Disclaimer

-----

Casey knocks on the closed door to Alexis' office.

"Come in. Wait. Who is it?"

Casey: It's Casey.

Casey waits for an answer.

Casey: Alexis?

"Yeah. Come on in."

Casey opens the door and closes it behind him. Alexis sits behind her desk. He attempts to judge Alexis' mood before taking another step toward her desk.

Casey: It's about two hours until our broadcast, and I was thinking you may want to call a final rundown to make sure everything is in order.

Alexis: Sure.

Casey doesn't take another step forward as he senses a coldness coming from her.

Casey: I've done live television practically my whole life, so there is no need to worry about this broadcast. Everything looks to be in order, so there is no reason to worry or be nervous.

Alexis: I'm not worried.

Casey: Great.

Alexis: Everybody is on the same page.

Casey: Great.

Alexis: Which is surprising because we haven't always been on the same page.

Casey: That's not so great.

Alexis: When it comes to you and I, we have an understanding... actually, more than an understanding. We trust each other.

Casey: Yeah.

Alexis: And with that trust there comes an understanding that what's said in a particular setting should probably stay in that particular setting.

Casey doesn't like where the conversation is heading.

Alexis: Right?

Casey: Yes. What about that rundown meeting?

Alexis: I mean you're an attractive man, and I feel that I'm an attractive woman. Don't you view me as being attractive?

Alexis stands up.

Casey: Absolutely. You are a very attractive woman. Absolutely.

Alexis: So it could possibly be construed that two attractive people going out together would possibly - actually probably - want nothing more than to... let's say... "get it on," because that's what two attractive people do when they get together, right?

Casey lets out an uncomfortable laugh.

Casey: You know... this isn't the type of conversation I was expecting when I entered this room.

Alexis: But you said you've practically grown up doing live television. I would at least think that you would always be expecting the unexpected.

Casey: Look. You invited me over to your place for pot roast.

Alexis: Pork chops.

Casey: Still, you invited me over to your place. I even told you that I wasn't completely comfortable with that situation.

Alexis walks over to Casey.

Alexis: But you had this mental image that I wanted to climb all over your body and make sweet, hot, hot, passionate-

Casey: I didn't say that.

Alexis: But that's what you were thinking.

Casey: It's not.

Alexis: Yeah, your typical male ego thinking you can bang any chick you want.

Alexis turns and walks back toward her desk. Casey has a deadpan look.

Casey: You and I have a trust and some understanding. You want to clear the mystery that is me, but you haven't been listening. I told you that I am in a relationship. I told you it is completely unwavering. I told you I want us to only have a professional relationship. I never mentioned or hinted at something more. I never mentioned dating. I never became "your typical male ego." And I never once mentioned sex.

Alexis grits her teeth.

Casey: We have a show to do in less than two hours. Are you going to call a final rundown?

Alexis: Yes. We still have a trust, right, Casey?

Casey: Yeah.

Alexis: Good. I'm going to tell you something, and you can do whatever you want with the information.

Casey: Okay.

Alexis: I'm thinking of leaving your show.

Casey: Okay.

Alexis: There are offers I am evaluating.

Casey: It sounds like you've already left.

Alexis: They are good offers.

Casey: So you said.

Alexis: I'm not telling Stan until we've completed the scheduled season. That leaves us with three more specials to produce, including tonight's.

Casey: Okay.

Alexis: You want to know why people are leaving your show? They want to do something more, and they want to do something better. That's why I'm thinking about leaving your show.

Casey: At the conclusion of the season.

Alexis: Yes.

Casey: But you're holding off on telling Stan because he would make you leave the moment he found out you were thinking of leaving.

Alexis: Yes, and if he asks me if I plan on leaving, I will be completely honest and tell him I am.

Casey: Okay.

Alexis: So we have a trust? What's said in this room, stays in this room?

Casey: Absolutely.

Alexis: Go tell everybody we'll have a meeting in 30 minutes.

Casey: Yeah.

Casey opens the door and closes it as he leaves the room.

-----

Dan has changed into his on-air attire as he walks toward the conference room. He's curious to all the commotion inside the room. As he opens the door to the room, Dan is confused with the frantic conversation taking place between Natalie, Kim, Elliott, Dave, and several interns.

Dan: What's up?

Everybody takes a quick glance at Dan then restart their conversations.

Dan: What's with all the last-minute changes?

Natalie: We're having to bring in Tina Lake at the last minute.

Dan: What about Bobbi?

The room is momentarily quiet.

Natalie: There's a last-minute change of plans. She won't be on tonight.

Dan: What? Is she sick?

Everybody with the exception of Natalie continue their previous conversations. Natalie begins to grow impatient with Dan.

Dan: Natalie?

Natalie: Yeah. She's sick.

Dan: I hope it isn't contagious.

Jeremy runs into the room.

Jeremy: Tina's on her way down right now. She should be here in the next 10 minutes.

Dan: Guys, if Bobbi's sick, I can do the show by myself.

Jeremy: Bobbi's not sick. Who said Bobbi's sick?

The room goes quiet. Natalie glares at Jeremy, while everybody else stops and looks at Dan.

Dan: Natalie... said Bobbi's sick.

Dana frantically bursts into the room.

Dana: Okay, people! The first thing... what... why are you all standing here... doing nothing?

Dana is surprised to see everybody frozen in place.

Dan: Natalie said Bobbi's sick.

Dana: Yeah. Any changes needed to be made to Dan's script?

Natalie: It's fine.

Dan: Dana.

Dana: Did somebody transmit Bobbi's script to Tina?

Elliott: I was able to e-mail it directly to her notebook.

Dana: Is she comfortable working off it?

Elliott: Yeah.

Dan: Dana.

Dana: Dave?

Dave: I just need a couple of seconds to change the graphics for Tina.

Chris: Unless her plane is delayed.

Will: Or if she's caught in traffic.

Jeremy: She's already landed and on her way here.

Dan: Dana.

Dana: What is it, Dan?

Dan: Natalie said Bobbi's sick.

Dana: Yeah. She seemed fine earlier today. To be more precise, she seemed fine almost 2 hours ago.

Dan: Okay. Where is she?

Dana: I don't know. I guess she went home. Isaac is the one who let her go.

Dan: Isaac?

Dan leaves the conference room as the rest of the group continues with their rundown meeting.

-----

Outside of his studio set, Casey is having a makeup artist apply final touches of makeup to his face.

Casey: How much time have we got?

Makeup Artist: Ten minutes.

Casey: Exactly ten minutes or is it ten minutes and some change?

Makeup Artist: Actually, nine minutes and change.

Casey: Okay.

Makeup Artist: You're all set.

Casey: Thanks so much.

The makeup artist leaves Casey standing alone on the set. Casey looks over everybody working and getting ready for the broadcast. He spots Alexis standing 20 feet away and giving directives to an associate producer. Casey raises his hand in the air.

Casey: Could I have everybody's attention please?!

The crew stops what they are doing.

Casey: I just want to take a minute to say something. It would be great if I could have everybody come gather around the set here.

-----

Dan is standing next to Isaac inside Isaac's office.

Dan: What's with Bobbi?

Isaac: This is one of the changes, Danny. We talked and decided not to have her do "Sports Night."

Dan: Tonight.

Isaac: She's the strongest person we have when it comes to college basketball, Danny.

Dan: There's a game which needs immediate attention, and only Bobbi can provide it?

Isaac: She's going to cover college basketball.

Dan: It's a little late to be sending her out on a story, Isaac.

Isaac: It's not a story. It's a permanent assignment.

Dan tries to understand what Isaac is saying.

-----

Casey is surrounded by his crew members.

Casey: I understand it has been a difficult couple of weeks for most of you. For some of you, it probably has been a difficult year. We've lost a few people here over the last few weeks, and we are the ones who have chosen to remain. For all of you still here, I want to tell you that I am appreciative of your loyalty and hard work. I think we do a damn good job, and we will continue to do a good job - as a team. Right now, I want to give every one of you the option: the option to stay or the option to go. If you want to remain here and are committed to putting together the best program, then you are very much welcomed here. If you feel you are not up to task, cannot do your best, or just can't take it here anymore, then you may leave at your own free will, right now, without any retribution.

I want this show to be manned by people who will not only stand by my side, but who will also share the lead. The burden may be rough, but success never came to those who sat idle or who walked away without knowing how close they came to achieving their goal. We can do so much by sticking together, believing in ourselves, and achieving what other people never realized we were capable of achieving.

King Henry gave an impassioned speech to his troops outside the town of Harfleur. He spoke to them the evening before their battle against the French. Even though the English were highly outmanned, Henry only wanted to join and do battle with those who believed his Englishmen would rise to victory.