Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Episode 4.51
“Home, Part 1”
by
David Polk
2.
RECAP
TEASER
FADE IN:
MARCUS (V.O.)
Ain’t you two just a pretty picture?
PORTIA (V.O.)
(startled)
Markie, what are you doing here?
MARCUS (V.O.)
What, now I can’t be on the same street
with you and Mr. all-America?
ACHILLES (V.O.)
Look, man, nobody’s looking for a hard
time here so –
MARCUS (V.O.)
You think I give a shit what you’re
looking for, All-Star?!
PORTIA (V.O.)
Markie, please... I’m sorry if I hurt
you. I really am. But what happened
between us doesn’t have anything to do
with Achilles.
MARCUS (V.O.)
Bullshit, Portia! It has everything to
do with him. You quit me for him!
PORTIA (V.O.)
That’s not true and you know it. I
quit you because you changed, Markie.
MARCUS (V.O.)
How did I change, huh? I didn’t become
a big jock like this frontin’ fool?
3.
PORTIA (V.O.)
That’s not what I mean and you know it.
Look at you, Marcus. The drugs. The
gang banging. All of it. That’s not
the Markie I grew up with. That’s not
the Markie I used to love.
ACHILLES (V.O.)
You don’t have to explain anything.
MARCUS (V.O.)
Shut the hell up asshole!
ACHILLES (V.O.)
Screw you! Nobody’s scared of you!
PORTIA (V.O.)
Lee, don’t!
MARCUS (V.O.)
Oh! Not such a big man on campus now,
are you, All-Star?
PORTIA
Marcus, put that away! I mean it!
ACHILLES
Portia, don’t!
MARCUS
You’re both dead! Hear me? Dead!
PORTIA
No! Noooo!
ACHILLES
It’s alright, babe. I’m here.
SMASH TO TITLES.
END TEASER
4.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
Nate “Brew” Brewster rolls out of bed naked and leaves the
room. In bed, Dustin Heter turns over, sound asleep.
BREW
Shit!
Brew comes back into the room and reacts to the sight of
Dustin on the floor, convulsing violently. Brew rushes
over and cradles him.
BREW
(panicked)
Dustin, what is it?! What’s wrong?!
BREW
(calm, urgent)
Yes, this is an emergency. My friend
is dying.
BILLY
Hello?
BILLY
Not a problem. What’s wrong?
Glass double doors slide open and Billy enters. Right away
he notices Brew sitting, looking mighty worried. Brew
bolts to his feet when he sees Billy.
6.
BREW
Coach! I... I –
BILLY
I talked to the doctors. They said
he’s stable now.
(Brew is relieved)
Alright Brew, you want to tell me what
the hell was going on in your apartment
last night?
ACHILLES
(takes box)
Thanks.
IVY
You’re welcome. I didn’t think people
ate those anymore. I had to ask a
stock boy at the Food King where to
find them.
ACHILLES
Are you kidding? This is the breakfast
of champions.
IVY
I’d better get going. Don’t want to be
late.
ACHILLES
(eating)
Polly Purebread late? No, no, no. We
can’t have that, can we?
She reacts to the nickname, but it’s clear she adores him.
IVY
Will you be over for dinner?
ACHILLES
Yeah, sure.
7.
IVY
Good. I like that veal dish you make.
ACHILLES
Oh, so I’m doing the cooking?
IVY
(a suggestive smile)
Don’t worry, hot shot. Dessert’s on
me.
MATTIE
Our call with Sasha is in a few
minutes.
GALE
Mattie Honey, you don’t have to be in
for this if you don’t want to.
MATTIE
Why wouldn’t I?
(off Gale’s look)
Gale, I can separate my personal
feelings from my work.
GALE
Well, Mattie Honey, that makes you a
better person than me.
MATTIE
Gale Donahue’s office.
SASHA
Hello, Mattie. Sasha Mendez. Are you
and Mrs. Donahue ready for our call?
MATTIE
Yes, we’re both here.
GALE
Hello, Sasha.
SASHA
Mrs. Donahue. How are you this
morning?
GALE
Wonderful, Sasha.
SASHA
That’s great to hear. So, I’ve been in
contact with my counterpart at Texas
A&M and, not surprisingly, they want to
make a big to-do when you and Coach
Donahue come to town. Bigger even than
when you were there three years ago.
GALE
Very sweet. What do they have in mind?
SASHA
Well, since the game has national
championship implications, ESPN and ABC
Sports want to do in-depth features of
you and Coach Donahue and Coach Fenton
and his wife. ABC will air the
interviews for their pre-game and ESPN
will use snippets in various programs
and promos starting Thursday. Of course
all of the local television stations
have asked for time, as well as the
city and campus newspapers.
GALE
That all sounds fine, Sasha.
MATTIE
When do you expect Mrs. Donahue to
arrive in College Station?
SASHA
Wednesday afternoon would be ideal.
There will be several cocktail parties
and lunches in the days leading up to
the game.
9.
MATTIE
She’ll want at least one evening free
to spend with J.R. and Gracie.
SASHA
Of course.
GALE
And I’ll want some quiet time with
Shannon Fenton, perhaps a lunch. But
Mattie can handle that.
MATTIE
If that’s all for now, Sasha, you and I
can speak separately about a detailed
itinerary. Say in thirty minutes?
SASHA
That sounds good. This is going to an
exciting week.
(excitedly)
Just imagine how fantastic it will be
after we beat those Aggies!
GALE
Yes. Imagine that.
BILLY
I really don’t have much choice,
Charlotte. He flat out lied. I’ve got
to suspend him for at least one game.
CHARLOTTE
I agree with you, Billy. A suspension
for dishonesty is warranted. But under
the circumstances –
BILLY
Look, Charlotte, I know going up
against A&M without our defensive
captain puts us under more pressure.
CHARLOTTE
Actually, that’s not what I’m worried
about. I’m considering what people
(MORE)
10.
CHARLOTTE (CONT’D.)
will think if they get the idea you’re
benching Brew because he’s gay...
You’re not benching him because he’s
gay, are you?
BILLY
Of course not! I’m benching him
because he lied when I asked him if he
knew anything about the rumors about
there being a gay player on the team.
I don’t care if he’s queer.
CHARLOTTE
Queer?
BILLY
I’m from Texas, Charlotte, alright.
Look, Roulon Jones was “gay” and I
didn’t bench him.
CHARLOTTE
By the time you found out the season
was over and he was a senior.
BILLY
Doesn’t matter, his being a homo didn’t
change the way I thought about him.
CHARLOTTE
Homo?
BILLY
Come on, Charlotte, cut me a break
here. Gay players on a football team,
especially if they’re doing it to each
other, that’s a problem.
CHARLOTTE
Gay athletes aren’t new to sports
Billy, you know that.
BILLY
And you know as well as I do that it’s
different for men’s teams than for
women’s teams.
CHARLOTTE
Really? You think that, do you?
11.
BILLY
Come on, Charlotte. If we announced
that half the women’s soccer team was
sleeping with the other half, the only
question we’d get is “Where do I buy
the video?” Announce that a football
player is screwing his teammate and
it’s on ESPN within the hour.
CHARLOTTE
You’re right, and thank you for making
my point for me. Benching Brew for his
dishonesty could very well be construed
as benching him for his homosexuality.
That’s when we have a PR problem.
BILLY
That’s just a risk I’ll have to take.
MONTAGE – PRACTICE
SASHA
Temperatures in Texas are in the low
thirties this week. Coach Donahue
decided to hold practices outdoors to
keep the team acclimated to the cold.
REPORTER #1
What can you tell us about Brew’s
suspension?
SASHA
It’s a one-game suspension for a team
rules violation.
REPORTER #2
So he’s going to miss the A&M game?
SASHA
That’s correct.
REPORTER #3
Can you be a bit more specific about
(MORE)
12.
REPORTER #3 (CONT’D.)
this team rules violation? I mean,
wouldn’t it have to be a pretty serious
rule for Coach to bench his best
defensive player for the most important
game of the season?
SASHA
No and yes.
REPORTER #4
Tight end Dustin Heter popped up on
today’s injury report. Is it true he
was rushed to St. Francis Sunday night?
SASHA
Dustin did receive treatment at St.
Francis over the weekend for a pre-
existing medical condition. He spent a
couple of hours in urgent care and was
released early Monday morning. He’s
doing fine now.
REPORTER #1
But not fine enough to play on
Saturday?
SASHA
(playful smile)
You’re a sharp one, aren’t you, Chris?
JESSICA
Heter had become one of Achilles’
favorite targets, especially in short
yardage situations. With Crash Davis
out and Heter sidelined, will the
Devils be forced to throw down field
more, into that top-rated Aggies
secondary?
SASHA
Jessica, I think you can count on Coach
Donahue and the offensive coaching
staff to game plan appropriately.
BILLY
Enter.
ACHILLES
Coach.
BILLY
Come in, Achilles. Have a seat.
ACHILLES
So it’s true? What the guys are saying
about Brew and Heter?
BILLY
That they’re gay? Yes.
ACHILLES
Man...
BILLY
What’s the reaction in the locker room?
ACHILLES
Honestly?
14.
BILLY
Is there any other way for us to
communicate?
ACHILLES
(beat)
Most of the guys think it’s pretty
messed up.
BILLY
What about you?
ACHILLES
(shrugs)
I don’t know. On one hand it’s none of
my business, it’s their personal choice
and it’s not my place to judge them.
BILLY
And on the other hand?
ACHILLES
On the other hand, as a captain,
everything that happens with my
teammates, inside or outside of the
locker room, is my business. We can’t
afford to let this screw with our
chemistry, especially now.
BILLY
So what do you intend to do about it?
ACHILLES
Alright everybody listen up. We all
learned something today that took us by
surprise. Something that could create
a lot of distraction for this team at a
time that we don’t need any
distractions. I called this meeting to
give everybody a chance to say what
(MORE)
15.
ACHILLES (CONT’D.)
they need to say about it.
(beat, players are reluctant)
Okay, let me put it this way. You all
know that Brew and Dustin are gay.
Some of you might have a problem with
that. Some of you might have a serious
problem with that. If that’s how you
feel, that’s how you feel. But here’s
the deal, if you have something to say
about it, now’s the time. Get it off
your chest now, bitch and moan or
whatever now, because after tonight,
the subject is closed. No one on this
team will ever talk about it again once
they leave this room tonight. So speak
now or forever hold your peace.
SHAUN
It’s whacked. I mean, I’m sorry, but
all the fine honies running around this
campus and two guys on this team are
doing each other. That’s just whacked!
RONNIE
I heard that guys were screwing around
in the lounge and the showers at night.
If that was Brew and Heter, well they
should both be kicked off the team, not
just suspended. It’s disrespectful of
all of us. We live here.
CAT
Why don’t you let me plug in my iPod?
This music blows hard.
16.
ACHILLES
(re: her engagement ring)
Not as hard as you had to blow Morales
to get that rock.
CAT
Speaking of blowing hard, it really
sucks about Brew and Dustin.
ACHILLES
Yeah, I know. The guys were brutal
about it in the locker room. But I
think they got it out of their system.
Can you imagine what a psycho like Cole
Seavers would have done if he found out
there were gays on the team?
CAT
Sounds like you handled it the right
way. That Cole was a total nut job.
ACHILLES
Was? And listen to you? He’ll
probably be Morales’ best man at your
wedding.
CAT
Oh, hell no! I don’t want that
demented son of a bitch anywhere near
my wedding.
FADE OUT.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
Ivy comes up behind Achilles and slides her arms around his
waist, kisses his neck.
IVY
Dinner was great.
ACHILLES
Thanks... Have you used all of these?
IVY
The guns? Yeah, mostly in
competitions. I’m not a big hunter.
ACHILLES
(re: stuffed animal heads)
Could’ve fooled me.
IVY
(laughs)
You thought those were mine? Dad was
the hunter. I mostly just tagged
along. He wanted a boy and I wanted
his approval. So...
He turns and they stand close, her arms still around his
waist.
IVY
You like guns?
ACHILLES
I hate guns.
IVY
(kisses him teasingly)
But you’ve got such a big one. Can I
play with it?
18.
IVY
Sweetheart, what is it?
ACHILLES
(beat)
Have you ever thought about...changing
professions?
IVY
No, Achilles, I haven’t. I love what I
do. I’ve wanted to be a trooper since
I was a little girl. It’s all I’ve
ever wanted to do. It’s why I joined
the Air Force, because they’ve got the
best military police training.
(off his reaction)
Why? What’s going on in that pretty
little head of yours?
ACHILLES
I wish you wouldn’t say things like
that.
IVY
I’m sorry. Achilles, Sweetheart, you
know I don’t mean anything by it.
She loops her arms around his neck. Looks into his eyes.
IVY
Tell me. What’s wrong?
ACHILLES
(beat)
I drove by today when you were making
an arrest. I just worry that it’s
dangerous for you, you know, being out
on the road alone. You don’t know when
you’re going to stop a whack job.
IVY
Achilles, I’m a well-trained, highly
decorated law enforcement officer. I’m
experienced and I’m careful. I can
take care of myself.
19.
ACHILLES
Then why do you –
He stops himself.
IVY
What? Why do I what, Sweetheart?
ACHILLES
(beat)
You’re still having dreams, Ivy, and I
know what they’re about.
IVY
Achilles, I’ve told you, I’ve got it
under control, okay?
ACHILLES
I’m sorry Ivy, I don’t believe that.
She sighs and turns away, moves toward the fire. Cleo
looks up at her.
IVY
Achilles, this is not something I want
to get into with you. I’ve told you,
you can’t possibly understand.
He looks at her for a moment then moves behind her and puts
his hands on her shoulders.
ACHILLES
Ivy, baby, I want to be here for you,
to help you through whatever. I don’t
want to be just a play thing.
IVY
(turns to face him)
Is that what you think you are to me?
ACHILLES
No.
IVY
Good. I have sex toys, Achilles.
You’re not one of them.
ACHILLES
Then what am I if I can’t help you when
you’re going through what you’re going
through now?
20.
IVY
Sweetheart, I know you want to be here
for me and, believe me, you are.
ACHILLES
Really? Because it doesn’t seem that
way to me. I watch you tossing and
turning at night. And when I ask to
help, you shut me out. Tell me not to
worry my “pretty little head” over it.
IVY
You think I’m shutting you out?
Achilles, you’re so inside of me I
don’t know what to do. We’ve been
together fo all of two months, and
already you know everything there is to
know about me. My marriage, the men
I’ve been with, my sexual fantasies. I
think about you all the time, even when
I shouldn’t – on the job, in the john,
everywhere. My body aches for you when
we’re apart and can’t get enough of you
when we’re together.
(emotional)
I don’t even know why I’m telling you
this now. The last thing I need is to
lose any semblance of control I may
have had in our relationship and make
myself even more vulnerable to you.
ACHILLES
I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry.
The front door opens and Gale enters with her mother Rose
Ryan. They’re followed by J.R. Donahue, his girlfriend
Gracie Wellington, carrying Duncan Pennebaker, and Mattie
Weiss. It’s a quiet, emotional moment for Rose and Gale,
21.
GRACIE
This is really nice.
GALE
Thank you, dear. J.R., Sweetheart, why
don’t you show Gracie and Duncan around
a bit and put our bags away?
J.R.
Okay, Mom.
MATTIE
I’ll confirm your itinerary for the
day.
Mattie goes off toward the kitchen as the kids head out for
the luggage. Gale goes and puts her arm around Rose. They
look around the living room and as they do, CAMERA PANS
PHOTOS of a family that lived a charmed life – the great
John “Wolf” Ryan, Gale as a pretty little girl and Rose as
a beautiful young woman.
GALE
(kisses Rose’s cheek)
Welcome home, Mom.
SHANNON
They still adore you, Gale.
22.
GALE
You’re too kind. But it’s you and Wes
they love, Shannon. Wes brought them
something not even Daddy could.
SHANNON
Wolf would be just as proud of Billy, I
know. He’s done a wonderful job all
the way up there in Washington.
GALE
Thank you. I am quite proud of him.
Beat.
SHANNON
Speaking of being proud, how proud
would Wolf be to see your Billy
coaching in the NFL?
GALE
(demurs)
Oh, those old rumors? Honey, we don’t
pay them any mind.
SHANNON
Wes tells me that Billy is Rich
Santana’s number one choice to take
over as head coach of the Texans. I
would think you’d be anxious to come
back home, Gale.
GALE
It’s true, I do miss Texas – so much.
But Billy and I have a wonderful life
in Washington.
SHANNON
I know Wes would love to reconnect with
Billy after all these years. The three
of you were always so close.
GALE
Yes, we were.
SHANNON
Gale, with all the to-do over the game,
(MORE)
23.
SHANNON (CONT’D.)
I was worried that we wouldn’t have an
opportunity to just visit as friends.
I’m glad we’ve had this time together.
GALE
This has been nice, Shannon. Very nice.
Billy and his players make their way off the plane and
through the terminal.
FELIX (V.O.)
It’s been a season of must-win games
for the Sea Devils, but they’ve finally
come to the game that’s been circled on
the calendar all year long. Tomorrow
night they face defending national
champion Texas A&M in one of the
toughest places to play in all of
college football, home of the original
“Twelfth Man”, Kyle Field. It’s a
setting that Sea Devils head coach
Billy Donahue knows very well – as the
Aggies starting quarterback for three
years, he was a perfect 18-0 at Kyle
Field. His only losses at “home” came
as a coach, first as an offensive
coordinator and then, in an ironic
twist, three years ago when he returned
home for the first time as Washington
Tech’s head man.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
...And so, it is with much pride that
we honor one of the greatest coaches in
college football history. Mrs. Ryan,
Mrs. Donahue, if you’d please do us the
honor.
24.
Gale and Rose pose for photographs with Wes and Shannon.
The Texas A&M PR GUY steps in and politely ends the
session. Wes turns to Rose and Gale.
WES
(heartfelt)
Mrs. Ryan, you know how proud I am to
be here today representing the Aggies.
And how much I loved Coach.
ROSE
Yes, Wesley, I know. He loved you too.
He loved all of his boys.
WES
I only wish Billy could’ve been here.
WES
This feels like déjà vu all over again.
GALE
Oh, why is that?
WES
Well, ole Billy Boy’s coming to town
with a mind to take something that
belongs to me.
GALE
Oh, Wes!
(then)
At least this time you stand half a
chance of keeping it.
WES
Only half a chance?!
25.
GALE
Mom has been so happy today. Ever
since we landed really. It’s as though
Alzheimer’s never existed.
WES
It’s understandable, Gale. College
Station is her home... It’s yours and
Billy’s too. You sure he won’t
reconsider taking the Texans job if
Rich offers it to him?
GALE
(a beautiful smile)
Now Wes Honey, you know Billy’s not the
sort of coach who’d leave his team high
and dry right after winning a national
championship.
WES
(how do you respond to that?)
You give my best to your ole Billy Boy,
ya here?
GALE
I’ll do that, Wes. I’ll do that.
BRENT
Well folks, we couldn’t ask for a
better way to end an exciting college
football season than with the two teams
we’ll see tonight. The Washington Tech
(MORE)
26.
BRENT (CONT’D.)
Sea Devils come to College Station,
Texas to take on the defending national
champion Texas A&M Aggies.
KIRK
This one has all the drama that makes
college football great, Brent. The
number two-ranked Aggies have the best
defense in the country – nine of these
guys are future NFLers for sure. On
the other side of the ball, Washington
Tech is led by one of the most exciting
quarterbacks we’ve seen in quite a
while. Senior Achilles Addams hasn’t
put up the kind of numbers he did
during his junior campaign, but with 34
touchdown passes, only 4 interceptions
and a Division I-leading quarterback
rating of 179.4, he is without doubt
one of the premier signal callers in
the country.
BRENT
Kirk, the off-the-field story plays
almost as big a part of tonight’s game
as what will happen on it.
BRENT (V.O.)
Wes Fenton and Billy Donahue, defensive
and offensive captains at Texas A&M
under legendary coach John “Wolf” Ryan,
helped make the Aggies a powerhouse in
the Big 12 Conference, winning three
straight conference championships and
three bowl games, including a dramatic
come-from-behind victory over Notre
Dame in the Cotton Bowl. Roommates and
best friends, the Heisman-winning
Donahue and Defensive Player of the
Year Fenton would both go on to NFL
careers before returning to College
Station as offensive and defensive
coordinators for Coach Ryan. But it
was Fenton who would eventually fulfill
Wolf’s dream of bringing a national
championship to College Station.
27.
BRENT (V.O.)
It’s a national championship that’s at
stake here tonight as two of Texas
A&M’s greatest players face off for
only the second time as coaches. And
nobody knows these two fierce
competitors better than the lovely
young woman on your screen, Gale Louise
Ryan, who not long after this photo was
taken became Mrs. Gale Donahue. Let’s
go to Lisa Salter on the sideline for
more. Lisa.
LISA
Thanks, Brent. I’m here with Gale
Donahue, wife of Sea Devils head coach
Billy Donahue and, as you can see in
our graphic, a former Miss Texas who
went on to be crowned Miss America.
Mrs. Donahue, welcome home.
GALE
Thank you, Lisa and “Howdy.” It’s
great to be back in College Station.
LISA
As Wolf Ryan’s daughter, you’ve been a
lifelong Aggies fan. But can we assume
that you’re rooting for your husband’s
Sea Devils tonight?
GALE
Oh, most definitely, Lisa! Billy and
the boys are having an incredible
season and I really believe they’ll
upset the Aggies tonight.
LISA
Texas A&M has some of the richest
traditions in all of college sports.
Tonight must be hard for you, having
(MORE)
28.
LISA (CONT’D.)
grown up here in College Station and
spending most of your life rooting for
your Dad and the Aggies. How hard is
it for your husband and his best friend
Coach Fenton to go against each other
with so much on the line?
GALE
Oh it’s not too hard, Lisa. You know
the Aggies barely beat my Sea Devils
here a while ago, so it’s time to
settle the score. But when it’s over,
Billy and Wes will wake up tomorrow and
still be friends. They’ll still be
Aggies and they’ll still be Daddy’s
boys. But tonight, it’s war, Lisa.
LISA
(smiles)
Thank you, Mrs. Donahue.
GALE
Thank you, Lisa, Brent and Kirk.
BRENT
Thank you, Gale. The always charming
Gale Donahue, folks. Of course you
Aggies fans out there recognize the
familiar “Howdy” greeting and the “Gig
‘em” thumbs-up that Aggies everywhere
use to say good-bye... Now let’s get
ready for some football as the number
two Aggies of Texas A&M get ready to
throw down with the fourth-ranked Sea
Devils of Washington Tech!
FADE OUT.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
Minutes before taking the field, the Sea Devils are intense
and brooding. All eyes are on Billy, standing in the
middle of the room. He speaks in a low, calm voice.
BILLY
When we started this journey, we said
we had twelve steps to take to reach
our goal. One step for every game.
We’ve taken eleven steps. But make no
mistake men, this last one will be the
toughest step to take.
(beat)
A few of you were here three years ago
and learned the hard way that winning
on that field out there is never a
given. As long as there’s a second
left on the clock, that team across the
way will fight to win. And take it from
me, men, they will protect this house
to the last man – and that means all
85,000 of them in the stands. That’s
what we’re up against tonight.
(passion rising)
It’s going to take sixty minutes of
heads up, balls out, inspired football
to beat them Aggies. But you know
what? I think we’re just the team –
maybe the only team in the country –
that can come into their house and
snatch a National Championship out from
under them! Let’s go out there and get
it done!
KIRK (V.O.)
It comes down to this. For a shot at
the BCS National Championship, the
fourth-ranked Sea Devils have to pull
off the upset tonight, then hope the
Aggies beat the number three Nebraska
Cornhuskers in the Big 12 Conference
Championship next Saturday. The number
two Aggies need wins here tonight and
against Nebraska to lock up a return
trip to the National Championship game.
ON THE FIELD
ACHILLES
BRENT (V.O.)
The Sea Devils will be without an
injured Crash Davis, the versatile
tailback who brought balance to their
offense this season, rushing for close
to 1,000 yards.
KIRK (V.O.)
Yeah, and without the threat of a
running attack, it could be open season
on Achilles Addams for an Aggies
defense that leads the nation in sacks.
ACHILLES
SCOREBOARD
SCOREBOARD
ROD
BRENT (V.O.)
Well the Sea Devils offensive line, led
by senior All-American center Warren
Sitren, is handling the line of
scrimmage so far tonight.
KIRK (V.O.)
There’s a reason why Crash Davis rushed
for 960 yards before being injured and
Achilles Addams has only been sacked
four times this season. It’s because
of the play of this offensive line.
The big boys up front open up holes for
running backs and give Addams the time
to make all of his reads and hit open
receivers anywhere on the field. It’s
a big reason why his passer rating is
through the roof.
32.
SCOREBOARD
ON THE SIDELINE
LISA
Coach, you got a rare pick off Achilles
Addams to tie the game, but your
offense hasn’t had much success against
a weakened Sea Devils defense. Are you
concerned that your offense hasn’t put
up more points, especially considering
the Sea Devils average 24 point a game
in the second half?
WES
We know they’re capable of scoring a
lot of points and that we’ve got to get
more productivity out of our offense.
I’m not too worried about our ability
to score. We’ll make a few adjustments
and come out ready for the second half.
WES
Did you think they were just going to
roll over for you?! I told you they’d
come at you hard! With everything
they’ve got! And they won’t stop!
They won’t ever stop! They came here,
into your house, to avenge what
happened three years ago and to take
what belongs to you! And make no
mistake, they will take it if you don’t
play like champions. Anything less
than a championship effort for the next
thirty minutes and you’ll have great
seats for the National Championship
game – on your goddamn sofas at home!
33.
BILLY
If you thought the first half was
tough, you ain’t seen nothing. They’re
going to come at you with everything
they’ve got and then some, because they
know what you know. What everybody in
this stadium and watching back home in
Maitland knows. There’s only one
ticket to the National Championship.
Right now, they have it. Our only way
to get it is take it. And they won’t
let go unless we beat the ever-loving
shit out of them. That’s what it’s
going to take, men. Thirty minutes of
ruthless, bloody battle... This is why
you lift all those weights, run all
those wind sprints and all those miles
in the summer. To fight this war. And
like any war it’s going to be painful.
Your ticket to a national championship
is on that field, in their hands. You
want it? You’re going to have to
destroy them to get it!
SCOREBOARD
KIRK (V.O.)
Oh man! In a game like this, against a
defense as good as this one, you’ve got
to make those catches when you’re that
wide open.
34.
BRENT (V.O.)
And it looks like the veteran
quarterback is giving the young walk-on
a talking to, Kirk.
LINC
Sorry, Q.B.
ACHILLES
Don’t be sorry! You’re gonna get it
hit! It’s gonna hurt! Hold onto the
goddamn rock!
SCOREBOARD
ACHILLES
SCOREBOARD
REFEREE
Clipping. Number sixty-eight. Fifteen
yards from the spot of the foul. Still
third down.
REFEREE
Holding. Number sixty-eight. Ten
yards from the spot of the foul.
Repeat third down.
BRENT (V.O.)
And that sack really hurts the Aggies.
Now it’s fourth and a mile with less
than a minute to play.
takes the snap from the shotgun, steps up to avoid the rush
and fires a rifle shot down field. It’s caught by a
RECEIVER who is tackled close to the spot of a first down.
The CHAIN GANG comes out for the measurement.
KIRK (V.O.)
Can you believe that?! On fourth down
they needed thirty yards and they get
thirty yards and an inch to keep this
drive and their hopes of a national
championship alive!
hurries his team back to the line, calls the play and takes
the snap. He hits his TAILBACK on a swing pass for 10
yards then finds another receiver for a pick up of 15. The
crowd is INSANE.
BRENT (V.O.)
The legendary Twelfth Man is making his
presence felt here tonight. This is
exactly why opposing teams hate coming
to Kyle Field.
36.
KIRK (V.O.)
This is where the Sea Devils really
miss the experience of leading tackler
and defensive captain Nate Brewster,
who is on a one-game suspension.
AN AGGIES RECEIVER
ON THE SIDELINE
BRENT (V.O.)
This will be about a thirty-yard field
goal to tie the game and most likely
send us to overtime.
MONTAGE - OVERTIME
KIRK (V.O.)
In college football overtime, each team
gets four downs from the twenty-five
yard line to score a touchdown or a
field goal. The team that has the lead
after a pair of possessions wins. If
they’re tied after two possessions,
each team must go for a two-point
conversion after a score to win.
SCOREBOARD
IN THE HUDDLE
ACHILLES
Okay, listen up. This is it. It all
comes down to this series. We’ve
already been to the Sugar Bowl and I
hate oranges. So let’s go get that
ticket to the BCS Championship.
ACHILLES
hits Jet for five yards; throws a swing pass to Rod for
another five and the first down; finds Junior at the six-
yard-line on a curl; rolls left on a bootleg and DIVES for
the pylon. TOUCHDOWN!
ACHILLES
KIRK (V.O.)
This is it! A shot at the national
championship comes down to one play!
BRENT (V.O.)
The extra point is GOOD!
SCOREBOARD
The Sea Devils rush onto the field and swarm their offense
in the end zone. Those players who aren’t on the field are
dousing Billy with a bucket of Gatorade.
BILLY
You coached a helluva game, Wes.
WES
So did you, Billy. And your boys
played their tails off.
Congratulations.
BILLY
Thanks.
WES
Don’t you worry, Billy Boy, I’m gonna
beat Nebraska.
BILLY
Tonight you answered the call and you
were magnificent. I can’t tell you how
proud I am of every one of you.
ACHILLES
Coach, the team’s already decided who
deserves this game ball.
(off Billy’s reaction)
Coach, you always say big players make
big plays. Well great coaches call
great games... For getting us here and
coaching one hell of a game.
TEAM
WHOOOO-AHHH!
FADE OUT.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
BILLY
I don’t see them. Are you sure they’re
in here?
GALE
I don’t know, Billy Honey. I have a
bad feeling about this.
BILLY
He’ll be fine, Gale. The boy’s almost
four years old. That’s the same age
J.R. was when Coach and me took him out
for the first time.
GALE
You won’t take your eyes off him, not
for an instant.
BILLY
Between me and J.R., we’ll look out for
him. And he’ll have a life jacket on.
BILLY
Stop your worrying and go back to bed.
She pouts but does as she’s told. He flicks out the light.
Gale and Mattie are at the table having tea. ESPN Sports
Center is on television.
GRACIE
Good morning, Mrs. Donahue, Mattie.
GALE/MATTIE
Good morning.
GRACIE
Coach and J.R. left pretty early.
GALE
Yes, they did. And they took Duncan
with them.
GRACIE
Really? But the little guy will freeze
in a boat out on the lake.
GALE
He’ll be fine. It’s time he started
learning this family’s traditions.
GRACIE
To me a tradition is opening presents
on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas,
not going fishing the morning after a
football game.
42.
MATTIE
If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call
Darryl and give him our updated flight
information.
GALE
Did you happen to notice if Mom was
awake?
GRACIE
No... I didn’t hear her in her room.
GALE
Hmmm. It’s not like her to sleep so
late.
GRACIE
She did have a pretty long and exciting
day yesterday.
GALE
Yes, it was that alright.
(stands to go)
We’re going straight to the airport
after church, Gracie Sweetheart, so
you’d better get packed right after
you’ve had your tea.
GRACIE
Sure thing, Mrs. Donahue.
GALE
You know, Sweetheart, you calling me
“Mrs. Donahue” always seems so, I don’t
know, impersonal...
(warm smile)
Let’s just try “Mom” for a while and
see how that feels.
GRACIE
(a small smile)
Okay... Mom.
GALE
(opening door)
Mom.
GALE
Mom... Mom?
DISSOLVE TO:
CAT
(sarcastic)
Nice. Another “Ho mobile.”
IPHONE
(grins)
Come on, Cat. Don’t hate.
ACHILLES
(grins)
That reminds me, when is that piece of
shit you call a car out of the shop?
BRAD
(sincere)
I guess what I’m trying to say is I
miss you, Ivy, and I want to give it
another try.
IVY
Brad, I’m sorry but it’s just not in
the cards for us. Besides, I’m with
someone.
BRAD
(hurt)
Oh...
IVY
It started after you and I broke up,
Brad.
BRAD
Oh, I see. Do I know him?
IVY
I’m sure you do, but it doesn’t matter,
Brad... Look I’ve got to roll now.
Take care of yourself.
BRAD
(pumping Achilles’ hand)
Hell of a game last night, Iceman!
Hell of a game!
ACHILLES
Thanks.
45.
ACHILLES
Ivy, does it bother you that we’re, you
know, on the down low?
IVY
I don’t think being discreet means
we’re “on the down low.”
(looks up, clocks his
concern)
Sweetheart, what’s bothering you?
ACHILLES
At the Koffee House today, you talked
to that guy you used to date.
IVY
Brad? Yeah. We ran into each other
there. So?
ACHILLES
You said he was really into you.
IVY
But I wasn’t into him.
(sits up)
Achilles, you don’t have to worry about
Brad, or anybody else for that matter.
Baby, you should know that by now.
ACHILLES
It’s not that, Ivy.
IVY
Well what is it? What’s going on in
that head of yours?
ACHILLES
Doesn’t it bother you that we have to
“be discreet?” I mean, wouldn’t you
rather have a relationship where you
can kiss or hold hands in public and
not have to drive fifty miles to have
dinner in a nice restaurant?
46.
IVY
Sweetheart, I’ll stick my tongue down
your throat on Main Street when the
season’s over if you want. Until then
“No distractions. No media circus.”
It’s what you wanted. Remember?
ACHILLES
Yeah, I remember.
IVY
Anyway, it’s not as if nobody knows
about us. Cara knows and she’s come
around to accepting us together.
IVY
I don’t mind waiting to go public with
our relationship, Achilles... Besides,
the private bennies are much better
than the public ones.
IVY (O.S.)
...don’t stop, don’t stop.
Yeahyeahyeahyeah...Oh God yes!
IVY
Sweetheart, it’s freezing out here?
You’ll catch your death without a shirt
or shoes on.
IVY
Achilles, what is it? What’s wrong?
ACHILLES
I have to tell you something, Ivy.
It’s not easy.
IVY
(concern growing)
Okay. But let’s go inside.
They enter and she continues into the next room, brings
back a blanket and drapes it over his shoulders.
IVY
Achilles, what do you have to tell me?
ACHILLES
People used to ask me all the time why
I came here. Why I chose this school,
three thousand miles away – damn near
in Canada - when I could’ve gone to USC
or Notre Dame or a half-dozen other
schools with powerhouse football
programs... Nobody asks anymore. Now
that we’ve won three conference
championships, now that we might play
for a national championship. People
just stopped asking. You never even
asked.
IVY
Do you want me to?
ACHILLES
I came here to run away from something
I did. I wanted to get lost up here so
people would just forget about me.
48.
IVY
Well that plan sure backfired. What
did you do, Achilles?
ACHILLES
(beat)
You said nobody can understand what
you’re going through unless they’ve
taken someone else’s life... Well, I do
know what you’re going through, Ivy.
IVY
Achilles, what are you talking about?
ACHILLES
In high school...I shot a boy and
killed him.
IVY
(alarmed)
What do you mean, “killed him?!”
ACHILLES
He died when I shot him.
IVY
Oh my God!
ACHILLES
It was in self-defense. He was going
to kill me or Portia or both of us.
IVY
Portia?! Achilles, what are you
talking about?! If you’d done
something like that everyone would’ve
known. It would’ve been all over the
news before you got here.
ACHILLES
Nobody knew about it. Except me and
Portia. And now you. The police
investigated and wrote it off as a gang
shooting.
IVY
Why are you telling me this, Achilles?!
49.
ACHILLES
You’ve told me everything about
yourself, opened up to me completely.
And every time I look into your eyes,
every time we make love, I feel like
I’m lying to you, like I’m lying to
myself. I don’t want to have that
feeling anymore. I want you to know who
I really am, Ivy.
IVY
I’m a state police officer, Achilles!
You’re telling me you killed someone
and got a way with it! What do you
expect me to do?! Jesus!
ACHILLES
I don’t know, Ivy. I just know I can’t
be with you and live that lie anymore.
IVY
Oh God!
IVY
Oh God!
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE