Disclaimer

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Dan, Isaac, and Dana are in Isaac's office.

Dan: A three-inch reach advantage for Maxwell could quite easily make the difference between landing a punch and missing.

Isaac: They're supposed to hit each other, right?

Dana: Luis has superior quickness, though.

Dan starts to bob-and-weave.

Dan: A giant right hook will take care of the quickness- especially if one is knocked to the ground.

There is a knock on the door. Sam and Donna stand in the doorway.

Sam: Mind if we join you?

Isaac: Come on in.

Sam and Donna enter the office. Donna closes the door behind her. Dan jumps in front of Sam and continues to bob-and-weave while placing both of his fists in front in a defensive position.

Sam: What are you doing?

Dan: I am trying to demonstrate the effectiveness of a right hook.

Sam: Are you actually going to hit me?

Dan drops both his arms.

Dan: Who do you think is going to win the Luis-Maxwell fight?

Sam: Luis has superior quickness. I give the nod to him.

Dan: What about the three-inch reach advantage for Maxwell?

Sam: It doesn't do any good if he's missing because Luis is deflecting and dodging the punches.

Donna: You're really into boxing, aren't you Dan?

Dan: Very much so.

Donna: Good. Your excitement will definitely show when you're covering the fight.

Dan: I'm not covering the fight. I've got tickets. I'll be front-and-center in the fourth row.

Donna: How did you get those good seats?

Dan: Casey gave them to me.

Donna: Casey?

Dan: Yeah. Casey McCall.

Donna: That Casey McCall.

Isaac: Is there something wrong?

Donna: Nothing's wrong. I just need to remind you to please stay clear of any press coverage. No interviews with other networks- especially the one covering the fight.

Dan: I understand the procedures.

Donna: Just knowing the fact that the network covering the fight is giving you tickets-

Dan: Casey got them for me.

Donna: And from what I understand, his network is covering the fight.

Dana: I don't think Danny is going to grab the microphone and start doing fight coverage for HBO.

Donna: I'm not completely comfortable with the situation.

Dan: You've got to be kidding me. I am a fan. I should be allowed to attend these events.

Donna: Did you pay for the tickets?

Dan: No... not really.

Donna: This needs to be resolved.

Dan: Okay, okay. I'll reimburse Casey for the tickets.

Donna: This network will not tolerate any appearances on any network outside of CSC.

Dan: Could I just wear a CSC hat and a CSC shirt and have a big CSC tattooed on my forehead?

Isaac: People- let's discuss the matter at hand. I know Danny will not do anything to embarrass the network.

Dan: We're going to talk about my new partner, right?

Sam: Yes.

Dan: Good. I've had Sally all over my back about Peter or Paul joining me, and I've had Jeremy grilling me for information.

Sam: I received letters of recommendation for both Peter and Paul from Sally Sasser.

Donna: I did also.

Isaac: I believe we all did.

Donna: They weren't on our short list of candidates.

Isaac: Still, it's good to have recommendations.

Dan: So, who's it going to be? Who is the lucky guy?

Sam: Girl.

Dan: Or girl.

Donna: We've narrowed it down to three: Jennifer Atwater, Bobbi Bernstein, and Tina Lake.

Dan: Okay.

Sam: Donna and I have talked with each of them, and they are all qualified for the position. They have strong backgrounds and solid reputations- (looks toward Dana) -and I know they won't be looked upon as dim-witted, gorgeous airheads.

Dana: That's fine.

Isaac: Dan, we would to see if you have any input before we make the final selection.

Dan: I don't have a problem.

Donna: Good.

Isaac gets up from his chair and walks across the room using his cane.

Dana: You need something, Isaac?

Isaac: A drink.

Sam: This early in the day?

Isaac: Why not? I also have paperwork as tall as Natalie.

Isaac extends his hand out about five feet from the ground.

Dan: Natalie's a little taller than that.

Isaac: You're right.

Isaac continues walking, but toward his door.

Dana: Your bar is over-

Isaac raises up his cane about five-and-a-half feet from the floor and swings at the door.

BAM!!!

"Ow!"

Isaac speaks at the closed door.

Isaac: You okay, Natalie?

Natalie: The ringing in my ears will eventually stop.

Isaac: Good.

Isaac walks back toward his desk.

Dana: You still need a drink?

Isaac: Nah, I feel better.

Isaac sits back in his chair.

Sam: The decision is a tough one, and we were hoping you could sway us in one direction or another, Dan. So we've decided we are going to select Bobbi.

Dan: Wait. I'm going to be working with Bobbi?

Dana: Yes.

Dan: Bobbi Bernstein?

Sam: Yeah.

Donna: You two have good on-air chemistry.

Dan: Did you do a thorough background check? Made sure there weren't any fits of mental imbalance?

Donna: Excuse me?

Dan: She's crazy, you know.

Isaac: Danny, I thought you didn't have a preference.

Dan: I don't mind working with Bobbi. I am just worried that working with her day-after-day will alter my mind set.

Dana: She's not going to suck your brains out, Danny.

Dan: Okay. But if she does-

Sam: We'll let you know. Our demographics show that we need to attract more male viewers. We think adding a female presence will raise the national average a few shares over the next quarter.

Dan: What about Peter? Paul? Jennifer or Tina? What about Steve Sarris?

Isaac: At eleven o'clock, I've gotta turn heads away from Ted Koppel, I've gotta turn heads away from 400 reruns of MASH, and I've gotta turn heads away from ESPN. Steve Sarris is not gonna do it.

Donna: We feel with Bobbi we'll be able to attract new viewers while keeping our current viewers.

Dan: So that's 17 or 18 people right there.

Dana: Fewer if there's a good MASH rerun.

Everyone looks at Dana.

Dana: I am joking people. Yeesh, can't you take a joke?

Sam: All joking aside, our numbers indicate this is the best long-term solution. We were hoping you would embrace this change, Dan.

Dan: All right. No need to turn negative toward me. I'll try it out.

Donna: Thank you, Dan.

Dan: But if her head starts to spin...

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Natalie is seated at a desk in the newsroom. She is surrounded by Jeremy, Elliott, Chris, and Dave. Will walks up and hands Natalie an ice pack. She places it on the side of her head.

Will: What's the verdict?

Jeremy: Her ear's ringing on this side. Speak to her from the other side.

Will steps to the other side of Natalie.

Will: What's the verdict?!

Natalie: I can hear fine out this ear, Will.

Will: Sorry.

Natalie: The new anchor position has been narrowed down to three candidates.

Chris: Who?

Natalie: I think it was Jennifer, Bobbi, and Tina.

Elliott: Anything else?

Natalie: Dan might be doing fight coverage for HBO.

Dave: With Casey?

Natalie: Maybe. And Isaac is a drunk.

Jeremy: What?

Natalie: He was getting a drink-

Jeremy: This early in the day?

Natalie: Yeah. And I think he lost his balance and hit the door.

Will: That's when you got hurt?

Natalie: No- I just like putting bags of ice on the side of my head.

Elliott: So that's all the news?

Natalie: Yeah, and Jeremy was right.

Jeremy: About?

Natalie: Isaac should have soundproofed his door. My ear is going to be ringing for days.

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Dan and JoAnne are working their way through an aisle inside an arena.

Dan: This is great.

JoAnne: If the fighters get any teeth knocked out, could I keep them?

Dan: Keep their teeth?

JoAnne: I could make a necklace.

Dan: You're sick.

JoAnne: I thought you enjoyed the barbaric sport of boxing.

The two sit in their seats.

Dan: First of all, never call this a barbaric sport, especially when you are four rows from ringside.

JoAnne: And second?

Dan: Stay away from the HBO cameras.

JoAnne starts waving in a certain direction.

JoAnne: Hey, Casey!

Dan: Thank you.

JoAnne: Watch out. If the cameras pan on us, I just might give you a big, wet kiss.

JoAnne winks at Dan.

Dan: Casey!

Casey walks over to the front row and waves at Dan and JoAnne.

Casey: How do you like the view?

Dan: This is great! Who did your wardrobe?

Casey: This is what they always wear.

Dan: You look like you should be attending your prom... or a funeral.

Casey: Okay. I'll make sure the cameras get a shot of your bald spot.

JoAnne: You have a bald spot?

Dan: Do not.

JoAnne stands up and tries to find Dan's "bald spot."

JoAnne: Let me see.

Dan gently pushes JoAnne away.

Dan: Get down. Get back.

Casey: You two enjoy the fights!

Dan: Thanks!

JoAnne: Thank you, Casey!

Casey walks to the side, where he is met by a production assistant. Casey is handed a microphone and he puts on his headset. Casey stands poised and ready at ringside while waiting for his cue. An assistant signals the countdown.

Casey: Good evening. From Atlantic City, I'm Casey McCall and this is the middleweight championship between top contender Hector Luis and defending champion Tony Maxwell. The ten-round fight is tentatively scheduled to start in about 90 minutes, after the two undercard fights have concluded...

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Natalie is walking through the newsroom.

Natalie: Elliott? How's the Terps coming along?

Elliott: Chris, Will, and Dave are doing fine.

Natalie: Huh?

Elliott: You asked about the twerps?

Natalie: The Maryland Terps.

Elliott: Oh... it's coming along fine.

Natalie: Good.

Elliott: Natalie?

Natalie: Yeah?

Elliott: Don't tell them I was referring to them as twerps.

Natalie: alrighty.

Jeremy walks by Natalie.

Jeremy: The feature on the Bears defense is completed.

Natalie: You got my note on-

Jeremy: It's one-twenty instead of one-forty.

Natalie: Great.

As Natalie checks her clipboard, Sally runs right by her. Natalie is briefly distracted, but continues checking her notes. Dan comes up to Natalie, and he is holding a baseball bat.

Dan: I'm telling you, she's insane.

Natalie: What now?

Dan: Bobbi thinks I want her to share my office with her.

Natalie: Do you?

Dan: No.

Natalie: You have reference books and tapes in there.

Dan: I know. She misunderstood my initial meaning.

Natalie: And what was that?

Dan: I wanted to let her know that my office is her office-

Natalie: There you go.

Dan: And! And that if she needed anything from my office, she was more than welcome to borrow it. I didn't ask her to move in. I didn't say I was making space for her. I am very happy with my office all by myself.

Natalie: Okay.

Dan: She's totally insane.

Natalie: Nah. You two will have a good show tonight.

Natalie walks away and Dan throws his arms down in disgust.

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Casey is standing in the front lobby of Rockefeller Center. Sally runs and catches up to Casey.

Sally: I'm sorry I'm late.

Casey: No problem.

Sally: I had some personal business to take care of this morning.

Casey: You are only 45 minutes late.

Sally: We missed our reservations at the restaurant.

Casey: You made lunch reservations?

Sally: Yeah. How about this? I still live right down the road. Let's go to my place and grab a bite there.

Casey: I don't know...

Sally: It's okay. I've already have some food prepared. It's leftovers, but they're still good.

Casey: I don't think Dana will like this.

Sally: What? Is she jealous of me?

Casey: No, not jealous.

Sally: Does she think I'm going to try to take you away from her?

Casey: No.

Sally: Because I value our friendship and Dana's friendship.

Casey: I know you do.

Sally: Then it's not a problem if we go to my place?

Casey thinks about it for a moment.

Sally: I skipped breakfast this morning, so I'm starving.

Casey: Since it is so late...

Sally: You're cancelling.

Casey: I didn't say I was cancelling. I'm sure you are a very good cook-

Sally: I've been trying new recipes and I've continued taking my cooking classes.

Casey: Good. It's just that you are starving, and that I could just go for a cup of coffee. It would be rude of me to watch you eat while I just have a drink.

Sally: That's all right. We can do this another time.

Casey: Good.

Sally: How about tomorrow?

Casey: I don't know. I'm busy with the new job and everything. My schedule is loaded-

Sally: Why don't you just give me a call to let me know when you are available?

Casey: Sure.

Sally: Great.

Sally and Casey shake hands.

Sally: It was good seeing you again, Casey.

Casey: Same here, Sally.

The two gaze into each other's eyes for a moment. Sally starts to lean toward Casey.

Casey breaks the handshake.

Casey: I'll give you a call.

Sally: Okay.

Casey turns around and walks through the lobby. Sally is a little flustered as she watches him walk out the door. She walks back through the lobby and into the elevator. She crosses her arms and shakes her head as the elevator doors close.