Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Episode 1.13
“Spring”
by David Polk
2.
RECAP
TEASER
FADE IN:
REYNOLDS
Dr. Webb, we’re investigating the death
of Marcus Gamble. He was shot over a
year ago in East Orange. We have
reason believe that his ex-girlfriend,
Portia Robeson, was somehow involved in
the shooting.
CHARLOTTE
And since Achilles Addams is the only
student on campus from East Orange you
believe he’s also linked to the
shooting.
REYNOLDS
We’ve questioned Ms. Robeson several
times. She says that she and Mr.
Addams were together on the night of
the shooting.
(clears his throat)
In the biblical sense. I’m here to ask
Mr. Addams a few questions.
CHARLOTTE
My husband is a retired detective, so I
know police work can be painstaking.
Still, I’m surprised it’s taken you a
year to get around to questioning one
of my student athletes if you suspect
his girlfriend is involved in a
homicide.
REYNOLDS
Gamble was a 16-year-old gang banger
and drug dealer. Frankly, Dr. Webb,
our assumption going into the
investigation was that this was just
another gang-on-gang shooting. We’ve
seen our share of that in East Orange.
3.
CHARLOTTE
Yes...Of course, well, we will
cooperate in any way possible. I’ll
want to inform our Chancellor and Coach
Donahue. And, naturally, Achilles may
wish to have a lawyer present when
speaking with you.
DETECTIVE
Naturally.
BILLY
(calling)
Gale. Gale, are you home?
He crosses the living room, walks down the hall toward her
office. She comes out of her office.
GALE
(smiling)
Billy, honey. This is a nice surprise.
I didn’t expect you home until late.
BILLY
Gale, there’s something I need to talk
to you about.
GALE
Okay.
(fingers his shirt-buttons)
Mattie’s gone for the day and J.R.
won’t be home for a couple of hours.
You want to talk upstairs?
BILLY
Gale, I think we should sit down. In
the living room.
GALE
All right, honey. What is it?
BILLY
Gale, I need to tell you something and
it’s not easy.
GALE
Okay, what is it?
BILLY
You know, I’ve loved you since the day
we met. I know how much I disappointed
you by not telling you about Dallas.
GALE
Billy...what are you getting at?
BILLY
I swore...
CHARLOTTE
Billy, Charlotte. There’s been a
development with Achilles and his
girlfriend, Portia Robeson. I have a
homicide detective from New Jersey in
my office. I’m sure you’ll call as
soon as you get this message.
BILLY
I swore I would never keep anything
from you again. No matter what is was.
5.
GALE
(winces again)
Billy, you’re scaring me. Just tell me
what it is. What’s going on?
BILLY
Gale, I...
BILLY
Gale, I’ve been...
GALE
Oh, God! Billy! ...
DOCTOR
Coach.
BILLY
Yes!
DOCTOR
Mrs. Donahue is going to be all right,
Coach.
BILLY
(heavy sigh)
Thank god! Thank you, Doctor. When
can I see her?
(reads her face)
What? What is it?
DOCTOR
Coach, I’m sorry, but we weren’t able
to save the baby.
6.
BILLY
(thunderstruck)
What?
END TEASER
ACT ONE
DOCTOR
Though Mrs. Donahue is in excellent
physical condition, any pregnancy past
the age of 40 is risky for both mother
and fetus. Mrs. Donahue was nearing
the end of her first trimester, so
we’re very fortunate that there wasn’t
severe internal damage...
DISSOLVE TO:
BILLY
Doctor says you’re going to be fine.
They just want you here for a day to
keep an eye on you.
BILLY
Are you going to tell me who?
DONNA
No, Dr. Webb, he hasn’t checked in.
(listens)
Yes, I’ve left messages for him on his
cell phone too, as well as on Gale’s
phone and their home line.
(listens)
Yes, I tried her. Miss Weiss is on her
way to San Francisco. Her flight
doesn’t land for a couple of hours.
MARIA
Harold?...HAROLD!
HAROLD
Kitten wait!
HAROLD
Kitten, it’s not what it looks like,
let me explain....
MARIA
Explain? What is there to explain,
Harold? Your cock was in Raoul’s ass!
What exactly is it that I’m missing?!
8.
HAROLD
I don’t know what came over me, Maria.
I just don’t...
MARIA
My God, Harold, am I not enough woman
for you?!
HAROLD
Of course you are, Kitten.
MARIA
What am I saying? Of course I am! I
don’t have time for this now, Harold.
Gale’s in the hospital.
HAROLD
What? Gale? Why?
MARIA
She’s had a miscarriage and Billy’s
disappeared.
HAROLD
A miscarriage? But I thought...
MARIA
I’ll deal with you later.
(looks down)
For goodness sake, Harold, put some
clothes on!
CHARLOTTE
Yes, detective, he flew back earlier
today. A family emergency of some
kind.
(listens)
Just for a few days.
(listens)
Yes, of course. Good night, detective
and have a safe flight back.
IRIS (V.O.)
Iris Cross.
9.
CHARLOTTE
Iris, Charlotte.
IRIS (V.O.)
Hello, Dr. Webb. Our outside counsel
is pulling everything they can on the
Marcus Gamble case.
CHARLOTTE
Thank you, Iris, but what I need now is
for you to find the best lawyer you can
on the East Coast.
IRIS (V.O.)
Dr. Webb?
CHARLOTTE
When Achilles lands in New Jersey he’s
going to get hit by a shit storm. I
want him to have the best umbrella this
university can buy. I’d also like you
on the next available flight to New
Jersey.
IRIS (V.O.)
Yes, of course, Dr. Webb. Should I
clear that with Chancellor Reed?
CHARLOTTE
I’ll handle Sebastian. You just make
sure our boy stays dry.
MARIA
He loves you, Gale. Nothing could ever
change that.
GALE
I was so awful to him about Dallas. It
was my pride, Maria. I’ve let my pride
destroy my marriage.
MARIA
Nonsense, sweetheart. Any woman would
be devastated to learn that her husband
kept such a secret from her.
10.
GALE
I knew it when I saw her, Maria. She’s
the love of his life. She taught him
about love and she gave him a son
before I ever met him.
MARIA
Gale, he had a choice and he chose you.
GALE
But would he do it again?
MARIA
Of course he would.
GALE
No, Maria, I know Billy. That’s why it
hurt so much.
(off her reaction)
If he had to do it over again, he’d
choose them.
SMITTY
(calling out)
Hey, you! You can’t be in here!
SMITTY
Are you deaf or just plum dumb and
stupid? Oh...Billy? Coach Donahue?!
SMITTY
Coach Donahue! I’m sorry. If I’d known
it was you I wouldn’t have been such a
jerk just now.
BILLY
It’s all right. Don’t worry about it.
11.
SMITTY
Well, I’ll be damned! Billy Boy
Donahue! Back here in Texas.
(sticks out his hand)
Remember me, old Smitty?
BILLY
(shakes it)
Hi, Smitty. I remember you.
SMITTY
You did some incredible things on this
field. Bet this place brings back a
lot of memories, huh, Billy Boy?
BILLY
Yeah, Smitty, it does.
ACT TWO
FLANAGAN
I just want to remind you, Achilles,
you’re not the suspect here. So don’t
feel as though you have to cover for
anybody.
ACHILLES
I’m not covering for anybody.
FLANAGAN
Of course not. Now you said that you
and Portia began dating after she’d
already broken up with Marcus?
ACHILLES
Yeah. A few months after.
FLANAGAN
And did you and Marcus ever have any
words over their breakup?
ACHILLES
No. He’d dropped out of school by then,
so I rarely saw him around.
REYNOLDS
I just want to be clear on the timeline
here, Achilles. You said that you and
Portia left the theater at around 10:30
and got back to her father’s house by
her curfew at 11:30 and that you walked
the whole way. But if you walked the
entire 10 blocks, how’d you have time
to stop off at your mother’s apartment,
tap that 16-year-old ass and still get
her home by 11:30?
ACHILLES
(keeps his cool)
I said the movie let out at around
10:00. It’s only 10 blocks if you take
the main streets - we don’t, we take
short cuts. And we work fast.
13.
REYNOLDS
So you had sex with a minor and then
took her down alleys and side streets
late at night? In East Orange?
ACHILLES
We grew up here. We know what streets
are safe and which ones to avoid.
REYNOLDS
I bet you do, Lover Boy.
WAXMAN
Detectives, if my client isn’t a
suspect, why not call it a day. We’ve
been at this for a few hours now.
He’ll be in town for a couple more days
and when he returns to Washington he’ll
be at your disposal.
FLANAGAN
Thank you, Achilles. We’ll be in touch
if we have any other questions.
Iris, Ben and Achilles walk down the hall on their way out
of the station.
WAXMAN
You did very well in there, Achilles.
IRIS
You did, Achilles. Don’t worry about a
thing.
REYNOLDS
Well, what do you think?
FLANAGAN
I think I know why they call that kid
the Iceman.
14.
CHARLOTTE
According to the police, Achilles
corroborated Portia’s story, using
almost the exact same words.
BILLY
Which means they’re telling the truth.
CHARLOTTE
Or they’ve got a good story and they’re
sticking to it.
BILLY
Charlotte, you don’t really think that
girl could’ve done something like this.
CHARLOTTE
Her father the Reverend is being
investigated by the FBI for bilking his
parishioners out of tens of thousands
of dollars, and there are half a dozen
boosters who believed he was
representing Achilles who want their
money back. Maybe she’s a chip off the
old block, only smarter.
IRIS
According to the police report, there
was no physical evidence linking Ms.
Robeson to the shooting. The autopsy
showed the boy was full of crank when
he died. From all accounts it looks
like a typical gang banger shootout and
this Gamble kid lost.
BILLY
That’s the most likely explanation.
(to Charlotte)
And that’s the only one that holds
water as far as I’m concerned.
15.
Iris has left and now it’s just Charlotte and Billy.
BILLY
Thanks for sending the cavalry out to
New Jersey, Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE
I would’ve done it for any of our kids.
BILLY
(knows it’s not true)
Yeah, but thanks anyway.
Achilles comes in, drops his travel bag at the door, unzips
his jacket. He’s beat and looks it. Valerie is curled up
in the leather chair, wearing only a t-shirt.
ACHILLES
I thought you were going to pick me up
at the airport?
ACHILLES
Is everything all right?
VALERIE
I don’t know, is it?
ACHILLES
(annoyed)
I waited at the airport for over an
hour, Valerie. Didn’t you get any of
my messages? I finally had to take a
taxi. It cost $150. I don’t have $150.
VALERIE
Did you sleep with her?
ACHILLES
What?
VALERIE
Did. You. Sleep. With. Her?
16.
ACHILLES
(anger rising)
You’re kidding, right? Because if
you’re telling me I spent the last six
hours trying to get home and shelling
out money I don’t have because you
think I slept with somebody else...
VALERIE
It’s a simple question, Achilles.
ACHILLES
I’m tired, Valerie, I just want to go
to sleep.
VALERIE
Answer me. Did you sleep with her?
ACHILLES
(breaks her grip)
I had a really bad trip and a fucked up
day so I don’t want to get into this
with you, Valerie.
VALERIE
You did, didn’t you?
ACHILLES
Girl, what’s wrong with you?
VALERIE
You’re what’s wrong with me. You’re
away from me for a few days and you’re
fucking somebody else.
ACHILLES
She’s not somebody else. She’s my
girlfriend. Just like Richard is still
your fiancé.
VALERIE
So you did sleep with her?
ACHILLES
I didn’t say that...Valerie, come on.
17.
ACHILLES
Fuck this, I’ll crash at Blum’s.
VALERIE
Is that how you deal, stud? You just
run away when it gets tough?
ACHILLES
(tersely)
Valerie, I don’t know what’s going on
with you, but you’re really starting to
piss me off.
ACHILLES
Ow! What the fuck!
VALERIE
Don’t ever cheat on me again. Ever.
DARRYL
We’ll have the painters in tomorrow
morning. Mrs. Ryan can be in her new
home within two weeks.
DARRYL
Is there something wrong, Mrs. Donahue?
GALE
It’s very nice, Darryl. Very nice.
DARRYL
Thank you, Mrs. Donahue.
She turns and walks toward the main house. Mathilda hands
the clipboard to Darryl and catches up to her. They walk
into the main house together.
MATHILDA
Mrs. Pennebaker would like to move your
lunch up a half hour. Her doctors’
appointment had to be rescheduled. It
should work out well since you have a 3
o’clock appointment with Mrs. Ryan’s
doctor. At 4:30 you have a meeting at
Children’s Hospital to finalize plans
for the Spring Gala. Gale reacts to
something on the page.
19.
GALE
What about dinner at D’Agostino’s with
Billy?
MATHILDA
(beat)
Billy called and said he’ll be working
late again. I’m sorry, Gale, I should
have mentioned it sooner.
GALE
No, it’s perfectly all right, Mattie.
BILLY
So if his shoulders are parallel to the
sideline, take the option route inside
off the bump and run. Let’s do it,
Burner.
Burner bursts off the line, Billy shoves him toward the
sideline. Burner breaks off and goes to the inside.
BILLY
Good job, Burner. Did you guys see
that? How he didn’t let me control the
route on him? When the Q.B. reads the
coverage, he’s going to expect you to
hit the inside route, so you’ve got to
fight off the bump and get to where the
ball is going to be. Okay, let’s do it
again. Erickson, let’s go...
BILLY
(loudly)
All right, gentlemen. It wouldn’t be
spring training if we didn’t finish up
the day with a little light jog.
20.
BILLY
What? You don’t think Boise State’s
doing this? ‘Cause I can guarantee you
they’ve got one game circled in red on
the calendar. You showed them last
season that pay back is a bitch.
Believe me, gentlemen, they’re looking
to return the favor on October 25.
Remember that when you get to the top.
BILLY
Romeo.
DUMARS
Right, Coach.
BILLY
Bob, let’s go.
Billy and Coach Bob Garcia walk off the field together.
BILLY
It’s Mimi’s birthday today, right?
GARCIA
Yeah, it is. Thanks for remembering.
BILLY
Don’t thank me thank Donna. She keeps
track of things like that. I also know
you and Mimi plan a night out at
D’Agostino’s to celebrate.
GARCIA
Yeah. She loves that place but it’s
not really an every weekend sort of
joint, if you know what I mean.
21.
BILLY
Yeah, I know what you mean. Anyway, I
won’t hold you up from dinner out with
the misses. This shouldn’t take long.
GARCIA
What’s up, Coach?
BILLY
You know I’ve interviewed a few coaches
to take over as offensive coordinator
since Bull took the top job at Idaho.
GARCIA
Yeah.
BILLY
I interviewed a lot of guys because I
needed to be sure that none of them was
better than my first choice. None were.
GARCIA
No?
BILLY
So what do you say, Bob?
GARCIA
About what, Coach?
GARCIA
Me? Are you serious?
BILLY
No, I’m just bullshitting you, Bob.
(beat)
Of course, I’m serious!
BILLY
Look, Bob, it was my hope when I hired
you that one day I’d be able to make
you my offensive coordinator. Bull’s a
good man, a damn good coach. But it
was never going to be a long-term fit.
He wanted – he deserved – to be a head
coach. Now everybody gets what he
wants. Assuming you want to run my
offense.
22.
GARCIA
Yeah! Hell yeah I do!
BILLY
Good. So go out and celebrate Mimi’s
birthday on me.
J.R.
(as in ‘far out’)
Whoa!
He falls back onto his bed with a huge, shit eating grin
plastered on his face.
GRACIE
Hi, Johnny.
GRACIE
(breathless)
Whoa! What’s got into you? Maybe we
should get a room.
J.R.
Maybe we should just go around back.
GRACIE
Johnny.
(sees he’s serious)
Johnny!
23.
J.R. zips his pants up. Gracie zips up too, fixes her bra
underneath her shirt.
GRACIE
What’s going on with you, Johnny?
J.R.
You liked that didn’t you?
GRACIE
Yeah...but...
J.R.
But what?
GRACIE
But you seemed different.
J.R.
Different how?
GRACIE
Like I wasn’t even here.
J.R.
What are you talking about? I know
you’re here, Gracie.
GRACIE
Look at me, Johnny.
J.R.
I am looking at you.
GRACIE
(peers into his eyes)
Tell me you didn’t take those pixies.
J.R.
(grinning)
Okay, I didn’t take those pixies.
GRACIE
Shit, Johnny! What’s wrong with you?
J.R.
Nothing’s wrong with me, Gracie. I
just had a hard on like you wouldn’t
believe.
24.
GRACIE
(angry)
Oh, I believe it alright! Johnny, you
never, ever take what you sell! Didn’t
anybody ever teach you that?
(gets in his face)
Listen to me, Johnny. You shouldn’t
take drugs. None of this shit. You
hear me?
J.R.
What, all the stuff you’ve dealt and
you never sampled?
GRACIE
No! Never!
J.R.
That’s bullshit!
GRACIE
Johnny, my mother can’t keep a job
because she’s a freaking coke head, my
father’s a meth junkie doing time. You
don’t think I’ve seen enough reasons
not to take this shit?
J.R.
But you’re around people who get high
all the time.
GRACIE
Where’s the stuff, Johnny?
(he hesitates)
Where’s the stuff, Johnny!?
GALE
How did Bob take the news?
BILLY (O.S.)
He was pretty surprised, which
surprised me.
25.
GALE
He’s a good, smart coach. A lot like
you when you first went to work for
Daddy. He’ll do a great job.
BILLY (O.S.)
I hope so. Expectations are high with
both Achilles and Maurice maturing and
Burner healthy again.
GALE
I’ll arrange to have lunch with Mimi
sometime next week.
BILLY (O.S.)
Good idea.
GALE
(beat)
Has the news about Dallas settled down?
BILLY
I hear he’s still taking shit, just the
usual locker room ribbing. Guys
respect him because he’s a hell of a
football player. By the time summer
camp rolls around, it’ll all be ancient
history.
GALE
I’m not quite sure about Cara for him.
She’s a bit rough around the edges,
don’t you think? Maybe girls from
Central High are just that way.
BILLY
Good night.
GALE
Billy, I was thinking we could go away
for a few days over spring break.
26.
BILLY
Lots of prep for spring camp, Gale.
GALE
I thought your assistants could handle
it. But of course...if you have plans.
BILLY
I don’t have plans, Gale.
GALE
Of course. Good night, honey.
She kisses him lightly on the mouth, switches her light out
and turns over to go to sleep.
FREDO
Once your oil is nice and hot, you add
your onion and your garlic. It’s
important not to over cook these. Si?
SOFIA
How is our budding chef doing, Fredo?
FREDO
(smiles)
Magnifico, Sofia! She’ll be ready to
take over my kitchen, oh, just about
when I’m ready to retire.
CARA
Fredo, make sure I don’t serve anything
she makes. I need good tips this week
to pay for my spring break trip and I
don’t need people getting sick on me.
27.
Cake sticks out her tongue. Cara smirks and slaps Cake’s
ass on the way out of the kitchen.
GRACIE
Give it to me.
J.R.
But what about the money for your
tuition?
GRACIE
Don’t worry about that. Just give it
to me.
J.R.
Are you sure about this?
GRACIE
I don’t want you to ever deal again.
You’re through, okay?
GRACIE
Is Jamal here?
MECHANIC
Jamal, come to the front desk. Jamal
to the front desk.
JAMAL
Hey, Gigi, what’s up?
GRACIE
Here, Jamal. Johnny’s done selling.
JAMAL
Girl, what the hell’s wrong with you?
You trying to get me busted?!
GRACIE
There’s nobody around, Jamal. Just
take the stuff back.
JAMAL
Say what?
GRACIE
J.R.’s not dealing for you anymore.
Find somebody else to move them.
JAMAL
I don’t want somebody else to move it.
I want your boy to. Look, if I’m gonna
make anything off of this shit after I
give Sasha his cut, I need to move it
for twice what it’s worth. Your boy
has the connections at Wa Tech and
those rich kids will pay double for
this shit.
GRACIE
That’s too bad, Jamal, because Johnny’s
out.
JAMAL
Says who, Little Johnny? Please.
GRACIE
No. Me.
JAMAL
Listen, up, bitch, don’t go acting
crazy on me. You know I’ll snatch a
knot in that little ass of yours.
GRACIE
I’ll move them for you, Jamal. Just
let Johnny alone.
JAMAL
Fuck that! You take that shit back to
your little boyfriend and tell him
tuition at State just went up and you
need the money by next week. I don’t
care what you tell him, but I want my
money, bitch!
GRACIE
No.
He slaps her hard, splits her lower lip. Gracie takes the
pills out of her bag, defiantly throws them on the ground.
GRACIE
No!
JAMAL
Pick them up, bitch!
GRACIE
(choking)
Fuck you, Jamal.
ACT THREE
DARYYL
Every year it’s the same thing. They
tear out of town like bats out of hell.
MATHILDA
I may be dating myself, but I remember
when it was called “reading week” and
we spent the entire week studying for
final exams.
DARRYL
(smiles)
Mattie, I didn’t go to college and even
I know it’s always been the biggest
party week of the year. What were you
doing all those years?
MATHILDA
(a mildly seductive smile)
I’ll never tell, Darryl.
CARA
You packed the Magellan, right?
CARA
And you gave the Donahues our
itinerary?
DALLAS
Yes, Red, I did.
31.
CARA
But you gave it to Miss Weiss, right?
She’s the one who keeps everything
straight around there.
DALLAS
Red, it’s going to be fine. I’m going
to be fine. Okay. Stop worrying.
CARA
Let’s get going.
AUDRA
Hi, Nina.
NINA
Hey, Audra.
AUDRA
So you and Jabari are going to Jamaica?
NINA
That’s right. He’s going to meet my
grandparents.
32.
NINA
Don’t worry, Audra, I’ll be moving off
campus with Jabari next fall, so if you
become president you’ll have it all to
yourself.
AUDRA
Oh, Nina, that’s not what I was
thinking at all.
NINA
Uh-huh.
ACHILLES
Hey.
VALERIE
Hey, stud.
She crosses the loft, pulls his duffle bag from underneath
the bed. As he continues to work the Physics problem, she
starts going through drawers, putting clothes in the bag.
ACHILLES
What’s up?
VALERIE
What’s up is we’ve got to get going.
ACHILLES
Going? Where?
VALERIE
The airport, of course. It’s spring
break.
33.
ACHILLES
I hate to break this to you, sister,
but if I don’t spend the next week
boning up on Physics, I’m going to be
in some serious hurt on Byrne’s final.
VALERIE
Screw Byrne and screw his final.
ACHILLES
Easy for you to say, you’re graduating.
You know, I wouldn’t be so far behind
if you hadn’t made me your sex slave.
VALERIE
(stops packing)
Mmmmmm! Sex slave. I like the sound
of that. But no more dirty talk until
we get there.
ACHILLES
Get where?
ACHILLES
Whoa! Now this is serious.
VALERIE
Nina’s father is a big record producer
in Hollywood. Her mom lives here – she
got it in the divorce. She’s in Europe
now.
Achilles opens the sliding door and walks onto a huge deck.
He’s totally awestruck by the view of the Pacific Ocean.
Valerie comes up behind, puts her arms around his waist.
VALERIE
Still think you should’ve stayed on
campus to prep for Byrne’s final?
ACHILLES
Byrne’s what? You know, Valerie, I’ve
never seen the Pacific Ocean. Not even
from campus, and we’re only a few miles
away from it.
34.
VALERIE
Well tomorrow we’ll get in it, stud,
and maybe I’ll teach you how to surf.
You do know how to swim, don’t you?
ACHILLES
(smirks)
Yes, some of us know how to swim.
VALERIE
Touchy, touchy.
(heads back inside)
Look around for a few minutes then find
me upstairs.
VALERIE
Now you can talk dirty to me.
CARA
How you doing?
DALLAS
Same as when you asked me 20 minutes
ago, and 20 minutes before that.
CARA
Sorry. You probably think I’d be a
real nag of a wife, don’t you?
DALLAS
Wife? Whoa, I thought this trail ended
at the lake, not at a chapel.
CARA
Relax, Casanova. I said I love you, I
didn’t say you’re “The One.”
35.
DALLAS
“The One?” Jeez, Red, you too? Why is
it that girls hold guys to some
ridiculous standard?
CARA
And guys don’t? Like the ideal babe’s
got to have tits out to here and legs
down to there and an ass you could
bounce a quarter off of. Oh, and she
can’t talk too much and never, ever
fart in bed.
DALLAS
All I’m saying is that there is no
“One”. No true soul mate that you’re
destined to be with. People connect
randomly and if it sticks, great.
CARA
Oh you’re so romantic. You get laid
much with lines like that?
DALLAS
I got laid last night.
CARA
(grins)
What do you want to bet you don’t get
laid tonight?
DALLAS
Oh, come on, Red. Cara!
LAUREL
Mrs. Donahue, thank you again for
inviting Jake and me. It’s so nice of
you and Coach to have us over too.
GALE
It’s our pleasure, Laurel.
36.
BILLY
Having the graduating quarterback over
for one last dinner is a tradition that
Gale’s mother started when Wolf got his
first head coaching job. Jake, you
took a lot of snaps since I’ve been
here, so it just seemed right to make
you a part of that tradition.
JAKE
Thanks, Coach.
GALE
Well, is anyone hungry for dessert? We
have a delicious peach and blueberry
cobbler that I made myself.
JESS
Let me help you, Mrs. Donahue.
LAUREL
Me too.
BILLY
So Phil, Chicago?
PHIL
Yeah, Coach. I’ve had two good
interviews with Selig Phelps. They’re
one of the country’s leading
Architectural firms.
JAKE
That’s great, man.
BILLY
How does your...
GALE
...family feel about you moving to
Chicago with Phil?
37.
JESS
They’re a little nervous about it.
I’ve never really been away from home
before. But they know Phil and I love
each other so they support my decision.
LAUREL
What about school, Jess? You’ve got
another year to go don’t you?
JESS
I’ve already got an early admission
from DePaul so I’ll finish up there by
next winter. I have to admit sometimes
it seems a bit scary.
GALE
I’m sure you and Phil will do
wonderfully, Jess, in Chicago or
wherever you land. You’re perfect for
one another.
GALE
This must be Jess’. I’ll just run and
give it to her before they drive off.
Jake and Laurel have just pulled out of the long driveway.
Phil is closing Jess’ door when Gale walks up.
GALE
Jess, do you mind if I speak to Phil
for just a moment?
JESS
Sure, of course, Mrs. Donahue. Thanks
again for dinner?
GALE
You’re very welcome, dear. Good luck
in Chicago.
38.
Gale and Phil find a private spot between the house and the
driveway. They’re both a bit apprehensive.
PHIL
I don’t understand you. You’ve spent
the last three months avoiding me and
then, just when I’m over you, you go
and do this tonight.
GALE
Tonight wasn’t about you, Phil. Three
years from now Billy and I will have
dinner with Achilles, and after he’s
gone, the starter who replaces him.
Tradition is important in football.
(beat)
Phil, I just wanted to say I hope you
realize how lucky you are to have Jess
in your life. She’s a beautiful,
loving, intelligent girl. She deserves
your best. Give it to her, Phil.
PHIL
Goodnight, Mrs. Donahue.
GALE
Goodbye, Phil.
ACT FOUR
DALLAS
There room for one more in there?
CARA
Sorry, Casanova. This girl needs a
little romance before she comes out of
her pants.
DALLAS
You’re not still pissed about what I
said earlier are you?
DALLAS
Oh come on, Red!
CARA
(over her shoulder)
I remember when you used to think I was
beautiful. You told me that once.
(a mischievous grin)
Now I’m just a hole to fill.
DALLAS
That’s not true, Red, and you know it.
I do care for you.
CARA
(pretends to whimper)
No you don’t. I’m just another easy
lay to you. Like that blonde bimbo.
DALLAS
No, baby, no. I love you, Red.
CARA
Really?
DALLAS
Yes, don’t you know that by now? Do you
think I’d do all of this outdoorsy crap
if I didn’t?
40.
CARA
(pretend sniffle)
Really?
DALLAS
Yes.
CARA
And you still think I’m beautiful?
DALLAS
Yes, I do. Beautiful and smart and
funny. I’m crazy about you, Red.
DALLAS
You’re so full of it!
CARA
(laughing)
That was very romantic, Casanova!
VALERIE
So what do you think of L.A.?
ACHILLES
If you live in a place like this, it’s
great.
VALERIE
Don’t professional football players
live in places like this?
41.
ACHILLES
Who says I want to go pro?
VALERIE
Do you?
ACHILLES
I don’t know. I used to dream about it
all the time. But now...I don’t know.
It doesn’t seem so important.
VALERIE
What else would you like to do then?
ACHILLES
I’m just a freshman, remember?
(off her dimpled smile)
What about you? After grad school then
what? Become a shrink?
VALERIE
The preferred term is psychotherapist,
and yes, I’d like to practice
psychology.
ACHILLES
Doctor Kim. Yeah, I’d get on your
couch anytime. Wait, I’ve been there.
VALERIE
I’ve enjoyed being with you so much,
Achilles. I’ll always remember our
time together.
ACHILLES
Valerie, I got something for you.
VALERIE
Achilles, what’s this?
ACHILLES
Open it and see.
42.
VALERIE
(she does, her eyes widen)
Oh, my God. Achilles, how in the
world?
ACHILLES
I called them our first day here and
told them what I wanted.
VALERIE
But how could you afford something like
this?
ACHILLES
You know me. I’m pretty resourceful
when I have to be. Do you like it?
VALERIE
Like it? It’s gorgeous!
ACHILLES
I know how you feel about your Delta
necklace, being president and all. But
maybe you can wear this for a change
now and then, or at least on Saturdays.
She takes off her DIAMOND DELTA NECKLACE. Gives him the
jewelry box.
VALERIE
Would you please put it on me?
He does and we see the new DIAMOND “10” NECKLACE around her
neck. She looks at him lovingly.
ACHILLES
I know you can’t really wear it after
you graduate. But...I guess I just
hoped you’d look at it every once in a
while and remember me.
VALERIE
Achilles.
ACHILLES
Yeah?
VALERIE
Do you love me?
A long beat.
ACHILLES
Yes.
ACHILLES
Better finish up in there, Baby. Car’s
supposed to be here in 20 minutes.
BILLY
All right, listen up. It’s been a good
spring camp but we’ve got our work cut
out for us when we come back this
summer. Making it to a bowl game just
raised the stakes around here. It
doesn’t get any easier. Last practice
is next Thursday at the Blue-Green
game. Let’s give the fans something to
hold them over till next fall. Cole,
get ‘em out of here.
COLE
Whoooo-aaaaaah!
TEAM
WHOOOO-AAAAAH!
GRACIE (O.S.)
Like that, girl? That’s a girl. Ow!
GLYNNIS
Who could that be?
GLYNNIS
Oh.
GRACIE
Who is it?
GLYNNIS
It’s Johnny.
GRACIE
(wracked with anxiety)
Don’t, mom. I don’t want to see him.
GLYNNIS
Gracie, he knows we’re home. Your
car’s outside.
GRACIE
I don’t care.
GLYNNIS
Gracie, you’re being silly, hon.
J.R. (O.S.)
Hello! Gracie? Mrs. Wellington? It’s
Johnny.
GLYNNIS
Hello, Johnny.
J.R.
Mrs. Wellington, can I see her?
J.R.
Gracie.
46.
GRACIE
Go away, Johnny.
He comes in.
J.R.
Why won’t you talk to me or see me,
Gracie? You want to break up?
GRACIE
(crying in pillow)
No! Just go away now, Johnny.
J.R.
Please talk to me, Gracie. Tell me
what’s wrong.
J.R.
Oh, Gracie.
DALLAS
I’m here for Jamal.
MECHANIC
Jamal, to the front desk.
Jamal comes out of the garage wiping his hands with a rag.
DALLAS
Jamal?
JAMAL
(looks at name on his
jumpsuit)
Yeah, last time I checked. What’s up?
47.
DALLAS
Got something I need to talk to you
about. Sasha sent me.
JAMAL
Yeah?
DALLAS
Outside.
JAMAL
(to mechanic)
I’ll be back in 10.
JAMAL
(from the ground)
What the fuck?!
DALLAS
You like to beat up girls, Holmes?
Well I like kicking the shit out of ass
wipes who like beating up girls.
JAMAL
Who the fuck are you, Pedro?
DALLAS
(smiles)
The wrong Spic to fuck with, Holmes.
JAMAL
Really? Well do you know who I am?
Who I know?
DALLAS
I know you’re a punk ass bitch and if
you ever come near Gracie Wellington
again I’ll be back.
48.
JAMAL
(laughs)
Maybe me and my crew will just pay that
little bitch a visit tonight.
DALLAS
Your crew?
JAMAL
Yeah.
DALLAS
You want to meet some of my crew?
Fellas, say hello to Jamal.
DALLAS
And if you think your crew can handle
them, I guarantee they don’t want to
fuck with my real homeboys.
DALLAS
They fix mufflers all over the place,
Jamal. Find someplace else to do it.
J.R.
I thought you said you weren’t in any
gangs.
DALLAS
I lied.
ACT FIVE
BURNER
Nice stick, Morales.
COLE
(sneering)
Yeah, for a quarterback’s son.
NINA
What’s up, Big Sis?
50.
VALERIE
(beat)
I’m in trouble, Nina.
NINA
Oh my, God, Valerie! You’re not...
VALERIE
No! No, not that. It’s worse.
(beat)
I love him.
DISSOLVE TO:
GALE
Thank you for agreeing to meet me,
Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Of course, Gale. I’d much rather
handle this woman to woman.
GALE
Tell me, Elle – you don’t mind if I
call you “Elle” do you?
GABRIELLE
Not at all.
GALE
How long had you had your sights on my
husband? A year? Six months?
51.
GABRIELLE
You know how these things are, Gale, it
just happened.
GALE
Just an impetuous infatuation that
sparked into a passionate affair?
GABRIELLE
Something like that, yes.
GALE
Forgive me for saying this, “Elle”, but
you don’t strike me as the “impetuous”
type.
GABRIELLE
No?
GALE
No.
GABRIELLE
How do I strike you, Gale?
GALE
You’re a talented reporter, which means
you do your homework. You’re thorough.
Precise. Calculating.
GABRIELLE
(a wry smile)
You want to say “conniving” don’t you?
GALE
There are other “C” words that come to
mind.
GALE
Do you really think this is the first
time some groupie has gone after my
husband? You’ve done the research,
Elle, done the interviews, seen the
tape. You of all people know this game
can only end one way. Two things Billy
can’t live without are me and football.
(MORE)
52.
GALE (CONT’D.)
Surely by now you know that there’s no
way in hell you’re going to take my
husband from me.
GABRIELLE
You’re right, Gale. I am a smart
woman. Smart enough to know that
seducing Billy was going to take more
than a few winks and suggestive smiles.
But you know, it wasn’t as difficult as
I thought it would be. From the way he
looked at me in our first interview
over a year ago it was obvious his
interest was more than “professional”.
Gale reacts.
GABRIELLE
But you know how it is, Gale, the
thrill of the chase makes them want it
more. So I let the chase begin - a
smile here, a touch there - all the
while letting him know, ever so subtly,
that it would all be worth it in the
end.
(beat)
The morning of the Texas A&M game it
took everything he had to keep his
hands off of me in the hotel fitness
center. And I have to admit that by
then I was in it for more than the sex.
It wasn’t enough for him to want me. I
wanted him to need me, like an addict
needs a drug. Funny thing is, as
“calculating” as I can be, I never
counted on you being the one to create
that need.
GABRIELLE
You can keep your husband, Gale. I
don’t want him. But Billy’s my man and
I’m not giving him back.
Gabrielle brushes past Gale and walks out of the room into
the reception.
53.
GABRIELLE
(to Harold and Maria)
I had a lovely evening.
MARIA
Thank you so much for coming, Ms.
Woods.
GABRIELLE
(beautiful smile)
Gale, it was delightful seeing you
again.
GALE
(beautiful smile)
The pleasure was all mine, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Coach Donahue.
BILLY
(plays it straight)
Good to see you again, Gabrielle.
DISSOLVE TO:
VALERIE (V.O.)
Achilles, as I write this I’m touching
a certain number. Even if I didn’t
have it, I would never forget you or
how wonderful you made me feel. I hope
you won’t forget what we shared. To
help you remember, I leave this small
token of my lasting affection. Love,
V.
Beat.
PORTIA
Hi, Lee.
FADE OUT.
GOAL TO GO