| Indiscretions |
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A packed stadium is watching a football game. The majority of the crowd is dressed in variations of crimson, white, and light blue. A college band is seated in a section, and they play a tune between plays.
Casey walks down the steps to a section near the field. The crowd jumps up and starts cheering. Casey comes to the bottom of the steps, and he squeezes his way down a packed row of fans. He comes to an empty seat and folds the seat down. A middle-aged man in the seat next to Casey reaches over and shakes his hand.
Man: Glad you could make it here, son. Great seats, huh?
Casey: They're wonderful seats. Right next to the field. I can see all the action.
The crowd cheers over another good play for the home team.
Man: Our boys are looking mighty good in the first quarter today.
Casey: Yes, they are Mr. Barnes.
Mr. Barnes: You can call me Chuck.
Casey: Okay, Chuck.
Chuck: Is it all right if I call you Casey?
Casey: You can call me whatever you like, Chuck.
Chuck: All righty, Casey. (jumps up with the rest of the crowd) Go. Go! Go! GO!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!
The crowd celebrates as a touchdown is scored.
Chuck: Our boys are looking good today! Yes-siree!
Casey: They're up twenty to nothing against Northwestern State.
Chuck: We'll move up in the rankings this week.
Casey: You know the funny thing about Northwestern State? It is not to be confused with Northwestern University, which is in Illinois.
The crowd cheers again.
Chuck: Yeah! Extra point makes it twenty-one zip.
Casey: And one would logically think that Northwestern State would be located in the northwestern part of the United States, but it's not there either.
Chuck: It's in Louisiana, son.
Casey: Right. And if you were to look up Central Louisiana, one would logically think it's in central Louisiana. And one would find it right here in central Louisiana.
Chuck: What are you talking about, son?
Casey: I'm just trying to make idle conversation.
Chuck: Well, I didn't come here to learn geography, Casey.
Casey: Right.
Chuck and Casey watch the game. The crowd gets up once again.
Chuck: Tackle him, you sonuva bitch!
The crowd cheers.
Chuck: Yeah! Got them pinned inside the ten-yard line!
Casey: I admire your enthusiasm for your team. In fact, the fans here are great.
Chuck: We live and die for Saturday afternoons in the fall.
Casey: I do the same thing for my alma mater, only we've been doing a lot more dying than living.
Chuck: That's why this town backs our boys so much.
Casey: It's a wonderful college atmosphere.
The crowd cheers again as the Central Louisiana defense makes a stop.
Casey: I think you could give the crowds in any of the major conferences a run for their money.
Chuck: I appreciate you coming down here to do a feature on us.
Casey: The Central Louisiana Legionnaire. Your battle from obscurity in Division I-AA, to entering Division I-A, to becoming a pretty good college football team.
Chuck: We only want good things coming from our boys.
Casey: Yeah.
Chuck: And I'm glad you've talked with everybody so far.
Casey: Yeah.
The crowd cheers once again.
Chuck: But I hear you've been talking with a lot of people.
Casey: I've talked with Coach Fontenot, several players, the athletics director, the assistant athletic director, the school president, the town mayor, and now I get to talk with you, Chuck Barnes, the head of the athletic association and booster club.
Chuck: I hear you've been talking with more people. (pause) Big third down here.
Casey: Well, I have to get background information on the program. There isn't much documented, so I have to go around and interview people.
The crowd cheers, but looks concerned.
Chuck: Good stop. Uh-oh.
Casey looks onto the field with everybody else.
Chuck: It looks like one of our boys is hurt.
The crowd continues to stand as trainers run out onto the field to tend to the injured player.
Casey: It looks like it's his right leg.
Chuck: I think he sprained an ankle.
Casey: And you've got some great medical accommodations here also. Not to mention the state-of-the-art practice fields and training facilities.
Chuck: This town loves and takes care of our boys.
Casey: It's been something to see.
Chuck: And when one of our boys is hurt or in trouble, we always come to their aid.
Casey: Uh... yeah.
Chuck: Like right now, you come into town to do a story on us.
Casey: What's your point?
Chuck: My point is this, Casey. You've been talking with some people- some people of questionable character. People who would like to see nothing more than to bring down this honored program.
Casey: I've talked with a lot of people.
Chuck: Yes, you have. And just to make sure you've talked with the right people, I'm having a packet delivered to your hotel room.
Casey: Why couldn't you give it to me here, Chuck?
Chuck: Well, it's not the gentlemanly way to bring someone's dirty laundry to a public event like this here.
Casey looks at Chuck.
Casey: Are you threatening me?
Chuck: I'm not threatening you, son. I'm just reminding you that as a good reporter, you need to get all of the facts. And as a reporter on your own show, I'm sure you have the highest credentials.
Casey: Right.
Chuck: So when you said you cheer for your alma mater, you meant because you went to that school.
Casey: Yeah.
Chuck: Not because you graduated from there.
Casey stares at Chuck as the crowd begins clapping as the injured player is helped off the field.
Chuck: Our boy is going to be okay. You'll be okay, son!
Casey: You're saying that you have some information on me.
Chuck: I'm saying that when one of our boys is hurt or in trouble, we always come to their aid.
Casey: Are you attempting blackmail me?
Chuck: No, I wouldn't blackmail you. I'm just saying that we could do a friendly exchange- a trade of certain goods.
Casey: A trade.
Chuck: Yes, son. I hear you've got certain information that could be detrimental to our program, while I am in possession of certain information that could be detrimental to your career.
Casey: But you are sending a copy of it to my hotel room.
Chuck: Just to remind you. Just like you, we can also be very thorough, Casey.
Casey: I see.
Chuck: If the story about our boys is negative in nature, then I'm afraid the information I possess may have to come out.
Casey: And if I do a completely positive and uplifting story?
Chuck: Then your past will remain in the past.
The crowd jumps up and starts cheering as Casey glares at Chuck.
Chuck: Yeah! YEAH!!! Helluva hit, son! Helluva hit!
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Dana is leaving her office. She is wearing her reading glasses and carrying a hard-cover folder as she walks down the corridor. From behind, Natalie races up to meet Dana. Natalie looks happy as she clutches her clipboard. The two walk toward the newsroom.
Natalie: Guess what?
Dana: We've got a rundown.
Natalie: Besides that.
Dana: They've canceled all the college football games today.
Natalie: No.
Dana: Well, we've still got a busy day ahead of us.
Natalie: I finally heard from him.
Dana: Michael?
Natalie: Yes, and you know what?
Dana: He'd doing fine.
Natalie: He's doing fine.
Dana: It was what- nine days?
Natalie: Yes, but I finally heard from my man.
Dana: You know... did he give an explanation why he took so long to get back with you?
Natalie: No explanation.
Dana: And you're fine.
Natalie: I am fine.
Dana: You know a good coma story wouldn't have hurt.
Dana and Natalie enter the conference room. Dan, Bobbi, Sam, Chris, Will, and Dave are seated at the table. Jeremy and Elliott are entering the conference room through the other entrance. The two of them take their seats along the wall.
Dana: Okay, let's get started here.
Natalie and Dana take their seats.
Dana: Item one- we've got a lot of games going on today, so we'll need to keep everything short and sweet. We'll only have longer segments on baseball games involving the pennant races and wild-card berths.
Dan: The Tigers' Miguel Nunez is pitching a no-hitter.
Dana: Is the game over?
Dan: No.
Dana: What inning?
Dan: The third.
Dana: Danny, at this point, we normally like to take notice after the sixth inning and make sure they pitch all nine innings.
Dan: I'm just saying that he's looked impressive.
Dana: Moving on.
Dan: Struck out the side in the first, and had another strikeout sandwiched between two groundouts.
Dana: We've got the Big 12 all in action today. Keep a close watch on Miami, Ohio State, and the SEC.
Jeremy: Penn State's Damian Rodgers has rushed for 134 yards in the first half.
Dana: That's good. Keep a close eye on it, Jeremy, and we'll see where we need to place it with the rest of the Big 10.
Jeremy: 6 catches for another 34 yards, returned a kickoff 47 yards, and he's already scored three touchdowns.
Dana: What's the score?
Jeremy: I don't know.
Dana: Okay. Moving on...
Isaac enters the conference room.
Isaac: I apologize everybody about me being late. The rundown completely slipped my mind.
Dana: No problem.
Natalie: So far we've got a game with 6 consecutive outs and a football player who's played a great first half.
Isaac: I think I'll just stand over here.
Sam: This is the next-to-last day of competition of the Ryder Cup.
Dana: We're going to have to move it to the three block.
Sam: Move it from where?
Dana: The top of the show. But still tease it in the intro.
Bobbi: Got it.
Dana: Chris, Will? Make sure graphics has the current logo for Maryland.
Chris: Which one is that?
Will: It's the mean one.
Dana: It's the menacing turtle, not the "I'm so happy" turtle.
Chris: It's a terrapin.
Will: Can turtles be menacing?
Chris: It's a terrapin.
Elliott: There's a snapping turtle.
Chris: It's a terrapin.
Dana: Okay, people. That's about it. Most of the games are underway, and keep an eye on the LC wire so we can spotlight any spectacular performances.
Jeremy: Like Damian Rodgers.
Dan: Hey, Jeremy. You've got something caught on your chin.
Everyone watches Jeremy as he starts wiping his goatee.
Jeremy: Did I get it?
Dan: Yeah.
Jeremy: What was it?
Dan: A flock of seagulls.
Dana: That's it. We'll meet back here a 6.
Everyone gets up from the table and starts leaving.
Dana walks over to Dan.
Dana: Could I have a word with you?
Dan: Sure.
Isaac notices Dana and Dan staying behind inside the conference room as the other people clear out.
Isaac: Everything all right?
Dana: Everything's fine, Isaac.
Isaac is the last one leaving the room. Dana sits at the head of the table while Dan continues to stand.
Dan: Dana- before you get started, I just wanted to say that the Nunez no-hitter was meant to lighten up the meeting. In no way was it meant-
Dana: That's not my concern.
Dan: Something else is bothering you?
Dana: Yes.
Dan: I don't think my performances have been waning over the last few months, so if the ratings decline-
Dana: This isn't about the show.
Dan: It isn't?
Dana: No.
Dan: Is it about me?
Dana: No.
Dan sits at the table.
Dan: Well, I'm just perplexed as to why you need to speak with me.
Dana: How's Casey doing?
Dan looks even more perplexed.
Dan: Fine.
Dana: Has he said anything recently about his travels?
Dan: Nothing I can recall-
Dana: Do you know where he is right now? Where he's been for the last three days?
Dan: Is this another Natalie-Michael situation where one person doesn't let the other know how things are going?
Dana: I've spoken with Casey. I spoke with him this morning.
Dan: And it never came up in conversation about Casey's whereabouts?
Dana: It never came up.
Dan: Dana-
Dana: Actually, it did come up, but Casey didn't want to tell me where he's been.
Dan: He might be working on a story for his show.
Dana: You don't think that Casey is seeing someone else, do you?
Dan: Casey?
Dana: Yes.
Dan: You're talking about Casey.
Dana: Yes.
Dan: The Casey I know and the Casey you know is the same Casey that stayed in a marriage long after it was over.
Dana: I know.
Dan: Then why would you ask such a thing?
Dana: It's just... it's just that I've been pulled in all directions. The network is telling me to do one thing, Sam is telling me another, Isaac is telling me another. And I've got Sally looking over my shoulder. I just... I just want some stability, and it's not happening when Casey is making these sudden secretive trips.
Dan: He's doing his job.
Dana: Are you sure?
Dan: Dana? I noticed he had eyes for you the moment we started working together in Dallas. He loves you.
Dana: I know.
Dan: Plus, he's under a lot of pressure with his show. It hasn't been getting the ratings they hoped.
Dana: I understand the pressure because I'm under the same pressure.
Dan: If it helps, the other day he came to me asking about some college infractions.
Dana: What infractions?
Dan: He wasn't specific. I assume they could be pretty serious.
Dana: And I know how discreet Casey can be. When Casey doesn't want you to know about something, he does a pretty good job of not letting you know.
Dan: Yeah.
Dana: Like for instance, I accidentally found out he's been receiving underwear in the mail. It's not like mail-order boxers and socks, it's actual women's underwear.
Dan: Uh, Dana?
Dana: And he never said anything to me about that. I just happened to find it by accident-
Dan: He never told you?
Dana: And I'm assuming that he never told you.
Dan: I sent him the underwear.
Dana: Wha... you sent him? You sent him underwear? You sent him women's underwear?
Dan: You make it sound twisted.
Dana: How is it supposed to sound?
Dan: It was meant as a joke. I pretended to be a fan, and I sent him some little souvenirs. It was in jest.
Dana looks uncomfortable.
Dana: Uh-hmm. Ah. Well, it was a joke. Hmmm. Well, Casey never told me. You would think he would have told me. You would think-
Dan: It was a joke.
Dana: Well, you could have certainly fooled me.
Dan: It looks like I did.
Dana: And, yes, you did.
Dan: He's working on a story.
Dana: Yeah.
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Casey is sitting on the bed inside his hotel room. He is on the telephone.
Casey (on phone): Hey, it's me. I'm going to be flying back in a couple of hours. (listens) Am I going to come right in and cut tape? Well, we need to talk about that. (listens and holds up some papers) I've got some information that might change some things. (listens) Yeah, it might change a lot of things.
