Disclaimer

-----

Casey is standing inside the editing room, when Dana walks in.

Dana: Good. You're already here.

Casey: Yeah. Can I say something, first?

Dana: Sure.

Casey: You look hot today.

Dana: What?

Casey: You look incredibly hot today.

Dana: Thank you very much, Casey. When I picked out my outfit this morning, I was thinking, "Gee, I hope Casey thinks this looks really hot on me."

Casey: Why the attitude, Dana?

Dana: Casey. Sam- (looks around and begins to whisper) Sam is suspecting us.

Casey: What did we do?

Dana: You know. (twists her head)

Casey: Oh. Oooohh. (pause) He suspects we are dating behind his back?

Dana: Yes, and he is going to Isaac about it.

Casey: It's not going to matter in a couple of months if I am not re-signed.

Dana: It matters right now.

Casey: I guess so.

Dana: I've already spoken with Natalie and she said that she hasn't told anybody.

Casey: That's good.

Dana: I spoke with Jeremy-

Casey: He knows?

Dana: Kinda'. Maybe. I'm not sure.

Casey: Well, that's encouraging.

Dana: Jeremy hasn't said anything. So that leaves you.

Casey: Me?

Dana: Yeah. Who have you told?

Casey: Nobody.

Dana: Are you sure?

Casey: Yes, Lieutenant Columbo. I haven't told anybody. You need to speak with my girlfriend because I hear she has told several people.

Dana: I'm being serious Casey.

Casey: And I am saying I haven't told a soul. I haven't even told Dan.

Dana: Well... good.

Casey: You know, I could tell him and that would help even the playing field.

Dana: Casey.

Casey: Dana, I'm not the one going around telling people about our relationship.

Dana: You're right. You're right, Casey. You haven't told anybody. I am sorry.

Casey: Is this settled?

Dana: I guess so. Is there any chance Sam could have seen us on a date?

Casey: New York is a big city.

Dana: Maybe we should have been more careful.

Casey: New York is huge- gargantuan.

Dana: Here is what we need to do: we need to see other people.

Casey drops his head.

Casey: Not again. We're not going through this again.

Dana: We need a smokescreen. We need to set it up in a way that there would be no doubt.

Casey: I could run off to Vegas and marry a showgirl.

Dana: Casey.

Casey: Three things. First of all, this is completely ridiculous. Second, we already know what happened the last time you said we need to see other people while we are dating-

Dana: I asked you to never bring that up.

Casey: -well, well... I'm sorry. And thirdly... thirdly, this is completely ridiculous.

Dana: You already said that.

Casey: Well this goes to show you that this idea is doubly ridiculous.

Dana walks over and sits on the couch.

Dana: Casey, I'm just scared. My career is on the upswing, and I don't need an incident to impede my progress.

Casey sits next to Dana and places his hand on her knee.

Casey: Okay, we'll work this out-

Dana perks up.

Casey: -but I am not- repeat, am not- going to have a faux girlfriend, and you are not going to have a faux... faux...

Dana: Beaux.

Dana and Casey start to giggle.

Casey: Yes, a faux beaux.

-----

Jeremy runs into the conference room, where Sam is seated at the table. Sam has several sheets spread out in front of him.

Jeremy: I am so sorry, Sam.

Sam: Yeah.

Jeremy: I didn't realize I was this late. You could have called for me.

Sam: Why should I? Why should I have called for you?

Jeremy: Uh... I'm sorry, Sam. I should have been more responsible.

Sam: Yes.

Jeremy: I just have a lot of things on my mind today. My head isn't exactly concentrated on my work.

Sam: Even more the reason on why I should not have called you.

Jeremy: But I am here now and ready to learn.

Sam: Are you really ready?

Jeremy: As ready as I am going to be.

Sam: Because I do need your mind along with the rest of your body.

Jeremy: Ready.

Sam: All right.

Jeremy: So, what are you working on?

Sam: I've got the latest AP releases right here in this pile, upcoming games in this pile, and miscellaneous in this pile.

Jeremy: Okay. Got it.

Sam: In the miscellaneous pile, I have some quotes from Pat Riley and Michael Vick, stories about the downturn in horse racing, and other events going on- including upcoming possible interviews.

Jeremy sits next to Sam.

Sam: Now, I also have a copy of the earlier run-down.

Jeremy: Dana's copy?

Sam: Right. You see this? This set-up looks very good. The only thing I can anticipate changing is switching the the Mariners-Red Sox with the Twins-Yankees.

Jeremy: Hmmm. Is this because of some kind of insight? Some kind of gut feeling?

Sam: No. It's been storming all day here. I anticipate the Yankees and Twins getting rained out.

Jeremy: Oh. Yeah, the rain.

-----

Dan knocks on Isaac's door.

Dan: Got a minute, Isaac?

Isaac: Is it important, Danny?

Dan: It's critical.

Isaac: Come in. What is it?

Dan: It's about Casey.

Isaac notices Dan's demeanor.

Isaac: He told you about it.

Dan: Yes, only after you told him weeks ago.

Isaac: It's Casey's decision when and whom should know.

Dan: We need to do something.

Isaac: You're right. I'm meeting with Donna Kendrick later today, but I can't-

Dan: Great. We will get this settled then.

Isaac: We?

Dan: Yeah. You, me, Casey, and I'm sure Dana and Natalie will come along if you ask.

Isaac: I don't have time to deal with Casey's situation today.

Dan blinks for a second.

Dan: When will you have time?

Isaac: Later, but not today.

Dan: Isaac, you need to do something.

Isaac: Danny, look at my desk. You see all these papers and reports?

Dan looks over Isaac's desk.

Dan: Yeah.

Isaac: I have a full plate with second-helpings on top- and that is without having to deal with Casey's contract. If you don't mind, I would like to get all this done before adding more to my workload.

Dan: I believe we need to address this right away because Casey is a critical part of the show.

Isaac: Danny, I understand you are upset and you want to resolve this right away, but this is not going to happen today.

Dan: Isaac-

Isaac: Dan. It is not going to happen today.

Dan: Okay.

Dan starts to leave, but turns back around to object once more.

Isaac: Not today.

Dan nods and quietly leaves the office. Isaac looks toward his door, and he picks up his phone and dials.

Isaac: (on phone) Yeah, this is Isaac Jaffee. I have one more topic to add to today's agenda.

-----

Sam is typing on his laptop at his desk when Dana storms in.

Dana: Hello, Sam.

Sam: Hi.

Dana: As executive producer of Sports Night, I demand you tell me what is it you discovered.

Sam: You demand?

Dana: Y... Yes. I demand to know because it is my responsibility to know what is happening with the show- and that includes knowing all the good and bad.

Sam closes his laptop.

Sam: What do you want to know?

Dana: Who, on this show, is having an inter-office romance?

Sam: You don't know?

Dana: No, tell me.

Sam: Take a guess.

Dana: I will not take a guess.

Sam: Because you already demanded to know the answer.

Dana: Yes.

Sam: You mean to tell me, that the couple isn't obvious to you? You haven't seen the signs? You haven't discovered what I have discovered?

Dana: No.

Sam: Isn't that part of your responsibilities? Knowing all the good and bad? Knowing what is happening with the show?

Dana: Don't twist this around, Sam.

Sam: Listen to me, Dana. The situation will be resolved, and it doesn't need to include you. Isaac's schedule is full, so it won't be addressed today. You don't need to start huffing and puffing with me. My house is made of bricks.

Dana: What are you trying to do? Score points with Donna Kendrick?

Sam: I'm not trying to score anything. I'm just trying to do what is right for the show.

Dana glares at Sam.

Dana: You know, life was so much better when you were not here last week. We did a damn good job without you trying to de-construct Sports Night. In fact, when you left the first time, we had a party. A big party. We had drinks and toasted your leaving. We celebrated and had a damn good time.

Sam: What kind of cake did you have?

Dana: I... I don't remember.

Sam: Strawberry and, as I recall, you wanted me to stay.

Dana: I was lying.

Sam: And I also recall you kissing me at one point.

Dana: You kissed me!

Sam: So you do remember.

Dana: I hate you.

Sam: Actually, you can't stand me, which drives you crazy. Our personalities clash, but you know I get results.

Dana angrily shakes her head and storms out of the office.

-----

Jeremy is standing next to the windows in the newsroom. He stares out into the night and watches the rain falling. Natalie walks up from behind.

Natalie: Tough day.

Jeremy: Yeah. I had a lot on my mind.

Kim: (over intercom) Five minutes. First team to the studio.

Natalie: We're all entitled to a bad day every now and then.

Jeremy: I can't afford to have a bad day. Especially, right now.

Natalie: Jeremy, you need to relax and be less paranoid.

Jeremy: I know, but I feel as if Death is behind me with his flail, and his arms are cocked and ready to swing at me. Natalie, this is my dream job, and I don't want to lose it.

Natalie grabs hold of Jeremy's hand.

Natalie: Come on. Let's have a good show. Let's show them that Jeremy Goodwin is a man to be reckoned with.

Jeremy and Natalie head toward the control room.

-----

Dan and Casey are sitting at the anchor desk as everybody prepares for the evening's show.

Dan: Have you seen Isaac?

Casey: I think he's been in meetings all day.

Dan: I talked to him earlier today.

Casey: I know.

Dan: I told him you are critical to the show and that the situation needed to be addressed.

Casey: You keep reminding me.

Dan: He's going to get this all straightened out.

Casey: I hope so.

Dan looks at Casey.

Dan: Why are you so glum?

Casey: Oh, it's just everything that is going on right now.

Dan: You know what you need right now?

Casey: Some duct tape?

Dan: You need to relax, and put your arm around a lovely woman.

Casey: I heard about your attempt on curing Jeremy's agoraphobia.

Dan: Those were circumstances beyond my control.

Casey: Yeah, but I've also heard about all your recent dates.

Dan: Again, those were circumstances beyond my control.

Casey: Maybe you are just jinxed. Maybe somebody put a voodoo spell on you.

Dave: (over intercom) In 5, 4, 3...

Casey: (on-air) Good evening, from New York. I'm Casey McCall alongside my partner, Dan Rydell. We've got the Milwaukee Bucks, Tampa Bay Bucs, and playoff pucks.

Dan: (on-air) We also have highlights from soccer, where the most unusual occurred: a goal was scored. You're watching Sports Night on CSC...