Disclaimer

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In the editing room, Jeremy is sitting in the chair while Dan stands over his shoulder.

Dan: How much time?

Jeremy: It's been trimmed down to 40 seconds.

Dan: Wow. I'm going to need to talk like an auctioneer.

Jeremy: Or you could just write less.

Dan: That too.

Jeremy: By the way, how's Casey's book?

Dan: I haven't had a chance to read it.

Jeremy: But you are going to read it, aren't you?

Dan: Of course.

Jeremy: Because if you are not, I would love to read it.

Dan: I thought you had tons of work to complete.

Jeremy: Right now, I do. With the slight increase in our budget, it should allow us to hire a new associate producer, thus freeing up some valuable time to read the works of the first-time author, Casey McCall.

Dan: It isn't anything different from what he has been doing. We're both writers. It's safe to assume we each could write a book.

Jeremy: The difference being that instead of writing and keeping people's attention for 40 seconds on one topic, you would have to keep their attention for a few hours.

Dan: Piece of cake.

Marcus knocks on the door.

Marcus: Guys? When you are done with that, I need it right away.

Dan: We're just finishing up. We're going with 40 seconds, right?

Jeremy pops out the tape.

Jeremy: Unless Dana decides to drop the segment completely.

Dan: Ugh.

Jeremy takes the tape and gets up from the chair. Marcus jumps in the chair and immediately begins working.

Jeremy: Back to work we go.

Dan: Hi-ho... Hi-ho... Hi-ho, hi-ho, hi-ho.

Jeremy and Dan look at Marcus, who is completely focused on his work.

Dan: Everything alright, Marcus?

Marcus: Sure. Why?

Dan: Just checking.

Dan doesn't get any further response from Marcus. Dan and Jeremy leave the editing room.

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A rundown meeting is taking place in the conference room. Seated at the table are Dana, Natalie, Dan, Tina Lake, Jeremy, Isaac, Dave, Will, and Chris. Elliott and other staffers are standing along the walls.

Dana: Okay. No screw-ups tonight. We have to be on our top game and we cannot overrun any segments. Dan make sure you don't gaze into the cameras tonight.

Dan: Huh?

Natalie: There are times when you pause when doing the highlights.

Dan: It's called dramatic effect.

Dana: You give the camera looks of forlorn.

Dan: It's playful flirting- and it doesn't look like forlornness.

Chris: He does look desperate at times.

Will: Like he is being abandoned by the audience.

Dan: Do not.

Dana: Speaking of the audience, if you haven't noticed, our ratings have been stagnant for a little while. With a good show, we are hoping to reign in more viewers with the NBA's start and solid World Series coverage.

Isaac: Also, things will be less hectic around here. The network is hoping to stabilize the shows and help out with needed and necessary staffing.

Jeremy leans back in his chair.

Jeremy: Praise the heavens.

Isaac: I especially appreciate all the hard work everyone has been doing. You've been doing more than your regular workload, and we are devising a plan to alleviate the extra responsibilities.

Natalie: I need a new chair.

Isaac: What was that?

Dana: Not now, Natalie.

Natalie: With the budget increase, I was hoping I could get a new chair.

Dana picks up her pen.

Dana: Natalie, don't make me poke you with this.

Dana sets the pen back down on the table. Chris slowly reaches across the table and takes the pen.

Dana: Give it back.

Chris looks fearful toward Dana. He then looks toward Will as Will quickly shakes his head.

Dana: I'm not going to poke Natalie with the pen, Chris. You can give it back.

Natalie: Don't give it back, Chris. She'll poke you, then she'll poke me.

Isaac: It's been a long day. Let's get to the matter at hand- my show.

Dana: Isaac, you're right.

Dana holds out her hand. Chris slowly places the pen in her hand.

Dana: Okay. We're starting with World Series coverage. I'm anticipating them being in the 6th or 7th inning when we start, so we'll spend a minute on the game. Chris and Will- make sure the graphics are current and ready. Jeremy- make sure somebody is on the game.

Dan: Dana?

Dana: Yes, Dan.

Dan: You've been over this... like a billion times. I think we know all of our responsibilities.

Dana: Well... is there anybody who does not know where they are supposed to be and what they are doing?

Everybody shakes their heads.

Dana: I guess we're set then. The order has not changed from the last rundown, so we're good to go.

The room begins to relax and breath easy. Dana notices everyone's reaction.

Dana: Recently, have I been persnickety about everything?

Everyone responds by shaking their heads and saying either "nah," "not really," or "no."

Dana: Really?

The room changes its mind by saying "maybe," "sort of," "kind of," or "yes"

Dana: Oh... then please understand... I'm not blaming you... It's a big night for us.

Isaac: Dana, I think I speak for all of us when I say that everyone has been working hard and we are tired and a little stressed out. There have been times when each of us has been a little impatient with each other. We just want to make sure everything goes right. Let's take a deep breath and just remember we are all trying our very best.

Dana: Okay. Then let's have a good show.

Everybody gets up to leave.

Isaac: Elliott? Could I have a minute of your time?

Elliott: Sure.

Isaac: Dana? Care to join us?

Dana: In your office?

Isaac: Yes.

Elliott follows Dana and Isaac from the conference room.

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Natalie follows Dan into his office.

Dan: Is there something with which I can help you?

Natalie: Maybe.

Dan: Because you were following me like you were my shadow.

Natalie: Well, it is a dream of mine to follow in the footsteps of the great Dan Rydell.

Dan: What do you need?

Natalie: You need to talk to Casey.

Dan: About?

Natalie: His book.

Dan: Listen, Natalie. He only got a few copies of his book. You're going to have to wait-

Natalie: I don't want to read his book.

Dan: You don't?

Natalie: Not yet, at least. Thought, I do know of someone who does: Casey's girlfriend.

Dan: Are you telling me Casey is dating somebody outside of Dana?

Natalie: No.

Dan: Then you could have said "Dana would like to read his book."

Natalie: I wanted to emphasize 'girlfriend.'

Dan: So?

Natalie: Don't you think it's a little strange that someone Casey has known since college and is currently dating didn't receive a copy of his book, while Casey's best friend got a copy?

Dan: Hold on. I'm Casey's best friend, right?

Natalie: Yes.

Dan: Okay, because I would have been upset if Casey had another best friend.

Natalie: Now you know how Dana feels.

Dan stares at Natalie.

Dan: Does Dana think I'm dating Casey?

Natalie: Are you?

Dan: No.

Natalie: She doesn't either.

Dan: Good.

Natalie: You're not each other's type.

Dan: Wha... he... I'm not going to respond to that.

Natalie: You need to speak to him.

Dan: Would Dana like my copy?

Natalie: No.

Dan: You're making it sound like she wants my copy of the book.

Natalie: She wants a copy for herself.

Dan: I understand.

Natalie: You do?

Dan: Not really, but I'll have a word with Casey.

Natalie: Good.

Natalie leaves the office.

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Isaac walks into his office and to his desk. Dana walks in and sits on the window sill. Elliott walks in.

Isaac: You can close the door behind you.

Elliott closes the door.

Elliott: What's this about?

Dana: Elliott, you've done a good job for us over the years.

Isaac: You came here when the network first started.

Elliott sits in a chair.

Elliott: Yes.

Isaac: And during the rundown, I mentioned that I wanted to lessen the responsibilities of the staff.

Elliott: Am I being fired?

Isaac laughs.

Isaac: That's what you think?

Elliott: The situation with Kim... we were joking... at least I thought we were joking.

Isaac: You're not being fired.

Elliott: I did get the assignment done. I was joking about saying, "over my dead body."

Dana: You're not being reprimanded, Elliott.

Elliott looks at Dana then at Isaac.

Elliott: What is this about?

Isaac: You've been a CSC production associate for five years, and we feel you would be a prime candidate for something new.

Dana: We are wondering if you would be interested in becoming an associate producer.

Elliott: You want to know if I would be interested?

Dana: Yes.

Isaac: We're looking for candidates for the position.

Elliott: Yes, I am interested.

Dana: Great.

Isaac: That's good to know.

Dana: There's also an increase in your salary with the position.

Elliott: I am really interested.

Isaac: Good. Let's set up a time to conduct a formal interview.

Dana: How about tomorrow?

Elliott: Sure.

Dana: After tomorrow's 6 o'clock rundown?

Elliott: Should I dress formal?

Dana: Dress just like you are.

Elliott looks down at his clothes.

Elliott: Minus the mustard stain?

Dana: Yeah.

Elliott: Okay.

Isaac: That's it.

Elliott gets up and shakes Isaac's hand.

Elliott: Thank you.

Isaac: You're welcome.

Elliott leaves the office. Dana smiles at Isaac as she leaves the office.