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Natalie follows Dana into her office and they both sit down on the couch.

Dana: Okay, talk to me, Natalie.

Natalie: Are we all caught up with the show?

Dana: We've done all we can do. We are just waiting for the games.

Natalie: Okay.

Dana: You and Jeremy.

Natalie: Me and Jeremy.

Natalie lets out a sigh.

Natalie: We slept together last night. It was great, as usual, but it was... different.

Dana: I'm afraid to inquire, but... how different?

Natalie: It was different different. I really can't describe it.

Dana: What did Jeremy have to say?

Natalie: He's been talking about how difficult it is for him to treat me as a friend.

Dana: I'm a friend of Jeremy's.

Natalie: You never slept with Jeremy.

Dana: Right.

Natalie: I don't know. I guess I feel the same way. One minute we are friends, the next minute he is my future husband.

Dana: Can't he be both?

Natalie: It's different. We broke up. We work together. We get along really well. We're friends, but more than just friends.

Dana: Everything just isn't black-and-white, there are many shades of gray.

Natalie: Tell me about it.

Dana: Well, there's me and Casey.

Natalie: Yeah. You two are getting pretty serious?

Dana: We're taking it slowly, but I understand what you mean by different.

Natalie: You're taking it slowly? You've been taking it slowly for seventeen years.

Dana: It's different Natalie. There were borders before- a line we knew we would not cross. Now there are no borders.

Natalie: That's the difficulty with me and Jeremy. We haven't established our borders.

Dana: Have you two talked about it?

Natalie: We talked about it a little bit last night.

Dana: You mind if I ask you something else?

Natalie: I don't mind.

Dana: You said you left before he woke up.

Natalie: I did.

Dana: Why?

Natalie: Whenever I used to stay at his place, he would always cook me breakfast in the morning. We would have juice, eggs, bacon, and Jeremy would make these heart-shaped waffles.

Dana: Cute.

Natalie: I don't know if I wanted that. What if Jeremy woke up and we had cold cereal?

Dana: Then you would have known.

Natalie: Known what?

Dana: That it was different.

Natalie: Maybe it is better to remain ignorant...

Dana: ...than to learn the truth.

Natalie: Yeah.

Natalie leans her head on Dana's shoulder.

-----

Isaac, Sam, and Calvin are standing in an executive suite. Calvin is hanging up a telephone on a desk.

Calvin: Donna is going to be here shortly. So tell me, Sam. What do you think?

Sam: What do I think about what?

Calvin: About the shows on the network.

Sam: I won't go into much detail until Donna gets here, but I'll tell you what you probably already know: the network needs a lot of work.

Calvin: I thought so. Isaac tells me you have done a great job everywhere you have worked.

Sam: I wouldn't consider this assignment a great job on my part.

Calvin: The ratings are swinging back upward.

Sam: Barely. The key is getting them up higher and keeping the audience.

There's a knock on the door and it opens. Donna Kendrick walks in.

Calvin: Afternoon, Donna.

Donna: Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Calvin: Of course, you've already met Isaac Jaffee from yesterday.

Isaac: Good to see you again, Donna.

Isaac and Donna shake hands.

Donna: Likewise.

Calvin: And this is Sam Donovan, the ratings consultant for Sports Night.

Sam: Nice to meet you.

Sam and Donna shake hands.

Donna: It's good to meet you, Sam.

Calvin: Let's all have a seat over here.

Calvin directs the group over to a round glass table. Everybody takes a seat at the table.

Calvin: Would anybody like some water?

Isaac: I'm fine, thank you.

Sam: No, thank you.

Donna: I'll pass, Calvin, but thanks.

Calvin: Okay, great. Let's get started. As you know, I did extensive research trying to find somebody who could direct this network in the proper direction. I'll admit I've made some mistakes along the way, but I've been learning and I've decided to turn to Donna to give CSC a new, fresh look.

Donna: Thank you.

Calvin: Donna has some innovative and creative ideas for the network, and I feel she is the perfect fit as chief executive for this network.

Calvin zeros in on Sam.

Calvin: Sam, I've done much research into your background, and I must say I am very impressed with your accomplishments. We at CSC need somebody with a background similar to yours to help this network become the second-ranked sports network.

Sam: With us eventually becoming the top-ranked network.

Calvin: Exactly.

Donna: Sam, I need somebody who generates positive results. I need somebody who is strong-willed and has a superior resumé. I am currently looking for a Director of Program Development, and I would like to offer you the position.

Sam is surprised.

Isaac: It's quite an honor, Sam.

Calvin: This is the position which will give you the authority and prestige you deserve.

Sam: Thank you for the offer.

Donna: Now you don't have to accept this offer right now. You can think about it and get back to me. I do see you has someone who can help mold this network for years to come.

Sam: Years to come?

Calvin: Definitely.

Sam sits and thinks about it for a moment.

Sam: You know, I am reminded of Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus.

Donna: Excuse me?

Sam: I never liked the ancient Romans. I felt they were violent, sadistic, and just downright cruel. Their morals meant very little and they had way too much power on their hands.

Donna: And Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus was a Roman, right?

Sam: Yes. Cincinnatus lived in the fifth century B.C. He was a dictator and somebody I admire. Back in 458 B.C., the Romans were under threat from the Aequians. In fact, the army was completely surrounded, and if the Roman army lost, then all of Rome would be lost. The senate debated to see who would be a strong dictator to defeat the Aequi.

Calvin: So they called upon Cincinnatus?

Sam: Correct, but the funny thing is that they found him plowing his field on his farm alongside the Tiber River. You see, nobody in the Roman senate trusted anybody, and Cincinnatus had resigned two years earlier as a consul because his own son had disgraced his family name. Nobody resigned for anything back then. But when the Roman senate called upon him, he felt it was his patriotic duty to accept the responsibilities bestowed upon him.

Calvin: And he led them to battle.

Sam: Not only he led them to battle, but he defeated the Aequi in sixteen days. All of Rome was saved, and once that was accomplished, he resigned as dictator to return to his farm.

Donna: What does this have to do with anything?

Sam: You see, Cincinnatus could have been the most powerful man in Rome, but he knew he shouldn't. He did what was asked of him and he went home. Isaac Jaffee asked me to come here and help Sports Night get their ratings up and keep them up. That is all I came here to do, and that is all I want to do.

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Dana walks into Casey's office and closes the door.

Dana: Where's Dan?

Casey: He went for a walk.

Dana: Is he going to be all right because everybody is going through troubles right now, and it is frightening to think the only person without any worries is Sam Donovan.

Casey: Yeah. What's up?

Dana: Oh, I just wanted to see how the show is coming along.

Casey: It's coming along fine; and I know you didn't close the door to ask me how the show is coming along.

Dana: I'm worried things are starting to fall apart.

Casey: The show will be fine. We'll get it back together.

Dana: I mean us.

Casey: What do you mean?

Dana: I worry about us.

Dana throws herself down on the couch. Casey gets up from his desk and sits in the chair next to her.

Casey: You seem to be throwing caution to the wind by coming in here and talking about this.

Dana: Yeah, I know.

Casey: What's wrong?

Dana: I'm tired of living in three parallel worlds.

Casey: Oh-kay.

Dana: I'm serious. There's the world we have to live in here; the one where we cannot show affection toward each other. Then there's the world outside of Sports Night, the one where we are dating.

Casey: And there's a third world?

Dana: The fantasy world of you and me. The world I dreamt for us, Casey.

Casey: Which world are you having the problems because I'm in this world and I can't help you if you are in another world?

Dana: I'm tired of hiding, Casey.

Casey: Okay.

Dana: And I fear we are not living up to each other's expectations.

Casey: I feel fine about our expectations.

Dana: You see? That is where we differ? People expect us to stay together because we have been friends for so long. Anything short of marriage would be considered a disappointment, and I'm not sure if I can handle those lofty expectations.

Casey: Are you concerned about disappointing everybody?

Dana: Yeah.

Casey: Including yourself?

Dana: What?

Casey: Dana, there seems to be this barrier we have between us. Every time I try to be intimate with you, you seem to pull away.

Dana: It's just... I'm so used to you being my friend. I'm used to doing the normal thing with you, Casey. It's what I expect.

Casey: I have an idea. Do you trust me?

Dana: What are you concocting, Casey?

Casey: Don't worry. It will be harmless.

Dana: Okay.

Casey: Meet me out in front of the building in ten minutes.

Dana: Okay.

Dana leans back on the couch as Casey runs from his office.

-----

Jeremy is in the editing room when Natalie walks in.

Natalie: Hey, Jeremy.

Jeremy: Hey.

Natalie: What are you thinking?

Jeremy: I'm thinking I need to highlight Gabriel striking out the side in the sixth inning.

Natalie: I mean about us.

Jeremy: Oh.

Natalie: Jeremy?

Jeremy: Yeah?

Natalie: Have you thought about us getting back together again?

Jeremy stops the tape.

Jeremy: A little.

Natalie: We've got to stop living all the 'what-ifs.' What if I get fired? What if we stayed together?

Jeremy: Yeah.

Natalie: We need to sit down and work things out. We need to establish our relationship.

Jeremy: It can't be based on sex.

Natalie: Okay. You need to come to me with any of your problems.

Jeremy: Agreed.

Natalie: You want to get coffee after the show?

Jeremy: Won't Sam suspect something?

Natalie: You'll take your car, I'll take mine, and we'll meet back at my place.

Jeremy: Your place?

Natalie: I have coffee at my place. All you have is juice and water.

Jeremy: How about the all-night coffee place on 72nd.

Natalie: Okay.

Natalie opens the door.

Jeremy: Natalie?

Natalie: Yeah.

Jeremy: Thanks.

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Dana walks out of the building and Casey hails down a taxi. The two dodge raindrops and get inside.

Dana: What are you doing, Casey?

Casey: (to the cabdriver) Central Park, sir. (to Dana) We're going to Central Park.

Dana: Why?

Casey: You'll see.

-----

Dan knocks on the door to JoAnne's office.

JoAnne: Hey, you. Long time, no see.

Dan: Yeah. Hey, Jo.

JoAnne: What's up?

Dan: Would you like to hang out tonight?

JoAnne: Sure. I don't have any plans.

Dan: Is it all right if we just don't do anything, just hang out?

JoAnne: Yeah. What's wrong?

Dan: It seems like everything. I need somebody whom I can trust.

JoAnne: You can trust me.

Dan: I know I can.

JoAnne: If you like, you're welcome to hangout at my place. I have it all to myself tonight.

Dan: No roommates to deal with?

JoAnne: Nope.

Dan: I'd like that.

JoAnne gets up from her desk, walks over to Dan, and gives him a big hug.

JoAnne: You looked like you needed a hug.

Dan: Yeah. Thank you.

JoAnne: We'll hang out and see what happens.

Dan: Sure.

-----

A taxi cab stops and Central Park, and Casey and Dana jump out. Casey leads Dana as they run into the park.

Dana: What are you doing? It's raining out here!

Casey: I've never done this before.

Casey faces Dana and takes both of her hands.

Dana: Are you trying to dance?

Casey: Yes.

Dana: Were going to get sick. You know that?

Casey: Yes.

Casey kisses Dana on the cheek, then Dana kisses Casey on the lips. The two begin to slow dance in Central Park.