I honestly don't know what I supposedly did!

Dana: Natalie, let me see what's on your clipboard.

Natalie: Here you go.

Natalie hands Dana the clipboard.

Natalie: You'll see we are all caught up-

WHACK!!!

Dana swings the clipboard and hits Casey in the arm.

Casey: Hey!

Dana: And that's for eating my chocolate bar that I had on my desk.

Dana walks away.

Casey: Okay, I did do that. But I don't know what you are talking about! That going-behind-the-back to Isaac wasn't me!

Natalie: Casey, I don't know what I'm going to do about you. You've really ticked off Dana.

Casey: What?

Natalie: Go see, Isaac.

Natalie walks off as Casey stands with his head and shoulders soaked while rubbing his bruised arm.

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As Isaac sits at his desk, there is a knock on his door.

Isaac: Come in.

Casey walks in and Isaac notices his appearance.

Isaac: Is this some sort of new look for you, Casey?

Casey: Hey, Isaac. Dana threw water on me and hit me with the clipboard.

Isaac: I'm almost afraid to ask why.

Casey: She said that I went to you behind her back.

Isaac: And that's why she threw water on and hit you?

Casey: No. She threw water on me because of that. She hit me because I ate her candy bar.

Isaac: Did you?

Casey: I haven't gone to you behind her back.

Isaac: Did you eat her candy bar?

Casey: Yeah.

Isaac: What kind?

Casey: Chocolate.

Isaac: You're lucky she only hit you.

Casey: But Isaac-

Isaac: Don't worry, Casey; I'll take care of it. I'll have a word with Dana... and before I do, make sure all my pitchers and glasses are dry.

Casey: So this is why I look the way I look.

Isaac: I thought it was because of your genealogy.

Casey: You know, Isaac- I could take you.

Isaac: Yes, you could. Have a seat, Casey.

Casey sits down in a chair. Isaac gets up from behind his desk and sits in the chair next to Casey.

Casey: Uh-oh. This isn't good.

Isaac: Now, Casey. You've always been one of my boys.

Casey: And you've been like a second father.

Isaac: There have been contract negotiations going on for the staffing at Sports Night.

Casey: Yeah?

Isaac: And they are looking at the projected budgets for the next three fiscal years.

Casey: Money is going to be tight.

Isaac: Yes.

Casey: They re-signed Danny.

Isaac: Yes.

Casey: And Natalie.

Isaac: Yes.

Casey: And Dana.

Isaac: Yes, they did today.

Casey: But they're not going to re-sign me.

Isaac: I'm sorry, Casey. You have to consider the possibility.

Casey gets up from his chair and takes a deep breath.

Casey: I need to sit down.

Casey sits next to the window.

Isaac: Casey, I've been trying my best to keep you.

Casey: I believe you.

Isaac: I want you to because I know you've been questioning my decision-making as of late.

Casey: It's just... I'm not saying it was wrong, but I'm questioning it. You're right, I am questioning some of your decisions.

Isaac: Casey, I've tried to position Sports Night into a place where there would be minimal staffing cuts.

Casey: If it's a salary cut, I'm willing to negotiate.

Isaac: Casey, you know that's unfair to yourself.

Casey: Isaac, I have an eleven-year-old son who will be going off to college in a few years. Having less money come in is better than no money at all.

Isaac: Other networks are interested in you.

Casey: Yes, but I turned them down because I had faith in CSC. I had faith in Continental Corp. I had faith in Quo Vadimus. I had faith in you, Isaac.

Isaac: Casey, you know it hurts me terribly to do this.

Casey looks at the floor, then back out the window.

Casey: I know.

Casey gets up and walks back toward Isaac's desk.

Isaac: What would you like to do Casey?

Casey: I'll fulfill my contract. We'll see where it goes from there.

Isaac: Casey, I understand if-

Casey: Isaac, they will always say Casey McCall was classy, professional, and took pride in his work. I will finish my contract and then move on.

Isaac: I'm sorry, Casey.

Casey: Have you notified anybody?

Isaac: No.

Casey: Thanks.

Casey runs his hands through his wet hair and then leaves Isaac's office.

He walks down the corridor and looks through the windows of closed office doors. He takes a quick glance inside each office.

Casey walks into the newsroom and looks into his and Danny's office. He walks in and looks around the empty office. He notices Dan's laptop is missing, which means Dan took the flight to Boston in hopes of catching the game and making it back.

Casey walks back out into the newsroom. The people are working the phones and gathering up news- scores, press conference briefings, injury reports, coaching changes, trying to confirm rumors, and so on.

He walks into the empty conference room and taps his knuckles on the table. He runs his hand over the chair he usually sits in during run down meetings. He leaves the conference room and enters the hallway.

Dana can be seen in the newsroom. She spots Casey and tries to catch his attention. Isaac comes from behind and gently grabs Dana's arm. Isaac shakes his head 'no.' Dana can be seen saying, "Okay," and she lets Casey continue his walk.

Casey walks into the control room and takes a moment to watch the color test being performed on all the monitors. He looks down at all the switches and buttons- knowing each of them does something, but still unsure of what exactly they do.

He walks onto the darkened studio and onto the set. He takes a seat in his chair at the anchor desk. He runs his hands over top of the desk. He looks down and spots an open bottle of water. He glances toward the newsroom, thinking of Dana. He decides not to take revenge against Dana for the water incident.

Casey gets up from his chair and steps down from the set. He walks by the cameras and teleprompters. He peaks into the camera lens of camera one- the camera which was usually pointed toward him during their broadcasts.

Casey walks out of the studio into a hallway and looks into the editing room. He sees Jeremy working the tape and taking down notes.

Casey leaves Jeremy undisturbed and continues walking down the hallway.

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Isaac sits in his office. The lit buildings in the window signify the darkness which is night. Dana knocks on the door and enters.

Dana: Isaac, we've got ten minutes. Are you coming? And I need to find Dan. Isaac?

Isaac: Yeah, Dana. I'll be there.

Dana: Are you all right? My god, Isaac, what's wrong?

Isaac: That.

Isaac points at a memo on his desk.

Dana: What is it? You look horrible.

Dana picks up the memo and starts to read it. She looks at Isaac.

Dana: Is this true?

Isaac: Yes, they let go J.J., Ray Mitchell, and Billy Tasker.

Dana: My god, Isaac. This is horrible. I don't know what to say.

Isaac: We've got a show to do in less than ten minutes.

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Dan walks quickly through the newsroom. He looks excited, like he is about to burst. He goes into his office. Casey is sitting at his desk. Dan sets his laptop on his desk.

Casey: Welcome back. I got your files for the scripts.

Dan: Case, thanks for helping me out with the digitized video. Guess what? You will not believe this.

Casey: I saw. Nice catch.

Dan pulls out a baseball from his coat pocket.

Dan: What do you mean you saw?

Casey grabs a remote and starts the tape.

You can see an Orioles' player hitting a foul ball into the stands. You see a fan reach up and catch the ball. Casey freezes the tape.

Casey: That guy looks like you, and that lady looks like Jo.

Dan looks at the screen, then at the ball. He then points at the screen.

Dan: You... we... we've got to burn this tape!

Casey: Don't worry.

Dan pops out the tape from the player and conceals the tape inside his jacket.

Dan: No, this is evidence! Was anybody else watching?!

Casey: I'm cutting the highlights for the game. That selection is nowhere to be found in the piece.

Dan: Are you sure?! I want the raw footage from that.

Casey smiles.

Casey: Danny, I've got you covered.