GOAL TO GO

Episode 1.2

“Aggies”

By

David Polk
 2.

RECAP – EPISODE ONE

We recap events from Episode One, ending on Dallas standing

face to face with J.R.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. COTTON BOWL – DAY

The stadium is rocking with 80,000 jacked up fans.

ON BILLY’S EYES, ice blue and intense.

BILLY
It don’t get any better than this boys.

ANOTHER ANGLE to show Billy, 21 years old, in the Aggies

huddle. PLAYERS are dirty, sweating, worn out. He scans
their faces, sees they’re worried. They’re losing.

BILLY (cont’d.)
(a cocksure smile)
All right, let’s show these Irish cock
suckers how we finish up a football
game in Texas. No offense, O’Grady.

O’GRADY
(a gap-toothed smile)
None taken, Donahue.

A laugh from the weary offense. Billy knows how to pick

them up even when their asses are dragging.

CUTAWAY – KIP AND MARV IN THE MEDIA BOOTH

KIP JOHNSON (58), wizened color man, and MARV EBERSOL (43),
his consummate sidekick and analyst, bring us up to speed.

JOHNSON
Well, it doesn’t get any better than
this, does it folks? Down 24-20 with
20 ticks on the clock, the Aggies face
a fourth and goal from the Notre Dame
12 yard line with the Cotton Bowl
trophy on the line.
 3.

EBERSOL
Kip, Billy Donahue’s pulled a lot of
rabbits out of his hat but the Heisman
trophy winner’s gonna need some real
magic against this rock solid Irish
defense...Here we go! The Aggies come
to he line of scrimmage for what could
be the last play of the game.

RETURN TO SCENE

Billy takes one last look over the defense and barks out
the signals. The ball is snapped, he drops back – nobody’s
open – and TAKES OFF. Irish defenders zero in on him. He
spins away from a tackle, picks up a block from O’Grady and
sprints toward the end zone, diving to touch the nose of
the football to a pylon.

An OFFICIAL rushes in and signals “TOUCHDOWN!”

The celebration on the A&M sideline is riotous. We FAVOR a

coach with silver hair, dark eyes and a hawk-like visage.
JOHN “WOLF” RYAN (57) is stoic, but his pride is evident.

EXT. COTTON BOWL – LATER

Ebersol is on the field in front of a CAMERAMAN. He’s

interviewing Coach Ryan, Billy and WES FENTON (21), the
Aggies’ All-American free safety.

EBERSOL
Coach, the loss to Arkansas took away
your shot at a national championship,
but you’ve got to be pleased with the
way your team responded against Notre
Dame tonight.

COACH RYAN
(thick Texas accent)
I couldn’t be more proud of these young
men. And winning the Cotton Bowl ain’t
nothing to frown at if you’re a Texan.

EBERSOL
Billy, you were 8-for-8 on that last
drive, then you take it in on the
ground with seconds left on the clock.
Aggie fans have gotten use to those
kinds of heroics from you. Was it just
another day at the office?
 4.

BILLY
No way! It never is. We got great
calls from the coaches and great
protection from the O-line. And Danny
and Mohammed came up big with some
clutch catches.

EBERSOL
Wes Fenton, your interception deep in
A&M territory really made it all
possible. It was your second pick of
the game and twelfth of the season.

WES
All week folks kept telling us how
explosive their passing game was, how
fast their receivers are. We knew we
could cover them and we proved it
tonight.

EBERSOL
Coach Ryan, it’s another great, great
win for you, but it must be bittersweet
knowing that this is the last game
you’ll have with these two young men,
who are both graduating and who, in all
likelihood, will be playing on Sundays
next fall.

COACH RYAN
You know, I’ve had the privilege of
coaching hundreds of talented young
football players and I can tell you
these two are right up there with the
best of them. They’re all special to
me but, yeah, I’m sure gonna miss these
two. They’re like sons to me.

EXT. TUNNEL – MINUTES LATER

Billy walks toward the tunnel, dangling his helmet by the

facemask, on Cloud Nine. He sees someone up ahead and
flashes a broad smile.

BILLY
Hey, Babe!

REVERSE to show Gale, smiling back at him, sweet as pie.

GALE
Hi, Billy Boy.
 5.

She moves into him, they kiss.

GALE (cont’d.)
Honey, I’m so proud of you!

A few players walk past them into the tunnel.

BILLY
Babe, I feel so good right now I
could...I could burst!

GALE
(smiling)
Well don’t do that, Honey. I just
bought this sweater.

Billy suddenly turns serious.

GALE (cont’d.)
Honey, I’m just kidding. You burst if
want too. I’ll buy a new sweater.

BILLY
(mustering his courage)
Listen, Gale. There’s...something I’ve
been wanting to ask you and, well, I...

GALE
Honey, what is it?

BILLY
Gale I love you and...

GALE
I love you too, Billy.

He takes her hand and she realizes what’s happening.

BILLY
Gale, I love you. More than anything.
The only thing that could make me
happier today than I am right now is if
you say you’ll marry me. Will you?
Marry me?

A few players, fans and reporters stop to witness history.

GALE
Oh, Billy!
 6.

She glances over his shoulder just as Coach Ryan and Wes
approach. The moment seems frozen for Gale - Billy waits
for an answer, she searches her father’s face for one. The
Coach’s nod is almost imperceptible, but she reads it.

GALE
Yes! Yes, Billy, I’ll marry you!

They kiss deeply. People gather round. Flashbulbs pop.

Everyone’s smiling except Wes, who looks like someone just
cut out his heart.

END TEASER

ACT ONE

INT. DONAHUE FOYER – DAY

J.R. stands in the doorway looking at Dallas. At first he

thinks he recognizes him then realizes he doesn’t. Dallas
knows he’s staring at his half brother.

DALLAS
Hi, is Coach home?

J.R.
You one of his players?

DALLAS
Yeah, I’m...

GALE (O.S.)
(calling out)
Who is it Sweetheart?

Gale comes up behind J.R.

GALE (cont’d.)
Oh, hello, Dallas. How are you this
morning?

After the dressing down she gave him at the barbeque a few
weeks ago he’s not sure what to expect.

DALLAS
Good morning. I’m fine, Ma’am.

GALE
Well, don’t just stand there. Come in.
J.R., this is Dallas Morales.
 7.

She smiles at the singsong sound of his name.

GALE (cont’d.)
Sweetheart, go tell your Dad his
starting safety is here.

Dallas is disarmed by her graciousness. J.R. fights the

urge to smirk but does as he’s told and heads upstairs.
Standing alone with his “Evil Stepmother”, Dallas fights
the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

GALE
You had a great game yesterday, Dallas.
Two interceptions and a punt return for
a touchdown. Not a bad start.

DALLAS
Thank you, Ma’am. But it was just
Portland State.

GALE
A win’s a win, Dallas. Enjoy it.
Billy should be down in a few minutes.
He just came in from his morning run.

As they cross through the foyer into the living areas of

the home, Dallas checks out the dozens of mementos
beautifully arranged in Hall of Fame quality displays:
TROPHIES, PLAQUES and TRINKETS that pay homage to the
Donahue’s Texas roots, and PHOTOS that chronicle their
fairy tale lives: Billy and Gale’s kiss at the Cotton Bowl;
Gale being crowned Miss Texas; Billy holding the Heisman
with Wolf Ryan at his side; a 3-year-old J.R. in an
oversized Aggies football helmet and pads.

GALE
So Dallas, what brings you over so
early? I’d think you’d still be
recovering from all that partying you
boys do after winning.

DALLAS
Ma’am, I just wanted a word with Coach.

Gale stops, turns to face him.

GALE
Dallas, from the looks of you I’d say
you know a thing or two about girls.
Here’s some advice for talking to
women. We don’t like to be called
“Ma’am.” It makes us feel old.
 8.

DALLAS
Oh, sorry Mm...

GALE
You can call me Mrs. Donahue. Some of
the upperclassmen call me Mrs. D, but
you’re not there yet.

INT. WALL’S BEDROOM – DAY

Wall Henderson, sound asleep, rolls over in bed, puts his

arm around a NAKED GIRL. She snuggles in close to him. A
RINGING TELEPHONE stirs them.

WALL
Ahhhhhh!

He pulls a PILLOW over his head. The phone keeps RINGING.

PULL BACK to reveal ANOTHER NAKED GIRL in bed. She reaches
onto the night table, grabs the CELL PHONE, hands it to
Wall and turns over to go back to sleep. Nursing a
hangover, he puts the phone to his ear.

WALL
Who the fuck is it?!

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

Walter?

Wall bolts upright in bed, eyes wide open.

WALL
Mama?!

INT. KITCHEN – DAY

Cara, in an AC-DC t-shirt and nothing else, sits on LINDSAY

BLUM’S (23) lap eating a BOWL OF CEREAL. Lindsay is a Bad
Boy rocker - long dark hair, tattoos and a pierced eyebrow.

Achilles enters and stops abruptly at the sight of them.

LINDSAY
Oh, hey, Roomy. Sorry if we kept you
up last night. I thought you’d be out
partying after you guys won, so I asked
Cat to stay over. By the way: Achilles,
Cat. Cat: my roommate, Achilles.
 9.

CARA
(her impish grin)
We’ve met. ‘Morning Einstein. Nice
game yesterday.

Achilles ignores her and crosses to the fridge. Cara feeds

Lindsay a spoonful of cereal and kisses him on the mouth to
catch the milk drizzling out. Achilles’ smirks at the
lovers, opens the fridge, looks inside.

ACHILLES’ POV - INSIDE THE FRIDGE

a JAR OF MAYONNAISE, an empty MILK CARTON and the empty

BOTTLE OF GATORADE that Cara drank last night.

RETURN TO SCENE

Achilles pulls out the milk carton and looks at Cara, who’s
loudly slurping the last of the milk from her bowl.

CARA
(smiling, mouth full)
Sorry...

Achilles tosses the carton at the trashcan. Misses. He

heads out of the kitchen, annoyed. He’s barely gone when
Lindsay slides his hand between Cara’s thighs. She giggles
and snorts milk. They’re at it again.

INT. DONAHUE GREAT ROOM – DAY

Gale’s making small talk with Dallas when Billy enters.

BILLY
Dallas! Hey, son. To what do we owe
the honor?

DALLAS
Hello, Coach. ‘Morning. I was...I was
hoping to talk to you about something.

BILLY
Sure. What’s up?

GALE
Whatever it is you can talk about it
over breakfast.
(off Dallas’ reaction)
Dallas Morales don’t even think about
saying no to me.
 10.

BILLY
Trust me, son, nothing good ever comes
from saying “No” to my wife.

INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – LATER

Billy, Gale, J.R. and Dallas are having breakfast. Dallas

pushes food around on his plate. J.R. checks out Dallas’
tattoos – dragons and other mythical-looking creatures.

J.R.
Nice ink. Where’d you get it?

DALLAS
Back home, different places.

GALE
Where is home, Dallas?

DALLAS
L.A.

BILLY
Dallas transferred from a junior
college. Coach Mercer tells me you were
a real hell raiser in JUCO.

J.R.
Were you in a gang?

GALE
J.R., don’t be rude.

DALLAS
No, J.R., I wasn’t in any gangs.

GALE
Do you have a lot of family back in Los
Angeles, Dallas?

DALLAS
It’s just me and my mom there.

He tries to read Billy’s face, as if the mere mention of

his mother might spark a memory.

DALLAS (cont’d.)
Mom’s folks are still in Texas. We
moved to L.A. right after I was born.
 11.

GALE
A Texas boy! I knew there was
something about you I liked.

The morning isn’t turning out the way Dallas had planned.
He should hate this Evil Stepmother - she caused his
mother’s heartache and took his father away from him. But
he can’t help but be drawn to her. Worse, he’s lost the
nerve to do what he came here to do.

BILLY
So, Dallas, what is it you wanted to
talk about, son?

INT. LINDSAY’S BEDROOM – DAY

Cara kisses Lindsay and rolls out of bed. He’s asleep,

exhausted from their last round of lovemaking. She gets
dressed and leaves the room.

INT. KITCHEN – DAY

Cara is about to open the fridge when she notices an

ENVELOPE with “Lesbot” written on it taped to the door.
She opens the envelope, pulls out five $20 bills. Cara
smiles. “At least Einstein’s not a deadbeat.”

EXT. COLLEGE STREET – DAY

Achilles is running. Hard. To anyone watching it looks

like he’s finishing up a morning jog. He’s really running
from the demons in his head, and from the humiliation of
riding the bench for the first time in his life.

He stops, catches his breath. Looking around, he notices

the STREAMERS AND CONFETTI in the trees. WIDEN and we see
that all around there’s evidence of victory parties.

EXT. COLLEGE STREET – MOMENTS LATER

Achilles walks past an alley. Out of the corner of his eye

he notices TWO YOUNG MEN, one white and one black, talking
near a dumpster. Growing up in East Orange, Achilles knows
a drug deal when he sees one. When the white kid turns, he
briefly locks eyes with him. It’s J.R.

END OF ACT ONE

 12.

ACT TWO

INT. PLAYER’S LOUNGE – SUNSET

The lounge is decked out in Sea Devils’ colors, modern

leather furnishings, big screen plasma televisions, pool
and foosball tables and vending machines stocked with free
snacks. It’s where players spend most of their free time.

Wall Henderson and Cole Seavers enter. Cole’s rock hard

physique, spiky blonde hair and perpetual scowl give him a
menacing presence. Wall is talking his ear off.

WALL
Come on, Cole. Help me out, dog. I’m
in deep shit if I don’t get tickets.

COLE
Do I look like Ticket Master to you?
Just talk to Mr. Flynn?

WALL
Don’t you think that’s the first place
I went? I got some bullshit PR answer.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS are watching “Monday Night Football”.

Dallas and Pete Mitchell are with them.

PETE
(to Wall)
Still trying to get extra tix to the
A&M game?

WALL
My mom is gonna kill my ass if I don’t
come up with those tickets. She’s
invited everybody in my family and I
told her I already had ‘em covered.

DALLAS
Your family’s going all the way to
College Station to see you play?

WALL
No, man, they live there.

DALLAS
So why can’t they just buy tickets?

WALL
You got $800?
 13.

DALLAS
You’re shitting me! $800 for tickets!
How many people are in your family?

PETE
Back in the day, Coach and Mrs. D were
like “Brangolina” in Texas. This game
is going to be bigger than the Cotton
Bowl on New Year’s Day. Scalpers are
going to make a killing.

COLE
(to Wall)
And today’s lesson is: “Never lie to
your mother.”

ELLIOTT (O.S.)
After giving up 20 points to Portland
State, the lesson ought to be “bump and
cover receivers in a two deep zone.”

Players turn to see Phil Elliott crossing behind them.

Cole’s face tightens. He hates offensive players,
especially smart-assed quarterbacks.

ELLIOTT
We’ve got a game to play before A&M.

COLE
At least the D scored 20 points.
That’s more than I can say for the O.

PETE
(cutting in)
Hey, Q.B.’s right. Let’s not get ahead
of ourselves. We should be focused on
Idaho State, not Texas A&M.

INT. LIBRARY STUDY ROOM – NIGHT

Valerie Kim sits alone reading a PSYCHOLOGY BOOK. She

sighs, annoyed, looks at the clock on the wall: 8:35.

MATCH CUT TO:

WALL CLOCK - 8:35

INT. FILM ROOM – NIGHT

Achilles hits the “pause” button on a REMOTE CONTROL and

stares at the image on the TELEVISION SCREEN. He studies
 14.

the Idaho State defensive formation, takes notes on a LEGAL

PAD then hits the “play” button.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

Billy walks past the film room and notices the light from
inside. He looks through the slip glass window in the
door, sees Achilles watching film. He thinks about going
inside but changes his mind. He leaves unnoticed.

INT. BOARD ROOM – DAY

THE BOARD OF REGENTS sit around a large table in the wood

paneled room. CHANCELLOR SEBASTIAN REED (50), tall, lean
and bespectacled, finishes up a presentation. He refers to
the POWER POINT SLIDE projected on the screen behind him.

REED
So as you can see ladies and gentlemen,
our increase in tuition has had no
discernable effect on enrollment. And
we’ve seen a slight increase in sales
of Wa Tech branded merchandise.

GARRETT
Chancellor, would that increase in
merchandise sales have anything to do
with your new quarterback? I saw a lot
of number 10 jerseys on Saturday.

REED
Yes, Garrett, I noticed that too.

SHARON
There were number 10s everywhere except
on the field. Any chance we’ll get to
see that freshman phenom this season?

REED
That’s Coach Donahue’s decision,
Sharon, but perhaps Dr. Webb can shed
some light on the coach’s thinking.

Charlotte is sitting along the wall with other staffers.

CHARLOTTE
Coach Donahue’s bringing Addams along
slowly, letting him learn the offense
and get used to the speed of the game,
(MORE)
 15.

CHARLOTTE (CONT’D.)
which is much faster at this level.
I’m sure we’ll see plenty of him when
the coach thinks he’s ready.

INT. HALLWAY – LATER

The regents are on a coffee break. Charlotte and Sebastian

are off having a private conversation.

REED
I hope Donahue knows what he’s doing.
I don’t want any more calls from Harold
Pennebaker. That man annoys me.

CHARLOTTE
Billy knows what’s at stake. And for
what it’s worth I believe he’s taking
the right approach with Achilles.

REED
To be perfectly honest, Charlotte, I’m
less concerned with the young man’s
playing time than I am with satisfying
the NCAA that there were no recruiting
irregularities. You’re absolutely sure
we’re clean there?

Off Charlotte...

EXT. VERANDA - DAY

Harold and Maria Pennebaker are enjoying a lunch of lobster

salad and Champagne.

HAROLD
Have you spoken to Gale about co-
hosting Saturday’s booster breakfast?

MARIA
Harold, I don’t want to seem pushy.

HAROLD
Kitten, it’s not being pushy. I
thought we agreed that you’d get more
involved in booster functions this
season. Besides, I’m sure Gale would
appreciate your help.
 16.

MARIA
She doesn’t seem to need much help.

HAROLD
It’s not whether she needs the help or
not. Besides, I thought you wanted to
get to know her better. This would be
a great way to do that.

A CELL PHONE RINGS. Harold takes it from the table.

HAROLD
Excuse me, Kitten. I’ll just be a
minute...Hello Charlotte.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD (TRYOUTS) – DAY

A QUARTERBACK zips a pass to a RECEIVER who drops it.

“Butterfingers” looks at his hands as if they were to
blame. The HEAD COACH shakes his head, scribbles notes on
his clipboard. J.R. returns to the back of the line of
wannabe receivers, still looking at his hands.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (PRACTICE) – DAY

PLAYERS are in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets (“short

and shells”).

SERIES OF SHOTS - PRACTICE

Lots of chatter from coaches and players; Elliott looks

sharp, zipping passes all over the field; Dallas, Cole and
the starting defense terrorize the scout team; Roulon runs
through a gauntlet of players who try to strip the ball;
players run wind sprints in pairs, Achilles and Burner
sprint to a neck and neck finish. Coach Garcia looks at
his STOP WATCH, impressed with their time.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (MEDIA DAY) - DAY

Reporters and camera crews are set up all over the place.

SERIES OF SHOTS – PLAYER INTERVIEWS

Wall faces the camera, relaxed.

WALL
Without a doubt, this is the best
defense in my 4 years at Wa Tech.
 17.

Cole faces the camera, scowling.

COLE
What’s the one thing we need on
defense? Ball control on offense.

Dallas faces the camera, uncomfortable.

DALLAS
I want to contribute. On D, on special
teams, wherever the team needs me.

Burner faces the camera, grinning.

BURNER
No offense, man, but I’d rather be a
“dark horse” candidate for the Heisman
than a “white horse” candidate.

Elliott faces the camera, confident.

ELLIOTT
We practiced great all week. So yeah,
I think we’ll have success moving the
ball against Idaho State, on the ground
and in the air.

INT. PRESS ROOM – DAY

Billy’s at a podium fielding questions.

SANDERSON
Coach, despite winning last week, the
offense was pretty anemic, scoring only
17 points against a weak Portland State
defense. Can we expect more production
this week?

BILLY
I like our game plan for Idaho State.
We should have success on the ground
against their front four, which should
open things up a bit for Phil in the
passing game.

REPORTER #1
So Elliott will start again on
Saturday, even though he was only 10 of
23 for 88 yards last week?
 18.

BILLY
Two of those 10 were touchdowns.

REPORTER #2 (RICK)
The Devils are a 20-point favorite
against Division 2 Idaho State. If you
do get a comfortable lead, will
Achilles get a few snaps?

BILLY
I don’t know about you, Rick, but I
never trust the odds makers.

SANDERSON
But Coach, Wa Tech fans are anxious to
see the Messiah this season. Are there
any circumstances, short of Elliott
going down, that you can see playing
him? Idaho State would seem like a
good game for some real experience.

BILLY
Sandy, if I had a crystal ball I’d be
making a killing as an odds maker in
Vegas or have my own sports talk show
like you.

Reporters laugh. Sandy ignores the humor at his expense.

GABRIELLE
Coach, you don’t have a crystal ball
but surely you’ve given some thought to
the Texas game in two weeks. It’ll be
your first trip back to Austin since
leaving four years ago.

Off Billy...

FLASHBACK – THE RYAN HOME – 4 YEARS AGO

Billy and Coach Wolf Ryan, frail from his battle with lung
cancer, are on the screened-in back porch. Gale enters
holding TWO GLASSES OF ICED TEA. She puts a down on the
table in front of each man.

BILLY
Thanks, Babe.

GALE
You’re welcome, Honey. Daddy, don’t
stay up too late. The doctor said you
need your rest.
 19.

COACH RYAN
(hoarsely)
Horseshit. I ain’t a baby. I’ll stay
up as long as I like. Speaking of
babies, where’s my grandson?

Billy smiles at Gale. “The Old Man’s still pissing

vinegar.” She tries to cover her worry with a half-smile.

GALE
J.R.’s not a baby anymore, Daddy, but
it’s past his bedtime. He’s asleep.

COACH RYAN
What? Billy, you’d better get that boy
used to playing in overtime.

BILLY
I will, Coach. But he is only 10.

COACH RYAN
It’s never too soon to build up a boy’s
stamina. Remember that.

Gale kisses her father on the cheek, shoots Billy a glance

that says “Don’t keep him up too long” and leaves them.

BILLY
Coach, you wanted to talk?

COACH RYAN
That’s right, Billy Boy...You know the
school’s been on me to pick somebody as
head coach when I...retire. They say
it’s out of respect for all I’ve done
that they’re letting me chose. If you
ask me it’s because they ain’t got the
balls to do it themselves.

Both men laugh. Ryan coughs roughly. Billy starts to go to

him but Ryan motions for him to sit down.

Beat.

BILLY
So Coach, what are you gonna do?

COACH RYAN
Already gave ‘em a name.

Billy’s been expecting this for a long time, ever since the
Coach was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He and Gale
 20.

never talked about it – the mere thought of the old man

dying put her in tears – but they knew this day would come.

COACH RYAN (cont’d.)

Son, you’ve been a helluva offensive
coordinator these last two years - as
good calling plays in the booth as you
were on the field...So I wanted to tell
you this myself, before they go to Wes.

Beat. Did he just say “Wes?”

BILLY
Wes?

RYAN
Yeah. Wes Fenton’s gonna be head
coach.
BILLY
(stunned)
Of the Aggies?

Ryan looks at Billy. He’s old and sick but he still has
total command over every player he’s ever coached. Now,
with his eyes, he’s commanding his former All-American
quarterback to “Suck it up.”

COACH RYAN
That’s right, son. Wes is my choice.

RETURN TO SCENE – PRESS BRIEFING

Billy focuses on Gabrielle’s pretty face.

BILLY
I’d be lying if I said I haven’t
thought about it, Gabrielle. But right
now I’m more focused on preparing to
beat Idaho State.
(a convincing smile)
Tell you what, though. You get first
crack at the Texas questions next week.

END OF ACT TWO

 21.

ACT THREE

INT. HOLT ARENA (IDAHO STATE GAME) - NIGHT

A DOWN MARKER FLIPS to “4” for fourth down. Phil Elliott

walks to the sideline where Billy and Coach Garcia wait
tensely. A GIRL hands Phil a water bottle and he takes a
deep swig.

BILLY
Talk to me, Phil. What’s going on?

ELLIOTT
They’re stacked pretty good against the
run, masking their coverage. They’ve
got Burner bottled up pretty tight.

INT. MEDIA BOOTH – NIGHT

Sandy Sanderson is next to SKEETER BLACKLEDGE (46), color

commentator for Wa Tech Sports. Blackledge is Sanderson’s
polar opposite – a fat, boozy, Rosacea-scarred slob of a
man. He enjoys playing the foil to Sanderson’s uptight
wannabe analyst, which makes fans love him even more.

BLACKLEDGE
Sandy, I’m guessing even a genius like
you didn’t see this coming. Here we
are, late in the fourth with the Devils
playing catch up to a 20-point dog.

SANDERSON
Coach Donahue and his coaches are
talking it over on the sideline, but
down by a field goal with less than 4
minutes to play, they have to go for it
on fourth and a long six.

INT. COACH’S BOOTH

Bull Heffernan intensely scans his laminated PLAY SHEET.

Billy comes to him through his HEADSET.

BILLY (V.O.)
(tense)
This is the game right here, Bull.
Let’s get off the page on this one.
 22.

INTERCUT AS NEEDED BETWEEN COACH’S BOOTH AND SIDELINE

BULL
(trying to keep his cool)
I’m on it, Coach.

BILLY
Don’t get on it, get me a play!

GARCIA
Coach, how about Cinderella’s Slipper?

Billy cuts him a hard look then his eyes say, “Go on”.

GARCIA (cont’d.)
They’ve over-pursued the run all night
and they’re jamming our receivers...

BILLY
(into headset)
Cinderella’s Slipper. What do you
think, Bull?

BULL
I think this ain’t the time to go
drawing plays up in the dirt, Billy.

Billy locks eyes with Garcia then looks over Garcia’s

shoulder at Achilles, who’s been standing there the whole
time, watching and listening. Achilles, Elliott and Garcia
exchange looks.

INT. MEDIA BOOTH

Blackledge picks up his binoculars, looks onto the field.

BLACKLEDGE
Did somebody slip a Mickey into my
Gatorade or is that the freshman
Achilles Addams in the huddle next to
quarterback Phil Elliott?

SANDERSON
I believe you’re right, Skeeter.
 23.

INT. HOLT ARENA

Elliott breaks the huddle. The Sea Devils come to the line
with Roulon Jones at running back, Achilles lined up as a
slot receiver and Burner split wide.

ELLIOTT

leans under center, barks out the signals...

ACHILLES

goes in motion toward Elliott. The ball is snapped just

before he reaches Elliott...

ELLIOTT

fakes a handoff to Achilles then pitches to Roulon. Idaho

State defenders close in for the tackle when...

ROULON

stops, turns and throws the ball back to Elliott.

“Cinderella’s Slipper” is a flea-flicker play.

ELLIOTT

looks down field and throws the ball to...

ACHILLES

who is wide open. He catches the ball and sprints 30 yards

into the end zone.

BILLY AND GARCIA

look at each other. Their smiles say, “Who’da thunk?”

BULL

shakes his head in disbelief as assistant coaches high-five

and celebrate all around him.

ACHILLES

returning to the sideline, impassively accepts pats on the

helmet and butt from coaches and teammates. Nearby Elliott
does the same. They lock eyes briefly. Teaming up for a
winning touchdown hasn’t brought them any closer.
 24.

INT. D’AGOSTINO’S RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Maitland’s finest restaurant is abuzz with the town’s

movers and shakers.

CLOSE ON A WOMAN’S CLEAVAGE

Cake D’Agostino’s got a nice rack. PULL BACK and we see

the man staring at it is easily twice her age. He tears
his eyes away and looks up at her smiling face. She’s
accustomed to the leering. She may have the face of an
angel but her body was built for sin and she knows it.

CAKE
Right this way, Mr. Kuntz. Your party
has already arrived.

As PETER KUNTZ (46) follows Cake through the restaurant we

know he’s thinking that the view from the rear is just as
nice as from the front. Cake’s tight but tasteful black
dress and high heels accentuate her lithe, sexy figure.

CAKE
Here we are.

They’ve reached his table where 6 people, including KUNTZ’S

WIFE, are already having appetizers.

KUNTZ
Thank you.

CAKE
(a coquettish smile)
My pleasure. Enjoy dinner. And if
there’s anything I can do for you,
please don’t hesitate to ask.

Kuntz kisses his wife. Cake smiles to herself as she walks

away.

At another table, Harold and Charlotte are having dinner.

HAROLD
Charlotte, you know how much I respect
and admire Billy. But Idaho State was
a near catastrophe. Can you imagine if
we’d lost to a 20-point underdog?

CHARLOTTE
But we didn’t lose, Harold.
 25.

HAROLD
Thanks to one Achilles Addams who...

CHARLOTTE
Caught a pass from a fifth-year senior
who earned the starting job.

HAROLD
Look, Charlotte, you’ve got to talk
some sense into Billy. We squeaked by
two Division 2 schools. We won’t be so
lucky against Texas A&M or in the WAC.

CHARLOTTE
You know my rule, Harold. I didn’t
want the A-D telling me how to coach
basketball and I’m not going to start
coaching football for the man I hired
to do that job.

INT. ACHILLES’ APARTMENT – NIGHT

THE CREW (5 college guys) plays poker. Or more accurately

two are playing, the others are watching.

LINDSAY
Why’s it always come down to us, Roomy?

ACHILLES
‘Cause I’ve got the skill and you’ve
got the money?
(tossing in chips)
See your 20. Raise you 10.

Lindsay idly fingers his chips, tosses in a few.

LINDSAY
(staring at Achilles)
Maybe I’ve got the money and you’ve got
the luck. Call.

Achilles stares back, his eyes cold as a shark’s. They’re

both very good at this. Lindsay lays out a jack high
straight then flashes a predatory grin. The others watch
and wait, holding their collective breath.

ACHILLES
Damn. I guess I was wrong.
(grinning)
Now I’ve got the skill and the money.
 26.

He lays out four kings. The Crew reacts. Lindsay’s pissed

but even he can’t help being impressed.

LINDSAY
Shit! I thought I was getting a patsy
to split the rent, not pay it for him.

Achilles casually rakes in his winnings.

ACHILLES
Stop asking me to sit in and I’ll stop
earning my rent from you every month.

LINDSAY
I’m just trying to win my money back. I
thought you were some dumb jock who
couldn’t read, let alone play poker.
That’s the only reason I let you sit in
that day you came here looking for an
apartment. Now I’m out another $750.

GEORGE
What are you whining about, Blum, it’s
not like you can’t afford it?

GEORGE BUSCH (21) is black and very preppy.

LINDSAY
The way your administration fucked up
my portfolio, Dubbya, I might not have
a pot to piss in when I leave this
place.

The Crew laughs. George goes along with the gag. As if the
name weren’t bad enough, being a black Republican makes him
an even bigger joke magnet.

WILLY
Don’t you mean your folks’ portfolio?
They’re still paying for that pot,
right?

WILL SCHAFFER (22) is thin and pasty with a pitiful goatee

he thinks gives him an “academic” look. In fact, it makes
him look like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. The Crew calls him
“Free Willy”.

Lindsay gives Willy the finger.

ACHILLES
So your mother’s really Little Debbie
on “The Dickenson’s”?
 27.

LINDSAY
Yeah. She was.

WILLY
And daddy’s a Hollywood mogul. So he’s
got money to burn. Don’t you, 90210?

LINDSAY
Don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful,
Free Willy. Who wants another one?

He holds up an empty beer bottle and heads to the kitchen.

ROB
Man, I used to watch that show every
week when I was a kid. It blew my mind
when I found out Little Debbie was
Blum’s mom.

ROB STEINBECK (21) is one of Lindsay’s band mates.

ACHILLES
Really? Why’s that?

GEORGE
Because Lindsay’s mom is in Rob’s spank
bank hall of fame.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
(calling out)
You sick fuck! She was 8 years old on
that show.

He comes back into the room, tosses beers to the guys.

GEORGE
Actually, she would’ve been 14 or 15 by
the time the show went off the air.

ACHILLES
That’s still statutory rape.

ROB
So the first girl you banged was 21?

LINDSAY
Guys, do you mind? This is my mother
you’re talking about.

ROB
(smiling)
Yeah, I’d bang your mother...
 28.

INT. D’AGOSTINO’S RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Peter Kuntz leaves the men’s room and spots Cake alone at
the hostess station. He walks up to her.

KUNTZ
Hello again.

CAKE
(brightly)
Oh, hello Mr. Kuntz. How was
everything this evening?

KUNTZ
Best meal I’ve had in years.

CAKE
I’m very happy to hear that. Is there
anything I can do for you? A taxi?

KUNTZ
Well, as a matter of fact...I’m here 4
or 5 times a year. Next time I’m in
town I was hoping to find a place where
I can...unwind. Do you know of a place?

CAKE
There are a number of very nice lodges
and resorts that I’m sure you and your
wife would enjoy. The Wildflower Inn is
especially nice.

KUNTZ
Actually, my wife won’t be with me on
my next visit.

CAKE
Oh...I see.

END OF ACT THREE

 ACT FOUR

INT. SEA DEVILS LOCKER ROOM - DAY

It’s mostly empty after practice. Wall Henderson and

Achilles are at their lockers, about 20 feet apart.
Achilles, shirtless and in jeans, rolls on deodorant.
Wall, fully dressed, reads a text message on his PHONE.

WALL
(under his breath)
Damn!

Achilles looks over just as the big lineman stalks out.

SCRAPS OF PAPER fall to the floor in his wake. Achilles
looks around. The coast is clear. He goes to Wall’s
locker, looks at the scraps. Off track betting stubs.

INT. COACH STEWART’S OFFICE – DAY

COACH STEWART (30) is studying a column of names on a

whiteboard. His office barely has room for a desk and two
chairs. A KNOCK on the door and he turns.

STEWART
Come in.

Gale comes in, bumps against a chair.

STEWART
(surprised)
Mrs. Donahue! Please, come in!

He squeezes around the desk to shake her hand.

GALE
Good afternoon, Coach. I hope I’m not
interrupting.

STEWART
No, not at all, it’s an honor to meet
you, Mrs. Donahue.
(suddenly embarrassed)
Please, excuse this mess.

GALE
(charming smile)
Mess? What mess?

The beguiling lie puts him at ease.

 30.

STEWART
Please, have a seat.

Gale navigates herself into a chair and looks at the

whiteboard. “Cuts” is written above the column of names.

GALE
You know, Coach, one of my earliest
memories of Daddy was sitting in his
office, just like this, after tryouts.
He was an assistant at Kansas then.

STEWART
Coach Ryan was one of my idols growing
up. But I’m sure you hear that a lot.

She does, but never tires of hearing it.

GALE
Most people thought he was cold and
strict, and he certainly could be. But
I think cutting players on the last day
of tryouts was always the hardest thing
for him to do. He knew he was crushing
a boy’s dreams when he cut him.
(beat)
Not a lot of folks know this, Coach
Stewart, but Daddy cut Billy on his
first tryout for the Aggies.
(then a beautiful smile)
Daddy never admitted how wrong he was
about Billy.

Stewart looks at her, only now realizing why she’s there.

INT. HALLWAY (OUTSIDE COACH STEWART’S OFFICE) – SUNSET

Gridiron hopefuls line up to read the typed names on TWO

SHEETS OF PAPER pinned to the bulleting board. J.R. gets to
the front, looks up at the list. His eyes widen...

INT. WAWA – NIGHT

Achilles is browsing the shelves for snacks. A CLERK

(MADHU) works idly behind the counter. A LOUD BEEP as a
CUSTOMER enters the store.
 31.

MADHU
(heavy Indian accent)
Wall! My brother! That was a great
game you played Saturday!

WALL
Just doing our thing, Madhu.

Achilles, unseen, spies his teammate.

WALL
Hook me up with Power Ball, Madhu. Same
ole same ole: 21-5-54-33-14 and lucky
number 90, my number.

Wall lays out $100.

MADHU
The odds could be with you my friend!
The pot is up to 30 million but a lot
of people, they won’t play until it has
reached 100 million. But you know what
I say to them? That’s bullshit! Who
are they to turn their nose up to 30
million? Foolish people! I’d be happy
with a million. Wouldn’t you?

Wall fidgets while he waits for his lottery tickets.

Achilles watches, not wanting to be seen. Then he knocks
over a display stand. Madhu and Wall turn at the ruckus.

EXT. WAWA

Wall waits next to his Jeep Wrangler. Achilles walks out

with a bag of snacks and sodas. They exchange a look. The
teammates have never actually talked to each other.

WALL
Need a ride back to campus, Addams?

INT. JEEP WRANGLER – MOVING - NIGHT

GANGSTA RAP blares.

WALL
(over the music)
So you turned down Miami to come here?
 32.

ACHILLES
(over the music)
Yeah. Better Business program.

Wall smiles at the well-worn lie.

WALL
(over the music)
Yeah, right...I got two kids by two
different girls, so I had to get the
hell out of Dodge too.

Achilles looks at him, decides not to correct him.

ACHILLES
(over the music)
So are they expecting tickets to the
game too? Your kids and their mothers?

Wall looks over at him.

WALL
(over the music)
Hell no! Just my mom, brothers and
sisters, a couple of aunts and their
kids. Twelve all together.

ACHILLES
(over the music)
You get the tickets yet?

Wall stares straight ahead, pensive.

WALL
(normal voice)
I’m working on it.

INT./EXT. WALL’S JEEP

Achilles climbs out in front of his apartment.

ACHILLES
Thanks for the ride.

He’s about to walk away when

 33.

WALL
Look, Addams...Man, I know you’re a
long way from Jersey. A brother can
get to feeling pretty isolated up here.
Shit, we’re damn near in Canada. You
start feeling the pressure of all that
“Messiah” bullshit, I know a few places
where they keep it real.

Achilles nods. They connect. Wall drives off, MUSIC

blasting as he goes.

INT. WEIGHT ROOM - DAY

About two-dozen players work out. ROCK MUSIC blares through

the room’s built-in speakers. Dallas finishes a heavy set
on a bench press. Cole Seavers is spotting him.

COLE
Nice job, Chico.

Dallas takes a breath, stands up. Cole tosses him a bottle

of water. Dallas takes a deep swig and looks across the
room at Elliott, who’s doing squats with a heavy barbell on
his shoulders. Cole notices him too.

COLE
A&M D is gonna rip him a new one.

DALLAS
Burner and Roulon will get it done.

COLE
You’re assuming a lot. And you know
what they say about assuming.

Dallas looks at him. Cole returns his stare.

COLE
Look, Chico, don’t fool yourself.
Defense is gonna have to play our asses
off to have a snowball’s chance.

DALLAS
Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?
Elliott’s no Tom Brady, but he’s not
that bad.
 34.

COLE
He’s not that good either. And Texas
A&M has one of the best defensive ends
in the country, maybe the best.

Achilles walks past. They watch as he takes a seat at a

shoulder press machine. Cole and Dallas exchange a look.
“We’re so fucked.”

INT. DONAHUE FOYER – NIGHT

The door opens. Elliott’s standing outside.

GALE
(smiling)
Phil. Come in.

He steps inside. He’s always awkward around her.

ELLIOTT
Hi, Mrs. Donahue.

GALE
Billy’s in the study.

He follows her down the hallway, admiring her ass.

GALE
I’ll be down in a minute with something
to tide you boys over.

She turns toward the kitchen.

ELLIOTT
Thanks.

He continues on to the study.

INT. STUDY – LATER

ON A TELEVISION SCREEN: VIDEO FOOTAGE of a Texas A&M

defensive end (wearing jersey number 93) brutally sacking a
USC quarterback.

BILLY (O.S.)
See, that’s what I’m talking about,
Phil. Barber isn’t just strong, he’s
faster than a bat outta hell too.
He’ll blow through the gap and be on
top of you before you know it.
 35.

ELLIOTT
Yeah, Coach. I see. Rex and i-Phone
will have to hold up their side.

BILLY
They will. But Wes will move him
around, to the left, the right, even at
linebacker. So you’ve got to call him
out on every play.

Phil looks at the image of the lineman on the screen.

VIDEO FOOTAGE: The defensive end is a beast – he sacks the

quarterback, tosses a running back lag a rag doll, bats
down a pass and intercepts another one for a touchdown.

BILLY
I won’t try to blow sunshine up your
ass, son. We’re in for a helluva fight
on Saturday.

Elliott tries to look confident.

BILLY
You’re up to it, Phil. I really
believe that. Now when you believe it
so will your teammates. Then we’ll have
a chance to win that fight.

Billy gives him the same cocksure smile he flashed in the

Aggies’ huddle at the Cotton Bowl. And like Billy’s
teammates did 20 years earlier, Elliott starts to believe.

Gale enters wearing a long, sexy robe.

GALE
Billy, Honey, enough already! It’s
past midnight. I’m sure Phil’s got
class in the morning.

Billy looks at his watch. Elliott tries not to stare at

Gale. Did she notice him looking at her?

INT. FORD F-150 – NIGHT

Elliott cuts off the engine, sits back and sighs deeply.
His head is filled with thoughts: his poor showing against
Idaho State, the image of A&M’s monster defensive end, Gale
in that nightgown...
 36.

He catches himself, opens the door, gets out of the truck.

INT. DONAHUE’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Lying in bed, Billy spoons Gale, pulls her close so she can
feel his intentions. She appears to be asleep. Billy
gives up, rolls over. After he does, she opens her eyes.

INT. ELLIOTT’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Elliott opens the door, quietly walks in. His girlfriend

Jess stirs in the bed, wakes and looks up at him.

JESS
(sleepily)
Hey, Baby. What time is it?

PHIL
Late. Go back to sleep.

He strips and crawls in behind her. She snuggles against

him, he kisses her neck and they begin to make love.

END OF ACT FOUR

 37.

ACT FIVE

INT. SEA DEVILS’ LOCKER ROOM – DAY

BLACK HANDS fan a wad of $20s and $10s.

MAN’S VOICE (O.S.)

Damn! $4,000 just for guessing the size
of man’s dick!

WIDEN to show the hands belong to running back Roulon

Jones. Teammates crowd around him admiring his winnings.

MILLER
Guessing my ass! You had to have first
hand knowledge to come that close.

The players break up laughing.

ROULON
Hey, Miller, you can have first-hand
knowledge of kissing my black ass!

Tight end Jabari Colvin slaps Roulon on the back.

JABARI
(grinning)
Forget him, Roo. He’s a sore loser.
So you still taking all of us on the O-
line out to D’Agostino’s?

ROULON
(an incredulous look)
When’s the last time you blocked
somebody, big boy?

More laughter.

Across the room Wall is staring into his locker. He reaches

in and pulls out an ENVELOPE, opens it. Pete Mitchell
comes up.

PETE
What’s that?

Wall fans out the Texas A&M TICKETS.

PETE (cont’d.)
You hit the Power Ball or what, G?
 38.

INT. CHARTERED JET – IN FLIGHT – DAY

Gale is by the window reading a FASHION MAGAZINE. Billy’s

staring out the window, deep in thought. Gale looks at
him, knowing what’s on his mind. She puts her hand on his.
Their fingers interlock and they squeeze hands.

FLASHBACK – BAR – NIGHT

A popular hangout filled with Aggie faithful.

Billy and Wes Fenton, 21-year-old best friends, sit in a

booth having their last beers together as college students.

WES
The Jets. You won’t know what to do
with yourself up in New York City.

BILLY
I think I’ll figure it out, Tex.

WES
You know they got buildings more than 5
stories high, Trailer Park Boy.

Billy takes a drink from his long neck.

BILLY
Yeah, I’ve been there. Remember?

WES
You just gotta keep throwing the
Heisman around, don’t you?

BILLY
(smiling)
Yeah, I do, especially at you.
(then serious)
Hey, Wes, Atlanta in the third round
ain’t bad. You could start as a
rookie.

WES
I know...To tell you the truth, Billy,
I’m not that excited about the NFL.

BILLY
What? You’re shitting me, right? We’ve
worked our whole lives for this and we
made it. We’re going to the pros!
 39.

WES
I just don’t see myself in the league
that long, even if I make the Falcons.

BILLY
So what do you see yourself doing?

WES
Coach said he’d hold a graduate
assistant spot for me if...

BILLY
Coaching? C’mon, Wes, we’re players,
man! We belong on the field, knocking
heads, not on the sidelines.

WES
(thoughtfully)
I don’t know, Billy. I love the college
game, man. I can’t imagine anything
being better than this...

GALE (O.S.)
Better than what?

They look up at her, walking toward them, smiling.

BILLY
Hey, Babe.

She slides next to Billy, gives him a peck on the mouth. We

notice the large DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING on her finger.

BILLY (cont’d.)
Tex here was just saying how much
better our lives are going to be in New
York City than his life in Atlanta.

Gale smiles lovingly at Wes.

GALE
Wes, you’ll love Atlanta. You’ll have
to beat the Belles off with a stick.

INT. HYATT GRAND BALLROOM – NIGHT (RETURN TO PRESENT)

Aggie boosters and alums mingle at a gala reception

honoring The Golden Couple. Billy and Gale are holding
court, a group of the faithful hanging on their every word.
 40.

The group parts like the Red Sea when Aggies’ head coach
Wes Fenton and his beautiful wife JOCELYN – a Southern
Belle – walk up.

Beat.

WES
Billy Boy.

They shake hands, each man’s grip like a vice.

BILLY
Tex.

Gale flashes a warm smile then exchanges a knowing look

with Jocelyn. A PHOTOGRAPHER (20s) steps in, knowing a
front-page photo op when she sees it.

PHOTOGRAPHER
Coach Fenton, can I get you and Mrs.
Fenton with Coach Ryan’s daughter and
Coach Donahue?

CAMERA VIEWFINDER POV – THE SMILING FOURSOME

The camera flashes and the photo FREEZES.

INT. HYATT GRAND BALLROOM - LATER

Gale and Wes have found a quiet spot to chat.

WES
Gale, you look great. I can’t believe
it’s been over four years.

GALE
Thanks, Wes. Jocelyn is lovely. You
seem so happy together.

WES
She’s terrific and we are.
(beat)
What about you? How’s life in the
Great Pacific Northwest?

GALE
It’s not Texas but we’ve learned to
love it.
 41.

WES
Really? I didn’t think you’d ever be
happy anywhere but College Station.

CUTAWAY – BILLY LOOKING AT WES AND GALE

A BOOSTER prattles on to Billy about the Cotton Bowl

victory over Notre Dame. Billy’s more interested in what
Wes and Gale are talking about.

RETURN TO SCENE

GALE
Daddy would be proud of what you’ve
done with the program, Wes. It took
him almost 10 years to break into the
Top 20 and you’ve done it in four.

WES
Well, at least I’m able to make one
Ryan happy.

END OF ACT FIVE

 42.

ACT SIX

EXT. COLLEGE STATION STREET – SUNRISE

The first rays of sun bathe the campus. We hear running

shoes on pavement and controlled breathing.

SERIES OF SHOTS – BILLY JOGGING THROUGH TOWN

In shorts and a worn “Property of Washington Tech Football”

t-shirt, Billy takes us on a tour of College Station –
passing landmarks, Kyle Field, etc., on his morning run.

EXT. HYATT HOTEL – SUNRISE

Billy returns to the hotel, walks up the driveway to the

entrance. A DOORMAN (50s) greets him with a warm smile.

DOORMAN
‘Morning, Coach. Up early today.

BILLY
‘Morning.

He’s about to enter the revolving doors when...

DOORMAN
Good luck today, Billy Boy.

Billy looks at him. Aggie fans still love him.

BILLY
Thanks.

DOORMAN
(smiling)
But not too much.

INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - SUNRISE

Billy, cooling down from his run, walks down the hall. As
he passes the Fitness Center he slows to check out the
woman working out inside. She’s on her hands and knees, in
a Spandex outfit that hugs her taut, sexy figure. He
recognizes her.
 43.

INT. FITNESS CENTER - SUNRISE

Bill swipes his room card and enters the Fitness Center.

BILLY
Gabrielle?

The ESPN reporter stops her Pilates routine.

GABRIELLE
Coach Donahue. Hi.

BILLY
I didn’t think you television types got
out of bed before 10 o’clock.

GABRIELLE
Us television types? How do you really
feel about the media, Coach?

BILLY
(charming smile)
It’s pretty early in the morning for
that kind of honesty.

GABRIELLE
(a fetching smile)
I’m a big girl. Try me.

BILLY (cont’d.)
Okay. Most sportscasters are empty
suits who are about as deep as the
kiddie pool at Wally World.

Gabrielle stands, hands on her hips. Her cinnamon skin

glistens with sweat. She’s hot even at the crack of dawn.
She locks eyes with him.

GABRIELLE
And me? Am I just another empty suit?

If we doubted there was a spark between them, the look in

their eyes confirms that there is.

BILLY
Well, there are always exceptions.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY

We hear a man HOWL, apparently in pain. Achilles stands

close to a door, waiting impatiently.
 44.

ACHILLES
Let’s go in there! We’re supposed to
be downstairs in 20 minutes and I need
to hit the shower.

The door opens and Warren “i-Phone” Sitren steps out.

Achilles squeezes past the big lineman into the bathroom
but is stopped by an invisible force.

ACHILLES
(what the f--!)
Damn i-Phone! What crawled up your fat
ass and died?!

WARREN
You’re gonna want to wait at least 10
minutes before you go in there. And I
wouldn’t use any electric devices if I
were you. Sparks.

The stench is overwhelming.

ACHILLES
(gagging)
Jesus!

WARREN
Sorry, but I can’t go to the bathroom
in stadium locker rooms. If I don’t
burn a mule before the game I get that
bloated, stopped up feeling.

Achilles’ eyes are watering. He turns, grabs his travel

bag off the bed and heads toward the door of the room.

ACHILLES
Screw it. I’ll shower at the stadium.

INT. VISITOR’S LOCKER ROOM – DAY

The Sea Devils are suiting up for the game. The relaxed
atmosphere belies their collective anxiety. It’s their
first game against a nationally ranked team. That the team
is their coach’s alma mater just adds to the pressure.

INT. SHOWER/LOCKER ROOM

Achilles steps out of the shower, grabs a towel and begins

drying off. Wall steps in front of him.
 45.

WALL
Hey, Addams!

Achilles looks up at the 6-foot-7 giant.

WALL (cont’d.)
I won’t forget the solid you did me
with those tickets.

ACHILLES
I don’t know what you’re talking about.

He continues past. Wall looks over his shoulder at him.

WALL
(smiling to himself)
Yeah, right.

INT. VISITING COACH’S OFFICE – DAY

Billy stands next to the desk, studying his laminated PLAY

SHEET. A KNOCK on the door.

BILLY
Come in.

Achilles, dressed for the game, enters and closes the door.

ACHILLES
You wanted to see me, Coach?

BILLY
Yeah. Have a seat.

An awkward moment passes.

BILLY (cont’d.)
Achilles, I know it’s been tough for
you, not starting.

Achilles just stares at him blankly.

BILLY (cont’d.)
Look, I just wanted you to know
something. You will be the starting
quarterback for this team one day.

ACHILLES
But not today.
 46.

BILLY
No. Not today...Achilles, you’ve been
a winner your whole life. But being a
quarterback is about more than winning.

ACHILLES
So you’re giving out scholarships for
good sportsmanship now?

Beat.

BILLY
You want to know why I started Elliott
over you? Not because I think he’s
better - he’s not. I started him
because he wants to lead this team.
Achilles, if I’ve learned anything
about this game it’s that the words
“quarterback” and “leader” are
synonymous. Leaders need followers.
When you figure out how to get those
guys out there to follow you, then
you’ll be ready to start for this team.

ACHILLES
Is that all Coach?

BILLY
That’s all.

Achilles stands and walks toward the door, opens it.

BILLY
Achilles...

Achilles half turns.

BILLY (cont’d.)
Be ready today.

ACHILLES
I’m always ready, Coach.

He leaves and the door shuts closed behind him.

END OF ACT SIX

 47.

ACT SEVEN

EXT. KYLE FIELD - DAY

Billy, Gale, her mother ROSE RYAN and J.R. stand at

midfield, eyes glued on the JUMBOTRON along with those of
85,000 fans, watching a VIDEO MONTAGE set to music.

VIDEO FOOTAGE: Gale being crowned Miss Texas; Billy holding

the Heisman with Coach Ryan by his side; Billy scrambling
for the winning touchdown in the Cotton Bowl; Billy and
Gale saying their “I dos”; Billy, Gale, Coach Ryan, Rose
and little J.R. immortalized in a family portrait.

The MONTAGE ENDS with a rousing musical climax, cannon fire

and thundering applause from the fans. On the field, Billy
and Gale smile and wave regally. J.R. looks even more lost
than Rose, who has Alzheimer’s.

EXT. KYLE FIELD – LATER

SERIES OF SHOTS – THE GAME

All-American defensive end RONNIE BARBER (number 93) wreaks

havoc in the Sea Devils backfield, sacking Elliott hard
several times; the Aggie defense stuffs Roulon at the line
of scrimmage; Burner Turner is hammered going for a pass
over the middle, the ball roughly separated from his
usually sure grip.

The Aggies’ offense rolls too, reaching the end zone on a

bruising halfback run and a long pass play. Through it
all, on the sidelines, Billy and Wes are intense. In the
stands, Gale remains composed, ever conscious of the
cameras focused on her every moment of the game.

As the first half comes to a close, the Texas kicker splits

the goal posts for his second field goal, adding 3 points.

SCOREBOARD – Texas A&M 20, Washington Tech 0

INT. VISITORS LOCKER ROOM - DAY

The Sea Devils come into the locker room at halftime

psychically worn out and physically beaten down. Reality
has hit them like a blitzing linebacker: the Aggies are
much better than they are.
 48.

INT. HELO’S PUB – DAY

Where Maitland’s locals gather to watch big games on a BIG

SCREEN TELEVISION. At the moment they’re in a collective
funk. Nobody expected the Sea Devils to win, but a shutout
is just plain embarrassing.

CARA
Jesus Fucking Christ! Could they make
at least one freakin’ first down!

She’s at a table with locals SONNY (24), AVA (18) and Cake.

SONNY
Nice mouth, Cat. You suck your
Hollywood boyfriend off with that
mouth?

Her look could draw blood.

CARA
You suck your Skid Row boyfriend off
with yours?

A BARMAID stops by with a PITCHER OF BEER. She hands Cara

a glass of water with a lime on the rim. It’s our first
sign that Cara doesn’t drink.

CAKE
Why don’t they put the cute guy in at
quarterback?
(a lustful grin)
With thighs like those, I bet he can
drive it deep into the end zone.

Sonny, a dark, handsome Italian, reacts. He doesn’t like

Cake’s infatuation with Achilles.

AVA
I don’t know about that end zone but he
can drive it in mine anytime, girl!

SONNY
He’d ought to be afraid of what might
come out of your “end zone”.

Ava gives him the Italian “fuck you”.

 49.

SONNY
Addams is so overrated. Donahue’s
job’s on the line. Don’t you think if
he was good Coach would have started
him at the beginning of the season?

CAKE
I don’t know, Sonny. I’d still like to
see him perform.

INT. VISITOR’S LOCKER ROOM

It’s tense. Players surround Billy at the center of the

room. He speaks in a low, calming voice.

BILLY
A lot of people out there are thinking
this game’s over – people in the
stands, people watching on television
back in Maitland. Your Mamas and
Daddies listening on the radio back in
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California,
they’re already making excuses for you
– ”Texas A&M is ranked in the top 20”,
“Texas A&M is a Big 12 team”, “Texas
A&M has 10 All-Americans”.
(louder)
Well I don’t think this game is over.
Not unless you’ve decided to leave your
manhood out on that field. Not unless
you’ve already bought into those
excuses. Bought into the belief that
you’re not good enough to be on the
same field as the Aggies.
(beat)
If you’re thinking this game is about
me – what people are going to say about
me if we lose - think again. My days
as an Aggie are long gone, ancient
history. They’ve already retired my
jersey, gentlemen. Today is your day,
not mine. So the question you have to
ask yourself – all of you – is how do
you want to be remembered after today?

He glares at Wall...

BILLY (cont’d.)
Well?

At Dallas...
 50.

BILLY (cont’d.)
How do you want to be remembered?

EXT. TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM - DAY

The teams are lining up for kickoff. In the stands, Gale

smiles sweetly at her admirers as she settles in for a
long, painful second half.

On the Texas sideline, Wes Fenton looks across the field,

catches sight of Billy, who’s putting on his headset.
Their eyes meet.

FLASHBACK – BAR – NIGHT

Wes and Billy, 36 years old, sit across from each other in
the same booth they sat in 15 years earlier. This time
they’re drinking bourbon instead of Lone Stars.

WES
So you won’t stay on as my offensive
coordinator?

Billy looks stonily into Wes’ eyes.

BILLY
Would you?

Wes takes a sip of bourbon.

WES
What about Gale? How’s she feel about
leaving Texas?

BILLY
We’ve left before.

Beat.

WES
Billy, if you ever want to come back...

BILLY
We won’t.

EXT. KYLE FIELD (RETURN TO PRESENT)

Elliott completes a pass to Jabari for a first down. On the

sideline, Coach Garcia sends a play in with hand motions.
 51.

BLACKLEDGE (V.O.)
The halftime pep talk must’ve sunk in.
That’s three straight passes and three
first downs for the Devils. And for
the first time today they’re on the
right side of the 50.

ELLIOTT
(to the huddle)
Alright, let’s keep it rolling. Pro
right, Banshee Six, slot curl. Burner,
I’m coming to you so make me look good.

The best friends exchange a look. Burner grins.

At the line, Elliott looks over the defense, barks out the
signals and takes the snap. Almost immediately defensive
end Ronnie Barber bears down on him. Warren tries to block
him but is knocked on his ass by the brutal All-American.
Elliott desperately heaves the ball.

Downfield, Burner adjusts to the poorly thrown pass and

hauls it in. He’s tackled at the Aggie 25-yard-line. Back
near the line of scrimmage, Elliott’s on the turf, writhing
in pain. Warren stands over him, shell shocked.

INT. BROADCAST BOOTH

SANDERSON
Ouch! That’s sack number five for the
All-American. He’s been taking freshman
offensive tackle Warren Sitren to
school all afternoon.

BLACKLEDGE
More like to the woodshed, Sandy.
Let’s just hope that last hit on
Elliott isn’t serious.

EXT. KYLE FIELD – DAY

Elliott is wracked with pain, his face contorted like a

cartoon character as TWO TRAINERS work to calm him.

BLACKLEDGE (V.O.)
Well, serious or not it looks like
we’re finally going to see highly
touted freshman Achilles Addams take
his first snap in a Sea Devils uniform.
 52.

Achilles is throwing a football hard, warming up on the

sideline.

SANDERSON (V.O.)
I can’t think of a tougher spot for the
kid to make his much anticipated debut.
The pressure is really on.

Achilles steps up to Billy for last-second instructions.

BILLY
There’s a half of football left to play
so there’s no need to do anything
spectacular. Just run ‘em like we call
‘em, okay?

Achilles nods. They exchange a look – both remembering

their pre-game talk. We can almost see the chip on his
shoulder as Achilles trots onto the field.

IN THE HUDDLE

Achilles leans in to call the play but the players are too
busy finger-pointing to pay attention to him.

JABARI
Fuck that, i-Phone! You damn near got
Q.B. killed!

WARREN
Bullshit! You missed...

ACHILLES
(sharply)
Shut the fuck up!

WARREN
What?!

Achilles grabs the lineman’s facemask, jerks it toward him.

ACHILLES
Nobody talks in my huddle but me.

Now he’s got their attention. Burner grins.

ACHILLES
Split Right 787, Check Swing V. On two.

The huddle breaks, Achilles slowly follows his offense to

the line. He’s calm, focused, mentally morphing into his
childhood heroes – Montana, Brady, McNair.
 53.

ACHILLES’ POV – THE DEFENSE

Defenders shout signals and trash talk, trying to get into

his head. He tunes them out, tunes out the 85,000 fans.

ACHILLES
Black 77! Black 77! Hut-hut!

On the snap he drops back, rolls left to avoid Barber, and

zips a tight spiral to Jabari, who gets hammered at the 10-
yard-line.

On the next play, the Texas defense blitzes. Achilles

coolly rolls right and sprints to the end zone. Touchdown!

BILLY AND WES

sense a shift in momentum.

GALE

on her feet, feeling the glare of the cameras, smiles.

INT. HELO’S PUB - DAY

The bar erupts with cheers.

Achilles’ touchdown REPLAYS on the big screen.

BLACKLEDGE (V.O.)
Well, they might not win it, but
they’ll avoid the shutout thanks to the
fleet-footed freshman! The Messiah
made that look easy!

Cara and her girlfriends are pumping fists and high fiving.
Not Sonny. He’s focused on Cake, who’s smiling
lasciviously at Achilles’ image on television.

EXT. KYLE FIELD - DAY

Achilles lights up the defense like a Christmas tree.

MONTAGE – MEET THE MESSIAH

A hitch and go to Burner for 15 yards; a 10-yard scramble;

a quick slant to the FLANKER for another first down and,
then, a beautiful 30-yard fade to Burner for a touchdown.
 54.

While Burner’s doing his funky end zone dance, Achilles

unsnaps his helmet and walks toward the sideline. Warren
approaches him grinning, hand raised for a high five.
Achilles just looks at him and leaves him hanging. On the
sideline, Achilles ignores Billy and takes a seat on the
bench, picks up a PHONE to talk with the coaches’ booth.
The chip on his shoulder isn’t coming off any time soon.

END OF MONTAGE

SCOREBOARD – Texas A&M 20, Washington Tech 14, 0:54 left in

the third quarter

Wes tersely instructs his QUARTERBACK.

WES
Cram it down their throats.

ON THE FIELD

The Aggie offense eats up the clock with a punishing

running attack and short passes. On third and two at the
Washington Tech 28-yard-line, Wall rally’s his troops.

WALL
Come on, goddammit! We got less than a
quarter to play! Let’s stop these
fuckers! Right here! Right now!

As they take their positions, the Washington Tech defenders

steel themselves. We favor Dallas and Wall, Texas natives
who know now’s the time to step up. Wall is breathing fire
by the time the OFFENSIVE TACKLE lines up across from him.

WALL
Yo, bitch, hope you’re tired of your
old asshole ‘cause I’m about to rip you
a new one.

The Tackle gets set. The quarterback barks the signals. On

the snap, Wall shoots off the line and knocks the Tackle on
his ass. It’s a sweep play.

WALL

sprints down the line after the Aggie running back.

THE RUNNING BACK

lowers his shoulder, bracing for the hit from...

 55.

DALLAS

who SLAMS into him like a heat seeking missile. Wall

finishes him off, pile driving him into the turf.

THE CHAIN GANG

Rushes out to measure for the first down. THE REFEREE

signals that it’s inches short. “Fourth down.”

WES

immediately signals for his field goal unit.

Wall and the Sea Devils’ defense celebrate. In the stands,

WALL’S MOTHER proudly looks on, waves down to her son.

EXT. KYLE FIELD - CONTINUOUS

Elliott throws a football on the sideline, warming up.

Coach Garcia watches him then turns to Billy.

GARCIA
Doc’s cleared Elliott, Coach.

Billy checks his laminated PLAY SHEET. Elliott comes next

to him, ready to reenter the game. Achilles steps up too.
Now they’re on either side of the head coach. It’s decision
time – again.

Billy looks at the game clock. 3:12 left in the game.

BILLY
(into headset)
Big series here, Bull. Whaddaya say?

BULL (V.O.)
I say if you’ve got any of that old
Billy Boy magic left, now would be a
good time to pull it outta your ass.

Billy turns to Achilles, grabs his facemask, pulls him

close.

BILLY
We’re running the no huddle, starting
with Pro Right, 26 Blast...Get it done.

Achilles nods, fastens his chinstrap and trots onto the

field. Elliott brusquely unsnaps his chinstrap and yanks
off his helmet.
 56.

IN THE HUDDLE

ACHILLES
(in command)
No huddle starts now. Pro Right, 26
Blast. On two.
(to Warren)
I don’t care how, but keep 93 off me.

They break the huddle and move briskly to the line.

Achilles scans the defense, barks out the signals.

QUICK MONTAGE – MEET THE MESSIAH PART 2

The ball is snapped and he goes to work: a handoff to

Roulon; a dump pass to Jabari in the flat; a bullet to
Burner near the sideline for another chunk of yards; a
scramble to the sideline to stop the clock; a laser to a
FLANKER in the chancy seam of the zone for a big gain.

On the sidelines Billy and Wes watch intensely.

Then, SUDDENLY, seemingly from nowhere, Ronnie Barber steam

rolls Warren and NAILS Achilles in the backfield for a big
loss. Texas A&M fans go wild.

END MONTAGE

RONNIE BARBER

stands over Achilles. He’s a man among boys.

BARBER
Playtime’s over Freshie! Time to drag
your young ass back to New Jersey!

BILLY

calls a timeout. The clock stops at 0:25. Billy huddles

with Achilles and Garcia as Elliott looks on.

BILLY
How’s the coverage on Burner?

ACHILLES
Too tight. And i-Phone can’t handle
93. I can’t stay in the pocket.

GARCIA
Jabari’s a big target. Hit him
underneath the coverage.
 57.

ACHILLES
We’ve got 30 yards to cover and no time
outs left. He’ll catch it, then what?

BILLY
(wheels turning)
Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do...

EXT. KYLE FIELD – CONTINUOUS – DAY

The CROWD NOISE is deafening. Texas A&M’s legendary 12th

Man. In the stands, Wall’s family is on their feet. Gale,
J.R. and Rose are too.

The Sea Devils come to the line in a spread offense. Empty

backfield. Achilles in the shotgun.

BLACKLEDGE (V.O.)
Here we go, folks! Third and 12 from
the Aggie’s 28-yard-line with 25 ticks
left! Look for a pass to the end zone!

The ball is snapped, the blitz comes hard. Achilles steps

up to avoid the sack then takes off – it’s a quarterback
draw. He gains 15 yards before he’s tackled.

GAME CLOCK (0:18, 0:17, 0:16)

SANDERSON (V.O.)
They’ve got to get to the line of
scrimmage and stop the clock!

The Sea Devils rush to the line. Achilles calmly comes up

behind the center and signals that he’s going to spike the
ball to stop the clock. He takes the snap AND DROPS BACK in
the pocket, lofts a perfect touch pass just over Ronnie
Barber’s outstretched hands to

JABARI

who makes the catch in the end zone.

BLACKLEDGE (V.O.)
TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN! CAN YOU BELIEVE
IT?! THE DEVILS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 9
SECONDS LEFT TO PLAY!

SERIES OF SHOTS - REACTION

Billy clinches his fist; Sea Devils players and coaches

celebrate all around him on the sideline; in the coach’s
 58.

booth, a shower of paper as Bull and other assistants do

the same; Wall’s family screams with joy and hug each
other; Gale throws her arms around J.R.’s neck and kisses
him on the cheek, then turns to Rose and hugs her gently.

At Helo’s Pub it’s bedlam. Cara is on top of her chair

pumping her fists; Cara and Ava bounce up and down. Even
Sonny’s arms are up in the air.

Achilles just unsnaps his chinstrap and walks to the

sideline, cool as Joe Montana. He takes a seat on the
bench, takes a drink from a SQUIRT GATORADE BOTTLE.

ANGLE ON THE GOAL POSTS as the football flies through.

SCOREBOARD – Texas 20, Washington Tech 21, 0:09 in the game

EXT. KYLE FIELD – MOMENTS LATER

The kickoff goes deep into Texas A&M territory. The RETURN
MAN takes it, picks up a couple of blocks and weaves
through the Sea Devils untouched down the field. Touchdown!

PLAY CLOCK (0:00)

Texas A&M fans swarm onto the field.

BILLY

removes his headset and stoically watches the all-too-

familiar celebration.

ACHILLES

watches the scene impassively from the bench.

WALL

flings his helmet in disgust.

DALLAS

closes his eyes in despair. Other Sea Devils are stunned

into silence.

EXT. KYLE FIELD – MOMENTS LATER

With reporters and cameramen pressing all around them,

Billy and Wes meet near midfield to shake hands.
 59.

WES
Good game, Coach. Maybe next time.

BILLY
(tersely)
Thanks, Coach. Maybe.

Wes moves close to Billy, speaks in his ear.

WES
Looks like you’ve got a quarterback,
Billy. He could be as good somebody I
played with a few years back.

They look into one another’s eyes and we see a spark of

their old friendship.

EXT. TUNNEL - DAY

Billy walks toward the tunnel. He looks up and sees Gale

waiting for him near the entrance.

FLASHBACK – KITCHEN – 4 YEARS AGO

It’s tense between Billy and Gale.

BILLY
When did he tell you!?

GALE
He didn’t have to tell me, Billy.

BILLY
But you knew! The night we went to his
house, when I thought he was gonna name
me head coach, you knew he wouldn’t,
that he’d already chosen Wes.

GALE
(gently)
Billy, Honey, be honest. In your heart
you knew it too. You knew Daddy was
grooming Wes all along, even when you
both played for him.

Billy reacts; the truth stings. Gale senses his pain and
moves close to him, touches his face lovingly.
 60.

GALE
Wes was Daddy’s choice, Billy, but I
chose you. I love you. Only you.
Always you.

BILLY
Really? That’s not how I remember it.

Gale reacts. His words hurt.

GALE
Billy I was 17 when I started dating
Wes and I...I wanted to please Daddy.
But when I met you, Honey, I fell in
love hard, and I knew it was real. I
never felt that for Wes. Ever.

She holds his face in her hands, looks deeply into his
eyes. She loves him so very much.

GALE
I’m with you, Billy Boy. Always.

EXT. TUNNEL (RETURN TO PRESENT)

For the first time today, Gale is unconcerned with the

cameras that surround her. She moves to meet Billy, takes
his face in her hands. She doesn’t say a word. It’s in her
eyes. “I’m with you, Billy Boy. Always.”

They embrace as FLASHBULBS POP all around them.

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE