Disclaimer

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Natalie seems preoccupied while sitting at her desk. She is staring at a pencil she is twirling in her hand. Jeremy walks by and drops off a tape.

Jeremy: There's the highlight tape with about two dozen of the players playing in this year's Blue-Gray All-Star Classic.

Natalie: Huh?

Jeremy: Here's the highlight tape for some of the players playing in this year's Blue-Gray All-Star Classic.

Natalie: Thanks.

Jeremy takes a couple of steps, and turns around.

Jeremy: Are you okay?

Natalie: Yeah.

Jeremy: You're not worried about the Salt Lake assignments, are you?

Natalie: No.

Jeremy: Because you're a lock to go.

Natalie: Thanks.

Jeremy: Are you doing anything for Christmas?

Natalie: I didn't know you celebrated Christmas.

Jeremy: I'm not exactly celebrating Christmas. Elliott and I are here working on Christmas Day, and we were going to grab a bite to eat and catch a movie after work.

Natalie: Yeah. Michael's been working on his play, so I don't know if I'm going to spend any time with him during the holidays.

Jeremy: How about I come over early in the morning and drop off a few presents?

Natalie: It's not necessary, but it would be nice.

Jeremy: I'm your Secret Santa anyway.

Natalie: That works out.

Jeremy: Plus, it comes in handy because I know what sizes you wear.

Natalie: Thanks.

Jeremy: I'll make egg nog.

Natalie: You still remember how to make egg nog?

Jeremy: Of course. Just open the carton and pour.

Natalie laughs.

Natalie: What time are you and Elliott planning on getting out of here?

Jeremy: Probably around 7. We'll have everything cut by then. Sally's staff is on-call for any late-breaking developments.

Natalie: I'll join you guys.

Jeremy: Great. Dave and Will are going to join us, too.

Natalie: Already handing out more invitations?

Jeremy: They're off that day.

Natalie: Good- and thanks for inviting me, Jeremy.

Jeremy: You're welcome.

-----

Dana walks into Isaac's office. She is hiding something behind her back.

Dana: Hi, Isaac!

Isaac looks up from his paperwork.

Isaac: Good afternoon, Dana.

Dana: It is a good afternoon, isn't it?

Isaac: Do you have your list of recommendations?

Dana: Yes, I do.

Dana reveals the sheet from behind her back. She places it on his desk.

Isaac: Thank you. I've got a conference call in a little bit. I'll present them with your suggestions.

Dana: I've got other news also.

Isaac: What is it?

Dana: It isn't good news.

Isaac: Okay.

Dana: But it's all not that bad.

Isaac: It's something in between.

Dana: If you look at it from one perspective.

Isaac: From which perspective should I be looking at it?

Dana: Yours.

Isaac: So I would view this news as?

Dana: An opportunity.

Isaac: I'm not having another stroke, am I?

Dana: What's wrong?!

Isaac: You're making absolutely no sense.

Dana: You're okay?

Isaac: I was before you walked in.

Dana: But you're okay?

Isaac: I'll be fine once you tell me what is going on.

Dana: With you?

Isaac: No, tell me what is going on with the holiday decorating in the newsroom. What's your news?

Dana: We have a problem with a remote satellite.

Isaac: Okay.

Dana: It's partially broken.

Isaac: Doesn't partially broken still mean its broken?

Dana: Yes.

Isaac: Okay. They can fix it.

Dana: It's the satellite for the Utah-Boise State game.

Isaac: It's broken?

Dana: And there's the chance we might no be able to air the game. And there's the chance we might have alternative programming in front of us. And there's the chance-

Isaac: Hold on, Dana. We might not have the Utah-Boise State game tonight?

Dana: Yes.

Isaac: Okay.

Dana pulls the wedge of cheese from behind her back and sets it on Isaac's desk.

Isaac: What is this for?

Dana: For you to enjoy.

Isaac looks at the cheese.

Isaac: It's Bel Paese.

Dana: Yes, it is. I'd thought you'd like it.

Isaac: This is a very good piece of cheese. You can tell because it has the image of a priest and a map of Italy on it.

Dana: Great.

Isaac: The name "Bel Paese" means "beautiful land."

Dana: You certainly know your cheeses, Isaac.

Isaac: I'll enjoy this. Thank you, Dana.

Dana: You're welcome.

Isaac: Why did you give me this?

Dana: It's the spirit of the holiday season.

Isaac: Why?

Dana: Because... because you might be upset over the game tonight, and I thought a nice, little gift would help soften the blow.

Isaac: We're still going on the air tonight?

Dana: Yes.

Isaac: They're not moving up the show two hours to accommodate the loss of a satellite feed?

Dana: No.

Isaac: We're still on at 11?

Dana: Eleven o'clock eastern time, sir.

Isaac: We might lose thirty seconds of highlight footage.

Dana: Probably twenty seconds.

Isaac: Okay.

Dana: That's it?

Isaac: Does this game, in any way, dramatically affect our production of our show tonight?

Dana: No.

Isaac: Okay, then.

Dana: Don't you have to make a phone call about it?

Isaac: Why?

Dana: I don't know. This information was passed on to me, and I felt you needed to know in order to do something.

Isaac: Dana, I don't need to know every single programming decision or catastrophe happening with the network. If it is going to affect the show, then I should be informed. Otherwise, I trust you will filter information on a need-to-know basis.

Dana: Okay.

Dana looks around Isaac's office.

Isaac: Is there something more?

Dana: Maybe.

Isaac: What else?

Dana: I need some advice.

Isaac: Okay.

Dana: It's just that...

Isaac: Yes?

Dana: It's just that Casey wants me to meet his family over Christmas.

Isaac: Didn't we just have a discussion on filtering information?

Dana: Yes, but I need your advice.

Isaac leans forward and rests his chin in the palm of his hand.

Isaac: Casey wants you to meet his family over Christmas.

Dana: Yes.

Isaac: I think it's a fine idea.

Dana: You do?

Isaac: Sure. But I take it you are not so keen on it?

Dana: It's growing on me.

Isaac: You feel there is too much pressure.

Dana: Exactly.

Isaac: Because there are certain expectations when it comes to the holidays.

Dana: Yes. I am coming into their home as Casey's girlfriend. Not just a friend, but also a love interest.

Isaac: Did you talk to Casey about it?

Dana: Not really. He told me last night, and of course, I had to agree.

Isaac: Why?

Dana: Why did I have to agree?

Isaac: Yes.

Dana: It's Christmas.

Isaac: So?

Dana: It wouldn't be right if we were separated during the holidays. This is the first Christmas we are spending together.

Isaac: As boyfriend and girlfriend.

Dana: Right. And I feel it is my obligation that if Casey wants to visit his family, I should go along with him.

Isaac: Okay.

Dana: But I also feel I should be spending it with my family.

Isaac: Did you already have plans for Christmas?

Dana: A couple of my brothers were thinking of meeting me somewhere. I'm off for a few days, but I was keeping my options open.

Isaac: Did you tell Casey about your brothers' plans?

Dana: No. They'll get together with or without me.

Isaac: What about the rest of your family?

Dana: They're in Iowa.

Isaac: I know. Since you already had the time off, why didn't you suggest visiting them with Casey?

Dana: I didn't ask.

Isaac: Is it too late?

Dana: Maybe. Natalie is here to produce the show on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and I wouldn't want to make her produce it on a third day- the extra day we would take to go visit my family.

Isaac: Did you ask Natalie?

Dana: No.

Isaac: Why not?

Dana: This Christmas is going to rough for her. You see, this is her first Christmas without her father.

Isaac: I understand.

Dana: Maybe I should stay here instead.

Isaac: Does Natalie want to be with her family for Christmas?

Dana: She said she was fine, but I don't know.

Isaac: Find out.

Dana: Okay.

Isaac: I'm sure Kim would be willing to chip in and help out if you presented her with the situation.

Dana: I guess so.

Isaac: Is that all?

Dana: Yeah.

Isaac: I've got a conference call to make.

Dana: See you later.

Dana begins to leave.

Isaac: Thanks for the cheese.

Dana: You're welcome.

Dana leaves the office and closes the door behind her.

-----

Casey is seated inside an airplane currently in flight. His chair is leaning back and Casey is quietly napping.

A cell phone rings. Casey's eyes open and he looks around. The phone rings a second time. Casey sits up, pulls a cell phone from his pocket, and answers it.

Casey: (into phone) Casey McCall.

"Hey, it's me."

Casey: (into phone) What's up, Danny?

Dan is driving his car while speaking with Casey.

Dan: (into phone) You owe me ten bucks.

Casey: (into phone) The college bowl season isn't over, Danny.

Dan: (into phone) But I've taken an early lead.

Casey: (into phone) There's been one game. There are twenty-four more games to be played.

Dan: (into phone) Momentum is on my side.

Casey: (into phone) You know what they say about momentum?

Dan: (into phone) It's only good as your next game?

Casey: (into phone) Right. Don't tell me you called me to bug me on my flight.

Dan: (into phone) You're flying?

Casey looks out the window.

Casey: (into phone) Either that or the clouds have drifted down.

Dan: (into phone) Where are you right now?

Casey: (into phone) In the sky, Danny. How should I know where I'm located?

Dan: (into phone) How much longer is your flight?

Casey: (into phone) The plane is landing in less than 20 minutes.

Dan: (into phone) So I've got a few minutes.

Casey: (into phone) What's going on?

Dan: (into phone) It seems my fear of rejection kept me from taking JoAnne to Connecticut.

Casey: (into phone) I thought she wanted to go.

Dan: (into phone) She did. It was fear of my father's rejection.

Casey: (into phone) Your father is already in Connecticut.

Dan: (into phone) Abby said I was afraid to take Jo to Connecticut in the event she was rejected by my father as being a "worthy" girlfriend.

Casey: (into phone) So you're afraid good ol' pop won't like your girlfriend?

Dan: (into phone) Something along those lines. Anyway, I needed some advice on what to do.

Casey: (into phone) Grovel.

Dan: (into phone) What?

Casey: (into phone) And give her flowers.

Dan: (into phone) Grovel and give her flowers?

Casey: (into phone) And give her something unexpected.

Dan: (into phone) Like?

Casey: (into phone) I don't know, Danny. I figured having you grovel and present flowers would be kind of unexpected.

Dan: (into phone) You're some help.

Casey: (into phone) I have a proven track record. I am a happily divorced man.

Dan: (into phone) My shrink told me I need to apologize and explain myself-

Casey: (into phone) Isn't explaining yourself what got you into trouble in the first place?

Dan: (into phone) Explain myself more clearly.

Casey: (into phone) Isn't that what got you into trouble in the first place?

Dan: (into phone) I'm calling you for assistance.

Casey: (into phone) Okay. Seriously, what is it you want to do?

Dan: (into phone) Something more than explaining my actions and apologizing. That's a given.

Casey: (into phone) And flowers.

Dan: (into phone) And give her flowers, too.

Casey: (into phone) Have you talked with Jo?

Dan: (into phone) Not yet.

Casey: (into phone) See how she reacts. You're good with handling women.

Dan: (into phone) I don't think she wants to hear that I'm good handling women.

Casey: (into phone) See? You're working your way through it already.

Dan: (into phone) I need to do something more.

Casey: (into phone) You can pick up my dry cleaning.

Dan: (into phone) I need to do something more for Jo.

Casey: (into phone) You can pick up her dry cleaning.

Dan: (into phone) Okay. Let's start over.

A bell sounds on Casey's plane.

"This is your captain speaking. We shall be landing shortly..."

Casey: (into phone) I've got to go. We're going to be landing.

Dan: (into phone) Hold on. I need an answer.

Casey: (into phone) I've got to go, Danny.

Dan: (into phone) Casey?!

Casey: (into phone) Do what's in your heart, Danny.

Dan: (into phone) Do what's in my heart?

Casey: (into phone) Talk to you later.

Casey turns off his cell phone.

Dan: (into phone) Casey? Casey?!

Dan turns off his cell phone.

Dan: Dang it.

-----

Natalie and Elliott are in the editing room. They are working on a feature segment.

Elliott: So, if you are going to Salt Lake, where does that leave me?

Natalie: Here.

Elliott: Not that I don't love working here, but it would be nice to get out of the city to do something else.

Natalie: I know.

Elliott: If you get to go, would you take me with you?

Natalie: I'm not making the final decisions.

A commotion can be heard outside of the room. Two people are yelling at each other as they walk by.

Chris: (outside the room) You screwed up graphic seven two nights ago!

Will: (outside the room) What about sound nine last night!

Chris: (outside the room) I just played what they gave me!

Will: (outside the room) You should have double-checked!

Natalie: What are they doing?

Elliott: Trying to figure who doesn't deserve to go to Salt Lake. They're trying to decide who is better because everybody isn't going.

Natalie gets up from the chair and goes outside of the editing room.

Natalie: Guys, guys?!

Will: What?

Natalie: Dana has already submitted her recommendations.

Chris: She has?

Natalie: Yeah.

Will: Any clue to whom she recommended?

Chris: And who is going?

Natalie: Isaac and the network executives are making the final decisions.

Will: Oh.

Chris: So we don't have to do anything more?

Natalie: Nope.

Will: Good show last night, Chris.

Chris: Good show, Will.

Chris and Will shake hands as Natalie heads back into the editing room.