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Dan casually walks down the corridor toward Isaac's office. He grabs part of the door frame and peeks inside to find Isaac reading paperwork behind his desk. Dan knocks on the door frame.

Isaac: Yeah?

Dan: You wanted to see me, Isaac?

Isaac: Yeah.

Dan walks inside and spots Isaac's tennis racket sitting in a chair. Dan picks it up.

Dan: If you're looking for a doubles partner, let me first tell you that I do not own a tennis racket.

Isaac: Everyone seems to be fascinated with this tennis racket.

Dan slowly takes a backhand swing with the racket.

Dan: A tennis racket can be considered an unusual gift.

Isaac: To whom?

Dan: An ice fisherman, just to name one.

Isaac: Yeah.

Dan: You got balls?

Isaac: Excuse me?

Dan: Tennis balls.

Isaac: You're trying to fluster me with your middle-school humor.

Dan: Maybe. I'm just trying to figure something out.

Isaac: What's that?

Dan: The message.

Isaac: What message?

Dan: The one which came with the tennis racket.

Isaac: The card included read, "Best wishes to you in your future endeavors."

Dan spots something sitting in the corner of his office. Dan walks toward it.

Dan: That's all the card said.

Isaac: Yeah.

Dan leans over and picks up a can.

Dan: Tennis balls.

Isaac: Yeah.

Dan opens the can, takes one ball out, and begins to bounce the ball on the racket- pretending it's a game of paddle ball.

Dan: Obviously, this "Little B," knew you used to play tennis.

Isaac: Of course he did. I used to play with his father. Would you stop with that?

Dan: Stop with what?

Isaac: Bouncing that ball around.

Dan: I'm in complete control.

Dan walks around the room and continues to bounce the tennis ball off the racket.

Isaac: Daniel, there are many breakable things in this room, including your future, which will be shattered if you lose control of that ball.

Dan grabs the ball with his free hand.

Dan: Okay. So what did you wish to talk about?

Isaac: Your future.

Dan: Which would have been shattered if I lost control of the ball.

Isaac: Yeah. Danny, have you ever thought about doing something else? Have you ever thought of doing something other than "Sports Night"?

Dan sets the tennis ball on Isaac's desk.

Dan: Everyday.

Isaac sits up in his chair.

Isaac: Really.

Dan: Yeah.

Isaac: Would you mind sharing-

Dan: I'd be a shortstop for the Orioles.

Isaac: You'd be a shortstop for the Orioles?

Dan: The starting shortstop.

Isaac: I see.

Dan: I envision myself following in the footsteps of Ripken.

Isaac: You do realize it's a little late to be trying to make a major league professional team.

Dan: I guess its a good thing I have this job.

Dan takes a baseball swing with the racket.

Isaac: Good thing.

Dan: Either be a shortstop or an ice fisherman.

Isaac: Okay.

Dan stops playing with the racket and sets it back in the chair.

Dan: I suppose the results of this meeting will be a progression of the upcoming changes.

Isaac: That's why I asked you here.

Dan takes a deep breath.

Dan: Is this about me and Bobbi? If it is, things have started to cool down from a few weeks ago.

Isaac: It's not about you and Bobbi.

Dan: I know we had a blowup which partially made it on air, and I understand why you may have concerns about the future of our working relationship-

Isaac: It's one of many concerns.

Dan: I assure you it is something we can overcome.

Isaac: I believe you. I also believe you are assigned to do a weekly college basketball game once the network picks up more games starting in January.

Dan: Yeah. Doing a weekly game from January through March can be a bit of a hassle.

Isaac: How would you like it if you didn't have to do those games?

Dan: I can easily live with that.

Isaac: I was thinking of talking to the executives to see if they could spare you for this coming season.

Dan: That would be fine.

Isaac: Good.

Dan: Unless you're saying I'm not capable of announcing these games.

Isaac: You do a fine job.

Dan: Because I thought I did a superb job this past season.

Isaac: Yes, you did.

Dan: You said I was fine.

Isaac: I did.

Dan: You said I was fine right before you said I was superb.

Isaac: You're finely superb or superbly fine. Take it either way.

Dan: If I relinquish college basketball, what other assignment would you like me to do?

Isaac: I would like for you to concentrate solely on "Sports Night."

Dan: Okay. I can do that.

Isaac: Hand me that racket.

Dan grabs the tennis racket and hands it over to Isaac. Isaac checks the string tension and other features as he speaks to Dan.

Isaac: I used to play tennis every week. David and I would go down to this little concrete court and play a few sets.

Dan: Would you two play in front of a crowd?

Isaac: If you consider passers-by and frolicking birds a crowd.

Dan: Okay.

Isaac: David always had the latest racket design. He always had a new pair of tennis shoes in the latest and greatest style. He used to feel having the best shoes and equipment would give himself an advantage over everybody.

Dan: But I'm sure you proved him wrong.

Isaac: When we played in our little competitions, I rarely won. David said he won frequently because his equipment made him a better player. If he only paid attention to his own game, he would have seen he was a more talented player. He also never studied his opponent- whether it be in tennis or in business. He always concentrated on having the latest and greatest equipment.

Dan: So you think this gift was "Little B" saying his new network is going to beat this network because they have better equipment.

Isaac: When I played tennis, I was very reckless. I didn't play with discipline, and over the time we played my game showed minimal improvement.

Isaac sets his tennis racket on his desk.

Isaac: This racket isn't saying they have more talent and better equipment. It's a reminder of how I used to lack discipline. It's a reminder how this network has shown minimal improvement. It's a reminder saying they are going to beat me.

Dan: Us. It's a reminder saying they are going to beat us.

Isaac: You're right.

Dan: Bobbi and I will work out our differences.

Isaac: Yeah.

Dan begins to leave.

Dan: We're here, Isaac, and we've got your back. We may not have the better equipment, but we have the better talent.

Isaac: Go do our show.

Dan leaves the office.

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Dan and Casey are walking down a crowded sidewalk during lunch hour. Everybody's visible breaths indicate it's still cold, even though the sunshine and clear skies give a false indication of warmer weather.

Dan: You don't need all those people. You could just set up several tripods and have a camera on each of them.

Casey: Danny.

Dan: They have those remote controls, so you could sit at the anchor desk and press 'pause' and 'record' and 'pause' whenever you want to change shots.

Casey: You're making light of my situation.

Dan: Instead of graphics, you could get some poster boards and magic markers and make your own signs.

Dan raises his arms and pretends to hold an invisible sign.

Casey: I could write a message like, "Danny is a doofus.".

Dan: You'd not only be insulting me, but a nation full of men named, "Danny."

Casey: Right now, I would be happy with that.

Dan: Plus, I'm sure all their mothers would be offended. Fathers, too.

Casey: It's a live broadcast. I can do whatever I want.

Dan: Considering your network allows swearing and nudity on some of its shows, I'd think you'd be able to fit right in. I do ask that you refrain from stripping down to your underwear because some of us may be offended.

Casey: Hey, some women find me very attractive.

Dan: Like for instance, this Alexis woman.

Casey: I took care of that situation with her. We're straight on where our relationship needs to be. I even used your colors of the rainbow. All I was missing was a pot of gold and a leprechaun.

Dan: So she is convinced there is absolutely no chance you will ever sleep with her?

Casey: Danny!

Dan: You gave her the color scheme which included absolutely no prospects for sex?

Casey: Yes, we are crystal clear in that we will have a strict, neutral, professional relationship.

Dan: Good.

Casey: Thank you.

Dan stops walking while Casey continues moving forward.

Dan: Where are you going?

Casey stops, turns around, and finds Dan pointing at the building next to him.

Casey: Yeah.

Casey walks back to Dan.

Dan: This is your building, your workplace.

Casey: Yes, I am aware of that.

Dan: You could have kept walking until you reached another borough.

Casey: (sarcastic) Thank god you were here to stop me, Danny. Thank god for you.

Dan: Good luck with your show tonight.

Casey: Thanks.

Casey proceeds to enter the building.

-----

Bobbi carries a clipboard loosely as she walks through the newsroom. She spots Elliott and heads toward him.

Bobbi: Here's the rest of my copy for this evening's broadcast.

Bobbi hands the clipboard over to Elliott.

Elliott: Thanks.

Bobbi: I made the changes Dana requested, so please make a note.

Elliott: Thanks. I'll pass it along.

Elliott and Bobbi head their separate ways.

Bobbi continues her trek through the newsroom. As she passes by Dan's office, she takes a quick peek. She sees Dan completely focused and working on the final touches to his script. Bobbi walks down the corridor toward Isaac's office. Along the way, she bumps into Dana.

Bobbi: Dana, I made the changes you requested on my script.

Dana: Great. Thanks so much, Bobbi. You know, I have a good feeling about tonight's show. Don't you have a good feeling?

Bobbi: Yes, I have a good feeling.

Dana takes a second glance at Bobbi.

Dana: You changed your hair. It looks really good.

Bobbi: Thank you.

Dana: The rundown is in 45 minutes. I have a good feeling about tonight.

The two depart with Dana heading toward the newsroom and Bobbi once again heading toward Isaac's office.

As Bobbi reaches the outside of Isaac's office, she straightens her business suit. She sees Isaac watching a tape playing on a television against the back wall. She knocks on his open door. Isaac turns around.

Isaac: Bobbi.

Bobbi: Isaac. I've given it some thought, and I've made a decision.

Isaac: Come in.

Isaac stops the tape as Bobbi closes the door to his office.