Disclaimer

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Jeremy quickly walks outside of the building. He walks directly to the protesters still camped outside.

Jeremy: I've got some information for you guys.

Herman breaks away from the group and walks over to Jeremy.

Herman: Thanks, man. What have you got?

Jeremy: Nothing. Well, not really nothing. Actually, there is some substance to the story, but not what-

Herman: What is it?

Jeremy: We have Blackwell on a cassette tape admitting he shot the deer-

Herman: That's all we needed to know.

Jeremy: Hold on. Blackwell also said that the crew was there with him, but there is no visual evidence of it occurring.

Herman: So they didn't tape it.

Jeremy: No. I've gone on one of these trips before. They tape everything outdoors from beginning to end. There were no signs of editing or any hints or references to it happening.

Herman: You've participated in the production of this show?

Jeremy: Just one time.

Herman: Get out of my face.

Herman starts walking away.

Jeremy: Wait! I threw up during my time there! I had to be treated at a hospital! I still agree with you!

Herman joins the remaining protesters, and their chants become louder.

Jeremy: The story isn't true! You were passed false information! You're being used to make a story out of nothing!

Herman throws down his protest sign and angrily walks over to Jeremy.

Herman: You better have proof, nerd-boy.

Jeremy: Blackwell says he has their heads mounted on the wall. I was able to research and find evidence that he had purchased those trophies at an on-line auction. He didn't poach deer. He didn't shoot any animal of any kind. He was only successful at fishing, and that was only catch-and-release.

Herman: So, you're saying that we're being used?

Jeremy: You're fueling a story that is nonexistent.

Herman cringes and grits his teeth.

Herman: Damn it.

Jeremy: Listen, you need to keep protesting. Keep protesting against the show. Just drop the allegations against Blackwell.

Herman: No. We're being used to help create a controversy for your network. They're upstairs laughing at us right now.

Jeremy: They're not laughing-

Herman: We started petitioning your advertising sponsors, and this poaching was our strongest point! If it's untrue, then we have nothing much to say to these sponsors. We never got a response until we told them of these allegations.

Jeremy: I'm sorry-

Herman: Your network has denied us requests for meetings. All of our letters and phone calls have gone unanswered. We thought we were making progress with your sponsors, but all that's going to happen is that we're going to be called a bunch of crackpots and crazies.

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Dan is sitting in his office as Bobbi enters.

Bobbi: I talked with Rob.

Dan: About?

Bobbi: About coming to the set. You hounded me about it, remember?

Dan: Oh yeah.

Bobbi: I asked him about dropping by, and he said he would love to and he's looking forward to it.

Dan: I'm glad he's looking forward to meeting me.

Bobbi: I never mentioned you.

Dan: Why?

Bobbi: Because I know you, Dan.

Dan: What was I going to do? Threaten the President?

Bobbi: I know you have your political affiliations.

Dan: I'll admit I do belong to a political party.

Bobbi: And you attend these banquets where you pay $1000 a plate.

Dan: It was $500 a plate, and I enjoy hearing the viewpoints of people who have been elected to serve me.

Bobbi: Your so-called "chit-chat" with Rob would turn into a political debate.

Dan: It would not.

Bobbi: You would talk with him and want some explanations on certain policies.

Dan: I am concerned that a fifteen year-old stealing a bicycle could get a harsher sentence than some of these corporate executives committing fraud.

Bobbi: I think I'm going to have Rob stop by on your night off.

Bobbi starts to leave.

Dan: Wait, wait. Just wait a second.

Bobbi stops and turns around.

Bobbi: What do you have to say now?

Dan: Okay. I just wanted it to be known that I am a taxpayer.

Bobbi: And so am I.

Dan: Technically, the money I pay to fund the federal government, technically, makes the government my employee.

Bobbi: You and 200 million other people pay taxes, Dan.

Bobbi turns around and leaves. Dan follows her through the newsroom.

Dan: And I think it is our right as taxpayers that the government should once in a while listen to their people, who are essentially their constituents.

Bobbi: He's not coming here for political debate, Dan.

Dan: You can't ignore the fact that corporations are putting money into the coffers of these politicians while us working-class citizens are left with nothing when these corporate giants engage in wrong-doing.

Bobbi: Do you think you can give a convincing argument for reform, and then have Rob snap his fingers to make it better?

Dan: I don't expect change overnight. I expect progress. My sister-in-law lost her job because of a corporate collapse, and someone has to be held accountable for their greed and illegal actions.

The two finally stop walking just outside of the control room.

Bobbi: I heard about your convincing argument last night, Dan.

Dan: What argument?

Bobbi: Trying to get your stripper to give up her profession.

Dan: Hey, that was something totally different.

Bobbi: If you're going to accost a stripper, I'm sure not going to give you the opportunity to meet Rob.

Dan throws his hands in the air as Bobbi turns and walks away.

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Isaac is sitting at his desk as Jeremy walks into his office.

Jeremy: You wanted to see me, sir.

Isaac: Sit down, Jeremy.

Jeremy sits in front of Isaac's desk as Isaac gets up and walks over to his window.

Jeremy: If this is about J.B. Blackwell-

Isaac: It is.

Jeremy: I can explain.

Isaac: There are allegations that you are supplying information to the protesters outside of the building. Also, Marcus has said that you are interfering with his story. I know you have strong convictions about this Jeremy-

Jeremy: The story is a hoax.

Isaac: Excuse me?

Jeremy: Blackwell didn't shoot any deer.

Isaac: Marcus says he has evidence to the contrary.

Jeremy: Blackwell was embellishing his story. Sir, Bob Shoemaker and the network has denied it ever happened. On audio tape, Blackwell said he was having the deer heads stuffed and mounted as trophies.

Isaac: You heard this on tape?

Jeremy: Yes, sir, but there is more-

Isaac: Jeremy, what am I going to do with you?

Kim rushes into the office.

Kim: Isaac?! The protesters have started breaking the windows downstairs!

Isaac, Jeremy, and Kim rush out of the office.

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Outside, Jeremy hurries through broken glass on the sidewalk. A group of police officers are arresting and scuffling with the protesters.

Two officers are holding Herman to the ground as the officers struggle to get handcuffs onto the squirming protester.

Jeremy and Herman make eye-contact.

Herman: You did this, you bastard! You want your story?! Well, you've got your story!

Jeremy looks helpless as the two officers pick up and throw Herman into a paddy wagon. Herman is the last of the protesters to be put inside of a vehicle. Onlookers watch the officers clear the scene. Jeremy just watches the paddy wagon pull away. He can see Herman looking out the window and glaring directly at him.

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Isaac is walking through the newsroom. Dan meets up and keeps pace with him.

Dan: Hey, Isaac.

Isaac: Good afternoon, Daniel.

Dan: I've got a problem.

Isaac: You and me both.

Dan: I'm having problems writing my commencement address at Dartmouth for this weekend.

Isaac: I have protesters creating a riot downstairs, a reporter producing a story which isn't true, one producer doing investigative reporting behind my back, another producer thinking of leaving, and another producer that I'm going to have to... well, never mind.

Dan: That's a lot on your plate, Isaac.

Isaac: You bet.

The two continue walking down the corridor toward Isaac's office.

Isaac: By the way, I heard about your little incident.

Dan: Uh... which one?

Isaac: There's more than one?

Dan: Which one are you referring to?

Isaac: Chris' bachelor party.

Dan: Word gets around quickly.

Isaac: We work for a news organization. I would certainly hope so.

The two walk into Isaac's office.

Dan: I was only doing what I thought was best.

Isaac: Dressing a young lady as she was taking her clothes off.

Dan: Well, what do you think about it?

Isaac: I have concerns about you and the lady.

Dan: I thought I was helping her by suggesting that she doesn't need to do that for a living.

Isaac: In the middle of a routine?

Dan: How would you have handled it?

Isaac: I would have left the room.

Dan: So, you wouldn't have said anything to her?

Isaac: I didn't say that. I am merely suggesting that if I didn't agree with what was happening, I would leave the room. If enough people are willing to stop watching, then the performers will be forced to choose a new profession.

Dan: But people think it's degrading.

Isaac: And some people think some of these art gallery paintings are offensive and degrading.

Dan: That's... that's an expression of art. They have a right...

Dan thinks about it for a moment.

Dan: I know where you are going with this.

Isaac: Good.

Dan: But Isaac-

Isaac: It's all right to disagree with certain things. People protest certain shows or exhibits. People object to professions they consider degrading. You have to consider that the people who do these shows or are in these professions just may have a different viewpoint that yours. It's all right to disagree, as long as you respect their opinion.

Dan: Okay.

Isaac: You said you have a problem with your speech.

Dan: Yes.

Isaac: What is it?

Dan: I am having a difficult time deciding on what to say. This is my chance to give a lasting impression on these kids, and I would regret having them influenced by my actions and not by my words.

Isaac: Do you have a criminal record?

Dan: I've never been accused of or charged with a felony.

Isaac: But you feel that you need to be a role model for these graduates to follow.

Dan: This is my alma mater. This is a big deal. I've obviously made a good impression with the faculty and administration for them to ask me to make this address. I don't want to disappoint them.

Isaac: Be honest with them.

Dan: Isaac-

Isaac: You've made mistakes. I'm sure you've kept certain values as you've experienced life after graduation.

Dan: There's a lot I want to say.

Isaac: How long ago did you graduate?

Dan: Almost ten years.

Isaac: And you were thrilled when you finally received your diploma.

Dan: Of course, I worked extremely hard to earn that diploma.

Isaac: You can just focus on that. Focus on what you felt, and let them know how they can translate that hard work and success in the work place and, most importantly, life.

Dan: Okay.

Dan begins to leave the office.

Isaac: Daniel?

Dan: Yes, sir.

Isaac: And keep it under fifteen minutes. Any more time, and they'll despise you for it.

Dan begins to laugh as he leaves the office.