Disclaimer

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As Isaac sits at his desk, Jeremy bursts into his office. Isaac notices Jeremy's shirt is untucked, hair is disheveled, and face is unshaven.

Jeremy: I have made it! I have done my time on Sally's staff! Herman is back from vacation, thus allowing me to return to my only responsibilities of "Sports Night."

Isaac: Congratulations, Jeremy.

Jeremy: I can now focus all of my energies on my one-and-only show.

Isaac: Good.

Jeremy: And I don't have to worry about Sally bossing me around any more. Good riddens, poo-poo. I am done with her. This research analyst is no longer the 2 A.M. whipping boy.

Isaac: I'm glad to hear that.

Jeremy: Yes, sir. No more Sally.

Isaac: Jeremy, did you go home last night?

Jeremy: No. I had to finish a few assignments, so I can say I completed all of my responsibilities. Why?

Isaac: Have you taken a look in the mirror?

Jeremy: I feel comfortable, and I'm still alert.

Isaac: You've been up all night. Are you taking something?

Jeremy: No.

Isaac: You seem a little wiry.

Jeremy: Really?

Isaac: Yes.

Jeremy: I guess the aftereffects of the Mountain Dew has yet to subside.

Isaac: When did you last drink one?

Jeremy: Probably about four or five hours ago.

Isaac: And you're still like that after drinking a Mountain Dew?

Jeremy: To be honest, I didn't consume just one can.

Isaac: How many did you drink?

Jeremy: Either six or seven. I lost track because I had purchased a case of them-

Isaac: Jeremy.

Jeremy: Yeah.

Isaac: You're going to need to get some sleep.

Jeremy: But Isaac, I am ready to go.

Isaac: You haven't taken a look at today's schedule.

Jeremy: Why?

Isaac: Jeremy, you are much sharper when you get plenty of sleep.

Jeremy: Isaac, I am fine. In fact, I am more than fine. I'm... I'm...

Isaac: Great?

Jeremy: Super.

Isaac: Spectacular?

Jeremy: Yes, I am feeling spectacular.

Isaac: Has it sunk in, yet?

Jeremy: What?

Isaac: Natalie and Kim are off tonight.

Jeremy: I am aware of that.

Isaac looks at Jeremy and realizes he is not getting Isaac's point.

Isaac: I'm just going to come right out and say it. Sally's producing your show tonight.

Jeremy: The eleven o'clock?

Isaac: Yes.

Jeremy: My show?

Isaac: Yes.

Jeremy: Why?

Isaac: Because Natalie and Kim are off tonight.

Jeremy: Right. I gotta' go.

Isaac: Okay.

Jeremy leaves the office and closes the door behind him. Isaac puts on his glasses and starts looking over some paperwork.

"Aaaaaggghhh!!!"

The office door quickly opens.

Jeremy: Sally's producing the show tonight!

Isaac: Yes. Go home and get some sleep.

Jeremy: How can I sleep when I know I'm going to be taking orders from her?!

Isaac: I could just fire you. Then you would have nothing to do but sleep.

Jeremy: Right.

Isaac: I'll see you later. Bye-bye.

Jeremy: Later, Isaac.

Jeremy leaves the office.

-----

Dana is sitting on the couch inside her counselor's office.

Dana: Casey is trying to gain custody of Charlie.

"Did Casey say why he is doing that?"

Dana: He wants all of us to live in my house.

"So you've changed your position on selling your house."

Dana: I'm not sure.

"You don't like your house."

Dana: It's not that I don't like it.

"You said you didn't want to live there any more."

Dana is uncomfortable as she looks around the office.

Dana: I did say that.

"You never stated why you didn't want to live there."

Dana reaches into her purse and pulls out a piece of gum. She puts it in her mouth and slowly begins to chew.

"You're chewing gum now."

Dana: Casey took away all my cigarettes.

"There's plenty of places along the way for you to purchase some more."

Dana: I thought you didn't want me to smoke.

"It's unhealthy for you. I'd feel the same way if you were eating those mega-meals from fast-food restaurants."

Dana: Oh. Well, Casey didn't want me to smoke.

"Just like that?"

Dana: Just like that.

"And Casey wants to get his son and have you three live together in your house."

Dana: Yes.

"And that's what Casey wants."

Dana: Yes.

"Earlier, what didn't you like about your house?"

Dana: I loved my house.

"What changed?"

Dana looks down as tears begin to well up. The doctor hands a box of tissues to Dana.

Dana: It's just... the bedroom was painted and wallpapered... :::sniff::: There was a crib in the corner... and the cutest little dresser.

"Her room sounds beautiful."

Dana: :::sniff::: It was.

"It brings back her memory."

Dana: Not really. When I was released from the hospital... I went home... and it was all gone. :::sniff::: There was no furniture... and the room was white... there were no purples, pinks, or yellows... It was all gone.

"The room looked sterile."

Dana: I could smell the paint. It was still wet. They took away her room. They covered it up like it was part of the past... like it was over. :::sniff::: Like Hope never existed.

"Have you said anything about it?"

Dana: I can't. I've been getting flowers and cards from these people.

"Because they are being sympathetic, that doesn't mean you should ignore your feelings. These people who changed the room are some of the same people who sent you cards and flowers?"

Dana: Yes. They also made charitable donations... and they were there... for Hope's ceremony.

"Sometimes people try to protect you from any further pain by doing things which do more harm. Talk to them because it's possible they may have been trying to remove anything which might have reminded you of your loss."

Dana: Casey doesn't want to talk about it.

"Casey has been masking his pain. I've noticed it in our joint sessions."

Dana: I don't know what I'm going to do.

-----

Jeremy: I don't know what I'm going to do.

Jeremy is walking down a corridor. He walks by Dana's office, and he notices the door is open slightly. He peeks through the window and sees Sally in the office. She is sitting in Dana's chair and is on the telephone. Her chair is spun around and Sally is facing the window overlooking the city skyline.

Sally: (on phone) Yeah. I've got some good candidates I'd love to bring aboard. There's one I've had the opportunity to work with recently, and he's a brilliant, hard worker.

Sally doesn't notice Jeremy listening in on the conversation.

Sally: (on phone) I completely understand what you are saying. It will take a few months for the transition, and I'm willing to be a little more patient in regards to the promotion.

Jeremy opens the door wider, so he can listen better. He pokes his head through the door.

Sally: (on phone) I will be sure to keep the ratings up on the show.

Jeremy finally gives in and knocks on the door. Sally quickly spins around and is surprised to see Jeremy standing in the doorway.

Sally: (on phone) It's been great talking with you, Donna. I'll keep you posted on everything. Bye.

Sally hangs up the phone.

Sally: Good afternoon, Jeremy.

Jeremy: Hey, Sally.

Sally: Were you listening in on my conversation?

Jeremy: Unfortunately, listening in and sneaking around are not my fortes.

Sally: What did you want to see me about?

Jeremy: Why are you in Dana's office?

Sally: Oh, I wanted to speak with Donna Kendrick about my show in private. This is a great office; it has a beautiful view of the city.

Jeremy: I never noticed.

Sally: What is it you need, Jeremy?

Jeremy thinks quickly.

Jeremy: I know at which restaurant I would like to eat.

Sally: Great. Where do you want to go?

Jeremy: That sub shop down the road.

Sally: Really?

Jeremy: Yeah. You know they have those healthy subs, and I'm always one to watch my diet and exercise. Plus, they are really filling. I think I would like to eat there.

Sally: Well... okay. We'll go eat there some day.

Jeremy: Great.

Jeremy starts to leave.

Sally: Oh, Jeremy?

Jeremy stops and turns around.

Jeremy: Yeah?

Sally: I just want to let you know that I truly appreciate your efforts over the last week. I realize that I run my show differently than say... Natalie or Dana. I'm happy you were able to easily adjust to our different styles. It's a good sign of strength, Jeremy.

Jeremy: Thank you.

Jeremy nods his head and leaves the office.

-----

Dan is sitting at a table at Anthony's. Casey walks in and tosses a stack of papers on the edge of the table.

Casey: My lawyer says I don't have a good chance of winning custody.

Dan: Why?

Casey sits down.

Casey: He says there isn't enough evidence against Lisa for her to lose custody.

Dan: Did you have anything?

Casey: Other than being really strict?

Dan: Anything substantial that could stand up in a court of law.

Casey: I've got nothing.

Dan: I'm sorry, man.

Casey looks over Dan's shoulder and spots something.

Casey: I didn't know they allowed children in here.

Dan: Where?

Casey: Behind you.

Dan turns around and sees a couple sitting at a table. They have a baby lying in a child carrier.

Dan: I guess so.

Casey: They serve alcohol here.

Dan: And they serve beer at stadiums, and you don't see people refusing to take their kids.

Casey: I'm not hungry.

Dan: Okay. Well, I am.

Casey: I think I'm going to get going.

Dan: Whoa. What's your problem?

Casey: Nothing.

Dan: We agree to meet here, no matter what the outcome with your meeting, and you're wigging out on me.

Casey: I just didn't expect this.

Dan: The baby over there?

Casey: No.

Dan: What it is?

Casey: I've got to go.

Casey gets up.

Dan: Sit down.

Casey: Excuse me?

Dan: Sit your butt down.

Casey: Are you trying to make something of this?

Dan: I can understand you're angry, but you cannot take it out on the people who care for you.

Casey: I'm not angry.

Dan: You make us go into Dana's house, repaint a bedroom, and not even offer any thanks. You make an aggressive move to have custody of Charlie awarded to you, and I bet Charlie doesn't want to be uprooted from his home.

Casey: Are you saying that I'm a bad person?

Dan: No. You're hiding your pain and trying to fill this void in your life. This custody argument had more to do with you trying to make Dana and yourself happy, rather than the welfare of your own son.

Casey: You are saying I'm a bad person.

Dan: I'm saying you need help. You started refusing professional help, and now you are turning your back on your friends. Soon, Dana is going to turn her back on you, and all you will be left with is nothing.

Casey: So this dinner was meant to be nothing more than a meeting questioning my decisions?

Dan: This dinner is meant to let you know that I'm here for you. Just don't expect your friends to be so inviting the next time tragedy strikes in your life.

Casey thinks about it for a moment.

Casey sits back down .

Dan: Case?

Casey: We're going to have dinner, then we'll talk later.

Dan: Sure.

Dan opens up his menu.

Dan: Have you seen the new items on the menu here?

Casey opens up his menu.

Casey: Where?

Dan: On the third page.

Casey flips a couple of pages.

Casey: Have you tried any of them?

Dan: Nope.

Casey: Do you feel daring?

Dan: I'll try something new, if you'll try something new.

Casey: Deal.

-----

Jeremy is standing in the middle of Dana's office. He is by himself and tossing darts onto the dart board on the wall.

Natalie walks in and is startled by the sight of Jeremy.

Natalie: Jeremy?! What are you doing?

Jeremy: I'm tossing some darts.

Natalie: So this is where you practice?

Jeremy: I'm at the correct distance, but Dana's board is a few inches too high. Plus, it isn't the regulated standard London board size.

Natalie: You're still practicing.

Jeremy: Yeah. I thought you were off today.

Natalie: I still have to do Bubba's show today. I hear Sally is producing the show tonight.

Natalie goes over to the dart board and removes the darts.

Jeremy: Yeah.

Natalie: I'm sorry.

Natalie moves to Jeremy's position and begins tossing the darts.

Jeremy: Sally wants me on her staff.

Natalie: She wants you for the "West Coast Update"? Well, she can't have you.

Jeremy: She wants me for "Sports Night."

Natalie: I don't understand.

Jeremy: I think she is making a power move to gain control of "Sports Night."

Natalie accidentally tosses a dart into the wall.

Natalie: What?

Jeremy: I accidentally overheard a conversation Sally was having with Donna. I think Sally is expecting Dana not to return.

Natalie: I know Dana hasn't set a date for her return, but there is something more revealing.

Natalie walks over and removes the dart from the wall.

Jeremy: What's that?

Natalie: You were eavesdropping.

Jeremy: I was not.

Natalie: I'm so proud of you right now.

Jeremy: I didn't do it on purpose.

Natalie: That's good. Become ignorant of your actions. I have taught you well.

Jeremy: Natalie.

Natalie: Yeah?

Jeremy: Sally wants Dana's job.

Natalie: She's not going to get Dana's job.

Jeremy: Why?

Natalie: Because Dana wants Dana's job, and Isaac won't let anything happen.

Jeremy: I hope you're right.

Natalie: Don't worry about it. Isaac is in complete control.

Jeremy: I hope you're right on the mark.

Jeremy watches Natalie throw another dart. It misses the board and sticks in the wall.