The Ties That Bind

Disclaimer


-----

The crew inside the control room is hastily working and preparing to broadcast.

Dave: One minute VTR, two minutes live.

Dana: Do we have Sacramento?

Natalie: It should be up in a couple of minutes.

Dana: We're live in a couple of minutes.

Natalie: I'm aware of that.

Natalie picks up a phone line.

Dana: Show me 4 and 4b.

Will: Loading 4 and 4b.

Chris: 4b is over the shoulder?

Dana: You've got it.

Elliott rushes in with information.

Elliott: The police have secured a perimeter around the campus.

Dana: Have we heard from Kelly?

Natalie: I've got her on the phone. We can patch her through if needed.

Dana: Is she fine?

Natalie: She and the cameraman are safe.

Dana: Thank god.

Isaac rushes into the control room.

Isaac: What's going on at Northern California?

Jeremy: Initial reports say tear gas was released into the crowd during Francis' support rally.

Dave: Thirty seconds live.

Isaac: Who released it?

Jeremy: It's all we have right now. The police have started moving people out and securing a perimeter.

Isaac: Is anybody hurt?

Jeremy: It's hard to say.

Dana: (into mic) Danny? I've got some bullet points.

Dan, seated at the anchor desk, is viewed in several monitors.

Dan: Ready.

Dana: (into mic) During the support rally, somebody released tear gas into the crowd.

Dan: Was it the police?

Dana: (into mic) It's unclear at this point.

Dave: Dana?

Dana: (into mic) Hold on a sec, Danny. (to the crew) Everybody?! Drop the intro! We're going live! (into mic) Danny, we're going straight to you.

Dan: We're on it.

Dave, Chris, and Will work frantically in order to drop the introductory teases from the beginning of the show. Dana makes eye contact with Natalie as she continues to talk with Kelly Kirkpatrick on the phone. Jeremy feeds bullet points to Dan concerning the breaking situation.

Dave: In 5, 4, 3, 2...

Mike Greenway: (on-air) Good evening. This is "Sports Night" on CSC. I'm Mike Greenway, here with Dan Rydell. There is breaking news from Sacramento on the campus of Northern California University.

Dan: (on-air) Just minutes ago, a volatile situation erupted on the center of the Northern California campus. There was a rally to support embattled basketball coach Butch Francis, but reports state a canister of tear gas was released into the crowd.

Kelly Kirkpatrick has been on the Northern California campus for most of the day, and we have her live on the phone to describe the situation. Kelly.

Kelly: The police have moved us about three-quarters of a mile from the rally. All initial indications pointed toward a peaceful demonstration, but chaos erupted while one of the students was addressing the crowd from a temporary platform. It looks like some form of smoke or gas was released. Demonstrators began a stampede and police attempted to intervene. The police have ordered us outside a secure perimeter, while reinforcements have been called in to help control the situation. Dan.

Dan: (on-air) Kelly, did you happen to see who initiated the conflict or how many canisters were released?

Kelly: It's hard to say, Dan. Everyone was focused on the speaker when we noticed the smoke coming from the crowd. It's possible there may have been two canisters, but it's also possible that somebody tried throwing one released canister in another direction. What's that?

Dan waits through a long pause.

Dan: (on-air) Kelly? Is everything okay?

Kelly: Dan, a police sergeant has ordered us back. They want to secure a larger area of campus.

Dan: (on-air) Okay, we'll let you go. All of you be safe.

Kelly: Thanks, Dan.

Dan: (on-air) That was Kelly Kirkpatrick reporting live from a breaking and ongoing situation involving the students at Northern California University. Mike.

Mike Greenway: (on-air) We're going to take a more in-depth look at what's transpired over the previous 48 hours. For that, here's Jennifer Atway.

The taped segment begins playing.

Dave: Two-thirty back.

Dana: Okay, people. We're dumping everything. We're going to stay with this one. Jeremy, continue to feed bullet points to Danny and Mike. Natalie, do you still have Kelly?

Natalie: We just lost the connection.

Dana: Give her two minutes to call back. Otherwise, you try and reach her.

Natalie: All right.

"What about a commercial break?"

Dana is surprised to find Sam inside the control room.

Dana: No commercial breaks until we get some facts and the situation begins to dissipate.

Sam: Yeah, we wouldn't want to miss something or have people changing the channel. Great call.

Dana is even more surprised and momentarily phased by Sam's compliment, the first she ever recalls hearing.

Natalie's phone rings and she quickly picks it up.

Natalie: I've got Kelly.

Dana: Great.

The crew continues to work at a breakneck speed on the developing story.

-----

Chris, Will, Dave, Kim, and Elliott are seated around a table inside Anthony's. They are slouched in their chairs and barely able to move due to their exhaustion.

Will: It was a marathon.

Chris: It was more like the hundred meters.

Will: The hundred meters is done in 10 seconds.

Chris: I meant our pace was like the hundred meters.

Will: For two hours.

Dave: Two hours and six minutes. Man, I'm tired.

Kim: Why don't you go home?

Dave: I'm too tired to move.

Elliott: Feel free to crash at my place.

Kim: I wouldn't crash at your place if you paid me.

Elliott: That's good because I'm broke.

The group creates a silent void inside the noisy restaurant.

Kim: Somebody please remind me why we are here.

Dave: We are celebrating our achievements.

Kim: Well, we're certainly creating a festive atmosphere. Would anybody like to dance?

The men collectively turn down Kim's request.

Kim: I'm at least going to find somebody who wants to dance.

"What would you guys like? I'm buying."

Casey's appearance brings the group back to life.

Will: I'll have a beer.

Chris: Same here.

Dave: Beer's good.

Kim: Make it four.

Elliott: I'll have a new house.

Everyone looks at Elliott.

Elliott: What? Casey said he's buying.

The looks continue.

Elliott: Okay, I'll have a beer.

-----

Dana, Natalie, and Jeremy are seated in a booth table.

Dana leans over the table and rests her chin in her hands.

Dana: This is some celebration.

Natalie: We could dance.

Dana: I'm too exhausted to dance. I'm too tired to do anything.

Jeremy: Yet, we muster enough strength to drink beer.

Dana sits straight.

Dana: Okay, let's hush up, people.

Casey approaches the table.

Casey: Great job on tonight's show.

Jeremy: Thanks, Casey.

Dana: Hush Jeremy.

Jeremy: Excuse me?

Dana: We shouldn't be talking with Casey. It may give the impression that we are trying to steal him back to CSC.

Jeremy: So we shouldn't be talking to Casey?

Dana: Only if he is in disguise as The Masked Avenger.

Natalie: Or in disguise as his sidekick, Comedy Relief.

Jeremy: I'm afraid I don't follow-

Casey: Looney Toons, Jeremy. They're describing a Daffy Duck and Porky Pig cartoon skit.

Jeremy: I see.

Dana: Don't talk to him, Jeremy.

Casey: You guys want something more to drink? I'll buy.

Natalie: Okay, I'll have another coconut pina colada.

Dana glares at Natalie.

Natalie: What? My alliances can easily be bought in exchange for a free drink.

Jeremy: In a bar full of single men, I think you would prefer not letting word spread.

Dana: Fine, Casey. I'll have another beer.

Casey: Jeremy?

Jeremy: I'll have a Mountain Dew... and another bag of ice.

Casey: Another bag of ice?

Dana: "Bambi" Alworth over here tripped when trying to retrieve a tape.

Jeremy: My wrist is a little sore, but I'll be fine.

Dana: It swelled to the size of a grapefruit.

Jeremy: Dana, I'm used to covering athletes and not being a graceful athlete.

Casey: You guys did an all-star performance on tonight's two-hour broadcast.

Natalie: Two hours and six minutes.

Casey: Yeah, great job, guys. I'll be back with those drinks.

-----

Casey walks up to the bar and grabs the attention of Jack, the bartender.

Jack: What will you have, Casey?

Casey: A pina colada, a beer, a Mountain Dew, and a small bag of ice.

Jack: Six beers, a mixed drink, a soda, some ice over the last ten minutes?

Casey: I'm buying a round for the "Sports Night" gang.

Jack: Great.

Jack goes off to complete Casey's request.

As Casey munches on some pretzels, Isaac walks up to the bar.

Casey: Isaac?

Isaac: Good evening, Casey.

Casey: What are you doing here?

Isaac: I should ask the same of you.

Jack comes back with Casey's order.

Isaac: A night of heavy drinking, I presume.

Casey gives Jack several dollar bills, and Jack heads toward the cash register.

Casey: I'm buying a round for the crew. Everyone did a brilliant job tonight. Here, let me buy you something. Jack?

Isaac: No thank you, Casey. I'm only making a token appearance before heading home.

Casey: Isaac, you know and I know they wouldn't consider you in the same class as the network executives. You work with and have direct input everyday, so I don't believe your appearance is insignificant or to be considered a gesture from the higher-ups.

Isaac: Thank you, Casey.

Jack: Casey?

Casey: Yeah, Jack. This is Isaac Jaffee, managing editor of "Sports Night."

Jack: Good to meet you. Congratulations on your show's nominations.

Isaac: Thank you.

Jack: What would you like?

Isaac: I'm fine, really.

Casey: Jack, if this man changes his mind, give him whatever he wants to drink.

Jack: Will do.

Jack leaves to attend to his other customers.

Isaac: Casey, are you concerned the impression you might be making?

Casey: I'm just buying the crew some drinks.

Isaac: Buying or bribing them?

Casey: Issac, I'm under contract with another network. I can't have any interest in another position with another network, even if that network is with Continental Corp.

Isaac: If that's what your heart tells you, fine.

Casey: Well... yeah.

Isaac smiles.

Isaac: Yeah. I've been doing some thinking. With Danny's co-anchor position open, it made me reflect on what it would be like for somebody to take this job or even come to New York to take this job. I've spent my career working in New York, Los Angeles, London, the large major markets. If I was given the opportunity to return to St. Louis, I would have to seriously consider it.

Casey: You're not thinking of leaving for St. Louis?

Isaac: Oh no, Casey. First of all, Esther - she would kill me if I thought about uprooting to go back to St. Louis.

Casey: Smart woman.

Isaac: In St. Louis, I still have friends with whom I keep in contact. They're lifelong friends, Casey. If a position were to become available, the comfort of familiarity and friendships would try to draw me back.

Casey: St. Louis is your hometown.

Isaac: St. Louis is where I'm from, Casey.

Isaac taps his chest.

Isaac: My heart makes it my hometown.

Isaac pats Casey on his arm.

Isaac: Do what your heart tells you, Casey. That's reason enough for me.

Casey: I better get all this back. Jeremy's bag of ice is melting. Thanks, Isaac.

Isaac gives Casey a hand taking the order back to the table.

-----

Dan is lying on the couch inside his darkened office. The light coming from the newsroom and New York skyline partially illuminates the room.

There is a knock on his door. Dan raises his head to see who is knocking.

"I suppose you're just going to crash here for the evening."

Dan recognizes the voice as being Casey's.

Dan: Case, what are you doing here?

Dan sits up, and Casey turn on the lights. Casey reveals two bottles.

Dan: You brought me a beer.

Casey: It's not exactly beer.

Dan: Because security wouldn't let you through with it.

Casey: Actually, I didn't have these when I came into the building.

Dan: You stole them. You're giving me hot merchandise.

Dan sits up and Casey sits next to him.

Casey: I purchased them, Danny.

Dan: From the green room?

Casey: Yeah.

Dan: It's that bottled lemon-lime-citrus concoction that leads one to believe it's a refreshing drink.

Casey: You've had this drink before?

Dan: It's misleading to believe that the drink is refreshing, and I'd also be hesitant to call it a drink.

Casey: It's carbonated.

Dan: That's the kicker. Get me a whole tub of that stuff.

Casey: You could join everybody else down at Anthony's and drink something more appealing.

Dan: Nah. I'll just hang around here.

Casey: I'm sure Sally and her crew will have updates on any further developments.

Dan: Eighteen injured with two critical. I don't think tonight is the night to celebrate a good show with the gang.

Casey: Even Isaac's there. Anyway, it wasn't about the show. It was about a yearlong job well done.

Dan: You're referring to the nominations.

Casey: Yeah. It's a big deal, Danny.

Dan: Maybe to those who have been nominated.

Dan gets up to "stretch his legs."

Casey: Is this what's all the pouting is about?

Dan: Casey, I'm not pouting, and the last time I checked, you weren't my father.

Casey: You're avoiding the celebration because you weren't nominated.

Dan: No, I'm not.

Dan exits his office. Casey sets the drinks on Dan's desk and quickly follows him into the newsroom. The two continue through the room.

Casey: Danny, your nominations were the result of a team effort-

Dan: Who sent you up to be the morale guidance counselor?

Casey: Nobody.

Dan: Good.

Casey: The least you can do is celebrate the show's good fortune.

Dan: Actually, the least I can do is stay out of everybody's way.

Casey: Danny.

Dan: Don't lecture me Casey.

Dan grabs the latest copy off the wire. He checks it over.

Casey: You know, I don't have to be here. I could be celebrating my own nominations with my own team.

Dan: That's before you were disbanded.

Dan sets the wire copy back on top of the machine. The two start walking back toward Dan's office.

Casey: My show received three nominations. Your show received four nominations.

Dan: You did thirteen shows, and you received one nomination. I did over three hundred shows, and I don't even get a whiff.

Casey: You are pissed because you didn't get a nomination. You're so childish.

Dan: Am not, am not, am not.

The two walk back into Dan's office.

Casey: I can't believe how they put up with you.

Dan: I can't believe it, either.

Casey: Excuse me?

Dan walks over and pulls a book from the bookcase.

Dan: Four nominations, three for the production aspect of the show. There's one nomination for the overall show, which says one thing: the strength of the program is in its production.

Casey: Danny.

Dan: In other words, the show put up with crappy anchors, and they still managed to receive the big nomination.

Casey: Your anchors are in influx.

Dan: Yeah, but the only constant is me. Good evening. From New York City, I'm Dan Rydell, sitting beside Larry, Curly, or Moe. It doesn't matter because they'll be somebody different sitting next to me tomorrow night.

Casey: It's hard to develop chemistry when you're with a different anchor each night.

Dan tosses his book on the couch.

Dan: I've changed my mind.

Casey: What's that?

Dan: I don't want you coming back to the network.

Casey: Come on, Danny.

Dan: You're right. It's wrong to try and lure you while you are still under contract. It's wrong to try and lure somebody who obviously can carry his show and doesn't have to rely on other people who not only carry their load, but also the loads of those who just don't do a very good job.

Casey: Don't throw this at me, Dan.

Dan: Just stay away, Case. Just stay away.

Casey: You do a great job.

Dan: Thanks, mom. I always knew you felt I was the most handsome.

The objectionable ones felt at least five people did a better job than me.

Casey: It's just a nomination.

Dan: A nomination, which leads to a celebration and a coronation. Don't tell me it's just a nomination. People are going to be dressed up to witness this.

Casey: You won the award two years ago.

Dan: Two years later, I'm an afterthought.

Casey throws his hands in the air.

Casey: What do you want me to tell you?

Dan: How about "Good night"?

Casey: How about I knock some sense into you?

Dan: In that case, you could put those bottles to good use.

Casey: Danny.

Dan deeply exhales and suddenly perks up.

Dan: All right.

Casey: Excuse me?

Dan: I'll join everyone down at Anthony's.

Casey: Really?

Dan: Yeah. I'll get over this nomination thing. Amazingly, you were right. I am being childish. Also, I think I'm catching a cold.

Casey: Okay.

Dan: You don't sound convinced.

Casey: Your sudden change of position-

Dan: Would you like me to celebrate or not?

Casey: Come join the party, Danny.

Dan: Good. There are a couple of things I want to tie up, so you go ahead and head back down. I'll be right behind you in a few minutes.

Casey: I could wait.

Dan: You don't want to leave the impression that you are looking into coming back to this network - whether it's true or not. If anybody were to see us leaving the building together-

Casey: You're right.

Dan: I know I'm right.

Casey: People could assume. So I'll see you down at Anthony's?

Dan: As soon as I tie up these couple of things.

Casey: Great.

Dan watches Casey leave the office, then grabs some paperwork to work on. He periodically looks back to see Casey's progress. Once Casey is out of sight, Dan throws his paperwork back on his desk.

Dan turns out the lights and falls onto his couch with the intentions of never joining the celebration.



Sports Night