GOAL TO GO

Episode 4.51

“Home, Part 1”

by

David Polk
 2.

RECAP

We Recap events from Previous Episodes, ending on Cat

accepting Dallas’ marriage proposal.

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. IVY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Ivy Sandusky sleeps fitfully in bed, over which we hear:

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!

We hear scuffling, a HARD SLAP then Portia’s SCREAMS. The

sound of Achilles tacking Marcus, the two wrestling on the
ground. A GUNSHOT. Two more GUNSHOTS.

PORTIA
No! Noooo!

SUDDENLY Ivy wakes with a start. PULL BACK to REVEAL

Achilles Addams next to her in bed, looking down at her.
He’s remembering his worst nightmare while watching her
sleep through one of her own.

ACHILLES
It’s alright, babe. I’m here.

SMASH TO TITLES.

END TEASER
 4.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. BREW’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Nate “Brew” Brewster rolls out of bed naked and leaves the
room. In bed, Dustin Heter turns over, sound asleep.

INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

Nate enters, raises the toilet seat and takes a pee. We

hear the pee hitting the side of the toilet, then Brew
abruptly shakes a leg.

BREW
Shit!

He’s pissed on himself. He adjusts and then we hear the

steam hitting water in the toilet.

INT. BREW’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

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?!

Dustin is turning blue from the seizure. Brew keeps his

head. He lowers Dustin back to the floor then finds his
cell phone on the night table. Dials.

BREW
(calm, urgent)
Yes, this is an emergency. My friend
is dying.

EXT./INT. RANGE ROVER – MOVING – BEFORE DAWN

The SUV cruises down an empty state road with a fishing

boat hitched to the rear. Inside, Billy Donahue sips
coffee from his thermos as he drives, listening to ESPN.
 5.

COLIN COWHERD (V.O.)

...Now I grew up in Washington State,
so I know I’m going to sound like a
homer. But if number four Washington
Tech beats number two Texas A&M this
weekend, they deserve a shot at the BCS
National Championship. Now, I know
what a lot of you are thinking:
Washington Tech?! Western Athletic
Coference?! Weak conference, soft
schedule, no blow outs this season, no
way! But here’s the thing – Billy
Donahue’s Sea Devils are 11-0, they’ve
beaten three top ten schools in
dramatic fashion – Penn State, LSU and
USC – two of them on the road! And
they’ve taken care of business in the
WAC, knocking off tough rivals Boise
State, Fresno State and Hawai’i. If
they can upset the defending national
champions in College Station, why not
move ‘em up past number three Nebraska
to the number two spot and let them
play for all the marbles?

The car phone RINGS, interrupting the radio. “St. Francis

Hospital” is on the display screen. Billy pushes a button
on the steering wheel to answer.

BILLY
Hello?

DR. JONES (V.O.)

Coach Donahue. Sorry to disturb you so
early.

BILLY
Not a problem. What’s wrong?

DR. JONES (V.O.)

Coach, one of your players has been
brought to the emergency room.

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM – DAWN

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?

INT. IVY’S KITCHEN – DAY

Ivy enters in uniform, ready for work. Achilles is

searching cabinets for something. She goes to a lower
cabinet and pulls out a box of WHEATIES.

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.

He pours the cereal in a bowl, adds milk and sits. She

smiles, strokes his hair and kisses his cheek.

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.

She leaves him with that. He smiles at the thought.

INT. GALE’S OFFICE – DAY

Gale Donahue is at her desk. Mattie Weiss steps in.

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.

The phone RINGS. Mattie goes to Gale’s desk and answers.

MATTIE
Gale Donahue’s office.

INT. SASHA’S OFFICE – SAME

Sasha Mendez sits behind her desk.

SASHA
Hello, Mattie. Sasha Mendez. Are you
and Mrs. Donahue ready for our call?

INTERCUT: MATTIE & GALE/SASHA

 8.

MATTIE
Yes, we’re both here.

Mattie puts the phone on speaker.

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.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY

Billy is with Charlotte Webb.

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.

EXT. PENNEBAKER STADIUM (PRACTICE) - DAY

MONTAGE – PRACTICE

The Sea Devils work out in a light snowfall. Sasha holds

court with a gaggle of reporters near the stands. INTERCUT
pieces of her interview during 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.

The defense looks dispirited without their leader, Brew, on

the field. On the sideline, defensive coordinator Joe
Mercer shouts encouragement and barely masks his resentment
that the cornerstone of his unit has been benched.

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?

Reporters, including Chris, laugh.

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 looks to the back of the group at Jessica Drucker,

the young AP reporter we remember from an earlier Episode.
 13.

SASHA
Jessica, I think you can count on Coach
Donahue and the offensive coaching
staff to game plan appropriately.

Achilles throws beautiful 50-yard spirals that hit their

targets – Jet Johnson, Linc Ossling, ANTWAN SPRAGINS,
BARRON HENDRICKS – like smart bombs.

INT. SEA DEVILS LOCKER ROOM – DAY

Players mill about in various stages of dress. The mood is

somber, as if a bomb had gone off in the locker room.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE - LATER

A knock on the door and Billy turns from the floor-to-

ceiling window that looks out over the football field.

BILLY
Enter.

Achilles enters in street clothes.

ACHILLES
Coach.

BILLY
Come in, Achilles. Have a seat.

Achilles sits and clocks the seriousness on Billy’s face.

ACHILLES
So it’s true? What the guys are saying
about Brew and Heter?

BILLY
That they’re gay? Yes.

Billy waits to read his quarterback’s reaction.

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?

OFF Achilles considering...

INT. SEA DEVILS LOCKER ROOM – LATER

Players are gathered around, all in street clothes. A

couple of players enter the room, called back after having
already left for the day. They quickly stop their bitching
when they read Achilles’ deadly serious expression.

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.

Beat. A lot of solemn faces around the room.

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.

Players begin to speak up and voice their opinions.

INT. MUSTANG COBRA – MOVING – SUNSET

Achilles is driving. Cara “Cat” Trzcinski rides shotgun.

She’s punching buttons on the radio to find music. Each
time she changes a channel he changes it back to HIP-HOP
using the steering wheel controls.

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.

She reflexively punches him hard with her right hand.

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.

Achilles laughs and she begins to laugh too. Then they

notice the FLASHING LIGHTS of two State Police cars on the
opposite side of the highway. The troopers have pulled
over a car. As they pass, Achilles and Cat recognize Ivy.

EXT. ROADSIDE – SAME

Ivy and another STATE TROOPER are arresting a MOTORIST.

Ivy guides the handcuffed motorist to her cruiser and puts
him in the back seat, using the hand-on-top-of-head
technique.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

 17.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. IVY’S DEN – NIGHT

We’re looking at the gun case, where an assortment of

HUNTING RIFLES and HANDGUNS are displayed. PULL BACK to
REVEAL Achilles standing in front of the case. Behind him,
a fire crackles in the fireplace and Cleo the German
Shepherd is curled up sleeping on the bearskin rug.

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.

She clocks his discomfort, decides to change the subject.

IVY
(kisses him teasingly)
But you’ve got such a big one. Can I
play with it?
 18.

She feels him tense up and she stops the seduction.

IVY
Sweetheart, what is it?

ACHILLES
(beat)
Have you ever thought about...changing
professions?

She’s taken aback.

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?

He backs away from her embrace, offended.

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.

She tears up and turns away again. He wraps his arms

around her from behind, kisses her cheek.

ACHILLES
I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry.

She turns to him and they embrace and kiss.

EXT. RYAN HOME – DAY

A nice middle-class home.

INT. RYAN HOME – DAY

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.

who haven’t been inside the home since Rose moved to

Maitland to live with her daughter.

GRACIE
This is really nice.

And it is. Very homey.

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.

INT. PRESS EVENT – DAY

It’s a media melee as Gale and Shannon Fenton, lovely wife

of Texas A&M coach Wes Fenton, pose for photographs and
sign autographs for adoring Aggies/Donahue FANS. The Texas
A&M PR GUY steps up to tactfully end the session. Gale and
Shannon make their way to a waiting sedan.

INT. AGGIES’ CLUB – LATER

Two TEXAS STATE TROOPERS stand guard at the entrance of

this fancy restaurant. DINERS try to stay cool, but many
steal glances at Gale and Shannon, who are having lunch at
a central table. Shannon speaks with a soft Georgia drawl.

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.

Shannon says this like a woman who knows she’s talking to

her husband’s first love.

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.

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL – DAY

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.

INT. BRIGHT FOOTBALL COMPLEX – DAY

Gale, Rose, Shannon and Wes Fenton are joined by school

OFFICIALS, GUESTS and NEWS MEDIA for a ceremony. They’re
all standing around a veiled object. The Texas A&M
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR speaks.

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.

Rose and Gale step forward to unveil a bronze BUST STATUE

of Coach John “Wolf” Ryan. The room fills with applause as
Rose beams lovingly at the likeness of her beloved “Wolf”.

SAME SCENE – LATER

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.

Gale offers a small, appreciative smile.

INT. CORRIDOR – LATER

Shannon chats amiably with Rose as they make their way

toward the exit. J.R., Gracie (with Duncan) and Mattie are
close behind. Wes and Gale trail further back.

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.

They share a good-natured laugh.

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?

She stops and they face each other.

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.

They embrace as old, dear friends. Then they join the

others at the exit and leave the building.

EXT. KYLE FIELD – NIGHT

The energy of 85,000 fans, bands, cheerleaders and mascots

creates a bowl game atmosphere.

INT. BROADCAST BOOTH – NIGHT

Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit hold forth.

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.

ON TV, ARCHIVE FOOTAGE of young Billy and young Wes as

Aggies playing in big games, making big plays, talking to
each other and with Wolf Ryan in practices and in games.

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.

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE ENDS ON A PHOTO of young Billy and young

Wes, and between them a stunning Gale Ryan, wearing the
sash and crown of “Miss America.”

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.

EXT. KYLE FIELD, SIDELINE – SAME

Sideline reporter Lisa Salter is with a smiling Gale.

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.

Before she goes, Gale smiles and gives a thumbs-up.

INT. BROADCAST BOOTH – SAME

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.

END OF ACT TWO

 29.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT

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!

Fired up players move toward the locker room exit. Billy

and Achilles exchange a look as Achilles passes. Billy
winks; Achilles shots him a small, cocksure smile.

EXT. KYLE FIELD – NIGHT

The team captains meet at midfield for the coin toss. As

they do, CUT TO Billy and Wes on opposite sidelines, both
of them stoic but intense, talking into their headsets to
coaches in the booths above the field.
 30.

CUT TO the stands to find Gale, Rose and the Donahues.

Charlotte, Champ Sussman and his wife Kendra are also among
the Sea Devils faithful who’ve made the trip. [Note: there
will be appropriate coverage of our main characters in the
stands, on the sideline and watching on TV in Maitland.]

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

The teams line up for the kickoff. Linc Ossling takes it

for a short return before being HAMMERED on the tackle.
It’s a sign of the ferociousness of the Aggies defense.

ACHILLES

follows his offense out of the huddle and stands in the

shotgun, coolly reads the defense.

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

takes the snap and leads a smooth drive, hitting wide

receivers Jet Johnson, Linc Ossling, Antwan Spragins,
Freddie Marquard and tight end Junior Tuiososopo. Finally
he fakes a handoff, rolls left and finds Junior in the back
of the end zone with a tight spiral. TOUCHDOWN!

Texas A&M answers with an efficient drive of their own.

 31.

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 7, Washington Tech 7, first quarter.

The action on the field is fast-paced, intense and violent.

Gale was right: it’s war. We INTERCUT with Billy and Wes
on the sidelines, both Cool Customers, in contrast to...

INT. COACHES BOOTHS – NIGHT

...their respective coaches booths, where the atmosphere is

hectic. But we get a sense of how sophisticated the
offensive and defense playbooks of these teams are.

EXT. KYLE FIELD - NIGHT

Achilles leads another textbook drive, capping it off with

a handoff to tailback ROD MORRISSEY, who darts through a
lane created by great blocking and sprints 20 yards for a
TOUCHDOWN!

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 7, Washington Tech 14, first quarter

ROD

cuts through the line, gets a huge block from Warren

“iPhone” Sitren and picks up about 20 yards.

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.

And just like that, Kirk jinxes Achilles. He throws an

interception. The CORNERBACK returns it 50 yards for a
TOUCHDOWN.

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 14, Washington Tech 14, halftime.

ON THE SIDELINE

Lisa stops Wes on his way to the tunnel.

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.

INT. AGGIES’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT

Aggies players are gathered around their head coach. Wes’

anger is tightly controlled but has a powerful effect.

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.

INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT

Players and coaches stand round Billy. He’s calm.

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!

EXT. KYLE FIELD – NIGHT

Texas A&M returns the second half kickoff to midfield.

Then they move the ball with brutal efficiency the other 50
yards. They score AGAIN.

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 21, Washington Tech 14, third quarter.

Achilles throws pass after pass, but his RECEIVERS either

drop the ball or have it knocked out of them by vicious
hits from Aggie defenders. He scrambles for the first on
three consecutive third downs. On third and six from the
Aggies’ 27-yard-line, he fires a bullet to Linc, who drops
what would have been a touchdown.

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.

Achilles and iPhone walk back to the sideline. When they

get there, Achilles gives Linc and earful.

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!

The Sea Devils kick a field goal.

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 21, Washington Tech 17, end of the third quarter.

ACHILLES

takes a snap from the shotgun, sprints right, turns left

and fires a perfect spiral to Jet, who takes it 35 yards to
the house. TOUCHDOWN.

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 21, Washington Tech 24, 3:03 left in the game.

The stadium is at a fever pitch as Aggies fans try to spur

their team on. The A&M offense takes the field. Their
QUARTERBACK leads a “hurry-up” drive down field. On third
and short, he hits a TAILBACK on a screen pass that nets 30
yards. But a PENALTY FLAG is thrown. The REFEREE makes
the call on his PA mic.

REFEREE
Clipping. Number sixty-eight. Fifteen
yards from the spot of the foul. Still
third down.

THIRD AND LONG

The Aggies Quarterback barks out signals, takes the snap

and fires a crisp pass to his TIGHT END for a nice pickup.
But another penalty flag is on the turf.
 35.

REFEREE
Holding. Number sixty-eight. Ten
yards from the spot of the foul.
Repeat third down.

NUMBER SIXTY-EIGHT, a big offensive lineman, grimaces. Wes

shakes his head in disgust. On the Sea Devils sideline,
defensive coordinator Joe Mercer shouts instructions onto
the field.

On the next play, Kwame Epstein knocks a blocker on his ass

and SACKS the Aggies Quarterback.

BRENT (V.O.)
And that sack really hurts the Aggies.
Now it’s fourth and a mile with less
than a minute to play.

Wes, Billy, Gale and all of our characters in the stadium

look to the GAME CLOCK.

0:58 LEFT IN THE GAME.

THE AGGIES QUARTERBACK

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.

ANGLE ON the nose of the football. First down by inches.

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!

THE AGGIES QUARTERBACK

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

catches a pass for a short gain, but Sea Devils’ cornerback

Shaun Ellis drags him down before he can get out of bounds.
The clock keeps ticking.

ON THE SIDELINE

Wes signals for a timeout. His last.

0:17 LEFT IN THE GAME.

BRENT (V.O.)
This will be about a thirty-yard field
goal to tie the game and most likely
send us to overtime.

The Aggies kick a field goal.

MONTAGE - OVERTIME

Both teams gear themselves up for 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.

In the Sea Devils’ first possession Achilles goes 4-for-4

and hooks up with Freddie on a fade route for a touchdown.

The Aggies answer by engineering a five-play drive that

ends with a bootleg by their quarterback for a touchdown.

Next, Achilles hits Jet on a slant to tie the score again.

On their second possession, the Aggies score on a bruising

option run by their tailback.
 37.

The Aggies line up for the THIRD OVERTIME. Their

Quarterback takes the snap, drops back and fires a perfect
strike to a receiver who catches it and cruises into the
end zone untouched. Aggies fans go wild.

On the try for a two-point conversion, the Aggies

Quarterback lofts a pass to a RECEIVER at the back of the
end zone but it’s KNOCKED AWAY by Shaun.

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 44, Washington Tech 38 OT

IN THE HUDDLE

Achilles steps in. He’s intense, focused, but brings a

sense of a calm control to his keyed up teammates.

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.

They break the huddle.

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!

The stadium goes DEAD SILENT. Achilles looks to Billy on

the sideline for the two-point conversion play. INTERCUT
all of our characters’ anticipating the play.

ACHILLES

follows his offense to the line.

KIRK (V.O.)
This is it! A shot at the national
championship comes down to one play!

Achilles barks out the signals. Then he calls an audible

to change the play. Linc goes in motion. On the snap, the
Aggies come hard and Achilles rolls to his right. He
 38.

stops, turns back to his left and fires a bullet to Linc,

who is HAMMERED in the end zone but holds onto the ball!

BRENT (V.O.)
The extra point is GOOD!

SCOREBOARD

TAMU 44, Washington Tech 46, Game Over.

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.

Gale, Rose, Mattie and Gracie hug, all of them in tears.

J.R. teaches little Duncan how to high-five.

BACK IN MAITLAND it’s pandemonium!!!

EXT. KYLE FIELD – MOMENTS LATER

Billy and Wes make their way to midfield to shake hands.

Cameras and reporters track with them to record their every
utterance.

BILLY
You coached a helluva game, Wes.

WES
So did you, Billy. And your boys
played their tails off.
Congratulations.

BILLY
Thanks.

Then Wes moves close to speak in Billy’s hear.

WES
Don’t you worry, Billy Boy, I’m gonna
beat Nebraska.

A beat as they look into each other’s eyes.

 39.

INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – LATER

Billy is surrounded by the team.

BILLY
Tonight you answered the call and you
were magnificent. I can’t tell you how
proud I am of every one of you.

He signals to an ASSISTANT COACH for a game ball but

Achilles steps up and takes it from the assistant.

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.

Achilles hands the ball to Billy and the team joins

together in the Sea Devils cry:

TEAM
WHOOOO-AHHH!

Off Billy accepting the ball we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

 40.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. RYAN HOME, BEDROOM/BATHROOM – BEFORE DAWN

We hear MOVEMENT in the darkened room, become aware of

WHISPERS. Then a light comes on in the master bathroom,
REVEALING Gale and Billy. She’s in her old Aggies t-shirt.
He’s fully dressed ready to head out. He’s looking for
something in the medicine cabinet.

BILLY
I don’t see them. Are you sure they’re
in here?

She reaches in the medicine cabinet, pulls out a bottle of

aspirin and hands it to him.

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.

She’s worried. He lifts her chin with his finger and

kisses her lips.

BILLY
Stop your worrying and go back to bed.

She pouts but does as she’s told. He flicks out the light.

EXT. LAKE – DAWN

As the first rays of sun peek over the horizon, we FIND

Billy, J.R., Wes and little Duncan – bundled in a coat and
a life jacket - in Wes’ fishing boat.
 41.

INT. RYAN KITCHEN – DAY

Gale and Mattie are at the table having tea. ESPN Sports
Center is on television.

ESPN ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Turning to college football. What a
way to end the regular season, as
number four Washington Tech rolled into
College Station last night and left
Kyle Field with a rare upset, beating
defending national champions Texas A&M
46 – 44 in triple overtime. Now Coach
Billy Donahue and his Sea Devils will
have to wait to see if beating the
number two Aggies is enough to leap
frog them into the BCS National
Championship or if they’ll need help
from those same Aggies, who are set to
play number three Nebraska in the Big
12 Conference Championship game.

Gracie comes into the kitchen in sleep clothes.

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.

Mattie leaves. Gracie sits.

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 looks at her. Beat.

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.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE ROSE’S BEDROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Gale gently knocks on the door.

 43.

GALE
(opening door)
Mom.

INT. ROSE’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Rose is in bed. Gale crosses the room and looks down at

her mother. She appears to be sleeping peacefully.

GALE
Mom... Mom?

Gale realizes that her mother is dead. She sits next to

her, caresses her face and hair. Rose is the very picture
of serenity. Gale lay down, holds her in her arms and cries
softly.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MAITLAND MAIN STREET – DAY

Achilles, iPhone and Cat walk down the sidewalk. Snow is

on the ground and we can see their breath as they talk. A
car horn HONKS and they turn as a carload of ROWDY GIRL
FANS passes.

ROWDY GIRL FANS

WHOOO-AAAHHH! Way to go Iceman,
iPhone! Call me!

Achilles and iPhone wave and smile.

CAT
(sarcastic)
Nice. Another “Ho mobile.”

IPHONE
(grins)
Come on, Cat. Don’t hate.

She smirks. Achilles loops an arm around her neck.

ACHILLES
(grins)
That reminds me, when is that piece of
shit you call a car out of the shop?

She punches him hard in the ribs. He reacts, “Ow!”

 44.

INT. KOFFEE HOUSE – DAY

Ivy, in uniform, stands in a corner talking to her ex-

boyfriend Brad, who we recall from an earlier Episode.

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?

Suddenly the coffee shop erupts in CHEERS. Achilles,

iPhone and Cat have entered. Brad and Ivy turn to see what
the commotion is all about. Ivy smiles to herself.

IVY
I’m sure you do, but it doesn’t matter,
Brad... Look I’ve got to roll now.
Take care of yourself.

She makes her way through the crowd that is gathering

around the gridiron heroes. As she passes Achilles, their
eyes meet. She smiles and he smiles back. She exits the
shop, then he notices Brad approaching to join the other
fans in congratulating him and iPhone.

BRAD
(pumping Achilles’ hand)
Hell of a game last night, Iceman!
Hell of a game!

ACHILLES
Thanks.
 45.

INT. IVY’S DEN – SUNSET

Achilles and Ivy are on the sofa, staring at the fire.

She’s curled up next to him, cozy. He is pensive.

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.

She pulls his face to hers with a finger.

IVY
I don’t mind waiting to go public with
our relationship, Achilles... Besides,
the private bennies are much better
than the public ones.

She kisses him.

EXT. IVY’S HOME – NIGHT

We’re looking at the home through the woods. We hear

SOUNDS of Achilles and Ivy having hot sex.

IVY (O.S.)
...don’t stop, don’t stop.
Yeahyeahyeahyeah...Oh God yes!

INT. IVY’S BEDROOM – DAY

CLOSE ON the pretty Ivy vine tattoo on Ivy’s back. CAMERA

SLOWLY moves downward, stopping where the sheets cover her
ass. PULL BACK and we see that she’s asleep in bed. She
stirs. Turns to find Achilles’ side empty.

EXT. BACK OF HOUSE – LATER

Achilles stands by a woodpile. He’s only in jeans. Ivy

comes out of the house behind him, wearing Achilles’ red
practice jersey.
 47.

IVY
Sweetheart, it’s freezing out here?
You’ll catch your death without a shirt
or shoes on.

He turns to face her and right away she clocks he’s

conflicted about something. She goes to him.

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.

INT. IVY’S KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

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?

It’s very difficult for him.

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.

Beat. She reacts, very concerned now.

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 is beside herself with worry and confusion.

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.

She looks at him, utterly bewildered.

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.

Beat. Tears roll down Ivy’s cheeks.

IVY
Oh God!

She storms past him out of the house. He watches her as

she goes to the woodpile. We hear her from outside.

IVY
Oh God!

Achilles feels something and looks down at Cleo. The

German Shepherd has come in and is lovingly licking his
hand as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE