Disclaimer

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"One minute VTR, two minutes live."

Dave alerts everyone of the time as the crew calmly works inside the control room. Tina Lake is on a monitor. She is going over her shot sheet as Alyson, the makeup artist, applies a few last minute touches.

Dana: (into mic) How's it going, Tina?

Tina: Everything is great.

On another monitor, Dan is dressed in a tuxedo on his remote set. Dan is going over some last minute notes.

Dana: (into mic) Danny, how are you doing?

Dan continues to read his notes.

Dana: (into mic) Danny?

Dan looks up and talks to someone off his set.

Dan: We're pretty close to broadcast, aren't we? How much time is left?

Dana: Dave?

Dave: Ninety seconds.

Dana: (into mic) Danny? Ninety seconds.

Dan: Does anybody know how much time? I haven't heard anything.

Dana: Oh no. Guys?!

Will: Everything is reading fine from here.

Chris: I'm not reporting any problems.

Dana: (into mic) Danny? Danny, can you hear me?

Natalie: (into mic) Somebody get a hold of the truck. Danny seems to be having a problem with our connection here.

Dan winks and points toward the camera.

Dan: Gotcha'.

Dana: You! (into mic) You're going to pay dearly, Daniel.

Dan: I've got to keep my street cred when it comes to playing jokes.

Jeremy: Street cred?

Natalie: Let it go.

Dana: (into mic) Bobbi? Talk to me.

Bobbi Bernstein appears on another monitor. She stands along ringside holding a microphone in her hand.

Bobbi: You're coming in loud and clear.

Dave: Roll VTR. 60 seconds live.

The taped introduction begins.

Dana: Good show, everybody.

Natalie: Good show.

Kim: Good show.

Elliott: Good show.

Will: Good show.

Chris: Good show.

Dave: Good show.

Jeremy: Good show. Let's make some history.

Dana: (into mic) Ted and Ray? Talk to me.

On another monitor, the ring announcers are standing by.

Ted: We're ready.

Ray: Let's get this going.

Dana and Natalie grab each other's hand, and they show each other that they have their fingers crossed.

Dana: Give me the cameras in succession.

Chris and Will begin displaying the different camera angles. The main angle, an angle from each corner, an angle from above displaying a beer logo in the center of the ring, four angles displaying the crowd, a view of the ring announcers, a view of Bobbi Bernstein besides the ring, a view inside the locker room of Hector Rivera, a view inside the locker room of T.J. Clay, a view of inside the ring, a view of the press conference area, and finally, a view of Dan on his set.

"Good show, everybody."

Everybody looks to see Isaac standing at the back of the control room.

Dave: Coming to Dan in 5, 4, 3, 2...

The introduction ends and Dan appears on the live feed monitor.

Dan: (on-air) Well, the moment of anticipation has finally arrived. The Continental Sports Channel brings you the heavyweight championship of the world. I'm Dan Rydell live from Atlantic City. Hector Rivera, with a record of 42 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw defends his title against the second-rank contender, T.J. Clay, with a record of 24 wins and 1 defeat. Take a look live inside the two respective locker rooms. The men quietly prepare themselves for battle, which is tentatively scheduled to begin two hours from now. Before that, we have two fabulous undercard fights to take place. First, let me introduce you to our two ringside announcers, Ted Corcoran and the former lightweight champion of the world, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. Take it away guys.

Ted and Ray begin to discuss the championship bout.

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Tina is in the midst of her sports update.

Tina: (on-air) With the Red Sox signing two prized free agents within three days, hopes of a baseball championship are raised even further for the fans from Fenway.

Turning to the NBA, there are three games set to tip-off out on the West Coast, the Lakers host the Timberwolves, the Sonics host the Pistons, and the Sacramento Kings are playing at the Golden State Warriors. We'll give you updates on those scores after the second round of the heavyweight championship. When we come back, Dan Rydell and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini will be giving you some final thoughts and analysis. Rivera and Clay are ready to emerge from their locker rooms. You're watching CSC's coverage of the heavyweight championship of the world. We'll be right back.

Dave: We're out. Two minutes back.

Dana: Great. How's everybody holding up?

The crew gives a positive response.

Dana: We've done great through the undercards and four features. Let's keep up the good work.

Dana pulls back her headset and leans toward Isaac.

Dana: What do you think?

Isaac: A-game, without a doubt.

Dana nods her head and goes back to her position.

Just outside of the newsroom, there is a knock on the control room door. Elliott walks over and curiously opens the door. Michael is standing in the doorway.

Elliott: Uh, Natalie?

Natalie looks over and is surprised to see Michael.

Natalie: You're here? Already?

Michael: I'm here for you like I told you, lamb chop.

Natalie removes her headset as Dana leans over to her.

Dana: (whispering) Take care of it, Natalie.

Michael: I thought you were on at 11.

Natalie walks over to Michael.

Natalie: Tonight is the heavyweight championship. We started at 8. We've been preparing this for months.

Michael: Do you mind if I watch?

Natalie: We can place you in the green room.

Michael: How about I watch it in here? If nobody minds.

Isaac: I mind.

Natalie gestures over her shoulder toward Isaac.

Natalie: He's the boss. He makes the rules.

Michael: I guess I'll settle for the green room.

Isaac: Please take care of it and escort him, Natalie.

Natalie: Come on. Let's go.

Natalie grabs Michael by the hand and leads him toward the green room.

A visibly angry Isaac is distracted by Dana.

Dana: She'll be fine. We talked earlier, and Natalie will be fine.

Isaac: I don't appreciate it when people show disrespect.

Dana: Natalie can handle her own. She'll be back down here, and everything will run smoothly.

Jeremy: I could punch him out, if you would like.

Isaac looks at Jeremy and laughs.

Isaac: Jeremy, the champion of vigilante justice.

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Natalie has a hold of Michael's hand as they run into the green room.

Michael: What's the hurry?

Natalie: I've got to get back to the control room.

Michael: Your boss told you to bring me here.

Natalie: I've got to get back, and I need you to stay here.

Michael: But I need to talk with you.

Natalie: It's going to have to be later.

Natalie leaves Michael behind inside the green room.

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Back inside the control room.

Dave: Back to Dan in 10.

Kim listens closely to her headset.

Kim: There's a problem.

Dana: What's the problem?

Kim: Ray is doing his analysis from ringside, correct?

Dana: Yes.

Kim: There's a problem on the set.

Dana: (into mic) What's going on, Danny?

Dave: In 5.

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Dan sits at the tiny anchor desk and looks confused as to Dana's question.

"Sorry I'm late, Casey. Nobody gave me directions, and I had to dig out this tux from my closet."

Dan is horrified to see who is sitting next to him.

Dave: 3, 2...

As the broadcast comes back from commercial, Dan is awestruck with fear for a second. He notices the red light above the camera and changes over to "show mode."

Dan: (on-air) Welcome back. We are just moments away from the introductions, so we will get our last second analysis from our ringside commentator, Ray-

"It is an honor and a privilege to be here in this great land they call Atlantic City, where I am told the slot machines are hot, and the women are even hotter."

Dan: (on-air) And we just happen to be joined by Chuck Kimmel.

Chuck: (on-air) It may be 35 degrees outside, but the coolest place is inside this arena, which I am told was built over the remains of the former teamster president, Al Capone.

Dana begins to freak out inside the control room.

Dana: Oh my god! I'm going to kill him! (into mic) Kill him, Danny! Kill him!

Dan: (on-air) Chuck.

Chuck: (on-air) Great movie on his life, especially when he drops the orange at the conclusion of "Godfather III."

Dan: (on-air) Chuck.

Chuck: (on-air) He should have won the Emmy Award for that performance.

Dan: (on-air) Cut Man!

Cut Man: (on-air) Yeah?

Dan: (on-air) Do you... uh... have any analysis of the fight?

Cut Man: (on-air) I sure do, Casey. I read where this is going to be the fight of the century. And I'll tell you that this will certainly be the fight of the century.

Dana: (into mic) Reach over and strangle him! Ring his neck!

Dan: (on-air) Any idea who might win tonight?

Cut Man: (on-air) The next heavyweight champion of the world.

Dan: (on-air) So you believe T.J. Clay will win the title.

Cut Man: (on-air) Only if he isn't knocked out by the unbelievable right hand of Luis Rivera.

Dan: (on-air) That's Hector Rivera.

Cut Man: (on-air) Hector Rivera also has an unbelievable right hand, but I believe Luis is the better fighter. Who do you think is going to win, Casey?

Dan: (on-air) It's Dan.

Cut Man: (on-air) I hate to correct you on your own show, Casey, but didn't Dan just get knocked out in the last fight?

Dan: (on-air) That would be Dan Johnson on the undercard.

Cut Man: (on-air) I can't see how you would predict Dan to win the title, unless there is some rule change to allow three boxers in the ring at the same time.

Dan: (on-air) Look, and not a moment too soon, it appears the fighters are ready to emerge from their locker rooms. Let's go to the ring announcer.

Dana is banging her head on the control room panel, as the live feed shows the ring announcer introducing the fighters.

Dana: Somebody please open a window.

Jeremy: It's 35 degrees outside.

Dana: I'm just going to throw myself out of it right now.

Back on the remote set...

Dan: What are you doing here?!

Cut Man: It was funny how you hid the directions on how to get here. Heh, heh. You're very funny, Casey. But I forgive you because I am very much the kidder myself, you kidder you.

Dan: Listen. You are not supposed to be here.

Cut Man: But I haven't figured out how you kept the network from reaching me by telephone or by mail. You are what we call a master kidder, Casey. You are very good at your craft, and I salute you.

Dan: You are supposed to be nowhere near the set.

Cut Man: I'm supposed to be somewhere else?

Dan: Yes. Somewhere far, far away from here.

A security guard finally appears.

Dan: Finally.

Cut Man: So you are saying I was never supposed to be on this set?

Dan: Yes.

Cut Man: Well, I must say we did a great job of just putting this together on a whim. You are an excellent broadcaster, Casey.

Dan: Whatever. Yeah, yeah. Here's someone to take you where you need to go.

Cut Man: Great. Where are we going?

The security guard quietly escorts Chuck "The Cut Man" Kimmel from the set.