Episode 1: A Day In The Life Of The Show
Story by: Caroline Walsh
Written by: Paul McLaughlin
"Sports Night" is © ABC/Touchstone Pictures/Imagine Television/Aaron Sorkin and God knows who else. We just borrowed it.
1. Dan & Casey’s office. Both men are there, Natalie enters.
NATALIE: Found you both.
DAN: We’re really no good at this hide and seek game are we?
NATALIE: Candy?
[She offers a box that has, as yet, been untouched. Both men take some]
CASEY/DAN: Thanks.
NATALIE: You’re welcome. Now why aren’t you in make-up?
CASEY: Because it’s only half past twelve. I know Dan needs a lot of work to make him presentable, but ten hours is probably overdoing it.
NATALIE: I know the time Casey. And I know that you should have been in make-up five minutes ago.
CASEY: For what?
NATALIE: So that you can both look pretty when you shoot the trailer for the Olympics coverage.
[Casey and Dan exchange glances]
DAN: Is that today?
NATALIE: That’s sort of why I mentioned it.
CASEY: I thought that was tomorrow.
NATALIE: It’s today.
DAN: Are you sure?
NATALIE: Of course I’m sure Dan. It’s my job to be sure. Ensuring that people and things are where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be there, is the very definition of what a Senior AP does. That’s why I made a note on my Thursday list.
DAN: Thursday list?
NATALIE: My list of things that should happen on Thursday. Here, look. [She shows DAN her clipboard] You can see it’s my Thursday list because it has Thursday written at the top.
DAN: [To Casey] We should be in make-up.
CASEY: [Checks his watch] But Lisa will be arriving with Charlie any time now.
NATALIE: I’ll take care of Charlie till you’re done Casey. Now go.
2. Newsroom. Natalie is heading for the door when she is stopped by Dana.
DANA: Where are you going?
NATALIE: Downstairs. I have a guy waiting in reception.
DANA: A guy?
NATALIE: Yeah. He’s real cute too.
DANA: Who is he?
NATALIE: Charlie.
DANA: I forgot he was coming in today.
NATALIE: Well now I’ve reminded you. Do you want to come down with me and say hi to Lisa? I’m guessing she won’t want to come up.
DANA: Lisa hates me Natalie.
NATALIE: But you were friends once.
DANA: That was then.
NATALIE: And this is now. You should bury the hatchett.
DANA: She’s likely to bury it in my head.
NATALIE: Why? What did you do?
DANA: I told her I kissed Casey.
NATALIE: That was long after they split up.
DANA: No, I’m talking about the first time I kissed him.
NATALIE: When was that?
DANA: Last year of college, the Christmas party. Under the mistletoe.
NATALIE: That doesn’t count. You have the mistletoe clause.
DANA: I think the mistletoe clause is only good for the first five minutes.
NATALIE: A good one, huh?
DANA: We were both a little drunk.
NATALIE: You must have been if you went straight round and told Lisa.
DANA: I didn’t. I waited a few years then told her.
NATALIE: Why did you tell her that?
DANA: I was a little drunk again.
NATALIE: What did she say?
DANA: She said she always suspected I was after him. Which I wasn’t.
NATALIE: Yes you were.
DANA: Not actively. When they were together Casey was strictly out of bounds.
NATALIE: Until you kissed him.
DANA: That was a one-off.
NATALIE: Well why don’t you come down and see her? Patch things up.
DANA: You think?
NATALIE: Sure. You could take her out for a drink, get a little drunk, then tell her you kissed Casey again last year.
3. Studio. Dan and Casey are at their desk. Casey is reading his script for the trailer.
CASEY: This is good stuff.
DAN: We did write it.
CASEY: That was three weeks ago. I’d forgotten how good it was. [Pause] Don’t you think we’re being a little premature about this?
DAN: About what?
CASEY: Well, we’re recording a promo for Olympic coverage that we don’t even have a budget for yet.
DAN: [Shrugs] Dana seems pretty sure we’ll get the money. She seems to have a lot of faith in Quo Vadimus. [Pointing to the control room] Hey, look who’s here.
[In the control room Charlie is sitting on Natalie’s knee. He waves and Dan & Casey both wave back]
DAN: Why is Charlie here today anyway?
CASEY: I told you last week.
DAN: I wasn’t listening.
CASEY: It’s for an assignment at school. He has to make a video diary about the work of one of his parents.
DAN: And he chose you?
CASEY: Of course he chose me. I work in TV; Lisa works in a hospital. Which is the more exciting?
DAN: Lot’s of drama potential in a hospital.
CASEY: Lisa works in admin, not ER.
DAN: Point taken. So Charlie’s going to be following you around with a camera all day?
CASEY: Not just me. Everyone.
DAN: Me too?
CASEY: You too. The video has to show how the whole place works.
DAN: A day in the life of the show?
CASEY: Something like that.
DAN: What the hell happens around here that’s worth watching?
[Switch to control room]
DANA: Ok guys we’re ready for a take. We’ll count you in.
[In the studio Casey & Dan give the thumbs up. Back in the control room Natalie has given Charlie her headset and he counts down from five]
CHARLIE: Five, four,.....
[Casey reaches for the glass of water on his desk and takes a drink. Immediately he spits it out again]
DANA: [Over mic] That wasn’t the opening we rehearsed Casey.
DAN: And it’s a fine example to set for your son.
CASEY: [Choking - Pointing at his glass] It’s.......[He smells it].....vinegar!
DAN: You should complain to the manufacturer.
DANA: [Over mic] Say again Casey?
CASEY: Somebody filled my glass with vinegar. [Chokes again] I need water.
[Dan hands him his glass. Casey takes a drink and spits it out again]
DAN: I really should have checked that first shouldn’t I?
DANA: [Over mic] Everyone take five. Somebody get Casey some real water.
[Alison appears and hands Casey a new bottle; he looks at it
suspiciously]
ALISON: Don’t worry, it’s sealed.
[Casey breaks the seal and, after smelling it, he takes a long drink]
CASEY: This is officially no longer funny.
DAN: It was mildly funny.
CASEY: It’s always funny when it’s someone else.
DAN: I know. You usually laugh the loudest.
CASEY: Well he who laughs loudest has laughed his last. This kind of thing has been going on for two weeks. And I might point out that this was aimed at you too.
DAN: That would not have been funny.
CASEY: It’s high time Dana did something about it.
DANA: [Over mic] I did do something about it Casey. I sent round a memo.
CASEY: Big deal.
DAN: It was a very strongly worded memo.
CASEY: Not enough.
DANA: [Over mic] What else do you expect me to do? My name’s not Nancy Drew. I’m not about to start running around looking for clues.
CASEY: Well somebody should.
DAN: [Thoughtful] You’re right. Somebody should.
4. The recording is over and Natalie brings Charlie into the studio.
NATALIE: This young man says he knows you Casey.
CASEY: I never saw him before. Dan?
DAN: Is it a young Ricky Schroder?
CHARLIE: It’s me! [He runs over and gives Casey a hug]
CASEY: I know that hug. [Pause] It’s Little Jimmy Osmond.
CHARLIE: Dad! [He gives him a punch]
[They break their embrace]
CHARLIE: Hey Dan.
DAN: Hey kiddo.
CASEY: Has Natalie been looking after you?
CHARLIE: [Nods] She let me give the orders. Did you hear?
DAN: I couldn’t tell the difference.
[Dan dodges a playful swipe from Natalie]
DAN: Well some of us have to work. [He ruffles Charlie’s hair] Bye kiddo.
CHARLIE: I want to interview you later Dan.
DAN: Well I was going to do Letterman but I guess I can cancel.
[Dan starts to leave and Natalie follows]
NATALIE: Catch you later Charlie.
CHARLIE: Bye Natalie.
CASEY: [To Charlie] How are you? Everything ok?
CHARLIE: Sure.
CASEY: How’s your mom?
CHARLIE: She’s ok. I asked her to come up with me but she wouldn’t.
CASEY: Yeah, well, she probably had to get to work.
CHARLIE: That’s what she said.
CASEY: Well there you go.
CHARLIE: But I think she just didn’t want to talk to you.
[Casey looks at Charlie for a moment]
CASEY: I’m sure she’s just busy. I mean, why wouldn’t she want to talk to me? I’m so cool.
CHARLIE: She never wants to see you. And you never want to see her.
CASEY: That’s not really true Charlie. You mom and I just find it difficult sometimes. That’s how it is when people are divorced.
CHARLIE: But how can we all be together again if you and Mom won’t talk?
[Casey stares at Charlie]
CASEY: Who said we would all be together again?
CHARLIE: Nobody. I just saw this movie and the family was just like us and the dad went away but in the end he came back.
CASEY: That was a movie Charlie.
CHARLIE: I know. But Rochelle from school said her dad went away then came back.
CASEY: Sometimes things like that can happen, and that’s great. But mostly when a mom and dad split up, it’s forever. And it might not seem like it to you but usually that’s the best thing in the end.
CHARLIE: Are we split up forever?
CASEY: Not you and me, we’ll never split up.
CHARLIE: But you and mom?
CASEY: Yes Charlie, that’s forever.
CHARLIE: Do you have another mom?
CASEY: Another mom?
CHARLIE: In the movie, the dad went away and lived with another mom, before he came back.
CASEY: No Charlie I don’t. Not right now. But someday I will meet another woman, and I’d want the two of you to get along.
CHARLIE: I don’t want a new mom.
CASEY: She wouldn’t be a new mom. Your mom will always be your mom. But it will be a bit like having a new auntie. She’ll want to be your friend, and she’ll help me to look after you when you stay over. Do you understand?
CHARLIE: I guess.
CASEY: Now I don’t know when it will happen, maybe not for a long while, but you need to be ready for it when it does, ok?
CHARLIE: Ok.
CASEY: Good. Now, are you ready to start on your movie?
CHARLIE: It’s not a movie, it’s a video diary.
CASEY: Even Stanley Kubrick had to start somewhere.
CHARLIE: Who’s Stanley Kubrick?
CASEY: Never mind. Now you remember what I told you. You can video stuff that goes on but keep out of everyone’s way while they’re working.
CHARLIE: Sure Dad.
CASEY: And when you interview people, you ask if they have the time to spare first, ok?
CHARLIE: Ok.
CASEY: So who do you want to start with?
[Charlie points his camera at Casey]
CHARLIE: You.[Pause] If you have the time to spare.
CASEY: [Smiles] I think I can fit you in. How do you want to do this?
CHARLIE: I ask the questions, you answer them.
CASEY: Ah, a graduate of the Dan Rather school of interviewing. Ok, shoot.
CHARLIE: What’s your name.
CASEY: My name is Dad.
CHARLIE: C’mon Dad, do it right.
CASEY: Sorry. My name is Casey McCall.
CHARLIE: And what is your job?
CASEY: I’m an anchor on Sports Night.
CHARLIE: What does an anchor do?
CASEY: Well it’s kind of like the anchor on a ship. Just as a ship’s anchor stops the vessel floating away on the tide, so I stop the S.S. Sports Night from drifting away from it’s tight schedule and high quality.
CHARLIE: Huh?
5. Conference room. It is the 2pm Rundown meeting and Dana is winding it up.
DANA: Ok, that’s everything for now, unless anyone has something to add?
DAN: I do.
DANA: Then add it Dan.
DAN: It’s about these practical jokes.
CASEY: So called jokes.
DAN: Right. Something needs to be done.
DANA: I sent a memo.
DAN: And a fine memo it was too. But just in case it fails to have the desired effect, I’d like to announce that I am on the case.
DANA: You are?
DAN: I am.
DANA: What does that involve?
DAN: It involves me tracking down the joker and exposing them so that appropriate punishment can be exacted upon them by their victims.
[Dana stares at him for a moment]
DANA: You’ll be doing this in your own time of course.
DAN: Well I did think that as it’s basically a service for........
DANA: In your own time Dan.
DAN: Ok.
DANA: Fine. Well the only thing left for me to do is remind you all that Charlie here will be recording your every move today.
[Everyone looks at Charlie who is videoing the meeting]
CASEY: Say hi to Charlie.
EVERYONE: Hi Charlie.
CHARLIE: Hi.
DANA: So I want you all on your best behavior.
KIM: Does that mean no swearing?
DANA: It does mean that.
JEREMY: How about fornication?
DANA: Yes, that counts as swearing. Now Isaac would like a quick word before you all leave. Isaac.
ISAAC: Thank you Dana. [Looks around the table] As you know it’s been three months since Quo Vadimus took over CSC. And you might have noticed that during those three months we have been pretty much left to our own devices here on Sports Night.
CASEY: You’re telling me. Nobody’s even seen this Calvin Tregar guy.
NATALIE: Suits me just fine. Quo Vadimus pays the bills and doesn’t interfere.
ISAAC: Well all that might be about to change because in an hours time Dana and I have our first meeting with Tom Carpenter.
CASEY: Who’s Tom Carpenter?
ISAAC: Tom Carpenter is Calvin Tregar’s liaison at CSC.
JEREMY: I wasn’t aware we had a liaison.
ISAAC: We didn’t. But now we do.
CASEY: So, what does a liaison do?
ISAAC: He liaises. Or, in his own words, he facilitates the process of communication between the executive level and those engaged at the customer output end.
[There is a moments silence]
NATALIE: Is he here to tell us what to do Isaac?
ISAAC: He assured me over the phone that he would in no way interfere with the running of the show.
CASEY: So he is here to tell us what to do.
ELLIOT: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
ISAAC: It looks like it, but that’s a fight we’ve fought before. At least we still have a show to fight over.
6. Editing room. Jeremy enters to find Natalie already there. She is hitting the editing machine.
JEREMY: Should you be doing that?
NATALIE: Probably not.
JEREMY: Then why are you?
NATALIE: The damn thing won’t focus.
JEREMY: And hitting it will help, will it?
NATALIE: It works with TVs.
JEREMY: Actually it doesn’t. Nor does it work with computers, telephones, cars or Xerox machines, but that doesn’t stop people hitting them.
NATALIE: Whatever. Could you take a look at it?
JEREMY: Sure. [He gives the machine a brief inspection] Give me ten minutes.
7. Dana’s office. Dana is at her desk working when there is a small knock at the door.
DANA: Come in.
[The door opens slowly and Charlie’s face appears]
DANA: Hi Charlie.
CHARLIE: Hello. [Pause] Can I come in?
DANA: [With forced jollity] Sure you can. That’s why I said "come in".
[Charlie comes in and sits down]
DANA: So, what can I do for you?
CHARLIE: Can I interview you now?
DANA: Sure you can.
CHARLIE: Dad says I have to say "If you’re not too busy".
DANA: [Smiles] Well I’m not too busy. How about we do it over there on the couch?
CHARLIE: Ok.
[They sit down on the couch and Charlie points his camera at Dana]
CHARLIE: I’ll just ask questions, and you answer them.
DANA: I think I can handle that. Go ahead.
CHARLIE: What’s your name?
DANA: Dana Whitaker.
CHARLIE: What’s your job?
DANA: I’m the producer of Sports Night.
CHARLIE: What does a producer do?
DANA: Well, a producer, produces the show. A producer has to decide what will go into the show, and to make sure that everybody knows what they have to do so that we have everything we need to put the show out.
CHARLIE: So you tell people what to do.
DANA: Pretty much.
CHARLIE: Even my dad?
DANA: Especially your dad.
8. Casey and Dan’s office. Dan has a large board on which there are pictures of various members of the crew, together with a lot of writing and long twisty arrows. Casey enters and observes Dan for a few moments.
CASEY: Hey Dan.
DAN: Hey.
[Casey walks up and observes the board over Dan’s shoulder]
CASEY: But is it art?
DAN: Don’t mock the board Casey. The board will bring relief from terror, the board will bring justice.
CASEY: It will do all that?
DAN: It will.
CASEY: How?
DAN: By helping me to catch the practical joker.
CASEY: You really think you’re going to catch him?
DAN: I have set myself this task.
CASEY: Beats working I guess. How do you plan to go about it?
DAN: On this board I have listed all the known instances of practical jokes. Where they occurred, when they occurred, and who the victims were.
CASEY: [Points to a small list in one corner] What about those ones there.
DAN: I’m not sure about those. They might just have been the product of regular incompetence.
CASEY: Ok, but how does this help you find the joker?
DAN: I’ll find out where everybody was at the time of the incidents to establish who had the opportunity. Anyone with an alibi is eliminated from the list of suspects.
[Casey looks at the list of suspects]
CASEY: That’s a long list.
DAN: It will get shorter. I’ve already eliminated Will.
CASEY: Why Will?
DAN: Because he was off work on the day of the helium-filled condom episode.
[Kim enters]
KIM: Hi guys. What’s all this?
CASEY: Dan here is going to track down the practical joker.
KIM: Didn’t Dana tell you to do that in your own time?
DAN: Dana will understand.
KIM: That’ll be a first. So who’s on the list of suspects?
[Casey indicates the list and Kim reads it]
KIM: Why is my name on the list?
DAN: Because I haven’t yet eliminated you from my inquiries.
KIM: You suspect me?
DAN: I suspect everybody.
KIM: But I got hit too. Somebody placed that lonely hearts ad in my name.
DAN: And you’re now dating the guy who replied to it.
KIM: That’s not the point. I still got hit.
DAN: That could have been a clever ruse to put me off the scent.
KIM: Well all this Columbo crap of yours could be a clever ruse as well.
DAN: Good point.
[Dan adds his name to the list of suspects]
CASEY: I hope you’ll interrogate yourself thoroughly.
DAN: I’ll be ruthless.
9. Dana’s office. The interview is continuing.
DANA: ......and it’s very easy to just concentrate on the big sports like football, baseball, basketball. But they get so much coverage already, and I think it’s important to give time to other sports that sometimes people just aren’t aware of.
CHARLIE: [Lowering camera] That’s great Dana, thanks.
DANA: Have I answered everything?
CHARLIE: Sure.
DANA: Well that wasn’t so hard.
[There is a moments silence as Charlie inwardly debates about something]
CHARLIE: Dana?
DANA: Yes Charlie?
CHARLIE: Can I ask you something?
DANA: I thought we’d finished?
CHARLIE: This is other stuff.
DANA: Sounds serious. You’d better ask me.
[Charlie pauses before speaking. He looks away from her]
CHARLIE: Do you want to get your claws in my Dad?
[Dana stares at him for a moment]
DANA: What did you say Charlie?
CHARLIE: My mom said to Mrs. Fischer that you wanted to get your claws in Dad. Only I don’t really know what that means.
DANA: [Takes a deep breath] Well Charlie. I think what it means is that your mom is laboring under the impression that I’m harboring an interest in your father that goes beyond the platonic.
CHARLIE: You mean mom thinks you have the hots for my dad?
DANA: I guess so.
CHARLIE: Oh. Do you?
DANA: No.
CHARLIE: Oh.
DANA: That is, I like him very much, but I don’t think it would really work out.
CHARLIE: Oh, ok.
DANA: Has Cas....your father said anything? About me?
CHARLIE: No, he never really talks about that stuff to me. I’m just a kid.
DANA: Right. Absolutely.
CHARLIE: But I wouldn’t mind.
DANA: You wouldn’t mind what?
CHARLIE: You and Dad. I think I’d like it. I think it would be ok.
DANA: You do?
CHARLIE: I guess.
DANA: Well thank you Charlie. That’s nice to know.
[Charlie abruptly gets up]
CHARLIE: I better go. Thanks Dana.
DANA: Charlie!
CHARLIE: Yes?
DANA: Do you know what "off the record" means?
CHARLIE: Yeah, Dad told me.
DANA: Well all that stuff about me and your dad is off the record ok?
CHARLIE: Ok.
10. Newsroom. Kim approaches Jeremy.
KIM: Jeremy, Natalie said she asked you to take a look at the editing machine.
JEREMY: She tells the truth.
KIM: Well, could you do it sometime soon because the work is starting to pile up.
JEREMY: I already did it.
KIM: When?
JEREMY: As soon as Natalie asked me.
KIM: Well it’s not working now.
JEREMY: Are you sure?
KIM: Sure I’m sure. It won’t focus.
JEREMY: [Frowning] I did it.
[Jeremy enters the editing room and Kim follows. Jeremy examines the editing machine]
JEREMY: [To himself] I fixed this.
KIM: Should I call Tech-Adrian?
JEREMY: No.
KIM: Maybe I should. I mean, I know you’re good at this stuff but it’s really not your job.
JEREMY: Don’t call anyone. Just give me ten minutes.
KIM: Ok.
[Kim starts to leave]
JEREMY: Kim!
KIM: Yes?
JEREMY: Make it twenty.
11. Editing room. When Kim has gone Jeremy turns his attention to the editing machine. He is wielding a screwdriver.
JEREMY: Right you bastard, prepare to be fixed.
CHARLIE: You aren’t supposed to swear.
Jeremy turns to see Charlie standing in the doorway - he is videoing.
JEREMY: Hi Charlie.
CHARLIE: Hi.
JEREMY: I didn’t see you there.
CHARLIE: I figured.
JEREMY: Er, you’re going to edit that out right?
CHARLIE: I don’t know. Dad says the first rule of journalism is maintaining your integrity.
JEREMY: I’ll give you five bucks.
CHARLIE: Ok.
[Charlie makes no effort to move, or to stop recording]
JEREMY: Was there something else?
CHARLIE: Can I interview you now?
JEREMY: Isn’t there someone else you’d rather interview?
CHARLIE: Natalie and Dan are both busy.
JEREMY: I see.
CHARLIE: So can I interview you instead?
JEREMY: [Sighs] I guess so.
CHARLIE: If you have the time.
JEREMY: [Grins] You learn fast. Ok, ask away.
CHARLIE: What’s your name?
JEREMY: My name is Jeremy Goodwin.
CHARLIE: Is fixing stuff your job?
JEREMY: No. In real life I’m a producer.
CHARLIE: I thought Dana was the producer.
JEREMY: She is the producer. I’m an associate producer. The producer decides what to put in the show but it’s the associate producers who have to actually put the pieces together. Select the shots, edit them, stuff like that.
CHARLIE: Is Natalie an associate producer too?
JEREMY: Sort of. [Pause] Actually she’s what we call a senior associate producer.
CHARLIE: So she’s in charge of you?
JEREMY: Well, it’s really Dana who’s in charge.
CHARLIE: But Natalie’s higher up than you. I mean, if she tells you to do something, you have to do it, right?
JEREMY: I guess.
CHARLIE: Do you like working for your girlfriend?
JEREMY: Well I don’t work for Natalie as such, it’s more of...........Who told you Natalie was my girlfriend?
CHARLIE: You did.
JEREMY: I don’t remember that.
CHARLIE: You did. It was one time when I came to see Dad.. You had this big box of candy and I asked who it was for ‘cos I wanted some, but you said they were for Natalie. So I asked why you were giving them to Natalie and you said because she’s your girlfriend and you love her.
JEREMY: [Pause] I remember that. She gave the candy to you.
CHARLIE: Not all of it.
JEREMY: No.
CHARLIE: So do you like working for, I mean with, your girlfriend.
JEREMY: Well, actually, Natalie is no longer my girlfriend.
CHARLIE: Why not?
JEREMY: Because we broke up.
CHARLIE: How come?
JEREMY: Just one of those things.
CHARLIE: Do you have another girlfriend?
JEREMY: No I.......aren’t we getting a little off the subject?
CHARLIE: Sorry.
JEREMY: No problem. Next question please.
CHARLIE: Do you miss her?
JEREMY: This is off the subject again Charlie.
CHARLIE: Sorry.
JEREMY: That’s ok. [Pause] But yes, I do miss her.
CHARLIE: So why don’t you......?
JEREMY: [Warningly] Charlie.
CHARLIE: Sorry. [Pause] Is this off the record?
JEREMY: Yes please.
12. Casey & Dan’s office. Dan is already there, Casey enters. Dan holds up a hat. It is a "deerstalker" hat, as worn by Sherlock Holmes.
DAN: Do you know what this is Casey?
CASEY: An unfashionable hat?
DAN: It’s a challenge.
CASEY: It looks like a hat.
DAN: It’s definitely a challenge. I found it on my chair with this [Holds up a pipe] and this [Holds up a magnifying glass]
CASEY: Looks like the joker knows you’re on the case.
DAN: It does.
CASEY: And it looks like he’s laughing at you.
DAN: He won’t be laughing when I nail him.
[Casey looks at Dan’s board, the list of suspects is still very long]
CASEY: You don’t seem very close to nailing him. Maybe you should just glue him.
DAN: This isn’t a sprint Casey, it’s a marathon. Besides, you’re forgetting the most important part of detective work.
CASEY: High-speed car chases?
DAN: Deduction. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do now.
[Dan put’s on the hat, puts the pipe in his mouth. He leans back in his seat sucking on the pipe in a reflective manner]
CASEY: Just one thing Sherlock. If you’re chasing the joker, shouldn’t you be Batman?
13. Isaac’s office. Charlie is there interviewing Isaac.
CHARLIE: What is your name?
ISAAC: My name is Isaac Jaffe.
CHARLIE: What is your job?
ISAAC: I am the managing editor of Sports Night.
CHARLIE: What does that mean?
ISAAC: It means I’m in charge.
CHARLIE: [Frowns] But Dana said she was in charge.
ISAAC: She would say that.
CHARLIE: Isn’t she?
ISAAC: No. [Leans forward] But don’t tell her I said that.
CHARLIE: [Laughs] So who is in charge?
ISAAC: Dana runs the show. But I run the people who run the show. And I have the final say on what editorial line to take.
CHARLIE: What’s an editorial line?
ISAAC: It means what angle we take on a particular story or issue.
CHARLIE: What’s an angle?
ISAAC: It means how we tell it. You see Charlie, sometimes we can tell the same story in different ways.
CHARLIE: How?
ISAAC: Well, we could give it a different emphasis, or spin.
CHARLIE: You mean lie?
ISAAC: No Charlie, we never ever lie. [Pause] People would sue.
14. The Newsroom. Dan is looking for clues. He approaches Jeremy and examines him with his magnifying glass.
JEREMY: [Looking up] Hey Dan. Nice hat.
DAN: [Suspicious] Have you seen this hat before?
JEREMY: Sure I have.
DAN: When?
JEREMY: On Basil Rathbone’s head.
DAN: Very funny.
JEREMY: Only it suited him. Why are you wearing it?
DAN: I am wearing it to let the joker know that I accept his challenge, and that I will be equal to it.
JEREMY: I’m sure he’s all a quiver. But I don’t understand why you’re so keen to get him. Or her. You seem to have come off pretty lightly so far.
DAN: Lightly? Don’t you remember? I was one of the first victims.
JEREMY: [Grins] I still can’t believe you fell for that.
DAN: It wasn’t so unlikely.
JEREMY: Dan, it was a letter from the French Women’s American Football League asking you to coach their national squad.
DAN: It was very convincing. It had letterheads and everything. And a French stamp.
JEREMY: Not hard to arrange. It certainly wouldn’t have fooled me.
DAN: Like I said, it was convincing.
JEREMY: Did you get a refund on your plane ticket to Paris?
DAN: Fifty per cent.
JEREMY: I told you to call your agent first.
DAN: I remember. So I suppose you still haven’t been hit?
JEREMY: [Proudly] No. And don’t look at me like that Dan. It’s not suspicious; it’s just that the joker knows Jeremy Goodwin can’t be caught out so easily.
[Elliot appears]
ELLIOT: Jeremy.
JEREMY: Elliot.
ELLIOT: I have a message from Kim.
JEREMY: What’s the message?
ELLIOT: She wants to know if you’ve fixed the editing machine yet.
JEREMY: I fixed it over an hour ago.
ELLIOT: She says not.
JEREMY: Well I say yes. Where is she anyway?
ELLIOT: Upstairs. She’s borrowing their machine. Only they’re getting a little ratty because she and Natalie have used it so much they’re getting behind with their own work.
JEREMY: I fixed the damn machine. Look, I’ll show you.
[Jeremy leads Elliot towards the editing room]
JEREMY: Catch you later Dan.
DAN: Sure Jeremy. Don’t get caught out by the joker now.
[Once in the editing room, Jeremy switches on the machine]
JEREMY: There.
ELLIOT: [Looking at screen] Well it’s hard to tell with no tape in it but it looks out of focus to me.
JEREMY: [Also looking at screen] But I fixed it.
ELLIOT: Should I call Tech-Adrian?
JEREMY: No.
ELLIOT: Only he’s really good at editing machines.
JEREMY: No.
ELLIOT: Ok, what do I tell Kim?
JEREMY: Tell her to give me........give me half an hour.
15. Isaac’s office. The interview continues.
CHARLIE: So what would you have done if Sports Night had been canceled?
ISAAC: I’d have retired.
CHARLIE: Why?
ISAAC: I’m too old to go looking for another job, especially with the state of my health.
CHARLIE: Your health?
ISAAC: You must have noticed how I don’t look so good.
CHARLIE: Dad said you got sick.
ISAAC: I did get sick.
CHARLIE: Is that why you talk funny?
ISAAC: Do I talk funny?
CHARLIE: [Nods] You talk like my Uncle Chester. [Pause] Only Mom says that’s because he’s a no-good drunk.
ISAAC: Your mom said that?
CHARLIE: I wasn’t supposed to hear.
ISAAC: Well I talk funny because my mouth won’t do what my brain tells it to do anymore.
CHARLIE: Does it hurt?
ISAAC: Not much.
CHARLIE: Will you get better?
ISAAC: No Charlie, I’ll never get completely better.
[There is a pause while Charlie thinks]
CHARLIE: When I get sick Mom keeps me off school till I’m better. Maybe you should stay off work?
ISAAC: You know what Charlie? I’ve been thinking about that myself recently.
[He fixes Charlie with a stare]
ISAAC: But that’s strictly off the record.