Disclaimer

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Standing inside his office, Dan is formally dressed and overseeing his final touches. As he puts on his cuff links, the television airs a preview of the awards ceremony. The television host tags "an interview with Casey McCall, coming up next," which cues Dan that he has a few minutes to kill before the interview airs.

As Dan exits, he checks his reflection in the glass door to make sure his bow-tie is straight. Dan's first impression as he enters the newsroom is not everyone is as calm or prepared. He notices a panic-stricken Jeremy talking on the telephone and still dressed in his "work clothes."

Jeremy: (into phone) -so if you are stuck finishing an assignment, let me know. I'll keep my cell with me. (begins to hang up the phone, but goes back on as he remembers one more thing) Oh, and if you are running late, I'll just leave your ticket at will call. I'll see you later.

Hoping he has covered all the bases, Jeremy hangs up the phone and sits down.

Dan: Any problems?

Jeremy spins around to find Dan next to him.

Jeremy: Before you start, I don't have an extra ticket. Lorie's definitely coming. She promised she's coming.

Dan: Good.

Jeremy is surprised by Dan's calm demeanor.

Jeremy: You're not using a form of reverse psychology-

Dan: Nah. I think I'm over it.

Jeremy: Good, because I think there's a slight chance Lorie may not show up.

Dan has a blank expression as he stares at Jeremy.

Jeremy: You're not over it.

Dan's face shows signs of life.

Dan: Ye... yeah. I'm over it.

Jeremy: You just said you were over it.

Dan: I believe I did.

Jeremy: Okay.

Dan finally breaks down and gets down on his knees next to Jeremy.

Dan: Why didn't you tell me earlier?!

Kim notices Dan as she walks by.

Kim: Make him cluck like a chicken, Jeremy.

-----

Inside her office, Dana is putting on her earrings. On her television, an interview with Casey airs.

Natalie, fully prepared and ready to go to the ceremony, hurries into the office.

Natalie: Everybody should be ready in the next five minutes.

Dana: Great. Thanks, Natalie.

Dana catches Natalie watching her.

Dana: What is it?

Natalie: You look amazing.

Dana: (flattered) Thank you. And you - you will certainly turn some heads.

Natalie: Thanks.

Dana: There is one matter I need to discuss.

Natalie: If it is about Jeremy-

Dana: Yes, it is about Jeremy.

Natalie: You told me to have fun with this.

Dana: I told you this before: not at his expense, Natalie.

Natalie: Okay. Maybe having the New York Dragons taunt him after their last home game-

Dana: Hold on, hold on. You did what?

Natalie: (looking innocent) Nothing.

Dana: Natalie.

Natalie: I wouldn't have picked on him if I didn't care.

Dana: So if you didn't care, I could classify your actions as just being mean.

Natalie: I want him to win, Dana. It's just I want to win more.

Dana: Good. So you'll be satisfied by leaving Jeremy out of your chance to have fun.

Natalie: Okay. You're right. Maybe I went a little overboard.

Dana: A little?

Natalie: Hey, at least I'm admitting I was wrong.

Dana: Okay.

Natalie turns to the television as Casey's interview is wrapping up.

Natalie: Casey looks great tonight. Doesn't he?

Dana: Yes. Yes he does.

Natalie: This is going to be a great night.

Dana: Just remember these times and have fun, Natalie.

Natalie: (worried) Wait.

Dana: What is it?

Natalie: You just reminded me to "remember these times and have fun."

Dana: Yeah.

Natalie: Something else is going to change.

Dana: Natalie-

Natalie: You subconsciously know something big is going to change.

Dana: I know I'm going to change out of these heels as soon as the ceremony is over.

Natalie: You always remind us to "remember these times and have fun" before something big changes. I initially thought it was because you knew we were going to lose our credentials over Jeremy's story. Now that we have lost our credentials, I thought you would have stopped saying that.

Dana: Just because I say something doesn't mean-

Natalie: Something is going to change, Dana.

Dana: Can you tell me what?

Natalie: You're the one who knows, Dana.

Dana: I don't know.

Natalie: Yes, you do.

Dana: What is this? Is the answer supposed to come to me like it's Saint Agnes' Eve?

Natalie: Something is going to change, Dana. Something is going to change.

-----

While walking toward his office, Isaac is checking his watch. Even after enduring deadline after deadline during his career, he is managing to shake his head in disbelief as time is running down - this deadline involving his crew reaching the awards ceremony on time.

He momentarily doesn't give it much thought as he notices his office door is closed. Isaac gives it much more thought once he jiggles the door handle and discovers the door is locked. Instead of opening the door with his key, Isaac takes a different course of action: pounding on the door.

Isaac: I need to be leaving in two minutes. I need one minute to get my jacket, which will leave me one minute to kill whomever is barricaded inside my office!

A voice emerges from behind the door.

"I'll be ready in ten seconds, sir."

Isaac: Jeremy?

The door unlocks and cracks open. Isaac pushes it open and enters.

Jeremy finishes putting on his belt. He grabs his jacket, which was draped over a chair, and tries to assist Isaac by grabbing his jacket from the coat rack.

Isaac: So my office is now a dressing room.

Jeremy: I apologize. I deemed your office an appropriate place to change clothes.

Isaac: How so?

Jeremy: It was empty. Also, it was one of the few rooms which doesn't have glass walls.

Isaac points to his window, which has a beautiful shot of the New York skyline.

Isaac: You're more comfortable being an exhibitionist to the rest of the city as opposed to your coworkers.

Jeremy: (noticing the window) Apparently so.

Isaac: We've got to be going.

Jeremy: Yes, sir.

The two depart Isaac's office and head down the corridor.

Isaac: Did you write your speech?

Jeremy: Excuse me?

Isaac: Your speech? Have you prepared an acceptance speech?

Jeremy is stunned as he believes Isaac is giving him a clue to the outcome of his nomination.

Isaac: I'll take your silence as you wishing to save your voice-

Jeremy: You... you know.

Isaac: I'll know a lot, Jeremy.

Jeremy: You didn't have to tell me I was going to win. I mean... I'm thrilled, but the thought of you actually telling me-

Isaac: What are you talking about?

The two enter the newsroom.

Jeremy: I thought the voting results were supposed to be kept secret.

Isaac: They are.

Jeremy: But you're on the selection committee.

Isaac: Myself and thirty others, Jeremy. (pauses) You didn't believe I would compromise the process by telling you who won?

Jeremy: No, but when you kept inquiring about my speech, I naturally assumed-

Isaac: I don't know the results. We vote on a secret ballot and I'm not allowed to vote for someone from our network.

Jeremy, for someone who recently uncovered illegal activities on a college basketball team, the reason why you should write an acceptance speech should be apparent.

Jeremy is shamed when he recognizes what should have been the obvious reason.

-----

It's a crisp, clear evening as people in their ceremonial wardrobes file out of a building. Limousines and taxi cabs pull up to the curb to whisk some to sponsored parties, while others decide to reach their destinations by way of foot or subway.

Dana and Natalie weave their way through the crowd. Dana's eyes dart around as she looks for a particular person. Natalie, whose mind isn't on helping Dana find her person, tags along just to keep some company and, maybe, receive some sympathy.

Dana: Do you see him?

Natalie: Of all the people...

Dana: Yeah.

Natalie: ...she had to win.

Dana: She?

Natalie: Sally!

Dana: Right now, I'm preoccupied with finding Casey.

Natalie: That's because you weren't beaten by somebody whose favorite letters of the alphabet are E and Z.

Dana: I'm sorry you and Jeremy lost, but you have to look at the bigger picture.

Natalie: Maybe the award will fall on Sally's throat and choke her to death.

Dana: That in spite of the individual losses, our network - as a whole - won an award.

Natalie: She won my award.

Dana: Natalie, something has to be said for composure and good sportsmanship.

Natalie: I'm certain your feelings stem from the fact you won tonight.

Dana: It's quite an honor to win, but it is also quite an honor to be nominated.

Natalie: I've got so much honor, I could be appointed to a judgeship.

Dana: Please help me find Casey.

Natalie: (pointing) He's over there.

Dana: Where?

Natalie: He's in the middle of that crowd and being interviewed.

Dana: Let's go.

Dana and Natalie continue their trek toward Casey.

-----

Just a few hundred feet down the block, Jeremy isolates himself from the people, the noise, and the celebration. Saddened, he pulls his cell phone from his pocket and flips it open. He quickly closes it when he notices somebody approaching.

"You dropped something."

Dan appears, reaches down for something, and picks it off the ground. He calculates the "something" to be a grocery store receipt. Dan notices bullet points have been handwritten down the receipt. The bullet points consist of familiar names.

Dan hands Jeremy the receipt. Jeremy takes a quick look and places the receipt inside his pocket.

Dan: What is that?

Jeremy: My acceptance speech.

Dan: I thought you were going to change your luck by not writing an acceptance speech.

Jeremy: Yeah, but I rediscovered the benevolence of recalling those who helped throughout my success.

Dan: You should read it at the corporate party.

Jeremy: I'm tired, and I'm thinking it has been a long evening-

Dan: Look around you, Jeremy. The evening still has a pretty good distance to go before you can call it a night. Besides, a good party will help keep your mind off other things.

Jeremy slowly nods.

Jeremy: Listen, if I had known I was going to have an extra ticket available-

Dan: Don't worry about it. It's time to bask in the glory of celebration - which also comes with free champagne.

Jeremy: Yeah.

Dan begins to lead Jeremy up the block.

Jeremy: Do you know who won the UConn-Texas game?

Dan: UConn ended up winning in a blowout, like most of the experts predicted.

Jeremy: Yeah...

Dan: It would have been a great story if Texas was able to keep it close or even pull off an upset.

Jeremy pauses momentarily.

Jeremy: Sometimes the emotional aspect of pulling for an underdog clouds the rationale of them becoming an underdog in the first place.

-----

Casey is finishing his final interview. He face is positively gleaming with all the accolades and attention which is the result of it.

As the last reporter leaves, Dana walks up and proudly gives Casey a kiss on the cheek.

Dana: I'm proud of you, Casey.

Casey: I'm not the only winner here.

"Obviously you're not talking about me."

Dana and Casey turn and see Natalie standing beside them.

Casey: Sorry about the... you know... Sally thing.

Natalie: See? Casey understands.

Dana: No more, Natalie.

Casey: (to Dana) I'm thinking with your award and with my several awards, I could...

Dana: What?

Casey: Build a mantle to place them on.

Dana: We already have a mantle.

Casey: A bigger mantle. Or even a bookcase.

Dana laughs at the thought of Casey attempting to do some woodwork.

Dana: I like your ambition, but let's think about it.

Casey: Well, I'm going to have plenty of free time.

A luxury car with tinted windows pulls to the curb and stops near the trio. The back passenger door opens, and Isaac steps out.

Dana: There you are!

Isaac closes the car door. As the car idly sits, he walks over to the group.

Dana: We thought we lost you during the mass exodus from the building.

Isaac: There was something which needed my attention.

Natalie: Are you going to give us a ride?

Isaac: No.

Natalie: Then why the car?

Isaac: It doesn't concern you.

Natalie: Okay.

Dan and Jeremy complete the group.

Dan: What's going on?

Isaac: You two young gentlemen arrived just in time to escort these two young ladies to the party.

Dan: What if we didn't want to go to the party?

Isaac: Then go home and report to work early tomorrow.

Dan: We'll go to the party.

Dan and Jeremy pair up with Natalie and Dana.

Casey: I'll catch you guys later.

Isaac: Not so fast, Casey.

The group stops in response to Isaac's request to Casey. Isaac is slightly annoyed Dan, Jeremy, Natalie, and Dana have paused to see what it happening.

Isaac: You four can keep moving.

The four take the hint that Isaac wants to be alone with Casey. They start walking in the direction of the party. Isaac waits until they are out of earshot.

Casey: What did you wish to discuss, Isaac?

Isaac: You've certainly managed to become successful after suffering through some adversity.

Casey: You mean the college degree thing.

Isaac: And the fact CSC let you walk away.

Casey: Okay.

Isaac: Get in the car.

Casey: Are you trying to abduct me? Cause there should be some sort of offering, like candy or a promise I could drive the car if you were-

Isaac: Just get in the damn car.

Casey: Yes, sir.

Isaac opens the back passenger door to the vehicle. Casey takes a peek inside and is visibly surprised when he sees somebody already sitting in one of the back seats.

Casey looks over to Isaac, and Isaac smiles.

Casey: (to the occupant in the back seat) Donna Kendrick. It's a pleasure to see you again.

Casey steps inside the car and Isaac closes the door. Isaac then opens the front passenger door and steps inside. Just as the passenger door closes, the vehicle pulls away and the formal contract offer begins.