----- Dana, Isaac, Sam, and Donna Kendrick are in Isaac's office. Dana: What changes? Donna: We feel it is necessary to ask Casey to no longer visit the set. Dana: What? Donna: We don't want to give the impression that he is getting advanced copies of features from us. Dana: Everybody covers the same events. If another network covers the Super Bowl, am I going to be reprimanded because the network thought we should have it all to ourselves? Donna: This was an exclusive interview for us. Dana: And Casey's show had been working on it, too. I can't stop other networks from reporting the news- especially when they want to cover the same topic. Donna: The coincidence is too much to accept and ignore, Dana. Dana: Hold on a minute, there. Do you think I handed over Hammerin' Hank to Casey? Donna: No, we don't. Dana: You do think that. You think that because I am his girlfriend that I would resort to some sort of cheap tactics- not to mention that it is totally unprofessional. Isaac: I have to vouch for Dana. She's worked hard on this and she has a great professional reputation. She wouldn't sacrifice that reputation for the sake of her boyfriend. Donna: Casey is a former employee of this network. Sometimes employers lay-off people. Some of those laid-off become resentful toward their former employer. Dana: Casey didn't do this to get back at CSC. Donna: Stealing an interview from his former employer in order to premiere it on his brand new series? It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to think of that one. Dana: Casey's a good man! Donna: Your opinion of him is biased. You're dating him, so you obviously have some feelings toward him. Isaac: This has gone far enough. Casey knew his contract with CSC was expiring, and he did his job with dignity. He's one of the best people- much less, anchor- I've ever had the pleasure to associate. I can't imagine he would purposely do this. Donna: I'm sorry, Isaac. I'm going to have to ask Casey not to visit this network again. Dana: Fine. Dana storms out of the office. Donna: I'm sorry it had to come to this, Isaac. Isaac: I did notice one flaw in your observation. Donna: What's that? Isaac: You naturally assume the worst in people instead of looking for what makes them good. Donna: I'm just doing my job, Isaac. Isaac: And I'll continue to do mine. Donna and Sam leave the office. ----- The show has concluded and everyone is leaving the studio and control room. Dan sees Jeremy throw a wrapper in a trash can. Dan: What was that? Jeremy: What was what? Dan reaches into the trash can and pulls out a used muffin cup. Dan: What was in this? Jeremy: A chocolate cupcake. Natalie gave it to me. Chris: Actually, Natalie gave all of us cupcakes. Will: They were really good. Dan: These muffin papers look exactly like... the ones... I... uh-oh. Jeremy: What? Dan: It's nothing. Just don't be alarmed. Jeremy: What? Natalie: Thanks for the cupcakes, Dan. Dan: How did you know they were from me? The card said they were from Jeremy. Natalie: Jeremy doesn't own a muffin pan. Nice try, Daniel. Dan: Wait. Did you have one, Natalie? Dave walks out of the control room. Dave: Guys, I'm not feeling so well. Natalie: I decided to share them with everybody else. Besides, if I eat too much cake, I might become fat. Dave runs down the hallway. Jeremy: What did you do to these?! Dan: Well, I did the same thing Natalie did with her cake. Elliott walks out from the control room. Elliott: I think that cupcake is making me sick. Jeremy: Dan?! Dan: I only added some laxative to it. Natalie: Well, I guess becoming fat won't be a problem, will it? Jeremy grabs his stomach and then runs for the nearest restroom. ----- Casey is in his apartment. He is sitting on his couch and reading a book. There's a loud pounding on his door. An alarmed Casey gets up and runs to his door. He looks through the peep hole. He opens his door and Dana storms in. Dana: How dare you! Casey: What? Dana: I told you not to pursue it! Casey: The interview? Dana: No! You're dream of becoming an astronaut! Of course, the interview! Casey: Calm down, Dana. Alexis called earlier tonight. I was told we got an interview with Hank. Dana: And sacrificed our exclusive at the same time! Casey: They never said- Dana: Now, I'm going to have to fill fifteen minutes with highlights from a local snooker tournament! Casey: I didn't know, I'm sorry. Dana: Or better yet, I could have you come onto the set and have them film me kicking your ass! Casey: Take it easy, Dana. Dana: I worked damn hard on this Casey, and for you :::sniff::: and for you to swoop :::sniff::: down... Casey: Take it easy. Casey hugs Dana as she begins to cry. Dana: :::sniff::: I can't take it easy, Casey. I've got to make myself in... :::sniff::: invaluable over the next few months. Casey: You're already invaluable. Dana: I thought the same thing of you, Casey. Before the network let you go. Casey: It's all right. Everything will be all right. Dana: I can't do this. Dana breaks away from Casey and walks into his living room. Casey: What do you mean? Dana: I'm not ready. I haven't prepared for this. I'm not ready to have a baby. Casey: If it helps, I have some experience. Dana: I'm in the middle of my career, and I'm in no shape for this. Casey joins Dana in the living room. Casey: You'll be fine. You'll be an excellent mother. Dana: No, I won't. Dana sits on the couch. Casey sits next to her. Casey: I'm here for you. We're going to have our baby, Dana. You've got a little life inside of you right now. Dana: I don't know if I can handle this. Casey: We'll take it moment by moment. Dana: This isn't a good moment. Casey: We'll be all right. Dana: I... I haven't told anybody. I haven't told my mom, I haven't told the network. God knows if I told Natalie, the whole world would know. Casey: Have you thought about when you are going to tell them? Dana: Probably when my water breaks in the middle of a broadcast. Casey: How would you explain your extra... um... girth? Dana: I'll just tell them I've been eating a lot of chocolate cake. Dana sets her head on Casey's chest. Casey starts to run his hand through Dana's hair. ----- Isaac is doing some paperwork at his desk. There's a knock on his door. The door opens and Dan walks in. Dan walks up to Isaac's desk. Isaac: Come in. Dan: Thanks. I've got something to tell you- and you'll probably laugh when you hear this. Isaac: Is this going to be long? Dan: No. Isaac: I'm trying to finish up this paperwork. Dan: Okay. I'll make it quick. Isaac: Do you mind if I have a snack while you tell me your funny, little story? Dan: No. Go right ahead. Okay. Give me a second here. As Dan turns his back to compose himself, Isaac pulls out his snack: a chocolate cupcake. When Dan faces Isaac, his eyes light up as he sees Isaac ready to take a bite from the cupcake. Dan: Put that down! Dan swats the cupcake down onto Isaac's desk. Dan's follow-through makes him smash the cupcake into Isaac's paperwork. The two look at the smashed cupcake. Isaac: Was that the story? Dan: Kinda'. Isaac: You notice I'm not laughing? Dan: Yeah, but let me explain. Isaac: You're going to have to explain to Esther why you smashed her homemade cupcake into my desk. Dan: Wait. Esther made that for you? Isaac: Yes. Dan: Oh... sorry. Isaac: I'm sure you are. Dan: Um... you know... that paperwork... it wasn't too terribly important, was it? Isaac: Not really. Dan: Okay. Isaac: It was just your annual performance review. Dan: Okay. All right. Great. "On the next Sports Night..." Dana walks into the filled conference room. Dana: Okay. Anthony? Three men reply, "Yes?" Dana looks around the room, mesmerized by unanticipated replies. ----- Jeremy is on the phone in a hotel room. Jeremy: Yeah. We're at the Winter Games, and Natalie has a fever. (listens) No, an actual 101-degree fever. ----- Dan and Casey are eating lunch in a restaurant. Dan: I don't know. I don't approve of her befriending a male stripper. Casey: They're just friends, right? Dan: Yeah. Casey: Didn't you and Jo start out only as friends? Dan begins to cough and choke on his food. |