GOAL TO GO

Episode 2.22

“Twin Tight Set”

by David Polk
 2.

RECAP

We Recap events from Previous Episodes ending on Maria

receiving a summons on charges of prostitution.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. STREETS OF MAITLAND – DAWN

The sun is barely up. A light rain falls. We TRACK with

Cara Trzcinski as she jogs through the deserted streets of
Maitland. She takes us on a virtual tour of the town –
Downtown with its quaint restaurants and funky college-
oriented shops, cozy tree-lined neighborhoods, the working
class part of town...

Along the picturesque waterfront, Cara looks out on

Maitland Bay. CLOSE ON HER EYES as we

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK – INT. COOPER HOME – NIGHT (THREE YEARS EARLIER)

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC blares. The house is expensive, with an

incredible view of Maitland Bay. Teenagers in Halloween
costumes are making out, getting high, dancing.

CAKE (O.S.)
So tonight’s the night, huh?

CARA (O.S.)
I think so.

We FIND Cara and Cake D’Agostino in the living room. Cake,

sultry even at 16, is dressed for action as a black cat.
Cara is a sexy Wilma Flintstone with shoulder-length red
hair. She takes a sip from a PLASTIC CUP and smiles across
the room at REESE COOPER (18). He’s as spoiled and rich as
he looks. Cake clocks the flirtatious glance.

CAKE
If I could lose my virginity again I’d
do it with a guy just like Reese.

CARA
Didn’t you lose it again with Heath
last weekend? And with Sean a month
ago?
 3.

CAKE
Details, details.

CARA
Well, I’m only going to lose it once
and it’s going to be with Reese.

CALEB (O.S.)
What’s going to be with Reese?

CALEB TRZCINSKI (16) is behind them. Cara’s twin brother

is handsome in his Central High letterman’s jacket and
carries himself with the easy confidence of a popular
athlete. Cake can’t hide her crush on him.

CAKE
Hi, Cal! When did you get here?

CALEB
A few minutes ago.

Cake loops her arms around Caleb’s waist.

CAKE
On second thought, if I could start
over again...

CARA
Stop it Cake.

CAKE
You’d like a piece of Cake wouldn’t
you, Cal?

He smiles and rolls his eyes. This is a familiar routine.

CARA
Cake, I mean it. Hands off.

CAKE
You can have the whole thing if you
like, Cal. The icing, the cherry...

CARA
Didn’t Tony Costa pop that last year?

Cake smirks at her and Cara does the same right back.
Caleb looks up, sees Reese making his way toward them.

CALEB
Cat, remember - no glove, no love.
 4.

She doesn’t answer, just reels Reese in with her eyes.

CALEB
Seriously, Cat.

CARA
Okay, got it. Now get lost, both of
you.
(as they’re leaving)
Cake, I mean it. Hands off my brother.

Cake smiles impishly as she and Caleb make themselves

scarce.

REESE
Hey, Cat, what’s up?

CARA
(a come hither look)
Hey, Reese.

REESE’S BEDROOM – LATER

Reese hands Cara a BONG. She takes a hit – it’s obvious

she’s done this before. Reese kisses her neck, slides his
hand underneath her sweater.

EXT. COOPER HOUSE – NIGHT

Caleb and Cake leave the house. He takes a swig from a

WATER BOTTLE.

CAKE
Are you sure you don’t want to stay
longer? It’s a bitching Halloween
party, Cal.

CALEB
What, you think I can meet somebody hot
to hook up with?

She punches him playfully in the arm; the mere thought of

him with another girl makes her jealous.

CAKE
(pouts)
Why do you say things like that, Caleb?
You know I’d be better for you than any
girl you’ll ever meet.
 5.

CALEB
I didn’t make the rules, Cake. You and
Cat did.

CAKE
It’s not my rule! If I’d known you
were going to grow up to be so yummy I
would have stopped being best friends
with Cat when we were ten years old.

He smiles, gestures, “Oh, well.” Takes a swig of water.

CALEB
Anyway, I’ve got to hit the weight room
by eight in the morning, so I’m calling
it a night. You’re good for a ride
home?

CAKE
Yeah...
(then, bratty)
There’s a guy from the Maitland
Catholic football team inside, maybe
I’ll let him take me home. What do you
think about that?

CALEB
(laughs)
I think you’re too fast for me, Cake.

She folds her arms over her chest and pouts. He kisses her
on the cheek, smiles at her. Then he steps back and looks
up at the house, obviously thinking of Cara.

CALEB
Think you can fight off Maitland
Catholic long enough to make sure Cat’s
okay tonight? ...

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

ON CARA’S FACE. She’s in great discomfort. PULL BACK and

we see Reese on top of her in bed, naked, pounding away on
her.

INT. LEBARON – MOVING – CONTINUOUS

Caleb is cranking ROCK MUSIC as he cruises down the empty

street in the waterfront district. Up ahead a RED LIGHT.
He pulls to a stop at the intersection. Takes a swig from
 6.

the water bottle. Waits. At this time of night there are

no other cars around. The light turns GREEN and he pulls
into the intersection.

INT. BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Reese rolls off of Cara. He’s exhausted. She wipes tears

from her eyes.

INT. LEBARON – MOVING – CONTINUOUS

In the middle of the intersection we hear the ROAR of an

ENGINE. Caleb looks to his left, sees the bright lights of
an SUV, and in the blink of an eye everything goes BLACK.

RETURN TO PRESENT – EXT. MAITLAND WATERFRONT – DAWN

Cara has stopped running at the same intersection where Cal

was killed. She’s crying.

END TEASER
 7.

ACT ONE

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT (KITCHEN) – DAY

Cara comes in the back door. She’s just finished her

morning run through Maitland. Though the rain covers her
tears, her eyes give away the fact that she’s been crying.

CAKE
Hey. I’m making crepes, you want one?
(then, noticing)
What is it, Cat?

CARA
Nothing.

She avoids eye contact and heads into her room, closes the
door. Off Cake’s look of concern...

INT. CARA’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Dallas is asleep on the futon. She looks down at his

beautiful masculine body - the elaborate gang tattoos on
his arms and torso, the bruises from the vicious tackles he
makes. She wipes the last remnant of tears from her face.
As if feeling her presence, he wakes up. Seeing her
standing over him, he smiles.

DALLAS
‘Morning, Red.
(sensing something’s wrong)
What is it?

CARA
I love you, Dallas.

DALLAS
Well, that’s a relief. Hate to think I
was in love with somebody who didn’t
love me back.

He holds out a hand, beckoning her to join him on the

futon.

CARA
(holding back tears)
No.
(off his confusion)
You don’t understand. I really, really
love you.
 8.

He sits up, trying to piece together what’s going on.

DALLAS
And I really, really love you. What’s
wrong, Cara?

She paces back and forth. Has to get this out.

CARA
I have to tell you something.
Something happened. I didn’t plan on
it happening. I didn’t want it to
happen. But it did and I can’t take it
back.

DALLAS
Slow down, Red. Just take a breath and
tell me what’s going on.

INT. GALE DONAHUE’S OFFICE – DAY

Gale is on the phone.

GALE
Calm down, Maria. Yes, dear, of
course, I’ll come over right away.
(listens)
No one’s going to take Duncan...
(listens)
No, Maria. Now listen to me, we won’t
let that happen. Do you understand?
Try to calm down. I’m on my way.

Gale hangs up. She looks at Mathilda Weiss, who has heard
Gale’s side of the conversation.

MATHILDA
I’ll call Alan Paisley right away.

GALE
Thank you, Mattie.

The look they exchange is heavy with concern.

MATHILDA
Gale...

GALE
Yes, Mattie?
 9.

MATHILDA
Mr. Pennebaker won’t stop until he gets
his son. You know that, don’t you?

GALE
Tell Alan I don’t care what it takes,
Harold will not take that baby from his
mother. I won’t allow it. Understand?

She leaves the office, a woman on a mission. Mathilda’s

IPHONE is already on her ear.

MATHILDA
Alan Paisley please. An urgent call
from Gale Donahue.

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT – DAY

Cake is at the kitchen table finishing her CREPE. We hear

a loud DOOR SLAM. She goes to the kitchen entrance, sees
Cara standing in the doorway of her bedroom. She’s crying.

CAKE
Cara, what happened? What’s wrong?

INT. LAW OFFICE – DAY

Attorneys Alan Paisley and Ira Timmons are consulting with

Maria Pennebaker, who is being comforted by Gale.

PAISLEY
It’s obviously an attempt by Mr.
Pennebaker to sully your reputation
before any custody battle takes shape.

TIMMONS
That’s right, Mrs. Pennebaker. He
wants to force you to back off on the
divorce proceedings altogether, which
would spare him the embarrassment of
publicizing his sexual exploits.

MARIA
(panicked)
He wants to ruin me! He wants to put
me in prison and take Duncan away from
me!

Gale reacts, puts her arm around Maria.

 10.

PAISLEY
(calming)
Mrs. Pennebaker, even if these
allegations are true, there’s not
enough here to deprive you custody of
your son. Believe me, this is merely a
scare tactic.

TIMMONS
(confidently)
And we’re not giving in to a bully.

LAW OFFICE – LATER

Maria and Gale are alone. Maria is despondent.

GALE
Try not to worry, Maria. We won’t let
him win. Believe me.

MARIA
I’m sorry, Gale. I’m so sorry.

GALE
Sorry? What for? Harold’s the asshole
here.

MARIA
I should have told you. Before you got
so far out on a limb for me.

GALE
Out on a limb? Maria sweetheart, what
limb? We’re friends.

MARIA
But I wasn’t totally honest with you.
If I’d told you everything about me,
you wouldn’t have gotten so close to
me.

GALE
Sweetie, everybody knows you did a soft
core porn movie. You said so yourself
the first time we went to the spa
together.

MARIA
But I didn’t tell you I was a call girl
after that. That’s the real story of
how Harold and I met. He was a client.
 11.

Gale looks at her sympathetically. Touches her face

gently.

GALE
You’re right, I probably would have
been like all the other women here and
continued to see you just as some cheap
Las Vegas tart who Harold married for
the show of it. And like them, I would
have been a fool, because I wouldn’t
have gotten to know what a beautiful,
loving and caring woman you are. I
wouldn’t have made one of the best
friends I’ve had in my entire life.

They embrace and Maria cries on her shoulder.

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT – DAY

The girls sit facing each other, cross-legged on the floor.

Cake is holding Cara’s hands.

CAKE
He loves you, Cat. He just needs some
time to process it all.

CARA
(sniffles, fights back tears)
I’m such a slut.

CAKE
Three guys in nineteen years doesn’t
make you a slut, Cat.

CARA
And one girl.

CAKE
Still not enough. Hey, remember, this
is me you’re talking to.

Cara draws comfort from Cake’s self-deprecation. Beat.

CAKE
What about her?

CARA
What about her?
 12.

CAKE
Well...you were crazy about Reese and
Lindsay. And you really love Dallas.
How do you feel about Piper?

INT. WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM – DAY

SOCCER PLAYERS are getting ready for practice. Piper is

pulling on shin guards. Cara passes Piper, goes to her own
locker and begins to undress. Piper looks over at her.
Cara gives her a fleeting glance, goes back to getting
ready.

EXT. SOCCER FIELD (PRACTICE) – DAY

The team is scrimmaging. Cara dribbles the ball down

field. Piper is open to her left, another PLAYER is to her
right, covered by a DEFENDER. She hesitates with the pass
and the ball is stolen by ANOTHER DEFENDER. Cara reacts,
“Fuck!” She shares a look with Piper as they both turn and
run after the play.

EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX – LATER

Women soccer players leave the complex after practice.

Cara is walking away, gym bag on her shoulder.

PIPER (O.S.)
Cat, wait up.

Cara stops. Piper catches up.

PIPER
Are we ever going to talk?

CARA
Now’s not a good time.

PIPER
When is a good time? You’re with
Dallas a lot, but you don’t think I
haven’t noticed how much more you’ve
been all over him since –

CARA
(interrupts, sharply)
I said now’s not a good time, Piper.

She starts to walk away.

 13.

PIPER
I guess it’s not just guys who don’t
call back, huh, Cat?

EXT. BLEACHERS – LATER

Cara and Piper have found privacy. Their conversation is

filled with emotion.

CARA
Look, Piper, I’m sorry about what
happened. It was a big mistake.

PIPER
Funny, it didn’t feel that way to me.

CARA
Well it felt that way to me.

PIPER
Really?

CARA
Piper, I’m not a lesbian. I like guys.
I love Dallas.

PIPER
So that night was just you being
curious?

CARA
I don’t know what it was, but I know
it’s not who I am or what I want.

PIPER
How do you know? I mean really, really
know? I mean, if you were so sure, why
did you let it happen? You could have
stopped any time.

CARA
Maybe I was curious. Maybe I’m just a
slut. I don’t know. Look, Piper, I
want to get married and have children.
I’ve always known that.

PIPER
Women do that together now, Cat.
 14.

CARA
(angrily)
No, Piper! Don’t you get it?! I want
to marry Dallas and have his children!

PIPER
(begins to cry)
But I love you, Cat. I’ve always loved
you.

CARA
(thrown)
What?!

PIPER
Last year, when you were a freshman, I
knew I was attracted to you then. And
when we started spending time together
after practices and games, I got to
know who you are and what you’re about.
I fell in love with you, Cat.

Cara is taken aback. This is way more than she can handle.

CARA
But you knew I had a boyfriend then!
You knew about Lindsay, you knew about
Dallas!

PIPER
I know...But you were always so
understanding about LaQuitia and Betty.
I just figured...

CARA
I love LaQuitia. She’s like, my idol.
But that doesn’t mean I want to have
sex with her!

Piper’s waterworks are really flowing now.

PIPER
You mean like you had sex with me?!
Cat...just think about it...

CARA
Think about what, Piper?!
(a beat, more empathetic)
Piper, I’m sorry. I made a huge
mistake. It’s all my fault, I know. I
should have been stronger, shouldn’t
(MORE)
 15.

CARA (CONT’D.)
have let it happen. I wish to God I
could take it back. But I don’t love
you, Piper. I could never love you
that way. Not the way I love Dallas.
I’m...just...I’m just so sorry, Piper.

Off Piper’s emotion...

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL – NIGHT

Cecilia Ramirez, as pretty as we remember her from Season

One, comes out of the jet bridge. She smiles when she sees
her son, Dallas, waiting for her. They embrace and she
kisses him.

CECILIA
Baby! Look at you. You cut your
hair?! You look just like my little
Guillermo again! Have you lost weight
too?

DALLAS
Come on, Mom. It’s only been since
this summer.

He takes her carry on bag and they head out of the

terminal.

INT. CHEVY SRR – MOVING – NIGHT

As they drive down the interstate, Cecilia is still beaming

at Dallas.

CECILIA
I read about your games on the
Internet. Reporters have written a lot
of good things about you, especially
after the Boise State game.

DALLAS
The defense has really come together
this season. And after we beat Boise
State, well, I guess we just feel real
confident now, like we can go toe-to-
toe with anybody.

She reaches over, touches his face. Saddens.

 16.

CECILIA
I read about Chuck Sanchez too. Poor
thing. I remember him from the
neighborhood. Shot to death over
gambling. Such a pity.

Dallas keeps his eyes on the road, doesn’t react.

CECILIA
It’s a reminder, Dallas. You have to
stay strong. Stay focused on your
goals. Don’t let anyone lead you
astray.

DALLAS
Mom, you know me. You and Pop raised
me better than that.

She smiles again.

CECILIA
Yes, we did.

Beat.

CECILIA
So...How are you and Billy getting
along?

DALLAS
We are.

CECILIA
Is that it?

DALLAS
What else did you expect?

CECILIA
Well, now that everyone seems to have
accepted that he’s your father –

DALLAS
By everyone, you mean Mrs. D.?

CECILIA
Mrs. D.? Sounds like Billy’s not the
only person you’re getting along with.
 17.

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

We find Mathilda and Darryl Banks having a romantic,

candlelit dinner.

DARRYL
Sounds like Mrs. D really has her back
up over Mrs. Pennebaker’s baby.

MATHILDA
She’s become very close to Maria. And
baby Duncan. Her mother’s instinct has
kicked in.

DARRYL
Have you ever thought about having
children, Mattie?

MATHILDA
I suppose every woman thinks about it.

DARRYL
But you’re not the mothering kind, is
that it?

MATHILDA
I didn’t say that.

DARRYL
You didn’t have to. I think it’s
pretty obvious...

MATHILDA
Why, because I’m – because I’ve had
only women lovers, you think I wouldn’t
make a good mother?

DARRYL
Of course not – that’s not what I meant
at all. I don’t live in a cave,
Mattie. I know that plenty of lesbian
couples have adopted children.

MATHILDA
Well, Darryl, dear, what did you mean?

DARRYL
Well, Mattie, you have to admit you can
be pretty strict.

MATHILDA
Strict? Me?
 18.

DARRYL
Yeah. Always on time, everything
always in its proper place, every
little detail nailed to the nth degree.

MATHILDA
Punctuality, organization and
preciseness: I would think those would
be fine qualities for a mother to have.

DARRYL
(chuckles)
Yeah, right. You ever see the movie
“Mommy Dearest”?
(apparently not)
Anyway, I’m sure having a three-year-
old running around your apartment would
drive you bonkers.

MATHILDA
And how would you know that, Darryl.
You’ve never been in my apartment.

He looks at her, makes a point with his eyes.

DARRYL
Yeah, I know.

ALEXIS (O.S.)
Darryl?

ALEXIS BANKS (30) stops as she’s walking past their table.

She’s a sweetly attractive black woman with a pleasant
smile and sensual eyes.

DARRYL
Lexi? Hi.

Alexis and Mathilda exchange curious, slightly suspicious

looks. Darryl stands, kisses Alexis on the cheek.

ALEXIS
How have you been, Darryl?

DARRYL
I’ve been good. How about you?

ALEXIS
Very good, thanks.

She shifts her attention from Darryl to Mathilda.

 19.

DARRYL
Oh, Alexis, this is Mathilda Weiss.
Mattie, meet Alexis Banks...My ex.

Off Mathilda...

INT. DARRYL’S TRUCK – MOVING – NIGHT

Darryl and Mathilda drive down the interstate.

MATHILDA
Alexis seems quite charming.

DARRYL
Mmm-hmm. She can be that alright.

MATHILDA
Why do you say it like that?

DARRYL
Hmm? Say what like that?

MATHILDA
She “can be” charming. Does that mean
she’s not sincere? Or is it that she’s
only charming when she wants to be?

DARRYL
I don’t know.

MATHILDA
Why did you and she get a divorce?

DARRYL
I told you, Mattie. We married right
out of high school. We grew apart.

MATHILDA
Were you unfaithful to her, Darryl?

DARRYL
No, Mattie, I wasn’t.

MATHILDA
(beat)
She cheated on you, then. Didn’t she,
Darryl?

END OF ACT ONE

 20.

ACT TWO

INT. ACHILLES’ LOFT – DAWN

Achilles Addams and Portia Robeson are in bed making out.

An ALARM sounds. He turns it off and sits up.

PORTIA
Come on, Lee. Do you have to go now?

ACHILLES
That’s the third time I’ve hit the
snooze button already.

PORTIA
But, baby, it’s so nice when it’s
raining out.

ACHILLES
So we’ll pick up after class this
afternoon...It rains all freakin’ day
here. I gotta get going.

She frowns, plops down on the pillow and sighs loudly.

ACHILLES
Burner’s probably already at the Hoz,
wondering what’s taking me so long.

PORTIA
Tell him you were cramming for an exam
last night and slept through the alarm.

ACHILLES
(smiles)
He knows you wouldn’t let me do that.

He gets out of bed, leans over and kisses her. She locks
her arms around his neck and pulls him down, wraps her legs
around his waist. They laugh as he falls back into bed...

EXT. PRACTICE FIELD – DAWN

Achilles runs out onto the field. Burner Turner’s already

there, stretching. He gives Achilles a disapproving look.

ACHILLES
Sorry, B, I was cramming for my Finance
exam. Forgot to set the alarm.
 21.

BURNER
Portia wouldn’t let that happen.

ACHILLES
(making light)
Okay. My girl got caught up in that
good lovin’ and I couldn’t get away.

BURNER
(serious)
Yo, A, what a man and his woman do in
their own bedroom ain’t none of my
business. But what happens out on this
field is. You feel me?

ACHILLES
I feel you.

BURNER
Alright. Let’s get busy.

INT. NINA & JABARI’S APARTMENT (BATHROOM) – DAY

CLOSE ON NINA’S FACE in the toilet bowl. She’s just

finished puking her guts out.

JABARI (O.S.)
Baby can I get you anything?

He’s at the bathroom door.

JABARI
Some ginger ale, Alka Seltzer?
Anything?

NINA
(face still in the bowl)
No...baby...

She barfs again. Jabari cringes.

THE KITCHEN – LATER

Jabari’s at the table having a bowl of cereal and skimming

TEXTBOOKS. He looks up when Nina comes in, freshly
showered but still peaked.

JABARI
Baby, you’ve been sick for a few weeks
now. You should see a doctor.
 22.

NINA
I have seen a doctor.

JABARI
Well, what did he say?

She sits down, looks squarely in his eyes.

NINA
Jabari, baby, I’m pregnant...
(beat, he’s totally stunned)
And I’m keeping it.

JABARI
(pushing back from table)
Whoa! Whoa! Wait a minute! First you
tell me you’re pregnant and before that
even sinks in you come at me with
you’re keeping it? Excuse the fuck out
of me but do I get any say in anything?

NINA
Jabari, baby, you know how much I love
you. Well, I love what’s inside of me
a hundred times more...

Jabari stands and begins pacing the kitchen floor.

JABARI
Hold up. Lets just get a grip here,
okay. I didn’t have a four-year
football scholarship, okay. I had
loans my first two years here and I
haven’t even started to pay back those
loans. After I get my master’s, I’ll
be in debt up the ying-yang. Nina, how
am I suppose to afford a baby when I’m
up against that?!

NINA
Jabari, my father’s worth thirty
million dollars. My mother’s worth
another five. My trust fund is worth
half a million a year, and that goes to
one million when I turn twenty five.
Our baby won’t want for anything.

JABARI
(pissed off)
Do you even hear yourself talking?!
Now I don’t even get a say in whether I
(MORE)
 23.

JABARI (CONT’D.)
can provide for my own child?! Nina,
what the hell is wrong with you, girl?!
What if I’m not ready for a baby? What
if I don’t want to be a father at this
point in my life? I love you, but what
if we don’t get married and stay
together for the rest of our lives?
Did you consider any of that when you
were making all of these decisions - on
your own?!

NINA
(chastened)
I’m sorry, baby...Jabari, I don’t know
anybody who stays together their whole
lives. My parents didn’t. Your
parents didn’t. Nobody does. But I
know I want to love the father of my
child. I want to be able to tell my
child that he was conceived in love.
Real love. I love you with all of my
heart, Jabari, and I don’t know if I’ll
ever love like this again. I want to
pass that love on to my child. Please
try to understand.

Jabari doesn’t.

JABARI
“My child!” “My child!” You have
everything and I have nothing! Not
even a say in whether “we” should have
a child or if we do, how “our” child is
going to be raised.

He starts for the door.

NINA
Jabari, please...

JABARI
No, you’ve got it all figured out. You
don’t need me for anything.

NINA
(after him)
Jabari, wait, don’t go. Please...

The DOOR SLAMS.

 24.

INT. COACHES’ MEETING ROOM – DAY

Billy Donahue and his coaches are strategizing. His

secretary, Donna, comes in, goes to him and whispers in his
ear.

BILLY
(standing)
Excuse me, guys. This could take a
while; I want to see a half-dozen
cracker jack rushing plays to exploit
that San Jose State linebacking crew
when I come back.

The coaches get back to work as Billy follows Donna out of

the room.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – LATER

Billy is on the phone. He’s trying to keep his cool.

BILLY
Look, Harold, I’m sorry about you and
Maria. I really am. But what’s going
on between you two has nothing to do
with me or the program.

INT. HAROLD’S OFFICE

Harold is standing in a large office with a magnificent

view of Vancouver.

HAROLD
Try telling that to your wife, Billy.
She’s turning my divorce into her own
personal crusade. She’s hired Alan
Paisley – he’s a criminal attorney,
Billy.

INTERCUT BILLY/HAROLD

BILLY
Yes, Harold I know who Alan is.

HAROLD
So tell me what the hell she’s doing
hiring a criminal lawyer to represent
my wife?
 25.

BILLY
(spark of temper)
Maybe because you had some Dick show up
on her doorstep to haul her into court.

HAROLD
Billy, you know what it’s like to lose
a son and wait twenty years before you
get him back. Can you honestly say you
want me to go through that?

Billy takes the phone from his ear, stares at it to keep

from blowing his top. When he puts it back,

BILLY
Harold, your situation is totally
different than mine was. I left
Dallas’ mother before we were married.

HAROLD
Billy, we go back more than twenty
years and I consider you to be a good
friend. But make no mistake, I won’t
allow anyone to keep me from my son.

BILLY
Is that some sort of a threat, Harold?
Are you threatening me – threatening my
wife?

HAROLD
Certainly not, Billy. I wouldn’t think
of it. I’m just asking you to try and
talk some sense into her. I don’t want
to have a public fight with Gale. She
works for my Foundation for Christ’s
sake. And I don’t want to have to
severe my ties to Wa Tech football over
a personal matter that, as you rightly
point out, has nothing whatsoever to do
with the program.

BILLY
Listen, Harold, Gale’s mind is made up.
You’ve threatened someone close to her
and her instinct is to protect her. My
advice to you would be to lay off the
heavy tactics with Maria. She deserves
better than that, Harold...I thought
you were better than that.
 26.

HAROLD
I’m disappointed to hear you say that,
Billy. It’s unfortunate that you feel
that way. You should know, and let
your wife know, that I’m prepared to
spare no expense to win possession of
my son.

BILLY
And you should know, Harold, that if
you’re going up against my wife on
something like this, you’re going to
need every penny.

CLICK. Billy hangs up. Harold reacts. Now it’s his turn
to take the phone away from his ear.

INT. D’AGOSTINO’S RESTAURANT – DAY

Gale and Cecilia are having lunch. Always charming, Gale

seems to be trying especially hard. What we sense most
about Cecilia is that she is innately pleasant.

GALE
Cecilia, thank you so much for having
lunch with me today. I had to pry it
out of Dallas that you were in town.
And after our first meeting, well, I so
wanted an opportunity to meet you
again. Properly that is.

CECILIA
I appreciate your being so gracious,
Gale. It’s very kind of you to want to
meet like this.
(beat)
Can I be honest with you?

GALE
Please.

CECILIA
I know how important “closure” is for
you Anglos, and I understand how
finding out about me and Dallas after
all these years must have felt. But I
hope you don’t take this the wrong
way...We don’t have to be friends,
Gale. From what I can tell, you’re a
lovely woman but we don’t have anything
(MORE)
 27.

CECILIA (CONT’D.)
in common. Once we had Billy, but when
I stopped having feelings for him, that
thread between us was broken. I really
hope you’ll believe me when I tell you
I have no interest in Billy.

Gale tries but can’t cover her relief.

GALE
Well...I suppose I should be honest and
tell you how relieved I am to hear
that.

CECILIA
I loved my husband so much, and he made
me very happy. He helped me raise
Dallas and turned him into the man he
is today. So without knowing it Billy
made the right choice...for me and our
son.

Gale’s smile signals the closure she was hoping for.

INT. UMBERTO’S OFFICE – DAY

Umberto, D’Agostino’s executive chef, is at his small desk

going over notes for the evening’s specials. Cake gives a
light KNOCK on the door, sticks her head in. Umberto
speaks with a thick Italian accent.

UMBERTO
Catherine. Please, come in.

CAKE
The chicken fillets came in just now
and I leave for the dock in a few
minutes to pick up our fish order.

UMBERTO
Very good. Please, Catherine, sit.

CAKE
(she sits, reads his face)
What is it, Umberto? Is something
wrong?
 28.

UMBERTO
(a comforting smile)
No, no, Catherine. Cara tells me the
deadline for applying to the university
is Friday and still you have not
applied.

CAKE
That little – I can’t believe she told
you that! Did she also tell you I
think I’m getting a great education
working in the kitchen with you?

UMBERTO
Yes, she did. And I am flattered to
hear that. But, Catherine, I think you
should think about going to college.

CAKE
Why? I’m not going to learn how to run
the kitchen or the restaurant sitting
in a classroom listening to some boring
lecture on the fall of the Roman
Empire.

UMBERTO
(smiles)
The restaurant will always be here for
you, Catherine. And I am looking
forward to the day when the kitchen is
all yours to run. Your mother and I
have talked about this and I’m sure we
can arrange for you to work with me at
the restaurant and attend classes too.

CAKE
You and mom talked? She knows about
this?

UMBERTO
Yes.
(a knowing smile)
I believe she thought you would be more
open to the idea if you knew I was in
favor of it.

CAKE
But, Umberto, I love working in the
kitchen. It’s the only thing I truly
enjoy doing.
 29.

UMBERTO
Think of it this way, Catherine. A
year at Washington Tech will look good
on your application to Le Cordon Bleu.

Beat. She can’t believe what she’s just heard.

CAKE
What?

UMBERTO
(smiles)
You are very talented, Catherine. And
your family has big hopes for the
restaurant...and for you.

Off Cake...

EXT. QUAD – DAY

Achilles and Portia stand in a quiet section of the quad.

A misty rain is falling. He’s talking on his cell phone.
She eyes him anxiously.

ACHILLES
So the wire transfer went through?

ULYSSES (V.O.)
Yes. Lee, if Mom finds out that I sold
those shares, she’s going to freak.

ACHILLES
Then make sure she doesn’t find out.

ULYSSES (V.O.)
I hope you know what you’re doing, bro.
I mean, I love Portia too, but you
don’t have to be a genius to know her
old man is running some kind of game.

ACHILLES
(looks at Portia)
Les, we know what we’re doing, alright.
Mom won’t go online to check our
brokerage accounts until your next
tuition payment comes due in December.
You’ll have the money back before then.

ULYSSES (V.O.)
And you don’t think she’ll go online
before December?
 30.

ACHILLES
Jesus, Les, you’re supposed to be the
smart one. Mess with her computer or
screw with the broadband connection at
home. You’ll come up with something.

He hangs up.

PORTIA
Well?

ACHILLES
He wired the money to the account
number your father gave you.

PORTIA
(a modest smile)
Thank you, Lee.

ACHILLES
We’re done now, Portia. Understand?

She nods “Yes.”

INT. WYNDHAM HALL – DAY

Cara is outside a classroom talking to Professor Elysse

Johanssen. When she spies Dallas walking down the hall
with Cole Seavers, she ends her conversation and goes to
intercept him.

CARA
Dallas...

DALLAS
I’m late for class, Cara.

CARA
I don’t care. We need to talk. Now.

COLE
(seeing this is serious)
I’ll take notes for you, Chico.

Cole pats him on the shoulder (“Good luck, man”) and

continues down the hallway. Dallas and Cara stare into
each other’s eyes.
 31.

INT. CLASSROOM – LATER

Dallas and Cara have found an empty classroom. They’re

having a heated argument.

DALLAS
What would you do if I screwed around
on you the way you’ve screwed around on
me, huh?! You’d torch my car or some
crazy stunt like that!

CARA
I would forgive you, Dallas, because I
love you. So much it hurts.

DALLAS
God dammit, Cara, how many times am I
supposed to forgive you?! I know this
shit is going to happen over and over
again –

CARA
No, it won’t Dallas! I promise! It
will never happen again. Ever! I’m
not a lesbian. I know that now.

DALLAS
You think I give a shit that it was a
girl that you screwed?! I told you
before, I’m not into playing games or
experimenting or any of that nonsense.
I know what I want. Simple. No
fucking drama! Your problem is you
don’t know what you want, Cara. But
you want me to stick around while you
figure it out. Well I’m not going to
be your tool, Cara, or your fool!

CARA
Please, Dallas. Just hear me out and
try to understand –

DALLAS
Understand what, Cara?! That you can’t
keep your fucking pants on!

CARA
No...That I’ve finally come to terms
with losing Cal and now I can move on.
 32.

DALLAS
(beat)
Your twin brother, Cal? What does any
of this have to do with him?

Off Cara...

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM – LATER

Dallas leaves the room, his face a tight mask showing no

emotion. We see Cara through the open door, sitting at a
desk, head in her hands, sobbing.

INT. PIPER’S APARTMENT – SUNSET

Piper is on the sofa, crying. Her roommate, MARCI (20),

comes in, notices her.

MARCI
Piper, what’s the matter?

PIPER
(wipes tears away)
Oh, nothing. Just a wicked case of
PMS.

MARCI
(not buying it)
Piper, you’ve been crying nonstop for a
week. Nobody’s on the rag that bad.

PIPER
Really, I’m fine, Marci.

MARCI
(sits, brushes her hair)
I know you, Piper. I know when you’re
heart’s been broken. Who is she?

PIPER
It doesn’t matter.

END OF ACT TWO

 33.

ACT THREE

INT. ACHILLES’ LOFT – NIGHT

Achilles playfully dives onto the bed next to Portia.

She’s cozy on top of the covers, wearing a “Wa Tech
Football” t-shirt, reading a Toni Morrison NOVEL. He rubs
a hand along her thigh, affectionately but not to seduce.

ACHILLES
Girl, you keep working out with Cara
and you’re going to turn into the
Bionic woman or something. You might
just break my back with these.

She runs her hand affectionately across his hair.

PORTIA
You’d like that, wouldn’t you? These
strong legs wrapped tight around your
back when we make love.

ACHILLES
Yeah, assuming we ever get to it.

PORTIA
(puts book down)
Lee, when do you think we’ll get
married?

ACHILLES
(caught off guard)
Wow! Where’d that come from?

PORTIA
You do think we’re getting married
eventually, right?

ACHILLES
Well sure, Portia, but...

PORTIA
But what?

ACHILLES
I just never thought about when. I
suppose I figured we’d both graduate
and have jobs first.

PORTIA
What about children? You want to have
children, right?
 34.

ACHILLES
Yeah. Don’t you?

PORTIA
One or two. No more than two.

ACHILLES
What’s this about, Portia? Why all of
a sudden the talk about getting married
and having children?

PORTIA
We’ve been together for over three
years, Lee, but we’ve never talked
about our future together.

ACHILLES
We talked about it all the time back in
Jersey.

PORTIA
We talked about you going off to
college to play football and me
graduating from Princeton and becoming
a lawyer. But we never talked about
having a family together, Lee.

ACHILLES
Okay. So why now?

She controls her emotions. He looks at her intently.

PORTIA
I’m all alone in the world except for
you, Lee. It scares me to think of
what I’d do without you.

He gently takes her face in his hands.

ACHILLES
You don’t have to worry about that,
Portia. You don’t ever have to worry
about that.

PORTIA
(beat)
Lee, do you ever wonder...

ACHILLES
What? Wonder what, baby?
 35.

PORTIA
Would we still be together if not for
Marcus?

INT. KOFFEE HOUSE – DAY

Cecilia and Dallas are talking over coffee. Cole and his
girlfriend Whitney Drysdale pay for their drinks and stop
by on their way out.

COLE
Hi, Mrs. Ramirez. How are you?

CECILIA
Hello, Cole. It’s so nice to see you
again. Are you going to introduce me
to your friend?

COLE
This is Whitney.

WHITNEY
Hello, Mrs. Ramirez. It’s a pleasure
to meet you. Hi Dallas.

DALLAS
Whitney.

COLE
So, Mrs. Ramirez, you ready to see me
and Dallas put a hurting on San Jose
State?

CECILIA
I’m looking forward to the game, Cole.
But I just hate to see you boys trying
to hurt other people.

DALLAS
It’s part of the game, Mom. You know
that.

CECILIA
That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

COLE
Well, it was nice seeing you again,
Mrs. Ramirez. Maybe we’ll see you
again tomorrow after the game.
 36.

CECILIA
That would be nice.

After they’ve gone.

CECILIA
Cole seems to have found himself a very
nice girl. Pretty too.

DALLAS
Whitney’s alright. He’s definitely
done a lot worse since I’ve known him.

She takes a sip of her coffee.

CECILIA
And what about you? How have you done?

DALLAS
(playing it off)
I’ve done okay, Mom.

CECILIA
(sipping)
But not good enough?

DALLAS
Mom, come on. Don’t start with the
twenty questions, okay?

CECILIA
Dallas, I don’t pry, I’ve never pried.
Not even after you disappeared that
weekend during your senior year and
came home with hickeys all over your
neck.
(he reacts)
All I’m saying is that if – when – you
have someone special, the least you
could do is introduce her to your
mother. For goodness sakes, I’ve met
more of Cole’s girlfriends than yours.

DALLAS
Mom, you met one of his girlfriends.

She looks at him as if to say, “My point exactly” then

takes another sip of coffee.
 37.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE – DAY

ANGLE ON a SIGN that reads: “Crestwood Estates – D’Agostino

Luxury Homes – Banks Construction.” WIDER ANGLE as a BMW
Coupe drives past the sign. We TRACK with the coupe past
large homes under construction.

Darryl is next to his truck, in front of one of the homes,

talking on his cell phone.

DARRYL
Yeah, that’s right. Look, Nate, we’ve
got maybe another three weeks, four
tops before weather starts to be a real
problem. I need you to commit to the
shipment schedule that we agreed to.
(listens)
No, Nate, that’s not acceptable.
(notices the BMW approaching)
Nate, I’m going to have to call you
back, okay? And don’t “go into a
meeting.” We’re not finished here.

He clicks off. The BMW stops in front of him. Mathilda

gets out, walks to him.

DARRYL
Mattie. What are you doing here?

MATHILDA
I was in the area so I thought I’d stop
by. I’ve never been to one of your
construction sites.

DARRYL
Well this is it. I’ll show you around.

INT. PARTIALLY CONSTRUCTED HOME - DAY

Darryl is showing Mathilda the space that will be the

master bedroom.

DARRYL
There will be a double-sided fireplace
here and an integrated, state-of-the
art entertainment system over here.

MATHILDA
This will be a fabulous home, Darryl.
Do you mind if I ask, how much does a
home like this cost?
 38.

DARRYL
The owners of this particular unit will
pay in the neighborhood of one and a
half million, that’s with all of the
upgrades and custom additions, pool,
landscaping, etcetera.

MATHILDA
(impressed)
Very nice, Darryl.

DARRYL
Most of that goes to Tony as the
developer. But me and my crew do
alright.
(looks at watch)
Would you like to have lunch, Mattie?
There’s a nice place a few miles down
the road.

She crosses the room, stops right in front of him.

MATHILDA
Sorry but I can’t now, Darryl. Gale
has a meeting with Maria’s lawyers, so
I have to get back.
(fingers a button on his
shirt)
Why don’t we have dinner tomorrow?
Come to my place around eight.

DARRYL
Okay. But with the game tomorrow it
could be tough getting a reservation at
a nice place. Even for the great
Mathilda Weiss.

MATHILDA
(enticing smile)
I thought we’d stay in for dinner,
Darryl.

She kisses him on the lips softly. Smiles again and starts
for the door. He senses that something’s up.

DARRYL
Wait a minute.

MATHILDA
Yes, Darryl?
 39.

DARRYL
I know what’s going on here.
(off her look)
This is about Lexi, isn’t it? You met
my ex wife and now you’re inviting me
into your apartment. And acting as
though you’re ready...to go to the next
step. I’m not sure I like that game,
Mattie.

MATHILDA
(modest smile)
Who says it’s an act, Darryl? Eight
o’clock. And Mommy Dearest will be
upset if you’re late.

She walks out and he watches through the window frame as

she gets into her BMW and drives off.

END OF ACT THREE

 40.

ACT FOUR

INT. COACHES’ MEETING ROOM – DAY

Billy and his assistant coaches are wrapping up the game

plan for San Jose State.

BILLY
I feel pretty good about what we’ve got
here.

The coaches react, feel good that their boss feels good.

BILLY
After the air show that our offense put
on last week, we’ll totally throw San
Jose State off balance by hitting them
with the power running game. And
having the twin tight end set gives us
the flexibility to exploit their
linebackers with the short passing
game. Good job guys. As usual, let’s
touch base in the morning before the
team arrives.

The meeting breaks.

INT. OUTER OFFICE – LATER

Donna’s working away. Jabari stands when Billy walks in.

The coach is pleasantly surprised. Donna smiles at their
warm reunion.

BILLY
Jabari! How’s the best tight end in Wa
Tech history doing?

JABARI
Hey, Coach.

BILLY
Come on in. I don’t have anything
scheduled now do I, Donna?

DONNA
(smiles)
Not anymore, Coach.
 41.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – LATER

Jabari’s fretting on the sofa. Billy’s across from him in

a chair.

JABARI
I’m sorry to bother you with this,
Coach. I just didn’t know who else to
talk to.

BILLY
Don’t apologize, Jabari. You don’t
have to be on the roster to come to me.
That door’s always open to you
guys...So you love Nina, right?

JABARI
You wouldn’t believe how much, Coach.
I mean, she’s the bomb. But she’s also
Miss Independent – got that money, got
that whole Miss Delta thing going on.
She doesn’t need me and knows it.

BILLY
You know when Gale and I met I was a
few rungs below her on the social
ladder. We worked through it. So can
you and Nina.

JABARI
I suppose...But that’s not the worst of
it, Coach. I mean, what if I wanted to
have this kid? She’s already figured
it all out on her own, even what the
size of the kid’s trust fund will be.
What’s left for me to decide?

Beat. We sense Billy is thinking about Dallas.

BILLY
Being a father means more than just
providing for your kid financially. If
Nina’s got that part covered, great.
Be thankful. You can offer your child
other things as a parent, things that
are just as important as money. The
main thing is that you are there for
him. Believe me Jabari, you’ll regret
not being a part of your child’s life.
 42.

INT. WEIGHT ROOM – DAY

Only a handful of PLAYERS are in the weight room. One of

them is Dallas, lying at the bench press, working out
alone.

We look down at him from a ceiling POV. He’s pushing a

heavy load – in more ways than one. In his eyes we read
his anger over being cheated on by Cara. We also read the
hurt over being betrayed by someone he loves.

EXT. SOCCER FIELD – SUNSET

IN THE STANDS

Dallas sits near the top row, looks down onto the field,
where the women’s soccer team is playing against Nevada.

DALLAS’ POV – CARA

running up the center of the field to stop a Nevada drive.

To the far left, Piper runs parallel to her.

ON THE FIELD

Piper steals the ball from a NEVADA PLAYER and turns it

toward the net. She passes to Cara who kicks and scores.
Cara throws her arms up and is hugged by her teammates,
including Piper.

P.A. ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Score by Cat Trzcinski with an assist
by Piper Ruhl! And the Lady Devils
take a two to nothing lead.

DALLAS

Watches the celebration pensively. Then he gets up and

walks down the aisle and out of the stands.

CARA

Takes her position, senses something. She looks into the

stands, just misses sight of Dallas as he walks down the
stairway. The WHISTLE BLOWS and her attention is back to
the play on the field.
 43.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM / HOSMER COMPLEX – DAY

SERIES OF SHOTS – PREGAME

Vehicles file into the parking lot; FANS drink heavily and
hold TAILGATE PARTIES in the rain; CAMERA CREWS set up by
the players’ entrance of the Hoz; FOOTBALL PLAYERS start to
arrive, dressed in jackets and ties; they’re greeted by
fans and television cameras and REPORTERS...

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (VERSUS SAN JOSE STATE) – LATER

...the players walk past us into the tunnel, dressed in

uniforms, helmets and pads, fired up and ready to hit the
field. Billy is at the head of the pack, his sons J.R.
Donahue, the water boy, and Dallas Morales, the hard-
hitting strong safety, by his side.

ON THE FIELD

The Sea Devils run past jumping cheerleaders and a

POLYTECHNIC RING OF FIRE, onto the field.

IN THE STANDS

Sea Devils fans are on their feet, cheering their team on.
We FIND Cecilia sitting next to Whitney, smiling down at
Dallas. In the VIP section Gale, Rose Ryan, Gracie
Wellington Portia, Charlotte Webb and her husband Ronald
Fraser watch the game together. In the “Pit”, Cake and
Maitland locals are having a good time. Elsewhere in the
Pit, Jabari tries to enjoy the game with other die-hard
fans.

THE GAME

Is mud-soaked and hard-hitting. Running back Crash Davis

takes handoff after handoff, smashing through San Jose
State DEFENDERS. Achilles completes touchdown passes to
Burner and his tight end. But it’s Dallas and the Sea
Devils defense who provide all of the highlights...

SERIES OF SHOTS – DALLAS ON “D”

Demolishing a running back; sacking the quarterback; nearly

decapitating a tight end going for a pass over the middle.
It’s one brutal hit after another; one tackle is so
devastating that the entire stadium seems to go quiet.
 44.

IN THE BROADCAST BOOTH

Rotund color commentator Skeeter Blackledge winces at the

hit Dallas lays on a wide receiver.

BLACKLEDGE
Ouch! I’ve seen a lot of hits but
that’s got to be the hardest one I’ve
ever seen in a college football game.

ON THE SIDELINE

Dallas trots back to the sideline after the stunning

tackle, accepts butt and helmet slaps of congratulations
from his teammates. But he’s in some kind of zone, his
eyes burning intensely. Billy watches him walk by, senses
something.

IN THE STANDS

Cecilia looks down at her son, concern clouding her lovely

face.

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT – DAY

ANGLE ON THE TELEVISION, which is not on. Cara is lying on

the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. Then we hear the
CROWD ROAR in the distance...

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (VERSUS SAN JOSE STATE) – DAY

...Achilles scrambles for a touchdown. Then the REFEREE

blows his WHISTLE to signal halftime.

EXT. CONCESSION AREA – DAY

Gale is on her cell phone. In the b.g. we see Gracie

helping Rose decide on a snack.

GALE
Maria, don’t give it another thought.
It’s perfectly alright.

MARIA (V.O.)
But, Gale, Harold is the football
program’s biggest booster. He did a
lot to get Billy hired as head coach.
(MORE)
 45.

MARIA (V.O.) (CONT’D.)

When he finds out that Duncan is
staying at your house while I’m in
court, he’ll take it out on Billy.

GALE
Billy is completely supportive, Maria.
Completely.

Gale hangs up and sees Cecilia leaving a concession line

with Whitney. They share a look and a modest but sincere
smile.

INT. LOCKER ROOM – DAY

The players are relaxed but focused as they prepare for the
second half. Dallas is off by himself. Billy comes over
to him, covers his concern.

BILLY
Morales, how are doing?

DALLAS
Doing good, Coach.

BILLY
Good. Listen, I like the intensity.
Just make sure you keep your head in
the game. Alright, son?

DALLAS
(focuses on him, beat)
Alright, Coach.

Another beat between them as they stare into each other’s

eyes. Then Billy slaps him on the shoulder pads and moves
off to give his second half speech.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (VERSUS SAN JOSE STATE) – DAY

As players warm up along the sideline, Billy looks at

Dallas, who is talking to Cole and Pete Mitchell. Billy
glances up in the stands and spies Cecilia, who is also
looking at their son. Her eyes shift and find Billy
looking at her. He nods toward Dallas and she smiles. He
smiles too.

SMASH CUT TO:

 46.

Achilles handing off to Crash, who runs for 12 yards before

being dragged down at the Trojans’ 34-yard-line.

IN THE COACHES’ BOOTH

Coach Bob Garcia, looks for a play on his LAMINATED SHEET,

finds it and calls it down to the sideline.

GARCIA
(into headset)
Shotgun, trips right, scatter gun
motion, X curl, Z up...

SIDELINE

Assistant coach Romeo Dumars hears the call in his headset,

makes hand and arm signals to Achilles...

ON THE FIELD

Achilles peers through the rain at Coach Dumars. He reads

the call, steps into the huddle...

ACHILLES
Listen up: shotgun, trips right,
scatter gun motion, X curl, Z up. On
two, ready...

TEAM
Break!

The offense comes to the line of scrimmage. iPhone Sitren

leans over the ball and points to defensive players,
calling out the blocking schemes. There’s a lot of CHATTER
by offensive and defensive players.

Achilles takes the snap, drops back and lofts a beautiful

pass to Burner, who catches it and runs to the end zone as
we

SMASH CUT TO:

ON THE FIELD – LATER

Dallas peers through the rain at the San Jose State

quarterback barking out signals. On the snap the
quarterback fakes a handoff, drops back and scans for an
open receiver. We TRACK with Dallas as he follows the
quarterback’s eyes. Then the ball is in the air and Dallas
goes to it, intercepts it and runs down field....
 47.

IN THE STANDS

Fans are ecstatic. Cecilia’s arms are raised high and

she’s jumping up and down, CHEERING her son on toward the
end zone...

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS

Cara’s gazing out the window at the rain. She hears the
crowd CHEER, looks up in the direction of the unseen
stadium...

END OF ACT FOUR

 48.

ACT FIVE

INT. HOSMER COMPLEX – SUNSET

Players are leaving the complex, all smiles after thrashing

San Jose State. They meet girlfriends or buddies, ready
for a night of partying on the town.

Cecilia waits for Dallas. She lights up when she sees him.
They embrace.

CECILIA
You were wonderful, Guillermo.

DALLAS
Thanks, Mom. The main thing is we won.

Billy, Gale, J.R., Gracie and Rose come up behind them.

BILLY
Cecilia.

She turns. Smiles pleasantly at him.

CECILIA
Billy. Hi. Gale.

Gale smiles warmly.

BILLY
(ref. Dallas)
You’ve got quite a football player
there, Cecilia. Quite a young man.

CECILIA
Thank you, Billy.

PHOTOGRAPHER (O.S.)
Coach!

They all turn to face a newspaper PHOTOGRAPHER.

PHOTOGRAPHER
Do you mind if I get a picture of you
with the whole family?

Billy, Gale and Cecilia exchange looks. They’re all in

agreement.

BILLY
Sure.
 49.

The group comes in close for the photo...

CAMERA POV – THE FAMILY

Billy in the center, Gale and Cecilia on either side of

him, Dallas next to Cecilia, Rose next to Gale, Gracie next
to Rose and J.R. next to Gracie, his arm around her waist.

The lens CLICKS and the image of the family FREEZES.

Off the image...

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Cara and Cake sit on the sofa in the midst of a deep

conversation.

CAKE
But you’re not like me, Cat. You
always had to feel something for the
person. If you didn’t feel anything
for Piper, why did you have sex with
her?

CARA
You know how close Cal and I were –
crazy close, even for twins. There
were times when we literally got sick
at the same time, even though we were
miles apart...That’s how it was that
night...I knew...I felt it the instant
he died.

FLASHBACK – INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT (THREE YEARS EARLIER)

Reese Cooper rolls off of Cara. He’s exhausted. She wipes

tears from her eyes.

RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

CAKE
(beat)
I know how much you loved him, Cat...

CARA
After Cal died, I just couldn’t bear to
think of life without him. For months,
every day felt like losing him all over
again. I wanted him back so much...I
thought that I could somehow bring him
(MORE)
 50.

CARA (CONT’D.)
back if I became him...So I cut my
hair, ate what he ate, hit the gym like
a maniac. Just like Cal. It’s what
made getting up in the morning
possible. It took so long to get past
those feelings. But...When Piper
kissed me, all of those feelings came
rushing back, all at once like a flood.
They hit so hard. I was overwhelmed...

CAKE
(confused)
I don’t understand. What does making
love to Piper have to do with Cal?

CARA
(beat)
Cake...Cal was gay.

Beat.

CAKE
(disbelieving)
No. He was not gay.
(then, anger rising)
That’s not true! Why would you say
something like that about Cal?!

CARA
Cake...it’s true.

CAKE
(rising from the sofa)
Stop it! Just stop it! I’m sorry
about you and Dallas. I know it hurts,
but stop making things up about Caleb!

CARA
I’m sorry, Cake. I know how you felt
about him.

CAKE
(defiantly)
He loved me, Cara! He loved me!

CARA
I know he did, just not that way.

Cake turns away, trying to get a grip on her emotions.

Then, suddenly
 51.

CAKE
He wouldn’t have turned out that way if
you had let us be together! If you had
let him love me the way he wanted to
and not made up some stupid rules about
not dating each other’s brothers.

CARA
No, Cake. Cal was never attracted to
girls. He knew who he was before we
started high school.
(off Cake’s look)
He kept it a secret from Ed and our
brothers; he knew they’d never
understand. He thought he’d just go
away to college, to California, and
tell them after he was far away from
home. He told me his plans
because...well, because he knew I’d
know eventually. We could never keep
secrets from one another.

Cake sits next to her again. They hold hands.

CAKE
And Piper?

CARA
(beat)
It was a mistake to hurt her that way.
But going through with it - having that
experience - made me accept once and
for all that there’s nothing I can do
to be close to Cal again...I’m not Cal.
I’m not gay.

INT. MATHILDA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

In the dining room, two candles flutter on the table where

a sumptuous dinner was eaten. We become aware of the sound
of lovemaking O.S.

IN THE BEDROOM

Darryl and Mathilda are in bed, their naked, sweaty bodies

entwined in passion.
 52.

INT. DELTA HOUSE – NIGHT

The house is abuzz as DELTAS ready themselves for a night

of partying. Nina is in the great room, chatting with a
few of the GIRLS.

GIRL #1
Are you sure you won’t come out with
us, Nina?

GIRL #2
Yeah, I can’t stand the thought of you
sitting here all alone.

NINA
I’ll be fine. Besides, since Jabari
and I moved in together, I hardly ever
just hang out at the house anymore. I
miss it here. I’m actually looking
forward to spending a quiet night or
two here.

GIRL #1
Okay, but don’t wait up for us.

NINA
(laughs)
I know better than that. I haven’t
been out of the house that long.

A Delta comes into the room.

DELTA
(smiles)
Nina, you’ve got a visitor.

Nina gets up from the cozy chair she’s in, heads for the
foyer.

IN THE FOYER

Nina is surprised to see Jabari. There’s a beat as he

looks at her, his eyes full of emotion.

JABARI
Nina, baby, I’m sorry...

She rushes to him and they embrace, kissing deeply right

there in the middle of the foyer. Deltas look on, their
hearts melt.
 53.

INT. CARA & CAKE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Cake is on the sofa, lost in thoughts of Cal. A KNOCK on

the door gets her attention. She goes to the door, opens
it. Her eyes widen...

DALLAS
Hi, Cake. Is Cara home?

CARA’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Cake comes in quietly. Cara is on her futon, looking as

bad as she feels.

CAKE
Cat...he’s here.

CARA
(reacts)
Here? Now?

Cake nods. Cara is up on her feet, goes to a mirror. He

can’t see her like this...

CARA
Tell him I’ll just be a second.

Cake nods and leaves. Cara wipes her eyes of tears, tries
to make herself presentable.

LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Cara comes out of her room, a light touch of makeup on her

face. When she sees Dallas, she’s almost overcome with
emotion...

DALLAS
Cara. I want you to meet someone.
Mom, this is my girlfriend, Cara
Trzcinski.

CECILIA
(a loving smile)
Hello, Cara. Dallas has never
introduced to any of his girlfriends,
so he must think you’re something
special.

Cara and Dallas share a look and it’s all she can do to
keep from bursting into tears.
 54.

CARA
(smiles)
Hello, Mrs. Ramirez. I’m so glad to
meet you.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. OFFICE – NIGHT

A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE stands in front of Achilles and

Portia. His WIFE, a plump, pleasant woman, performs the
dual role of witness and maid of honor.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Off Achilles and Portia kissing, we

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE