34-UCLA
Content
GOAL TO GO Episode 3.34 “UCLA” by David Polk
2. RECAP We Recap events from Previous Episodes, ending on Valerie smashing the plasma television in her apartment. TEASER FADE IN: EXT. LAKE WHATCOM – DAWN Billy Donahue and his sons, J.R. Donahue and Dallas Morales, sit in a fishing boat. J.R. looks at his watch. J.R. Dad, maybe it’s just not meant to be today. BILLY Maybe you should have a little more patience. DALLAS Yeah, take a pill, J.R. J.R. makes a face, gives his half-brother the finger behind Billy’s back. J.R. It’s just we’ve been out here for what, four hours?, and we haven’t gotten a single hit. DALLAS Last week we hit our limit in under two hours. Oh, that’s right, I forgot: we didn’t have Bad Luck Schleprock with us then. J.R. smirks. Dallas grins.
BILLY (to the sky) Remind me again why I bring these two meat heads with me? WHIR! J.R.’s line goes tight. He reacts just in time to hold onto his rod, which is bending with the weight of something big.
3. BILLY Whoa, son! Don’t pull too tight. ‘im some slack! DALLAS Yeah, pendejo, let him run with it! J.R. (excited) Hey, no Spanglish on the boat, Pedro! DALLAS Pendejo is Spanish for dumb ass, Dumb ass! BILLY Okay, ease him in...not too fast! J.R. is standing up in the boat, working hard. The rod is bent almost all the way, the line taught enough to snap. BILLY Here he comes. You’ve got him, J.R. Dallas, get the net! Dallas puts the net into the water and pulls out a HUGE LARGEMOUTH BASS. The three are astonished by the catch. Jesus! DALLAS He’s a freakin’ monster!
Give
BILLY He’s got to be 15 pounds at least! J.R. Seriously?! BILLY At least! J.R. Is that like some kind of record or something? BILLY Around here, maybe. Hey, Dallas, grab the camera out of my bag. Dallas hands Billy the DIGIGAL CAMERA. J.R. looks at Dallas and grins triumphantly. Dallas lets his little bro bask in the glow of his victory.
4. EXT. CHEVRON STATION – DAY Billy’s Range Rover pulls into the station with fishing boat in tow. He and his sons climb out. Billy starts to fill up as the boys head inside. BILLY Don’t get lost in there. I’ve got work to do back home this afternoon. INT. CHEVRON MIMI MART – DAY Dallas and J.R. enter and split up to browse the shelves for snacks. A PRETTY GIRL checks Dallas out. She smiles invitingly. He nods at her nonchalantly. SPENCE What the hell are you doing?! Dallas turns to find SPENCE (20s), a muscle bound jerk, inches away from him, grimacing menacingly. DALLAS I’m thinking about buying these chips. Do you mind? SPENCE I mind you hitting on my girl, dipshit. DALLAS Well we don’t have a problem then, since I don’t know who your girl is. SPENCE No, you’ve got a problem and you’re looking at him. PRETTY GIRL Spence, you’re being a jerk. Stop it.
DALLAS Yeah, Spence, you’re being a jerk. Spence shoves Dallas. SPENCE Who you calling a jerk, Spic?! J.R. Hey, what’s going on?
5. PRETTY GIRL Come on Spence, leave him alone. Spence tries to shove Dallas again but this time he finds himself in an arm lock, his face jammed against the Fritos. DALLAS (pinning Spence) Look man, I just came in here to buy some chips. Why don’t we just call it even? J.R. Dallas... TWO JERKS show up to help Spence. J.R. moves to help Dallas. The Pretty Girl frets. Dallas puts Spence in a headlock, J.R. lunges into a jerk. Bags of chips fly. A CUSTOMER whips out his CELL PHONE to capture the skirmish on video. BILLY (booming voice) What the hell is going on here?! Billy’s at the mini mart entrance, hands on his hips, scowling. When a head football coach goes off, everybody listens, whether they’re on the team or not. Dallas releases Spence. The two jerks back away from J.R. Billy walks over, glowers at them all. JERK 1 Coach Donahue? BILLY I know who I am! Who the hell are you?! (before the jerk answers) Never mind! I don’t give a shit! (looks at J.R. on the floor) Get up from there. The STORE MANAGER comes over. He has a Pakistani accent.
STORE MANAGER Coach Donahue, I’m so sorry about this. You’re sorry? apologizing. BILLY It’s me who should be
6. J.R. Dad, it was them who started it. BILLY Well all of you are going to clean this mess up. What? JERK 2 Man’s that’s bull –
BILLY (interrupts, in his face) Son, I don’t know who you are, but I can guaran-freakin-tee any fight you and I have, I’m gonna win. Billy stares the jerk down for a beat. Then –
SPENCE Come on fellahs, let’s clean this up and get the hell outta this shit hole. INT./EXT. CHEVRON MINI MART – LATER Spence and his jerk buddies leave. Billy and J.R. are behind them. Dallas stops at the counter to buy a bag of Fritos. Billy gives him a hard look. DALLAS Hey, I’m still hungry, Coach. Billy exits. Not amused. J.R. leaves grinning, admiring his big brother’s cool. Dallas pays for his chips and is about to leave. The pretty girl comes between him and the door. She smiles, and as she walks past on her way out, she stuffs a FOLDED PIECE OF PAPER in his jacket pocket. Dallas follows her out, walks to the Range Rover, climbs in the front seat. INT. RANGE ROVER – MOVING – LATER Dallas is munching on his Fritos. piece of paper out of his pocket. widen as he reads. DALLAS Holy shit. He finally pulls the He unfolds it. His eyes
7. BILLY What is it? DALLAS (keeps reading) Holy shit!! J.R. (from back seat) What does it say? Dallas is without words. He’s actually sweating. grabs the note, his eyes widening as he reads. Jeez! J.R. People can actually do that?! J.R.
BILLY Come on, boys, what’s that say? J.R. (reads more) No way! I don’t believe girls do that! Nobody does that? Do they?! Billy takes the note. Reads as he drives. He jams on the breaks. EXT. ROAD – DAY The Range Rover and fishing boat swerve to a stop on the side of the road. INT. RANGE ROVER – DAY BILLY (thunderstruck) That girl needs help. Serious help. SMASH TO MAIN TITLES. END OF TEASER His eyes widen.
8. ACT ONE FADE IN: EXT. RODEO DRIVE – DAY Best friends Valerie Kim and Nina Miller drink Chai lattes from Starbucks as they stroll down one of the most famous sidewalks in America. Nina pushes a baby stroller with her daughter inside. NINA So where does Richard want to start his practice – the Mayo Clinic, Mass General or Virginia Mason? VALERIE His parents are pushing the Mayo Clinic for the prestige, but Richard can’t stand the thought of winters in Minneapolis. At this point it’s a toss up between Mass General and VM. NINA I was born in Boston. It was my parents’ first stop after they left Jamaica. We moved to L.A. when I was three, so I don’t remember anything about it really. VALERIE Boston would be a nice place to live, I think. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard sound wonderful. And I hear the winters there aren’t really all that bad. It’s the snow that’s a killer. Nina senses that Valerie is holding something back. NINA So, sounds like Mass General. VALERIE Maybe. NINA But maybe not? VALERIE Maybe not.
9. NINA So what is it about Virginia Mason that’s keeping it in the running? VALERIE They’re renowned for neurosurgery and that’s going to be Richard’s specialty. NINA So it has nothing to do with the fact that VM is in Seattle? Richard Pacific getting nice it VALERIE knows how much I love the Northwest. When we started serious we talked about how would be to settle there. Valerie does too.
Nina stops walking.
NINA Valerie...don’t you think he has enough shit to deal with without you showing up 90 miles from his doorstep? VALERIE He wouldn’t have to deal with any of it if he’d simply accept that we’re destined to be together. NINA (perplexed) Do you even hear yourself when you say things like that?! Valerie, it’s crazy to keep chasing after a married man who who’s told you it’s over. VALERIE He never said that, Nina. Valerie starts walking. Nina too.
NINA Maybe that’s because he hasn’t spoken or written to you since that stunt you pulled last December. Actions speak louder than words, girl. He sent back your Delta necklace. Without a note, I might add...Look, Big Sis, I know it’s hard for you once you’ve given your heart to a guy –
10. Valerie cuts her a dangerous look that causes Nina to pause. Then – NINA Valerie...Achilles isn’t Ian and Portia isn’t Becky, and we’re not in high school. It’s the real world now, Val. Valerie stops walking. They face each other.
VALERIE I know exactly where I am, Nina. And this isn’t me trying to redo the past. NINA It isn’t? VALERIE No it isn’t. NINA That’s bull, Valerie, and you know it. VALERIE I know that’s what you think, Nina. And maybe at some point you were right. But you have to believe me when I tell you, this isn’t about what happened between me, Becky and Ian. NINA So her having Achilles’ baby doesn’t faze you one bit? VALERIE I didn’t say that. It hurts like hell. But I know I’ll get over it. That’s why I know this isn’t about what happened in high school. I despise Becky for what she did then and I know she got pregnant by Achilles just to spite me. But I love Achilles too much to let her having his baby come between us. That’s how I know it’s different, Nina. I know it’s crazy, I know I’m crazy. But I also know, this time, what I have with Achilles is real. And I can’t let go. Not because I don’t want to lose to Portia or Becky or anyone else. But because I know we belong together.
11. NINA What about Richard? Does your life with him mean anything? VALERIE Of course it does, Nina. I want to make him happy as long as I can. And I will...until the time is right for me and Achilles. NINA (exasperated) What about children? All his parents could talk about at the wedding was how they can’t wait for grandchildren. Valerie looks down at Nina’s baby, who is peacefully sleeping. A small, loving smile comes to Valerie. VALERIE No...I can’t have children with Richard. That would really complicate things. Nina’s reaction practically screams: “And they’re not complicated enough already?!” OFF Valerie smiling down at Nina’s baby... INT. RICHARD & VALERIE’S APARTMENT – DAY A workman (DON) is fixing the hole in the wall made by Valerie’s bat-swinging. Richard O’Connell is making small talk with him when the door opens and Valerie enters carrying a Dolce & Gabbana garment bag. RICHARD Hey, babe. VALERIE (a peck on his cheek) Hi. RICHARD How’re Nina and the baby? VALERIE They’re great. Darcy is an absolute doll. Nina sends her love.
12. RICHARD Good news. Don here says the place should be good as new by tomorrow’s dinner party. VALERIE That’s wonderful. Thank you, Don. DON You’re welcome, Mrs. O’Connell. You know, you kids are darn lucky you weren’t at home when that crazy bastard broke in and took a bat to the place. The cops have any idea who it was? Richard and Valerie exchange a look. RICHARD No, but they’re on it. DON Well, don’t you worry, Mrs. O’Connell. I rewired the alarm system and installed new deadbolts. This place will be tighter than Fort Knox by the time I leave today. VALERIE Thank you, Don. If you’ll excuse me. She smiles a goodbye to Don and goes into the bedroom. INT. THE BEDROOM - DAY Valerie is in the walk-in closet, hanging up her new D&G purchase. Richard is waiting for her when she comes out. RICHARD Valerie, are you okay? I’m fine. VALERIE Really. She kisses him full on the lips. They’d
He rubs her shoulders.
RICHARD I don’t have to go in tonight. understand.
13. VALERIE (reassuring) Sweetheart, I’m fine. Like Don said, the place is tighter than Fort Knox. RICHARD Fine. VALERIE I think I’ll just stay in the bedroom until Don’s left. Okay? RICHARD Sure, babe. He kisses her forehead and leaves. Valerie goes to the dresser. Opens a JEWELRY BOX. She pulls out a DIAMOND DELTA NECKLACE and stares at it as we... FLASHBACK – INT. CHARLOTTE’S OFFICE – DAY (3 YEARS AGO) CLOSE ON the same necklace around Valerie’s neck. WIDEN and we see Valerie, the haughty sorority president, sitting across from athletic director Charlotte Webb. They’re waiting patiently, but we know they’re both miffed. CHARLOTTE I apologize for this, Valerie. I know you have more important things to do than sit in my office twiddling your thumbs. VALERIE It’s quite alright, Dr. Webb. Many freshmen have a hard time finding their way around campus these first few days. I know I did. CHARLOTTE You don’t have a hard time with much of anything, Valerie, which is why I chose you for this job. VALERIE I’ll certainly do what I can, Dr. Webb. But, as I said, I really don’t have much experience with athletes.
14. CHARLOTTE You’re very smart, incredibly disciplined and you’re the most levelheaded student on this campus. Those are the most important qualifications for this job. VALERIE Thank you. Dr. Webb, since it seems we have a minute before he arrives, maybe you could tell me what makes this football player so special. What does he do? CHARLOTTE He’s a quarterback. VALERIE I’m sorry, a what? CHARLOTTE A quarterback. He calls the plays and throws the football. Some people think it’s the single most important position. Not just in football, but in all of sports. VALERIE So he’s the most important player on the team? CHARLOTTE It may be an unfair oversimplification, but yes. Valerie, I’m counting you – the university is counting on you – to help keep this young man grounded. VALERIE I’ll do my best, Dr. Webb. Charlotte’s expression tells us she knows that Valerie Kim doesn’t try – she succeeds. Beat. Valerie glances at her PATEK PHILIPPE WATCH, sighs impatiently. A KNOCK on the door and Debra Thrower, Charlotte’s secretary, enters. DEBRA He’s here, Dr. Webb.
15. CHARLOTTE Thank you, Debra. Show him in, please. Debra leaves and Achilles Addams comes in. Charlotte and Valerie stand to greet him. Valerie covers, but she is taken by how handsome he is. ACHILLES Sorry I’m late, Dr. Webb. CHARLOTTE So am I Achilles. You’ve got practice in 15 minutes, so we don’t have as much time as I’d hoped. This is Valerie Kim. I’ve asked her to be your tutor. They shake hands, force polite smiles. wants to be here. VALERIE Hello, Achilles. ACHILLES Hi, Val. RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. BEDROOM – DAY Valerie closes the jewelry box. the mirror... She looks at herself in Neither of them
INT. INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY – DAY Achilles and the SEA DEVILS offense break the huddle and come to the line of scrimmage. Achilles’ face is calm but his eyes are intense as he scans the defense, looking for weaknesses. Then he barks out the signals in a hoarse, commanding voice. Red 88! Red 88! ACHILLES Hut-hut!
He takes the snap, looks down field and zips a perfect spiral to wide receiver Greg Ericsson. ON THE SIDELINE Away from the players and coaches, Charlotte is talking to local sports reporter Felix Foxx.
16. FELIX There’s a lot of talk that he won’t even get an invite to New York because of all the off-the-field controversies – the drinking, the fight with the frat boy, then the risqué ad with Portia and now this Heiress love child scandal. CHARLOTTE Felix, he’s thrown for over 3,600 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushed for 7 more in Division One football, and that’s missing two games. He beat the number one team in the country – twice if you count last year’s upset of Miami. For Achilles Addams to not even get an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony would be a sports travesty. FELIX Can I quote you on that, Charlotte? CHARLOTTE (smiles) Now, Felix, you know me better than that by now. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t want to hear it again on your show and see it on the sports wire by dinnertime. FELIX Thanks, Charlotte! A whistle BLOWS. of practice. The team gathers around Billy at the end
BILLY Way to work out there today, gentlemen. Good hustle, good focus. You’re still hungry after blowing out New Mexico State. That’s what me and the coaches want to see...Two more practices and then we fly down to Los Angeles to mix it up with number three UCLA. They’ve got visions of playing for the BCS Championship, and we’ve got a shot at a little payback for what they did to us in our house two years ago. Keep that in your heads, gentlemen. Bob! Coach Bob Garcia steps up.
17. BOB Alright, four laps before you take it in. And anybody caught dogging it will add a lap for everybody! Let’s go! The players grumble but get going. INT. LOCKER ROOM – DAY Players are getting dressed. A group of DEFENSIVE PLAYERS is gathered at Dallas’ locker. KWAME (eyes bulging) Hell no!
Hell no!
Defensive lineman Kwame Epstein is reading the note that the pretty girl gave Dallas. Linebacker Nate “Brew” Brewster snatches the note from Kwame. Reads. BREW She’s shitting you, man! Right? Nobody would do this. Would they? KWAME Could they?! Dallas pulls on a sweater. Shrugs.
DALLAS I suppose it’s humanly possible. BREW And you said she was hot? DALLAS I don’t think I said ‘hot’. bad though. She wasn’t
KWAME Dog, any chick who’d do something like that is hot! DALLAS Any chick who would do something like that is sick. KWAME Yeah, sick and hot!
18. BREW So I take it you’re not going to call her then? DALLAS What do you think? KWAME I think somebody needs to call her. Cornerback Shawn Ellis comes fresh from the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. He stands behind Brew, looks at the note in his hand. SHAWN Whaddup? BREW He’s not going to call her because Cat would cut his balls off if she found out. DALLAS I let Cara read the note. (players react, “whoa!”) She thinks the girl’s a Devil worshipper or in some kind of a cult. KWAME I don’t know, D, all I’m saying is for a chick to do that freaky shit, it could be worth risking your soul. DALLAS You need to lay off the porn, Kwame. Seriously. BREW (aghast) What the fu— ! He turns around to face Shawn. Other players see what Brew does and are equally stunned. Then they bust up laughing. It takes Shawn a moment, but he realizes what’s up. Him. He’s gotten a hard on just reading the pretty girl’s note. KWAME (laughing) Damn, Ellis! You dog!
19. BREW (angered) Boy, you better take that somewhere else. Homey don’t play that way! SHAWN (mortified) Shit! OFF the guys rolling with laughter... INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY Billy picks up the desk phone. Hi, Wes! BILLY How’re things?
INT. WES FENTON’S OFFICE – DAY Wes Fenton, Billy’s former teammate and best friend, and now head football coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, stands behind his desk. WES Things are good right now, Billy. good. INTERCUT BILLY/WES BILLY Spoken like a man whose team is ranked number two in the country right now. Let me guess, you’re calling to wish me luck against UCLA? WES (laughs) You beating the Bruins Saturday night would make the BCS computers’ job a whole lot easier, Billy Boy, but no, that’s not why I’m calling. Not that I don’t want to see you win the game. BILLY Then what’s up, Wes? Real
20. WES Well, I figured I’d have to make this call sooner or later, so I decided to make it sooner. I’ve spoken to Gale, Billy, and she wants me to offer J.R. a full ride to play golf here at A&M. Billy shakes his head, annoyed but not surprised. BILLY I knew she’d get around to doing something like this. WES That’s our girl, right? highway. Her way or the
BILLY Yeah. Mostly her way. I appreciate the call, Wes, but J.R. and Gale and I have been around it, over it and through it a dozen times already. The boy’s set on going to Texas. WES That’s a shame, Billy. The Old Man would have a conniption fit. BILLY Yeah well, Gale’s had enough of those to make up for him not being around to do it himself. WES (laughs) Sorry I missed those, Billy Boy. BILLY (smiles) I’ll just be you are. WES Well look it here old buddy, I’ve got to cover my ass on this one with Gale. So I’ll be calling J.R. tonight in my official capacity as athletic director to personally offer him a scholarship. BILLY Thanks for the heads up, ‘old buddy.’ Those who are about to die, salute you.
21. WES (smiles) I’m honored by your valor...And, Billy, do me a favor and kick the shit out of UCLA after little Galie kicks the shit out of you. Billy says goodbye and hangs up. to dinner at home tonight. The intercom BUZZES. DONNA (V.O.) Coach, it’s Dr. Webb on line two. Urgent. BILLY Alright. (punches line) Hey, Charlotte, what’s up? CHARLOTTE (V.O.) Turn to channel two. Donna Dixon is already in the office, switches on the television. BILLY Now what? CHARLOTTE (V.O.) You and your sons fighting is what. ON THE TELEVISION: VIDEO FOOTAGE of the scuffle between Dallas, J.R., Spence and the jerks at the mini mart. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) ...the young men claim they were assaulted by Morales and J.R. Donahue and verbally threatened by Coach Donahue. VIDEO PHONE FOOTAGE of Billy in Jerk 2’s face. BILLY (V.O.) Son, I don’t know who you are, but I can [bleep-bleep-bleep]-tee any fight you and I have, I’m gonna win. He’s not looking forward
22. BILLY (to screen) You have got to be mother-freakin’ kidding me! DONNA (scolding) Language.
Coach!
CHARLOTTE (V.O.) Iris thinks the civil suit will hit our doorstep before dinnertime. BILLY This is bullshit. Some skinhead prick get’s his nose out of joint because Dallas embarrassed him in front of his girlfriend, and that’s a lawsuit?! CHARLOTTE (V.O.) What can I say, Billy, we live in a litigious society. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE
23. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. DONAHUE GREAT ROOM – DAY Gracie Wellington is playing a game with baby Duncan, bouncing him on her knees. J.R. comes in, begins searching for something on the coffee table. There’s a tense vibe. J.R. Have you seen my car keys? GRACIE No. J.R. I left them right here when I came home. GRACIE (airplane with Duncan) Whoopie! J.R. Are you sure you didn’t see them? were right here. GRACIE No. J.R. “No” you’re not sure if you saw them or “No” you didn’t see them? She stops bouncing Duncan, looks at J.R. GRACIE I haven’t seen your car keys, J.R. J.R. Okay...Well would you mind helping me look for them? She cuts her eyes at J.R. then at the baby as if to say, “Can’t you see I’m busy?!” He gets the message, keeps looking on his own. His being there is annoying the heck out of her. She takes Duncan in her arms and stands. They
24. GRACIE Let’s go, D.J. All of a sudden it’s getting crowded in here. She leaves. J.R. is disappointed to see her go.
INT. DONAHUE DINING ROOM – LATER Gracie, J.R., Billy and Rose Ryan are having dinner. Gale comes in and takes her seat at the table opposite Billy. GALE I got him to sleep, but he’ll probably be up again in the middle of the night. ROSE Is it another ear infection? GALE I believe so. GRACIE Poor little guy. GALE I’ll take him to the pediatrician in the morning. So Billy honey, what is it you were saying about staying an extra day in L.A.? BILLY I’m having brunch with Cecilia on Sunday. I want to talk with her about Dallas’ options after college. You’re welcome to come too if you like. GALE That’s very “modern male” of you, honey, but I don’t think Cecilia is all that interested in my ideas when it comes to her son. BILLY Fair enough. A telephone RINGS. BILLY (mock surprise) Now I wonder who that could be?
25. GALE (ignoring Billy’s cheek) J.R., Sweetheart, would you mind getting that? J.R. But, Mom, I thought you didn’t want us to answer the phone during dinner? GALE Please, Sweetheart. J.R. reluctantly leaves to answer the phone. Gale a disapproving look. Billy gives
GRACIE So I wasn’t going to say anything until all the grades were posted, but it looks like I’m going to get A’s and B’s in my classes this semester. GALE Gracie, Sweetheart, that’s wonderful! BILLY Yeah, congratulations, Gracie. GRACIE Thanks. I only have one I’ve done well enough on and papers in that class even if I don’t take the final exam and the quizzes to get a B final. I know
GALE I’m so proud of you, Gracie. your mother would be too. GRACIE Thank you, Mrs. Donahue.
GALE I really think it’s time you paid her a visit, Gracie. GRACIE (reacts, reticent) I will, Mrs. Donahue. GALE Before Christmas.
26. GRACIE Yes, before Christmas. Good. GALE We’ll go together. Takes his seat. BILLY Who was it, son? J.R. Coach Fenton. ROSE (perks up, smiles) Wesley? J.R. Yes, Grandma. ROSE Well I can’t wait to see him. (to Gale) When’s his flight get in, honey? GALE Mom, Wes isn’t coming to see us. ROSE (unease growing) What do you mean? Why wouldn’t Wesley come home to his family? What have you done this time, Gale?! Gracie and J.R. cover their embarrassment. GALE (placating) Mom, I’m sorry. I misspoke. Wes will be home late tonight. I’ll let you know when he’s here. Alright? ROSE (calming) Oh, okay then. I can’t wait to see him, honey. BILLY So what did Coach Fenton have to say, J.R.
J.R. re-enters the room.
27. GALE (expectantly) Yes J.R., Sweetheart, what did Wes want? J.R. He offered me a scholarship to play golf at Texas A&M. BILLY So how’d he take it when you told him you’ve accepted a full ride at the University of Texas? Beat. J.R. I didn’t tell him. BILLY Why not? Wes is a family friend. don’t string family along, son. We
J.R. I didn’t tell him because I accepted the scholarship to A&M. BILLY (flabbergasted) What?! GALE Oh, J.R., that’s just wonderful, Sweetheart! Gale goes to him and gives him a big hug and kiss. BILLY But what about Texas? You made a commitment to them months ago. GALE Oh, shush, Billy honey! You didn’t really think John Ryan Donahue would spoil a family tradition by going to Texas University did you? Gale kisses J.R. again. Beams with pride. Billy looks at her. He should be astonished...but he’s not.
28. INT. JOSEPHINE’S PIZZERIA – NIGHT ANGLE ON cute soccer player Piper Ruhl and her pretty black girlfriend Tabitha Russell, holding hands as they cross the crowded restaurant. They stop to say hello to Cara “Cat” Trzcinski, Dallas, Achilles and Portia Addams at dinner. TABITHA You were great against Notre Dame, Cat. They just got one more break than you guys did. CAT Thanks, Tabitha. It’s tough to lose in the tournament like that, but we’ll be back. Won’t we Piper? PIPER Count on it. Well, we’ll catch up with you guys later. Good luck Saturday, Dallas, Achilles. The guys nod. CAT See ya. Cat watches Piper and Tabitha continue to the exit. CAT They seem happy together. DALLAS Yeah. CAT I’m glad that worked out. ACHILLES What worked out? Dallas and Cat look at him. CAT Nothing, Einstein. Anyway, like I was saying, Cake will be back in town for Christmas and I was thinking it would be great for the six of us to spend a weekend at Ed’s cabin in the mountains. You know, before the guys start prep for their bowl game.
29. PORTIA That sounds like fun, Cat. DALLAS Fun? Portia, you haven’t seen her Dad’s cabin. Cat punches Dallas in the shoulder. CAT Don’t try to scare her off. It is nice, Portia. Rustic but nice. Trust me, Cake wouldn’t stay there if it weren’t. PORTIA Well I think it’ll be nice to get away and I’m looking forward to it. CAT Great. The six of us? ACHILLES Who’s Cake bringing?
CAT Gino Bartelli. You remember, from the lake house Fourth of July weekend? ACHILLES (remembering) Oh, yeah. Him. Excuse me. restroom. DALLAS I’ve got to hit the
CAT I could take a whiz myself. Sexy, Lesbot. Cat smirks at him. ACHILLES Very sexy. Portia laughs sweetly.
He smirks back.
PORTIA You two really should stop it. CAT (pouty) He started it.
30. Dallas and Cat walk away toward the restrooms. Beat. Achilles and Portia sit in silence. He moves his hand to touch hers on the table. She draws hers away. Achilles looks at her. She turns her head slightly away. INT. RICHARD & VALERIE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT Richard and Valerie are finishing dinner with DR. VICTOR DETMER and his wife JOAN (both early 30s) and DR. JIM HAYNES and his wife DR. GRETCHEN MORSEBY (both mid-20s). GRETCHEN Valerie, your place is just incredible. VALERIE Thank you. It’ll be hard to find someplace this nice when we move. VICTOR So has Richard decided yet, Mayo or Mass General? Valerie demures. RICHARD I’m actually seriously considering Virginia Mason. VICTOR Virginia Mason? RICHARD I’ve exchanged a few e-mails with Karl Kovolesky, who runs the neurosurgery department up there. VICTOR I know Karl. He’s done a lot to bring that program around. But this comes as a bit of a surprise, Richard. I always got the impression you’d go back East after your residency. RICHARD Well, Valerie and I grew quite fond of Seattle while she was attending Washington Tech. One of her sorority sisters, Dr. Camille Jones, is dating Karl, and Valerie connected me with him through her.
31. VALERIE Would anyone care for coffee or tea? JOAN Let me help you, dear. GRETCHEN I’ll come too. The ladies leave for the kitchen. INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT As Valerie makes coffee – GRETCHEN You know, Valerie, Jim and I have been looking for a decent place ever since he finished his residency a year ago. Do you think we could take this one after you’ve moved? VALERIE Sure, I don’t see why not. But I can’t promise you’ll get the same deal on rent as we have. JOAN (off Gretchen’s look) Richard’s parents own the building, so the young Dr. and Mrs. O’Connell live here rent-free. Gretchen’s hopes sink. Oh well. Then she smiles.
GRETCHEN Easy come, easy go.
JOAN So, Valerie, we still on for tennis this Saturday? VALERIE Sure, but can we make it 2:30 instead of 3. Will is dying to go to the Bruins game. JOAN That works fine.
32. GRETCHEN I didn’t know you played tennis, Valerie. I’d love to get together for a game one day. JOAN You’d better bring your roller skates to play this one. She’s a demon on the court. You played competitively in college didn’t you, Valerie? VALERIE (blushing) Actually, it was high school, and yes I did. I was the California women’s singles state champ my senior year. But that seems like ages ago. OFF Valerie we... FLASHBACK – TENNIS COURT – DAY (6 YEARS AGO) Valerie (18) backhands her unseen opponent’s serve and the ball hits the net. She reacts, disappointed. IAN (O.S.) No, no, no! Valerie, you’ve got to follow through! IAN HAMILTON (26) comes onto the court. He’s a tall, tan, longhaired heartthrob. He moves close behind her and, his hands on her, takes her through the motions. IAN (as they move in synch) Remember what we practiced. It’s the legs, the torso, the abdomen, not just the arms and shoulders. VALERIE Okay...I’m sorry, Ian. I should know this by now. I should – IAN (comforting) It’s okay. It doesn’t come without practice, Val. The more you practice, the more your body will just respond instinctively - without “knowing” or “thinking.” Understand?
33. She accepts his control of her body as they go through the motion again. Their attraction to one another is obvious. Yes, Ian. VALERIE I understand.
BECKY (O.S.) (calling) Are we going to play or just stand around? Becky (18) is on the other end of the court. jealousy of Ian and Valerie’s “coziness.” IAN Okay, let’s go again. He leaves the court. Valerie takes position and Becky slams a withering serve across the net. Valerie returns serve and the two girls volley beautifully... INT. GUEST HOUSE – LATER Ian has Valerie pinned against a wall. They kiss passionately. His hands explore her body, slide underneath her tennis skirt. Her panties come off, his shorts slide down, they screw hard against the wall. EXT. GUEST HOUSE – LATER Ian exits the house. Sees Becky approaching from the main house, the Van Helsing mansion. IAN Becky... She doesn’t break stride. BECKY Mom has your check inside. He reacts to her coldness, hurt and somewhat guilty. INT. GUEST HOUSE – A MOMENT LATER Becky enters just as Valerie comes out of the bathroom. We read her
34. BECKY Ian looked pretty satisfied on his way out. VALERIE (smiles) And on his way in. BECKY If I didn’t know how smart you are, I’d say you’re falling for him. VALERIE (beat) Rebecca, he told me he loves me. BECKY He what? Val, don’t get your head spun around here. Girls just want to have fun, remember? VALERIE It’s too late, Rebecca. No, Val. BECKY Big mistake.
VALERIE I love him, Rebecca. Really love him. Becky grabs Valerie by the shoulders. BECKY Valerie, I get it, he’s a good lay. But you can’t be serious. VALERIE It’s about more than the sex, Rebecca. And this isn’t just infatuation. Ian and I have a deep, instinctive connection. I feel what he feels; our souls are like, tied together. BECKY (wants to hurl) Please tell me you didn’t tell him you love him...Please, Val. Val. VALERIE Yes, I told him.
35. RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT Valerie, Gretchen and Joan head back into the dining room with the coffee. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO
36. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. SEA DEVILS TRAINING ROOM – SUNSET Offensive lineman Warren “iPhone” Sitren sits on an exam table. He’s in a t-shirt and jeans. His left leg is in an air cast. Team physician Dr. Natalia Rockov and offensive coordinator Bob Garcia stand in front of him. DR. ROCKOV (ref. x-ray she’s holding) It’s a strained MCL. Not too serious, but serious enough that I can’t allow him to play again this season. IPHONE Come on, Dr. Rocks – Dr. Rockov. I just tape it or wear a brace? Her bluntness is chilling. No. DR. ROCKOV You can not. Can’t
BOB Doc’s right, iPhone. Anything to do with the MCL is a risk not worth taking. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you playing football. You’ll miss two games but you’ll be back good as new next season. IPHONE Yeah, but it’s UCLA and a bowl game! His eyes plead. Dr. Rockov’s say, “No. You can not.” slaps iPhone’s shoulder and turns to leave. INT. CHARTER JET – SUNSET Players are getting ready for takeoff. sit next to each other. Achilles and iPhone Bob
IPHONE I’m sorry, Q.B. Blowing my knee out right before our biggest game of the regular season. Stupid!
37. ACHILLES Just be glad it’s strained and not torn. It’d all be over then. IPHONE Yeah, but I know how bad you want to beat UCLA. ACHILLES We all want to beat UCLA. What happened then wasn’t any more personal for me than for any of the guys. IPHONE You can save that line for the media, Q.B. I know what was going on with you back then. You and her... Beat. Achilles turns and looks out the window as we...
FLASHBACK - INT. LOCKER ROOM (HALFTIME V. UCLA) – DAY Billy’s shouting like a lunatic. BILLY Goddammit! You should all be embarrassed! You’re playing like absolute shit! And I’m being generous when I use the word playing! That horseshit I’ve seen for the last 30 minutes doesn’t even qualify as football! He gets in Achilles’ face. Achilles is battered and bruised from the beating he took in the first half. BILLY And what in god’s name is on your mind Addams!? Anything?! Anything at all!? You’d better get your freakin’ head out of your ass, son, or I’ll plant you on the bench so freakin’ hard they’ll feel your goddamn ass cheeks it in China! EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM - DAY It’s dreary and raining when the Sea Devils come back on the field after halftime. The capacity crowd of 55,000 is subdued. The scoreboard explains why.
38. SCOREBOARD: UCLA 34, WTU 6 In the stands, Valerie looks down from ‘The Pit’ section. Her parents and her fiancé Richard are out of their element, surrounded by drunken, face-painted FANS. Her 10year-old brother Will, in a No. 10 jersey like Achilles, is just excited to be there regardless of the score. IN THE HUDDLE The Sea Devils offense is shell shocked after Billy’s halftime rampage. Achilles has to snap them out of it. ACHILLES (commanding) Alright, wake up! Devils Deuce formation, slot right, motion, option left. On two. Let’s get it done! They snap back arms come to the line of scrimmage. Achilles takes the and runs the option, faking the pitch to his running then cutting up field. He jukes a linebacker, stiff another then sprints 88 yards for a touchdown.
The fans wake up. In the end zone, Achilles looks up into The Pit and finds Valerie. They lock eyes. She reads his hurt, anger and...his determination. MONTAGE – THE COMEBACK ATTEMPT Achilles passes and scrambles the Sea Devils down the field; on one play, he’s chased out of the pocket and instead of running out of bounds to safety, he lowers his shoulder and intentionally COLLIDES with a UCLA LINEBACKER. SKEETER BLACKLEDGE (V.O.) Ow! Momma! You could hear that one all the way up here in the broadcast booth! Achilles gets up and spikes the ball in the dazed linebacker’s face. ACHILLES How you like me now?! Fans go berserk. PENALTY FLAGS fly.
REFEREE Unsportsmanlike conduct! Number 10. 15 yards. It’s still first down!
39. SKEETER BLACKLEDGE (V.O.) Now that’s something you don’t see every day. A quarterback called for roughing up a linebacker! IN THE HUDDLE ACHILLES Alright. No huddle, two plays. Razor 60 and All Jets Go. Roulon, Burner stay frosty: the rock will be there! You will catch it! (they nod ‘Yes’) We’re not losing this freakin’ game! Got it!! His passion flows through them like an electric current. On the snap, Achilles hits running back Roulon Jones on a screen for 15 yards. They rush back to the line in hurryup mode. Achilles takes the snap, drops back and fires a bullet just as he’s HAMMERED by a blitzing linebacker. Wide receiver Burner Turner catches the pass and runs 30 yards for a touchdown. Fans in the Pit are DELIRIOUS. Not Valerie. She’s had her eyes on Achilles the whole time, sees him sprawled on the field, writhing in pain. Rain covers the tears streaming down her face as we... RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. CHARTER JET – SUNSET Achilles is still staring out the window. He looks down, sees Billy and Gale crossing the tarmac toward the plane then walking up the jetway to board. PILOT (V.O.) Good afternoon Sea Devils, this is your pilot. Now that we’re all on board, I’m going to ask the flight attendants to secure the aircraft for takeoff. We hear the DING indicating it’s time to fasten seat belts. EXT. LOS ANGELES (VARIOUS SHOTS) – NIGHT Two team buses make their way down the 101 Freeway in typical nighttime L.A. traffic.
40. INT./EXT. TEAM BUS – NIGHT Coach Romeo Dumars talks into an intercom. DUMARS (V.O.) We’ll be at the hotel in a few minutes. You men know the drill: straight to your rooms after check-in, lights out at 10. Breakfast in the hotel restaurant at 8:30, on the bus for the stadium by 12:30... The buses pull onto Wilshire Boulevard and come to a stop at the Marriott Hotel. INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT iPhone is huddled by the door, his back to the room, talking in low, hushed tones on his cell phone. IPHONE No, you say it first. (listens) No you, Suzy... (listens) Love you more... Achilles is standing on the opposite side of the room, gazing out the window, cell phone pressed to his ear. We hear the RINGING, then – PORTIA (V.O.) Hi, this is Portia. At the tone you know what to do. Beep. Achilles hangs up.
INT. ACHILLES & PORTIA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT Portia is curled up on the sofa. She just stares impassively at her cell phone until it stops RINGING. INT./EXT. HOTEL LOBBY – DAY Billy and Gale exit an elevator and enter the lobby holding hands. They’re met by PR woman Sasha Mendez, who continues with them across the lobby.
41. SASHA Good morning, Gale, Coach. GALE Good morning, Sasha. ‘Morning. BILLY So what’s the plan? KCAL, ESPN and sit-down Times...
SASHA In studio tapings at KTLA and followed by live remotes with Fox Sports News Channel and a with Andy Bennett of the L.A. INT. SEDAN – MOVING – DAY Billy and Gale are in back.
Sasha rides shotgun.
SASHA ...They’re all doing the Heisman story. Mrs. Donahue, be ready for questions about Portia. You know, advice you’ve given her on everything from how to handle celebrity to sharing beauty secrets. GALE I think I can handle that. SASHA I know you can. Coach, don’t be surprised by a question or two about the convenience store scuffle. (off his reaction) I know, I know. Accept it before it destroys you, Coach. It’s chicken shit, but it’s news. Just don’t go bananas when it comes up. Okay? BILLY (grins) Yes, Ma’am. I’ll behave. INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY Achilles is at the desk studying his PLAYBOOK. We hear the TOILET FLUSH and iPhone comes out of the bathroom on crutches. He’s fanning his nose.
Promise.
42. IPHONE I’d give it at least 10 minutes before you go in there, Q.B. ACHILLES Man, you really should see a specialist or something. iPhone laughs. A KNOCK on the door and he turns to answer it. CLOSE ON his face as it falls. ACHILLES Who is it? iPhone steps aside and Valerie comes in. VALERIE Hello, Warren. IPHONE Um...Hello? Achilles gets up from the desk. each other across the room. He and Valerie stare at
VALERIE (eyes on Achilles) Warren, would you mind giving Achilles and I a few minutes? iPhone looks to Achilles for the answer. iPhone is about to go but has a thought. bathroom door before turning to leave. Achilles nods. He closes the
VALERIE Warren, be a dear and don’t come back until after I’ve left. After iPhone leaves, a long beat before – ACHILLES So where are the camera’s this time? VALERIE Achilles, I told you I didn’t have anything to do with those pictures appearing on the web. ACHILLES I don’t believe you.
43. VALERIE You don’t believe me or she doesn’t? ACHILLES If by “she” you mean my wife, yes. neither of us believes you. She slowly closes the gap between them. VALERIE I would think by now you’d know that I could never do anything to hurt you. Hurting you would be hurting myself. I love you, Achilles. ACHILLES Stop it, Valerie. Just stop it. VALERIE (another step toward him) Now you don’t believe me when I tell you I love you? ACHILLES No, that’s not what I meant – (then, annoyed) Look, stop with the psychological bullshit, okay. I’ve taken a few classes and I know when you’re trying to screw with my head. Just tell me why you’re here so I can go back to getting ready for the game and you can go back home...to your husband. VALERIE Okay. I came to tell you that I forgive you, Achilles. ACHILLES (laughs, incredulous) Forgive me? Let me guess: this is about Becky’s baby. VALERIE She’s your baby too. And yes, I forgive you for getting Becky pregnant. ACHILLES What is there to forgive? She got pregnant before you and I got serious. And
44. VALERIE And I forgive you for that too. ACHILLES That’s awfully big of you, Valerie. But the way I remember it, you told me that since you and your family were so “committed” to your “Korean” fiancé, I should stop wasting my time on you and go for one of the other 3,000 girls on campus. So I don’t really see how you can “forgive” me for doing what you told me to do. VALERIE We were dating when you got her pregnant, Achilles. ACHILLES Hello! ”Pretend” dating. Remember: anything for the Delta House. VALERIE (ire growing) Well it wasn’t “pretend” sperm was it?! Christ, Achilles, did it even occur to you to wear a condom?! I assume you knew that of the 3,000 girls you could have screwed, you chose the filthiest skank on the West Coast. ACHILLES Okay, Valerie. You’re talking about the mother of my child. VALERIE Rebecca Van Helsing is a dirty WHORE! ACHILLES Calm down, Valerie! VALERIE My god, of all people, Achilles! How could you?! ACHILLES So much for forgiveness... That rips it. She SLAPS him HARD. Before he can blink she slaps him again. She’s swings a third time but he grabs Her?!
45. her wrist. She comes at him with her free hand but he grabs that one too. ACHILLES (in command) Valerie, stop it! What the hell’s wrong with you?! Her eyes burn with hurt-rage. She tries to break free but he’s too strong. So she BITES his chest instead. ACHILLES OW!! He releases her, in shock. She SLUGS him with a vicious right. Her 4-karat diamond engagement ring cuts his cheek and blood trickles out. The room door flies open. iPhone hobbles in to help. Valerie and Achilles both look at him. ACHILLES/VALERIE Get out! (off Warren’s confusion) Now!! Warren scoots out of the room. Achilles reaches out and clutches Valerie’s slender neck, pulls her to him. ACHILLES (re: his bloody cheek) This is love, Valerie? This is not hurting me? With Ninja-like quickness, she breaks his grip and grabs his other hand, bends his arm and sweeps his legs out from under him. He hits the floor hard. She sits on his chest, pins his wrists to the floor. ACHILLES (in pain) Jesus, you know judo! VALERIE Black belt. She’s
Judo?!
Ju-jitsu.
He tries to get up, but she’s got him pinned good. slim but strong. ACHILLES Come on, Valerie. You’re starting to piss me off.
46. VALERIE (devilish grin) I knew you still cared. She lowers her face closer to his, entices him by flicking her tongue on the corner of his mouth, along his chin and lips. He resists, turns his face away. She slowly licks the blood from the cut on his cheek, and as she does, she slides her hips down from his chest to straddle his hips. ACHILLES Alright, Valerie, that’s enough. done playing with you. VALERIE (grinds on him) Hmmmmm. Feels like you’re just started...After everything, you want me as much as I want you. it, Achilles, we belong to each Nothing will ever change that. I’m
getting still Accept other.
SUDDENLY he flips her over, pins her to the floor with the weight of his body, grips her wrists with his hands. She struggles...but not too much. Then she unclenches her fists, wraps her legs around his back, gazes in his eyes. ACHILLES Why do you do this, Valerie? Why?
No answer. She just reels him in with her eyes. And like a moth to flame, he inches down until their lips almost touch. She glides the tip of her tongue over his lips to complete the seduction...and just as they begin to kiss – iPhone barges in. They react, startled. IPHONE Um...uh...
Hey, Q.B. – Whoa!
Achilles rolls off Valerie and they both get to their feet. ACHILLES What is it?! IPHONE Sorry, Q.B., but we’ve got to get ready to go. The bus leaves in 10 minutes.
47. ACHILLES Okay. Just give us a minute...one minute, okay?! iPhone leaves reluctantly. Achilles turns to face Valerie.
ACHILLES This has got to end, Valerie. It’s wrong to go on like this. Just wrong. She holds out the DIAMOND DELTA NECKLACE that he sent back to her in the mail. VALERIE I believe you lost this. It’s yours.
After a long beat, she puts the necklace on the nightstand. She goes to the door, turns to look at him. VALERIE Achilles, it’s not wrong to hold on to what’s yours. She opens the door and leaves. necklace... OFF Achilles staring at the FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE
48. ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. TEAM BUS – MOVING – DAY Achilles stares out the window. The bus rolls through Westwood on its way to the Rose Bowl. IPHONE You okay, Q.B.? ACHILLES (looking out window) What do you mean? Of course I’m okay. IPHONE (sotto) I know...it’s just whenever she comes around you get, well, outta synch. Achilles shoots him a withering scowl. wrath and turns away. EXT. THE ROSE BOWL – NIGHT A capacity crowd. A bowl game atmosphere. The Sea Devils are huddled en mass near the tunnel. Achilles is in the middle of the pack, exhorting his team with a pre-game ritual that ends with the team cry, “WHOOOO-AAAHHH!!! INT. CONTROL BOOTH – NIGHT Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit do pre-game. BRENT Well here we are, Kirk, the very last game of the regular season, and we’ve got the makings of a real doosie as the 10 and 1 UCLA Bruins square off against the 9 and 2 Washington Tech Sea Devils. KIRK That’s right, Brent. Third-ranked UCLA hopes to make a case for why they should move up in the rankings and play for the BCS National Championship. And a win over the Bruins gives number 14 (MORE) iPhone feels his
49. KIRK (CONT’D.) Washington Tech a real shot at playing in one of the four major BCS bowls in January, which would put head coach Billy Donahue’s program on the map. BRENT The last time these two teams met was two years ago up in Maitland. The Bruins barely hung on for a 37-34 win. They also knocked Washington Tech quarterback Achilles Addams out for four games. Needless to say, there’s no love lost here tonight. ON THE SIDELINE Billy encourages his players before kickoff. Dallas, who nods at his father. IN THE STANDS Gale watches from the visitors’ section. A few rows above her, Valerie’s 13-year-old brother Will Kim, in a number 10 jersey, is totally jazzed before kickoff. Valerie looks down on the field pensively. MONTAGE – THE GAME Set to HIP-HOP MUSIC, Achilles lights up the field – and the UCLA defense – with his brilliance: After the Bruins score on their first possession of the game, Achilles trots onto the field and completes perfect pass after perfect pass, hitting receivers who are covered like blankets; Finally he rolls to his right and lofts a beautiful 12-yard spiral over the defense into the hands of tight end Junior Tuiososopo for a touchdown... The Bruins score again the field and runs the passing and scrambling none, guiding his team this time on a pass to and once again Achilles comes onto Sea Devils offense to perfection, and creating plays where there are down the field to another score, wide receiver Jet Johnson. Winks at
50. IN THE STANDS Sea Devils fans are loving it! Will high-fives complete strangers. Valerie sits, unfazed by the excitement around her. Her eyes are locked on Achilles. ON THE SIDELINE Billy congratulates the offense and encourages Dallas and the defense for the next series. MUSBURGER (V.O.) Well, pard-ner, we had a feeling this was going to be a wild one and that’s what it’s shaping up to be so far. And so it goes all night long: The Bruins are a well-oiled machine on a mission to make it to the BCS National Championship; the Sea Devils fight for revenge and Achilles fights to exorcise his demons. On the field and on the sideline, he’s fired up, commanding the offense and cheering on the defense. TIME CUT TO: ON THE FIELD The Bruins offense comes to the line of scrimmage. BRENT (V.O.) Third and a long six. The Bruins need this first down if they don’t want to put the ball back in the hot hand of Achilles Addams... The Bruins QUARTERBACK drops back and fires a pass to a seemingly open tight end. But Dallas steps up, intercepts it and runs a few yards before he’s tackled. BRENT (V.O.) Oh my! And that mistake by the Bruins quarterback could very well cost UCLA a national championship! KIRK (V.O.) You said it, Brent. There’s not much time left on the clock, but the way Achilles Addams has played tonight, this one is a long, long way from over.
51. SCOREBOARD – UCLA 51, WTU 49. FOURTH QUARTER. 1:12...
BRENT (V.O.) Addams has been absolutely sensational tonight, throwing seven touchdown passes for an incredible 390 yards. KIRK (V.O.) This drive could be his ticket to an invitation to New York and the Heisman. Achilles trots onto the field, a natural leader. huddle, the team is loose, awaiting his command. ACHILLES Okay, trips right, 70 Turbo Boost. On one. Let’s get it done. Ready... They break the huddle and come to the line. snapped...and we go to a SERIES OF CUTS: The ball is In the
Four plays as the clock winds down, all quick, on the money passes to Jet, Junior, Greg and Crash Davis. On the fifth play, Greg hauls in a pass at the Bruins’ 45-yard-line and is tackled before he can get out of bounds. Achilles calls a timeout. Walks to the sideline. SCOREBOARD – UCLA 51, WTU 49. FOURTH QUARTER. 0:27...
BRENT (V.O.) And that was the Sea Devils’ last timeout. I don’t know, what do you do in this situation, Kirk? KIRK (V.O.) With 27 ticks on the clock, you’ve got time for at least two plays, but you’ve got to get out of bounds if you don’t get into the end zone. ON THE SIDELINE Vince Leong is warming up, kicking footballs into a net. Achilles has taken off his helmet to talk to Billy. BILLY How you feelin’? ACHILLES Like winning this damn game.
52. BILLY Let’s get it done then.
Alright. plays...
Two TIME CUT TO:
ON THE FIELD Achilles scans the Bruins defense from the shotgun. He barks the signals, takes the snap and fakes a pass, then runs up the middle on a quarterback draw. He’s tackled and immediately pops up, rallies the offense back to the line of scrimmage. The clock ticks down -- 0:10, 0:09, 0:08... The offense sets up, Achilles takes the snap, steps back, throws a precise 10-yard pass to Junior, who catches it and steps out of bounds at the 29-yard-line to stop the clock. The field goal unit trots onto the field. BRENT (V.O.) Place kicker Vince Leong hasn’t had many opportunities this season. His longest field goal is from 45 yards out, but he missed a 30-yarder in the season opener against Oklahoma that would’ve sent the game into overtime. KIRK (V.O.) Brent, I can still recall the image of a devastated Leong walking off the field in Norman, Achilles Addams’ arm on his shoulder. BRENT (V.O.) Now the sophomore out of Simi Valley, California has a chance at redemption. This will be about a 50-yard attempt. Vince gets ready for the kick. pats him on the helmet. Achilles steps up to him,
ACHILLES (smiles) I believe in you, Vince.
We all do. Then
Vince nods, but it’s clear he’s nervous as hell. Achilles takes a knee, signals for the snap...
53. ON VINCE As he plants his left foot, swings his right leg and KICKS the football. He watches as it flips end-over-end toward the goal posts... MUSBURGER (V.O.) ...and it’s GOOD! He made it! A 50yard field goal and the Sea Devils win it with no time left on the clock! Vince jumps into Achilles arms, thrusts his fists in the air as the Sea Devils rush off the sidelines to join in the celebration on the field. SCOREBOARD UCLA 51, WTU 52. FINAL. NEAR THE TUNNEL – LATER The stadium is emptying fast. Sea their way off the field toward the They’re all smiles. Achilles, his pace to keep up with iPhone, who’s Devils players make tunnel in small groups. helmet off, walks at a on crutches.
As they near the entrance of the tunnel, Achilles feels eyes on him, looks up to see Valerie in the stands, almost at field level. Will is next to her, smiling and waving at him. Achilles doesn’t respond to Will. His eyes are locked on Valerie’s; they hold their penetrating stare until he disappears into the tunnel. ON VALERIE who finally blinks when Achilles is out of her view. WILL (O.S.) He saw us, didn’t he, Val?! He had to see us, right? He was looking right at us, wasn’t he? I can’t believe it! What a game! The Ice man was great! Did you see... Will’s words fade away as we... FLASHBACK – INT. VAN HELSING MANSION – DAY (6 YEARS AGO) The Bel-Air mansion is magnificent. Valerie stands in the foyer talking to Becky’s mother, JUSTINE VAN HELSING (44).
54. VALERIE We were planning on meeting at Bugaletto’s on Rodeo, but she texted me to meet her here instead. JUSTINE I’m afraid I haven’t seen Becky all day, dear. Perhaps you should try the tennis court. VALERIE Thank you, Mrs. Van Helsing. EXT. MANSION GROUNDS – DAY Valerie passes the pool, cabanas, the empty tennis court and makes her way to the guest house. EXT./INT. GUEST HOUSE – DAY She’s about to knock on the door when she notices that it’s open a crack. She enters. VALERIE (calls out) Rebecca, you here?
Rebecca!
Valerie is on her way to the kitchen when Becky pops out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, fresh from the shower. BECKY (feigns surprise) What are you doing here?!
Val!
VALERIE What do you mean? You texted me to meet you here instead of at Bugale— IAN (O.S.) (from bathroom) Hey, baby, get back in here! done!
We’re not
Valerie recognizes Ian’s voice. She’s stunned. He opens the bathroom door, stands there naked, dripping wet. IAN (oh shit!) Val...
55. Hurt and humiliation immediately cloud Valerie’s face. BECKY Val, I know this looks awful, but – IAN Valerie, baby, let me explain – Valerie BLINKS and it’s as though a switch has been flicked. She makes a beeline for the kitchen, pulls out a BUTCHER KNIFE and returns to the main room. IAN (seeing knife) Valerie, what are you doing with
Whoa! that.
Instinctively he covers his manhood with both hands. Val, don’t! BECKY Don’t!
Valerie slashes the knife once across Ian’s chest then a second time across his stomach. He cries out in horrorpain, stumbles into the bathroom, covered in blood. Then Valerie turns on Becky, grips the bloody knife. BECKY Wait, Valerie...Wait a minute, please... VALERIE You were screwing him all along, weren’t you? Before me... IAN (O.S.) (from bathroom) Somebody call an ambulance!
Help!
VALERIE When you knew I was falling for him...after I told you...that I was in love with him. You must’ve had a good laugh about that. BECKY (scared shitless) I’m sorry, Val. I didn’t mean for this to happen.
56. VALERIE You lying bitch! This is exactly what you meant to happen. Becky’s eyes go back and forth between Valerie’s angry, pretty face and the bloody butcher knife in her hand. IAN (O.S.) (from bathroom) Oh, God! I’m bleeding to death. Please, call 9-1-1! Valerie has backed Becky against the wall. VALERIE You just couldn’t stand it could you? The poor girl from K-town: better than you in school, better than you on the tennis court. You had to be better at something, didn’t you. I guess being better on your back is about as good as you could do, huh, you filthy little slut. BECKY (tears coming) Please, Val. He’s dying. Valerie clutches Becky’s throat and squeezes tightly (reminiscent from their scene in Season One). VALERIE You think I give shit! IAN (O.S.) (weakly) Help me...please...help...me. Valerie raises the knife high. Becky’s eyes open wide, then shut tightly as Valerie plunges the knife down...into the wall, inches away from Becky’s eye. Valerie releases her grip on Becky’s neck. VALERIE You’re not worth it. Neither of you are. Valerie turns and walks out of the house. Becky glances at the knife next to her head and breaks into tears. We hear Ian’s MOANS. Becky reacts, rushes to the bathroom as we...
57. RETURN TO PRESENT – EXT. THE ROSE BOWL – NIGHT ON VALERIE In the stands with Will, who is still yammering about how great a game Achilles played. VALERIE Yeah, Will...he was great. INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT All the players have left for the bus. Achilles stands in front of his locker, fully dressed and ready to go, staring at something inside. An ASSISTANT COACH who has been sent to fetch him comes in. ASSISTANT COACH There you are! Buses are ready to roll, Achilles. Let’s go. Alright, Coach. ACHILLES On my way. Achilles continues staring in
The assistant coach leaves. the locker as we...
FLASHBACK – MONTAGE OF ACHILLES & VALERIE “FIRSTS” Their first meeting in Charlotte’s office; their first “date” at Josephine’s Pizzeria; dancing together at Faces nightclub; their first kiss at the front door of Delta House; making love for the first time on a cold winter’s night at the cottage; a candlelit dinner on the deck of a Malibu beach home; her smiling radiantly when he gives her the diamond “10” necklace she now wears and... In bed at the Malibu beach house, lying in each other’s arms after they’ve made love: VALERIE Achilles... ACHILLES Yeah? VALERIE Do you love me?
58. A long beat as he weighs the true meaning of the word and the significance of the question. Then – ACHILLES (heartfelt) Yes. RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT Achilles is still staring into the locker, thinking, coming to an important decision. Finally, he reaches inside, takes out the Delta necklace, looks at it pensively. Then he puts it in his pocket, turns and leaves the locker room. FADE OUT. END OF EPISODE
2. RECAP We Recap events from Previous Episodes, ending on Valerie smashing the plasma television in her apartment. TEASER FADE IN: EXT. LAKE WHATCOM – DAWN Billy Donahue and his sons, J.R. Donahue and Dallas Morales, sit in a fishing boat. J.R. looks at his watch. J.R. Dad, maybe it’s just not meant to be today. BILLY Maybe you should have a little more patience. DALLAS Yeah, take a pill, J.R. J.R. makes a face, gives his half-brother the finger behind Billy’s back. J.R. It’s just we’ve been out here for what, four hours?, and we haven’t gotten a single hit. DALLAS Last week we hit our limit in under two hours. Oh, that’s right, I forgot: we didn’t have Bad Luck Schleprock with us then. J.R. smirks. Dallas grins.
BILLY (to the sky) Remind me again why I bring these two meat heads with me? WHIR! J.R.’s line goes tight. He reacts just in time to hold onto his rod, which is bending with the weight of something big.
3. BILLY Whoa, son! Don’t pull too tight. ‘im some slack! DALLAS Yeah, pendejo, let him run with it! J.R. (excited) Hey, no Spanglish on the boat, Pedro! DALLAS Pendejo is Spanish for dumb ass, Dumb ass! BILLY Okay, ease him in...not too fast! J.R. is standing up in the boat, working hard. The rod is bent almost all the way, the line taught enough to snap. BILLY Here he comes. You’ve got him, J.R. Dallas, get the net! Dallas puts the net into the water and pulls out a HUGE LARGEMOUTH BASS. The three are astonished by the catch. Jesus! DALLAS He’s a freakin’ monster!
Give
BILLY He’s got to be 15 pounds at least! J.R. Seriously?! BILLY At least! J.R. Is that like some kind of record or something? BILLY Around here, maybe. Hey, Dallas, grab the camera out of my bag. Dallas hands Billy the DIGIGAL CAMERA. J.R. looks at Dallas and grins triumphantly. Dallas lets his little bro bask in the glow of his victory.
4. EXT. CHEVRON STATION – DAY Billy’s Range Rover pulls into the station with fishing boat in tow. He and his sons climb out. Billy starts to fill up as the boys head inside. BILLY Don’t get lost in there. I’ve got work to do back home this afternoon. INT. CHEVRON MIMI MART – DAY Dallas and J.R. enter and split up to browse the shelves for snacks. A PRETTY GIRL checks Dallas out. She smiles invitingly. He nods at her nonchalantly. SPENCE What the hell are you doing?! Dallas turns to find SPENCE (20s), a muscle bound jerk, inches away from him, grimacing menacingly. DALLAS I’m thinking about buying these chips. Do you mind? SPENCE I mind you hitting on my girl, dipshit. DALLAS Well we don’t have a problem then, since I don’t know who your girl is. SPENCE No, you’ve got a problem and you’re looking at him. PRETTY GIRL Spence, you’re being a jerk. Stop it.
DALLAS Yeah, Spence, you’re being a jerk. Spence shoves Dallas. SPENCE Who you calling a jerk, Spic?! J.R. Hey, what’s going on?
5. PRETTY GIRL Come on Spence, leave him alone. Spence tries to shove Dallas again but this time he finds himself in an arm lock, his face jammed against the Fritos. DALLAS (pinning Spence) Look man, I just came in here to buy some chips. Why don’t we just call it even? J.R. Dallas... TWO JERKS show up to help Spence. J.R. moves to help Dallas. The Pretty Girl frets. Dallas puts Spence in a headlock, J.R. lunges into a jerk. Bags of chips fly. A CUSTOMER whips out his CELL PHONE to capture the skirmish on video. BILLY (booming voice) What the hell is going on here?! Billy’s at the mini mart entrance, hands on his hips, scowling. When a head football coach goes off, everybody listens, whether they’re on the team or not. Dallas releases Spence. The two jerks back away from J.R. Billy walks over, glowers at them all. JERK 1 Coach Donahue? BILLY I know who I am! Who the hell are you?! (before the jerk answers) Never mind! I don’t give a shit! (looks at J.R. on the floor) Get up from there. The STORE MANAGER comes over. He has a Pakistani accent.
STORE MANAGER Coach Donahue, I’m so sorry about this. You’re sorry? apologizing. BILLY It’s me who should be
6. J.R. Dad, it was them who started it. BILLY Well all of you are going to clean this mess up. What? JERK 2 Man’s that’s bull –
BILLY (interrupts, in his face) Son, I don’t know who you are, but I can guaran-freakin-tee any fight you and I have, I’m gonna win. Billy stares the jerk down for a beat. Then –
SPENCE Come on fellahs, let’s clean this up and get the hell outta this shit hole. INT./EXT. CHEVRON MINI MART – LATER Spence and his jerk buddies leave. Billy and J.R. are behind them. Dallas stops at the counter to buy a bag of Fritos. Billy gives him a hard look. DALLAS Hey, I’m still hungry, Coach. Billy exits. Not amused. J.R. leaves grinning, admiring his big brother’s cool. Dallas pays for his chips and is about to leave. The pretty girl comes between him and the door. She smiles, and as she walks past on her way out, she stuffs a FOLDED PIECE OF PAPER in his jacket pocket. Dallas follows her out, walks to the Range Rover, climbs in the front seat. INT. RANGE ROVER – MOVING – LATER Dallas is munching on his Fritos. piece of paper out of his pocket. widen as he reads. DALLAS Holy shit. He finally pulls the He unfolds it. His eyes
7. BILLY What is it? DALLAS (keeps reading) Holy shit!! J.R. (from back seat) What does it say? Dallas is without words. He’s actually sweating. grabs the note, his eyes widening as he reads. Jeez! J.R. People can actually do that?! J.R.
BILLY Come on, boys, what’s that say? J.R. (reads more) No way! I don’t believe girls do that! Nobody does that? Do they?! Billy takes the note. Reads as he drives. He jams on the breaks. EXT. ROAD – DAY The Range Rover and fishing boat swerve to a stop on the side of the road. INT. RANGE ROVER – DAY BILLY (thunderstruck) That girl needs help. Serious help. SMASH TO MAIN TITLES. END OF TEASER His eyes widen.
8. ACT ONE FADE IN: EXT. RODEO DRIVE – DAY Best friends Valerie Kim and Nina Miller drink Chai lattes from Starbucks as they stroll down one of the most famous sidewalks in America. Nina pushes a baby stroller with her daughter inside. NINA So where does Richard want to start his practice – the Mayo Clinic, Mass General or Virginia Mason? VALERIE His parents are pushing the Mayo Clinic for the prestige, but Richard can’t stand the thought of winters in Minneapolis. At this point it’s a toss up between Mass General and VM. NINA I was born in Boston. It was my parents’ first stop after they left Jamaica. We moved to L.A. when I was three, so I don’t remember anything about it really. VALERIE Boston would be a nice place to live, I think. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard sound wonderful. And I hear the winters there aren’t really all that bad. It’s the snow that’s a killer. Nina senses that Valerie is holding something back. NINA So, sounds like Mass General. VALERIE Maybe. NINA But maybe not? VALERIE Maybe not.
9. NINA So what is it about Virginia Mason that’s keeping it in the running? VALERIE They’re renowned for neurosurgery and that’s going to be Richard’s specialty. NINA So it has nothing to do with the fact that VM is in Seattle? Richard Pacific getting nice it VALERIE knows how much I love the Northwest. When we started serious we talked about how would be to settle there. Valerie does too.
Nina stops walking.
NINA Valerie...don’t you think he has enough shit to deal with without you showing up 90 miles from his doorstep? VALERIE He wouldn’t have to deal with any of it if he’d simply accept that we’re destined to be together. NINA (perplexed) Do you even hear yourself when you say things like that?! Valerie, it’s crazy to keep chasing after a married man who who’s told you it’s over. VALERIE He never said that, Nina. Valerie starts walking. Nina too.
NINA Maybe that’s because he hasn’t spoken or written to you since that stunt you pulled last December. Actions speak louder than words, girl. He sent back your Delta necklace. Without a note, I might add...Look, Big Sis, I know it’s hard for you once you’ve given your heart to a guy –
10. Valerie cuts her a dangerous look that causes Nina to pause. Then – NINA Valerie...Achilles isn’t Ian and Portia isn’t Becky, and we’re not in high school. It’s the real world now, Val. Valerie stops walking. They face each other.
VALERIE I know exactly where I am, Nina. And this isn’t me trying to redo the past. NINA It isn’t? VALERIE No it isn’t. NINA That’s bull, Valerie, and you know it. VALERIE I know that’s what you think, Nina. And maybe at some point you were right. But you have to believe me when I tell you, this isn’t about what happened between me, Becky and Ian. NINA So her having Achilles’ baby doesn’t faze you one bit? VALERIE I didn’t say that. It hurts like hell. But I know I’ll get over it. That’s why I know this isn’t about what happened in high school. I despise Becky for what she did then and I know she got pregnant by Achilles just to spite me. But I love Achilles too much to let her having his baby come between us. That’s how I know it’s different, Nina. I know it’s crazy, I know I’m crazy. But I also know, this time, what I have with Achilles is real. And I can’t let go. Not because I don’t want to lose to Portia or Becky or anyone else. But because I know we belong together.
11. NINA What about Richard? Does your life with him mean anything? VALERIE Of course it does, Nina. I want to make him happy as long as I can. And I will...until the time is right for me and Achilles. NINA (exasperated) What about children? All his parents could talk about at the wedding was how they can’t wait for grandchildren. Valerie looks down at Nina’s baby, who is peacefully sleeping. A small, loving smile comes to Valerie. VALERIE No...I can’t have children with Richard. That would really complicate things. Nina’s reaction practically screams: “And they’re not complicated enough already?!” OFF Valerie smiling down at Nina’s baby... INT. RICHARD & VALERIE’S APARTMENT – DAY A workman (DON) is fixing the hole in the wall made by Valerie’s bat-swinging. Richard O’Connell is making small talk with him when the door opens and Valerie enters carrying a Dolce & Gabbana garment bag. RICHARD Hey, babe. VALERIE (a peck on his cheek) Hi. RICHARD How’re Nina and the baby? VALERIE They’re great. Darcy is an absolute doll. Nina sends her love.
12. RICHARD Good news. Don here says the place should be good as new by tomorrow’s dinner party. VALERIE That’s wonderful. Thank you, Don. DON You’re welcome, Mrs. O’Connell. You know, you kids are darn lucky you weren’t at home when that crazy bastard broke in and took a bat to the place. The cops have any idea who it was? Richard and Valerie exchange a look. RICHARD No, but they’re on it. DON Well, don’t you worry, Mrs. O’Connell. I rewired the alarm system and installed new deadbolts. This place will be tighter than Fort Knox by the time I leave today. VALERIE Thank you, Don. If you’ll excuse me. She smiles a goodbye to Don and goes into the bedroom. INT. THE BEDROOM - DAY Valerie is in the walk-in closet, hanging up her new D&G purchase. Richard is waiting for her when she comes out. RICHARD Valerie, are you okay? I’m fine. VALERIE Really. She kisses him full on the lips. They’d
He rubs her shoulders.
RICHARD I don’t have to go in tonight. understand.
13. VALERIE (reassuring) Sweetheart, I’m fine. Like Don said, the place is tighter than Fort Knox. RICHARD Fine. VALERIE I think I’ll just stay in the bedroom until Don’s left. Okay? RICHARD Sure, babe. He kisses her forehead and leaves. Valerie goes to the dresser. Opens a JEWELRY BOX. She pulls out a DIAMOND DELTA NECKLACE and stares at it as we... FLASHBACK – INT. CHARLOTTE’S OFFICE – DAY (3 YEARS AGO) CLOSE ON the same necklace around Valerie’s neck. WIDEN and we see Valerie, the haughty sorority president, sitting across from athletic director Charlotte Webb. They’re waiting patiently, but we know they’re both miffed. CHARLOTTE I apologize for this, Valerie. I know you have more important things to do than sit in my office twiddling your thumbs. VALERIE It’s quite alright, Dr. Webb. Many freshmen have a hard time finding their way around campus these first few days. I know I did. CHARLOTTE You don’t have a hard time with much of anything, Valerie, which is why I chose you for this job. VALERIE I’ll certainly do what I can, Dr. Webb. But, as I said, I really don’t have much experience with athletes.
14. CHARLOTTE You’re very smart, incredibly disciplined and you’re the most levelheaded student on this campus. Those are the most important qualifications for this job. VALERIE Thank you. Dr. Webb, since it seems we have a minute before he arrives, maybe you could tell me what makes this football player so special. What does he do? CHARLOTTE He’s a quarterback. VALERIE I’m sorry, a what? CHARLOTTE A quarterback. He calls the plays and throws the football. Some people think it’s the single most important position. Not just in football, but in all of sports. VALERIE So he’s the most important player on the team? CHARLOTTE It may be an unfair oversimplification, but yes. Valerie, I’m counting you – the university is counting on you – to help keep this young man grounded. VALERIE I’ll do my best, Dr. Webb. Charlotte’s expression tells us she knows that Valerie Kim doesn’t try – she succeeds. Beat. Valerie glances at her PATEK PHILIPPE WATCH, sighs impatiently. A KNOCK on the door and Debra Thrower, Charlotte’s secretary, enters. DEBRA He’s here, Dr. Webb.
15. CHARLOTTE Thank you, Debra. Show him in, please. Debra leaves and Achilles Addams comes in. Charlotte and Valerie stand to greet him. Valerie covers, but she is taken by how handsome he is. ACHILLES Sorry I’m late, Dr. Webb. CHARLOTTE So am I Achilles. You’ve got practice in 15 minutes, so we don’t have as much time as I’d hoped. This is Valerie Kim. I’ve asked her to be your tutor. They shake hands, force polite smiles. wants to be here. VALERIE Hello, Achilles. ACHILLES Hi, Val. RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. BEDROOM – DAY Valerie closes the jewelry box. the mirror... She looks at herself in Neither of them
INT. INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY – DAY Achilles and the SEA DEVILS offense break the huddle and come to the line of scrimmage. Achilles’ face is calm but his eyes are intense as he scans the defense, looking for weaknesses. Then he barks out the signals in a hoarse, commanding voice. Red 88! Red 88! ACHILLES Hut-hut!
He takes the snap, looks down field and zips a perfect spiral to wide receiver Greg Ericsson. ON THE SIDELINE Away from the players and coaches, Charlotte is talking to local sports reporter Felix Foxx.
16. FELIX There’s a lot of talk that he won’t even get an invite to New York because of all the off-the-field controversies – the drinking, the fight with the frat boy, then the risqué ad with Portia and now this Heiress love child scandal. CHARLOTTE Felix, he’s thrown for over 3,600 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushed for 7 more in Division One football, and that’s missing two games. He beat the number one team in the country – twice if you count last year’s upset of Miami. For Achilles Addams to not even get an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony would be a sports travesty. FELIX Can I quote you on that, Charlotte? CHARLOTTE (smiles) Now, Felix, you know me better than that by now. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t want to hear it again on your show and see it on the sports wire by dinnertime. FELIX Thanks, Charlotte! A whistle BLOWS. of practice. The team gathers around Billy at the end
BILLY Way to work out there today, gentlemen. Good hustle, good focus. You’re still hungry after blowing out New Mexico State. That’s what me and the coaches want to see...Two more practices and then we fly down to Los Angeles to mix it up with number three UCLA. They’ve got visions of playing for the BCS Championship, and we’ve got a shot at a little payback for what they did to us in our house two years ago. Keep that in your heads, gentlemen. Bob! Coach Bob Garcia steps up.
17. BOB Alright, four laps before you take it in. And anybody caught dogging it will add a lap for everybody! Let’s go! The players grumble but get going. INT. LOCKER ROOM – DAY Players are getting dressed. A group of DEFENSIVE PLAYERS is gathered at Dallas’ locker. KWAME (eyes bulging) Hell no!
Hell no!
Defensive lineman Kwame Epstein is reading the note that the pretty girl gave Dallas. Linebacker Nate “Brew” Brewster snatches the note from Kwame. Reads. BREW She’s shitting you, man! Right? Nobody would do this. Would they? KWAME Could they?! Dallas pulls on a sweater. Shrugs.
DALLAS I suppose it’s humanly possible. BREW And you said she was hot? DALLAS I don’t think I said ‘hot’. bad though. She wasn’t
KWAME Dog, any chick who’d do something like that is hot! DALLAS Any chick who would do something like that is sick. KWAME Yeah, sick and hot!
18. BREW So I take it you’re not going to call her then? DALLAS What do you think? KWAME I think somebody needs to call her. Cornerback Shawn Ellis comes fresh from the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. He stands behind Brew, looks at the note in his hand. SHAWN Whaddup? BREW He’s not going to call her because Cat would cut his balls off if she found out. DALLAS I let Cara read the note. (players react, “whoa!”) She thinks the girl’s a Devil worshipper or in some kind of a cult. KWAME I don’t know, D, all I’m saying is for a chick to do that freaky shit, it could be worth risking your soul. DALLAS You need to lay off the porn, Kwame. Seriously. BREW (aghast) What the fu— ! He turns around to face Shawn. Other players see what Brew does and are equally stunned. Then they bust up laughing. It takes Shawn a moment, but he realizes what’s up. Him. He’s gotten a hard on just reading the pretty girl’s note. KWAME (laughing) Damn, Ellis! You dog!
19. BREW (angered) Boy, you better take that somewhere else. Homey don’t play that way! SHAWN (mortified) Shit! OFF the guys rolling with laughter... INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY Billy picks up the desk phone. Hi, Wes! BILLY How’re things?
INT. WES FENTON’S OFFICE – DAY Wes Fenton, Billy’s former teammate and best friend, and now head football coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, stands behind his desk. WES Things are good right now, Billy. good. INTERCUT BILLY/WES BILLY Spoken like a man whose team is ranked number two in the country right now. Let me guess, you’re calling to wish me luck against UCLA? WES (laughs) You beating the Bruins Saturday night would make the BCS computers’ job a whole lot easier, Billy Boy, but no, that’s not why I’m calling. Not that I don’t want to see you win the game. BILLY Then what’s up, Wes? Real
20. WES Well, I figured I’d have to make this call sooner or later, so I decided to make it sooner. I’ve spoken to Gale, Billy, and she wants me to offer J.R. a full ride to play golf here at A&M. Billy shakes his head, annoyed but not surprised. BILLY I knew she’d get around to doing something like this. WES That’s our girl, right? highway. Her way or the
BILLY Yeah. Mostly her way. I appreciate the call, Wes, but J.R. and Gale and I have been around it, over it and through it a dozen times already. The boy’s set on going to Texas. WES That’s a shame, Billy. The Old Man would have a conniption fit. BILLY Yeah well, Gale’s had enough of those to make up for him not being around to do it himself. WES (laughs) Sorry I missed those, Billy Boy. BILLY (smiles) I’ll just be you are. WES Well look it here old buddy, I’ve got to cover my ass on this one with Gale. So I’ll be calling J.R. tonight in my official capacity as athletic director to personally offer him a scholarship. BILLY Thanks for the heads up, ‘old buddy.’ Those who are about to die, salute you.
21. WES (smiles) I’m honored by your valor...And, Billy, do me a favor and kick the shit out of UCLA after little Galie kicks the shit out of you. Billy says goodbye and hangs up. to dinner at home tonight. The intercom BUZZES. DONNA (V.O.) Coach, it’s Dr. Webb on line two. Urgent. BILLY Alright. (punches line) Hey, Charlotte, what’s up? CHARLOTTE (V.O.) Turn to channel two. Donna Dixon is already in the office, switches on the television. BILLY Now what? CHARLOTTE (V.O.) You and your sons fighting is what. ON THE TELEVISION: VIDEO FOOTAGE of the scuffle between Dallas, J.R., Spence and the jerks at the mini mart. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) ...the young men claim they were assaulted by Morales and J.R. Donahue and verbally threatened by Coach Donahue. VIDEO PHONE FOOTAGE of Billy in Jerk 2’s face. BILLY (V.O.) Son, I don’t know who you are, but I can [bleep-bleep-bleep]-tee any fight you and I have, I’m gonna win. He’s not looking forward
22. BILLY (to screen) You have got to be mother-freakin’ kidding me! DONNA (scolding) Language.
Coach!
CHARLOTTE (V.O.) Iris thinks the civil suit will hit our doorstep before dinnertime. BILLY This is bullshit. Some skinhead prick get’s his nose out of joint because Dallas embarrassed him in front of his girlfriend, and that’s a lawsuit?! CHARLOTTE (V.O.) What can I say, Billy, we live in a litigious society. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE
23. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. DONAHUE GREAT ROOM – DAY Gracie Wellington is playing a game with baby Duncan, bouncing him on her knees. J.R. comes in, begins searching for something on the coffee table. There’s a tense vibe. J.R. Have you seen my car keys? GRACIE No. J.R. I left them right here when I came home. GRACIE (airplane with Duncan) Whoopie! J.R. Are you sure you didn’t see them? were right here. GRACIE No. J.R. “No” you’re not sure if you saw them or “No” you didn’t see them? She stops bouncing Duncan, looks at J.R. GRACIE I haven’t seen your car keys, J.R. J.R. Okay...Well would you mind helping me look for them? She cuts her eyes at J.R. then at the baby as if to say, “Can’t you see I’m busy?!” He gets the message, keeps looking on his own. His being there is annoying the heck out of her. She takes Duncan in her arms and stands. They
24. GRACIE Let’s go, D.J. All of a sudden it’s getting crowded in here. She leaves. J.R. is disappointed to see her go.
INT. DONAHUE DINING ROOM – LATER Gracie, J.R., Billy and Rose Ryan are having dinner. Gale comes in and takes her seat at the table opposite Billy. GALE I got him to sleep, but he’ll probably be up again in the middle of the night. ROSE Is it another ear infection? GALE I believe so. GRACIE Poor little guy. GALE I’ll take him to the pediatrician in the morning. So Billy honey, what is it you were saying about staying an extra day in L.A.? BILLY I’m having brunch with Cecilia on Sunday. I want to talk with her about Dallas’ options after college. You’re welcome to come too if you like. GALE That’s very “modern male” of you, honey, but I don’t think Cecilia is all that interested in my ideas when it comes to her son. BILLY Fair enough. A telephone RINGS. BILLY (mock surprise) Now I wonder who that could be?
25. GALE (ignoring Billy’s cheek) J.R., Sweetheart, would you mind getting that? J.R. But, Mom, I thought you didn’t want us to answer the phone during dinner? GALE Please, Sweetheart. J.R. reluctantly leaves to answer the phone. Gale a disapproving look. Billy gives
GRACIE So I wasn’t going to say anything until all the grades were posted, but it looks like I’m going to get A’s and B’s in my classes this semester. GALE Gracie, Sweetheart, that’s wonderful! BILLY Yeah, congratulations, Gracie. GRACIE Thanks. I only have one I’ve done well enough on and papers in that class even if I don’t take the final exam and the quizzes to get a B final. I know
GALE I’m so proud of you, Gracie. your mother would be too. GRACIE Thank you, Mrs. Donahue.
GALE I really think it’s time you paid her a visit, Gracie. GRACIE (reacts, reticent) I will, Mrs. Donahue. GALE Before Christmas.
26. GRACIE Yes, before Christmas. Good. GALE We’ll go together. Takes his seat. BILLY Who was it, son? J.R. Coach Fenton. ROSE (perks up, smiles) Wesley? J.R. Yes, Grandma. ROSE Well I can’t wait to see him. (to Gale) When’s his flight get in, honey? GALE Mom, Wes isn’t coming to see us. ROSE (unease growing) What do you mean? Why wouldn’t Wesley come home to his family? What have you done this time, Gale?! Gracie and J.R. cover their embarrassment. GALE (placating) Mom, I’m sorry. I misspoke. Wes will be home late tonight. I’ll let you know when he’s here. Alright? ROSE (calming) Oh, okay then. I can’t wait to see him, honey. BILLY So what did Coach Fenton have to say, J.R.
J.R. re-enters the room.
27. GALE (expectantly) Yes J.R., Sweetheart, what did Wes want? J.R. He offered me a scholarship to play golf at Texas A&M. BILLY So how’d he take it when you told him you’ve accepted a full ride at the University of Texas? Beat. J.R. I didn’t tell him. BILLY Why not? Wes is a family friend. don’t string family along, son. We
J.R. I didn’t tell him because I accepted the scholarship to A&M. BILLY (flabbergasted) What?! GALE Oh, J.R., that’s just wonderful, Sweetheart! Gale goes to him and gives him a big hug and kiss. BILLY But what about Texas? You made a commitment to them months ago. GALE Oh, shush, Billy honey! You didn’t really think John Ryan Donahue would spoil a family tradition by going to Texas University did you? Gale kisses J.R. again. Beams with pride. Billy looks at her. He should be astonished...but he’s not.
28. INT. JOSEPHINE’S PIZZERIA – NIGHT ANGLE ON cute soccer player Piper Ruhl and her pretty black girlfriend Tabitha Russell, holding hands as they cross the crowded restaurant. They stop to say hello to Cara “Cat” Trzcinski, Dallas, Achilles and Portia Addams at dinner. TABITHA You were great against Notre Dame, Cat. They just got one more break than you guys did. CAT Thanks, Tabitha. It’s tough to lose in the tournament like that, but we’ll be back. Won’t we Piper? PIPER Count on it. Well, we’ll catch up with you guys later. Good luck Saturday, Dallas, Achilles. The guys nod. CAT See ya. Cat watches Piper and Tabitha continue to the exit. CAT They seem happy together. DALLAS Yeah. CAT I’m glad that worked out. ACHILLES What worked out? Dallas and Cat look at him. CAT Nothing, Einstein. Anyway, like I was saying, Cake will be back in town for Christmas and I was thinking it would be great for the six of us to spend a weekend at Ed’s cabin in the mountains. You know, before the guys start prep for their bowl game.
29. PORTIA That sounds like fun, Cat. DALLAS Fun? Portia, you haven’t seen her Dad’s cabin. Cat punches Dallas in the shoulder. CAT Don’t try to scare her off. It is nice, Portia. Rustic but nice. Trust me, Cake wouldn’t stay there if it weren’t. PORTIA Well I think it’ll be nice to get away and I’m looking forward to it. CAT Great. The six of us? ACHILLES Who’s Cake bringing?
CAT Gino Bartelli. You remember, from the lake house Fourth of July weekend? ACHILLES (remembering) Oh, yeah. Him. Excuse me. restroom. DALLAS I’ve got to hit the
CAT I could take a whiz myself. Sexy, Lesbot. Cat smirks at him. ACHILLES Very sexy. Portia laughs sweetly.
He smirks back.
PORTIA You two really should stop it. CAT (pouty) He started it.
30. Dallas and Cat walk away toward the restrooms. Beat. Achilles and Portia sit in silence. He moves his hand to touch hers on the table. She draws hers away. Achilles looks at her. She turns her head slightly away. INT. RICHARD & VALERIE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT Richard and Valerie are finishing dinner with DR. VICTOR DETMER and his wife JOAN (both early 30s) and DR. JIM HAYNES and his wife DR. GRETCHEN MORSEBY (both mid-20s). GRETCHEN Valerie, your place is just incredible. VALERIE Thank you. It’ll be hard to find someplace this nice when we move. VICTOR So has Richard decided yet, Mayo or Mass General? Valerie demures. RICHARD I’m actually seriously considering Virginia Mason. VICTOR Virginia Mason? RICHARD I’ve exchanged a few e-mails with Karl Kovolesky, who runs the neurosurgery department up there. VICTOR I know Karl. He’s done a lot to bring that program around. But this comes as a bit of a surprise, Richard. I always got the impression you’d go back East after your residency. RICHARD Well, Valerie and I grew quite fond of Seattle while she was attending Washington Tech. One of her sorority sisters, Dr. Camille Jones, is dating Karl, and Valerie connected me with him through her.
31. VALERIE Would anyone care for coffee or tea? JOAN Let me help you, dear. GRETCHEN I’ll come too. The ladies leave for the kitchen. INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT As Valerie makes coffee – GRETCHEN You know, Valerie, Jim and I have been looking for a decent place ever since he finished his residency a year ago. Do you think we could take this one after you’ve moved? VALERIE Sure, I don’t see why not. But I can’t promise you’ll get the same deal on rent as we have. JOAN (off Gretchen’s look) Richard’s parents own the building, so the young Dr. and Mrs. O’Connell live here rent-free. Gretchen’s hopes sink. Oh well. Then she smiles.
GRETCHEN Easy come, easy go.
JOAN So, Valerie, we still on for tennis this Saturday? VALERIE Sure, but can we make it 2:30 instead of 3. Will is dying to go to the Bruins game. JOAN That works fine.
32. GRETCHEN I didn’t know you played tennis, Valerie. I’d love to get together for a game one day. JOAN You’d better bring your roller skates to play this one. She’s a demon on the court. You played competitively in college didn’t you, Valerie? VALERIE (blushing) Actually, it was high school, and yes I did. I was the California women’s singles state champ my senior year. But that seems like ages ago. OFF Valerie we... FLASHBACK – TENNIS COURT – DAY (6 YEARS AGO) Valerie (18) backhands her unseen opponent’s serve and the ball hits the net. She reacts, disappointed. IAN (O.S.) No, no, no! Valerie, you’ve got to follow through! IAN HAMILTON (26) comes onto the court. He’s a tall, tan, longhaired heartthrob. He moves close behind her and, his hands on her, takes her through the motions. IAN (as they move in synch) Remember what we practiced. It’s the legs, the torso, the abdomen, not just the arms and shoulders. VALERIE Okay...I’m sorry, Ian. I should know this by now. I should – IAN (comforting) It’s okay. It doesn’t come without practice, Val. The more you practice, the more your body will just respond instinctively - without “knowing” or “thinking.” Understand?
33. She accepts his control of her body as they go through the motion again. Their attraction to one another is obvious. Yes, Ian. VALERIE I understand.
BECKY (O.S.) (calling) Are we going to play or just stand around? Becky (18) is on the other end of the court. jealousy of Ian and Valerie’s “coziness.” IAN Okay, let’s go again. He leaves the court. Valerie takes position and Becky slams a withering serve across the net. Valerie returns serve and the two girls volley beautifully... INT. GUEST HOUSE – LATER Ian has Valerie pinned against a wall. They kiss passionately. His hands explore her body, slide underneath her tennis skirt. Her panties come off, his shorts slide down, they screw hard against the wall. EXT. GUEST HOUSE – LATER Ian exits the house. Sees Becky approaching from the main house, the Van Helsing mansion. IAN Becky... She doesn’t break stride. BECKY Mom has your check inside. He reacts to her coldness, hurt and somewhat guilty. INT. GUEST HOUSE – A MOMENT LATER Becky enters just as Valerie comes out of the bathroom. We read her
34. BECKY Ian looked pretty satisfied on his way out. VALERIE (smiles) And on his way in. BECKY If I didn’t know how smart you are, I’d say you’re falling for him. VALERIE (beat) Rebecca, he told me he loves me. BECKY He what? Val, don’t get your head spun around here. Girls just want to have fun, remember? VALERIE It’s too late, Rebecca. No, Val. BECKY Big mistake.
VALERIE I love him, Rebecca. Really love him. Becky grabs Valerie by the shoulders. BECKY Valerie, I get it, he’s a good lay. But you can’t be serious. VALERIE It’s about more than the sex, Rebecca. And this isn’t just infatuation. Ian and I have a deep, instinctive connection. I feel what he feels; our souls are like, tied together. BECKY (wants to hurl) Please tell me you didn’t tell him you love him...Please, Val. Val. VALERIE Yes, I told him.
35. RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT Valerie, Gretchen and Joan head back into the dining room with the coffee. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO
36. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. SEA DEVILS TRAINING ROOM – SUNSET Offensive lineman Warren “iPhone” Sitren sits on an exam table. He’s in a t-shirt and jeans. His left leg is in an air cast. Team physician Dr. Natalia Rockov and offensive coordinator Bob Garcia stand in front of him. DR. ROCKOV (ref. x-ray she’s holding) It’s a strained MCL. Not too serious, but serious enough that I can’t allow him to play again this season. IPHONE Come on, Dr. Rocks – Dr. Rockov. I just tape it or wear a brace? Her bluntness is chilling. No. DR. ROCKOV You can not. Can’t
BOB Doc’s right, iPhone. Anything to do with the MCL is a risk not worth taking. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you playing football. You’ll miss two games but you’ll be back good as new next season. IPHONE Yeah, but it’s UCLA and a bowl game! His eyes plead. Dr. Rockov’s say, “No. You can not.” slaps iPhone’s shoulder and turns to leave. INT. CHARTER JET – SUNSET Players are getting ready for takeoff. sit next to each other. Achilles and iPhone Bob
IPHONE I’m sorry, Q.B. Blowing my knee out right before our biggest game of the regular season. Stupid!
37. ACHILLES Just be glad it’s strained and not torn. It’d all be over then. IPHONE Yeah, but I know how bad you want to beat UCLA. ACHILLES We all want to beat UCLA. What happened then wasn’t any more personal for me than for any of the guys. IPHONE You can save that line for the media, Q.B. I know what was going on with you back then. You and her... Beat. Achilles turns and looks out the window as we...
FLASHBACK - INT. LOCKER ROOM (HALFTIME V. UCLA) – DAY Billy’s shouting like a lunatic. BILLY Goddammit! You should all be embarrassed! You’re playing like absolute shit! And I’m being generous when I use the word playing! That horseshit I’ve seen for the last 30 minutes doesn’t even qualify as football! He gets in Achilles’ face. Achilles is battered and bruised from the beating he took in the first half. BILLY And what in god’s name is on your mind Addams!? Anything?! Anything at all!? You’d better get your freakin’ head out of your ass, son, or I’ll plant you on the bench so freakin’ hard they’ll feel your goddamn ass cheeks it in China! EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM - DAY It’s dreary and raining when the Sea Devils come back on the field after halftime. The capacity crowd of 55,000 is subdued. The scoreboard explains why.
38. SCOREBOARD: UCLA 34, WTU 6 In the stands, Valerie looks down from ‘The Pit’ section. Her parents and her fiancé Richard are out of their element, surrounded by drunken, face-painted FANS. Her 10year-old brother Will, in a No. 10 jersey like Achilles, is just excited to be there regardless of the score. IN THE HUDDLE The Sea Devils offense is shell shocked after Billy’s halftime rampage. Achilles has to snap them out of it. ACHILLES (commanding) Alright, wake up! Devils Deuce formation, slot right, motion, option left. On two. Let’s get it done! They snap back arms come to the line of scrimmage. Achilles takes the and runs the option, faking the pitch to his running then cutting up field. He jukes a linebacker, stiff another then sprints 88 yards for a touchdown.
The fans wake up. In the end zone, Achilles looks up into The Pit and finds Valerie. They lock eyes. She reads his hurt, anger and...his determination. MONTAGE – THE COMEBACK ATTEMPT Achilles passes and scrambles the Sea Devils down the field; on one play, he’s chased out of the pocket and instead of running out of bounds to safety, he lowers his shoulder and intentionally COLLIDES with a UCLA LINEBACKER. SKEETER BLACKLEDGE (V.O.) Ow! Momma! You could hear that one all the way up here in the broadcast booth! Achilles gets up and spikes the ball in the dazed linebacker’s face. ACHILLES How you like me now?! Fans go berserk. PENALTY FLAGS fly.
REFEREE Unsportsmanlike conduct! Number 10. 15 yards. It’s still first down!
39. SKEETER BLACKLEDGE (V.O.) Now that’s something you don’t see every day. A quarterback called for roughing up a linebacker! IN THE HUDDLE ACHILLES Alright. No huddle, two plays. Razor 60 and All Jets Go. Roulon, Burner stay frosty: the rock will be there! You will catch it! (they nod ‘Yes’) We’re not losing this freakin’ game! Got it!! His passion flows through them like an electric current. On the snap, Achilles hits running back Roulon Jones on a screen for 15 yards. They rush back to the line in hurryup mode. Achilles takes the snap, drops back and fires a bullet just as he’s HAMMERED by a blitzing linebacker. Wide receiver Burner Turner catches the pass and runs 30 yards for a touchdown. Fans in the Pit are DELIRIOUS. Not Valerie. She’s had her eyes on Achilles the whole time, sees him sprawled on the field, writhing in pain. Rain covers the tears streaming down her face as we... RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. CHARTER JET – SUNSET Achilles is still staring out the window. He looks down, sees Billy and Gale crossing the tarmac toward the plane then walking up the jetway to board. PILOT (V.O.) Good afternoon Sea Devils, this is your pilot. Now that we’re all on board, I’m going to ask the flight attendants to secure the aircraft for takeoff. We hear the DING indicating it’s time to fasten seat belts. EXT. LOS ANGELES (VARIOUS SHOTS) – NIGHT Two team buses make their way down the 101 Freeway in typical nighttime L.A. traffic.
40. INT./EXT. TEAM BUS – NIGHT Coach Romeo Dumars talks into an intercom. DUMARS (V.O.) We’ll be at the hotel in a few minutes. You men know the drill: straight to your rooms after check-in, lights out at 10. Breakfast in the hotel restaurant at 8:30, on the bus for the stadium by 12:30... The buses pull onto Wilshire Boulevard and come to a stop at the Marriott Hotel. INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT iPhone is huddled by the door, his back to the room, talking in low, hushed tones on his cell phone. IPHONE No, you say it first. (listens) No you, Suzy... (listens) Love you more... Achilles is standing on the opposite side of the room, gazing out the window, cell phone pressed to his ear. We hear the RINGING, then – PORTIA (V.O.) Hi, this is Portia. At the tone you know what to do. Beep. Achilles hangs up.
INT. ACHILLES & PORTIA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT Portia is curled up on the sofa. She just stares impassively at her cell phone until it stops RINGING. INT./EXT. HOTEL LOBBY – DAY Billy and Gale exit an elevator and enter the lobby holding hands. They’re met by PR woman Sasha Mendez, who continues with them across the lobby.
41. SASHA Good morning, Gale, Coach. GALE Good morning, Sasha. ‘Morning. BILLY So what’s the plan? KCAL, ESPN and sit-down Times...
SASHA In studio tapings at KTLA and followed by live remotes with Fox Sports News Channel and a with Andy Bennett of the L.A. INT. SEDAN – MOVING – DAY Billy and Gale are in back.
Sasha rides shotgun.
SASHA ...They’re all doing the Heisman story. Mrs. Donahue, be ready for questions about Portia. You know, advice you’ve given her on everything from how to handle celebrity to sharing beauty secrets. GALE I think I can handle that. SASHA I know you can. Coach, don’t be surprised by a question or two about the convenience store scuffle. (off his reaction) I know, I know. Accept it before it destroys you, Coach. It’s chicken shit, but it’s news. Just don’t go bananas when it comes up. Okay? BILLY (grins) Yes, Ma’am. I’ll behave. INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY Achilles is at the desk studying his PLAYBOOK. We hear the TOILET FLUSH and iPhone comes out of the bathroom on crutches. He’s fanning his nose.
Promise.
42. IPHONE I’d give it at least 10 minutes before you go in there, Q.B. ACHILLES Man, you really should see a specialist or something. iPhone laughs. A KNOCK on the door and he turns to answer it. CLOSE ON his face as it falls. ACHILLES Who is it? iPhone steps aside and Valerie comes in. VALERIE Hello, Warren. IPHONE Um...Hello? Achilles gets up from the desk. each other across the room. He and Valerie stare at
VALERIE (eyes on Achilles) Warren, would you mind giving Achilles and I a few minutes? iPhone looks to Achilles for the answer. iPhone is about to go but has a thought. bathroom door before turning to leave. Achilles nods. He closes the
VALERIE Warren, be a dear and don’t come back until after I’ve left. After iPhone leaves, a long beat before – ACHILLES So where are the camera’s this time? VALERIE Achilles, I told you I didn’t have anything to do with those pictures appearing on the web. ACHILLES I don’t believe you.
43. VALERIE You don’t believe me or she doesn’t? ACHILLES If by “she” you mean my wife, yes. neither of us believes you. She slowly closes the gap between them. VALERIE I would think by now you’d know that I could never do anything to hurt you. Hurting you would be hurting myself. I love you, Achilles. ACHILLES Stop it, Valerie. Just stop it. VALERIE (another step toward him) Now you don’t believe me when I tell you I love you? ACHILLES No, that’s not what I meant – (then, annoyed) Look, stop with the psychological bullshit, okay. I’ve taken a few classes and I know when you’re trying to screw with my head. Just tell me why you’re here so I can go back to getting ready for the game and you can go back home...to your husband. VALERIE Okay. I came to tell you that I forgive you, Achilles. ACHILLES (laughs, incredulous) Forgive me? Let me guess: this is about Becky’s baby. VALERIE She’s your baby too. And yes, I forgive you for getting Becky pregnant. ACHILLES What is there to forgive? She got pregnant before you and I got serious. And
44. VALERIE And I forgive you for that too. ACHILLES That’s awfully big of you, Valerie. But the way I remember it, you told me that since you and your family were so “committed” to your “Korean” fiancé, I should stop wasting my time on you and go for one of the other 3,000 girls on campus. So I don’t really see how you can “forgive” me for doing what you told me to do. VALERIE We were dating when you got her pregnant, Achilles. ACHILLES Hello! ”Pretend” dating. Remember: anything for the Delta House. VALERIE (ire growing) Well it wasn’t “pretend” sperm was it?! Christ, Achilles, did it even occur to you to wear a condom?! I assume you knew that of the 3,000 girls you could have screwed, you chose the filthiest skank on the West Coast. ACHILLES Okay, Valerie. You’re talking about the mother of my child. VALERIE Rebecca Van Helsing is a dirty WHORE! ACHILLES Calm down, Valerie! VALERIE My god, of all people, Achilles! How could you?! ACHILLES So much for forgiveness... That rips it. She SLAPS him HARD. Before he can blink she slaps him again. She’s swings a third time but he grabs Her?!
45. her wrist. She comes at him with her free hand but he grabs that one too. ACHILLES (in command) Valerie, stop it! What the hell’s wrong with you?! Her eyes burn with hurt-rage. She tries to break free but he’s too strong. So she BITES his chest instead. ACHILLES OW!! He releases her, in shock. She SLUGS him with a vicious right. Her 4-karat diamond engagement ring cuts his cheek and blood trickles out. The room door flies open. iPhone hobbles in to help. Valerie and Achilles both look at him. ACHILLES/VALERIE Get out! (off Warren’s confusion) Now!! Warren scoots out of the room. Achilles reaches out and clutches Valerie’s slender neck, pulls her to him. ACHILLES (re: his bloody cheek) This is love, Valerie? This is not hurting me? With Ninja-like quickness, she breaks his grip and grabs his other hand, bends his arm and sweeps his legs out from under him. He hits the floor hard. She sits on his chest, pins his wrists to the floor. ACHILLES (in pain) Jesus, you know judo! VALERIE Black belt. She’s
Judo?!
Ju-jitsu.
He tries to get up, but she’s got him pinned good. slim but strong. ACHILLES Come on, Valerie. You’re starting to piss me off.
46. VALERIE (devilish grin) I knew you still cared. She lowers her face closer to his, entices him by flicking her tongue on the corner of his mouth, along his chin and lips. He resists, turns his face away. She slowly licks the blood from the cut on his cheek, and as she does, she slides her hips down from his chest to straddle his hips. ACHILLES Alright, Valerie, that’s enough. done playing with you. VALERIE (grinds on him) Hmmmmm. Feels like you’re just started...After everything, you want me as much as I want you. it, Achilles, we belong to each Nothing will ever change that. I’m
getting still Accept other.
SUDDENLY he flips her over, pins her to the floor with the weight of his body, grips her wrists with his hands. She struggles...but not too much. Then she unclenches her fists, wraps her legs around his back, gazes in his eyes. ACHILLES Why do you do this, Valerie? Why?
No answer. She just reels him in with her eyes. And like a moth to flame, he inches down until their lips almost touch. She glides the tip of her tongue over his lips to complete the seduction...and just as they begin to kiss – iPhone barges in. They react, startled. IPHONE Um...uh...
Hey, Q.B. – Whoa!
Achilles rolls off Valerie and they both get to their feet. ACHILLES What is it?! IPHONE Sorry, Q.B., but we’ve got to get ready to go. The bus leaves in 10 minutes.
47. ACHILLES Okay. Just give us a minute...one minute, okay?! iPhone leaves reluctantly. Achilles turns to face Valerie.
ACHILLES This has got to end, Valerie. It’s wrong to go on like this. Just wrong. She holds out the DIAMOND DELTA NECKLACE that he sent back to her in the mail. VALERIE I believe you lost this. It’s yours.
After a long beat, she puts the necklace on the nightstand. She goes to the door, turns to look at him. VALERIE Achilles, it’s not wrong to hold on to what’s yours. She opens the door and leaves. necklace... OFF Achilles staring at the FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE
48. ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. TEAM BUS – MOVING – DAY Achilles stares out the window. The bus rolls through Westwood on its way to the Rose Bowl. IPHONE You okay, Q.B.? ACHILLES (looking out window) What do you mean? Of course I’m okay. IPHONE (sotto) I know...it’s just whenever she comes around you get, well, outta synch. Achilles shoots him a withering scowl. wrath and turns away. EXT. THE ROSE BOWL – NIGHT A capacity crowd. A bowl game atmosphere. The Sea Devils are huddled en mass near the tunnel. Achilles is in the middle of the pack, exhorting his team with a pre-game ritual that ends with the team cry, “WHOOOO-AAAHHH!!! INT. CONTROL BOOTH – NIGHT Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit do pre-game. BRENT Well here we are, Kirk, the very last game of the regular season, and we’ve got the makings of a real doosie as the 10 and 1 UCLA Bruins square off against the 9 and 2 Washington Tech Sea Devils. KIRK That’s right, Brent. Third-ranked UCLA hopes to make a case for why they should move up in the rankings and play for the BCS National Championship. And a win over the Bruins gives number 14 (MORE) iPhone feels his
49. KIRK (CONT’D.) Washington Tech a real shot at playing in one of the four major BCS bowls in January, which would put head coach Billy Donahue’s program on the map. BRENT The last time these two teams met was two years ago up in Maitland. The Bruins barely hung on for a 37-34 win. They also knocked Washington Tech quarterback Achilles Addams out for four games. Needless to say, there’s no love lost here tonight. ON THE SIDELINE Billy encourages his players before kickoff. Dallas, who nods at his father. IN THE STANDS Gale watches from the visitors’ section. A few rows above her, Valerie’s 13-year-old brother Will Kim, in a number 10 jersey, is totally jazzed before kickoff. Valerie looks down on the field pensively. MONTAGE – THE GAME Set to HIP-HOP MUSIC, Achilles lights up the field – and the UCLA defense – with his brilliance: After the Bruins score on their first possession of the game, Achilles trots onto the field and completes perfect pass after perfect pass, hitting receivers who are covered like blankets; Finally he rolls to his right and lofts a beautiful 12-yard spiral over the defense into the hands of tight end Junior Tuiososopo for a touchdown... The Bruins score again the field and runs the passing and scrambling none, guiding his team this time on a pass to and once again Achilles comes onto Sea Devils offense to perfection, and creating plays where there are down the field to another score, wide receiver Jet Johnson. Winks at
50. IN THE STANDS Sea Devils fans are loving it! Will high-fives complete strangers. Valerie sits, unfazed by the excitement around her. Her eyes are locked on Achilles. ON THE SIDELINE Billy congratulates the offense and encourages Dallas and the defense for the next series. MUSBURGER (V.O.) Well, pard-ner, we had a feeling this was going to be a wild one and that’s what it’s shaping up to be so far. And so it goes all night long: The Bruins are a well-oiled machine on a mission to make it to the BCS National Championship; the Sea Devils fight for revenge and Achilles fights to exorcise his demons. On the field and on the sideline, he’s fired up, commanding the offense and cheering on the defense. TIME CUT TO: ON THE FIELD The Bruins offense comes to the line of scrimmage. BRENT (V.O.) Third and a long six. The Bruins need this first down if they don’t want to put the ball back in the hot hand of Achilles Addams... The Bruins QUARTERBACK drops back and fires a pass to a seemingly open tight end. But Dallas steps up, intercepts it and runs a few yards before he’s tackled. BRENT (V.O.) Oh my! And that mistake by the Bruins quarterback could very well cost UCLA a national championship! KIRK (V.O.) You said it, Brent. There’s not much time left on the clock, but the way Achilles Addams has played tonight, this one is a long, long way from over.
51. SCOREBOARD – UCLA 51, WTU 49. FOURTH QUARTER. 1:12...
BRENT (V.O.) Addams has been absolutely sensational tonight, throwing seven touchdown passes for an incredible 390 yards. KIRK (V.O.) This drive could be his ticket to an invitation to New York and the Heisman. Achilles trots onto the field, a natural leader. huddle, the team is loose, awaiting his command. ACHILLES Okay, trips right, 70 Turbo Boost. On one. Let’s get it done. Ready... They break the huddle and come to the line. snapped...and we go to a SERIES OF CUTS: The ball is In the
Four plays as the clock winds down, all quick, on the money passes to Jet, Junior, Greg and Crash Davis. On the fifth play, Greg hauls in a pass at the Bruins’ 45-yard-line and is tackled before he can get out of bounds. Achilles calls a timeout. Walks to the sideline. SCOREBOARD – UCLA 51, WTU 49. FOURTH QUARTER. 0:27...
BRENT (V.O.) And that was the Sea Devils’ last timeout. I don’t know, what do you do in this situation, Kirk? KIRK (V.O.) With 27 ticks on the clock, you’ve got time for at least two plays, but you’ve got to get out of bounds if you don’t get into the end zone. ON THE SIDELINE Vince Leong is warming up, kicking footballs into a net. Achilles has taken off his helmet to talk to Billy. BILLY How you feelin’? ACHILLES Like winning this damn game.
52. BILLY Let’s get it done then.
Alright. plays...
Two TIME CUT TO:
ON THE FIELD Achilles scans the Bruins defense from the shotgun. He barks the signals, takes the snap and fakes a pass, then runs up the middle on a quarterback draw. He’s tackled and immediately pops up, rallies the offense back to the line of scrimmage. The clock ticks down -- 0:10, 0:09, 0:08... The offense sets up, Achilles takes the snap, steps back, throws a precise 10-yard pass to Junior, who catches it and steps out of bounds at the 29-yard-line to stop the clock. The field goal unit trots onto the field. BRENT (V.O.) Place kicker Vince Leong hasn’t had many opportunities this season. His longest field goal is from 45 yards out, but he missed a 30-yarder in the season opener against Oklahoma that would’ve sent the game into overtime. KIRK (V.O.) Brent, I can still recall the image of a devastated Leong walking off the field in Norman, Achilles Addams’ arm on his shoulder. BRENT (V.O.) Now the sophomore out of Simi Valley, California has a chance at redemption. This will be about a 50-yard attempt. Vince gets ready for the kick. pats him on the helmet. Achilles steps up to him,
ACHILLES (smiles) I believe in you, Vince.
We all do. Then
Vince nods, but it’s clear he’s nervous as hell. Achilles takes a knee, signals for the snap...
53. ON VINCE As he plants his left foot, swings his right leg and KICKS the football. He watches as it flips end-over-end toward the goal posts... MUSBURGER (V.O.) ...and it’s GOOD! He made it! A 50yard field goal and the Sea Devils win it with no time left on the clock! Vince jumps into Achilles arms, thrusts his fists in the air as the Sea Devils rush off the sidelines to join in the celebration on the field. SCOREBOARD UCLA 51, WTU 52. FINAL. NEAR THE TUNNEL – LATER The stadium is emptying fast. Sea their way off the field toward the They’re all smiles. Achilles, his pace to keep up with iPhone, who’s Devils players make tunnel in small groups. helmet off, walks at a on crutches.
As they near the entrance of the tunnel, Achilles feels eyes on him, looks up to see Valerie in the stands, almost at field level. Will is next to her, smiling and waving at him. Achilles doesn’t respond to Will. His eyes are locked on Valerie’s; they hold their penetrating stare until he disappears into the tunnel. ON VALERIE who finally blinks when Achilles is out of her view. WILL (O.S.) He saw us, didn’t he, Val?! He had to see us, right? He was looking right at us, wasn’t he? I can’t believe it! What a game! The Ice man was great! Did you see... Will’s words fade away as we... FLASHBACK – INT. VAN HELSING MANSION – DAY (6 YEARS AGO) The Bel-Air mansion is magnificent. Valerie stands in the foyer talking to Becky’s mother, JUSTINE VAN HELSING (44).
54. VALERIE We were planning on meeting at Bugaletto’s on Rodeo, but she texted me to meet her here instead. JUSTINE I’m afraid I haven’t seen Becky all day, dear. Perhaps you should try the tennis court. VALERIE Thank you, Mrs. Van Helsing. EXT. MANSION GROUNDS – DAY Valerie passes the pool, cabanas, the empty tennis court and makes her way to the guest house. EXT./INT. GUEST HOUSE – DAY She’s about to knock on the door when she notices that it’s open a crack. She enters. VALERIE (calls out) Rebecca, you here?
Rebecca!
Valerie is on her way to the kitchen when Becky pops out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, fresh from the shower. BECKY (feigns surprise) What are you doing here?!
Val!
VALERIE What do you mean? You texted me to meet you here instead of at Bugale— IAN (O.S.) (from bathroom) Hey, baby, get back in here! done!
We’re not
Valerie recognizes Ian’s voice. She’s stunned. He opens the bathroom door, stands there naked, dripping wet. IAN (oh shit!) Val...
55. Hurt and humiliation immediately cloud Valerie’s face. BECKY Val, I know this looks awful, but – IAN Valerie, baby, let me explain – Valerie BLINKS and it’s as though a switch has been flicked. She makes a beeline for the kitchen, pulls out a BUTCHER KNIFE and returns to the main room. IAN (seeing knife) Valerie, what are you doing with
Whoa! that.
Instinctively he covers his manhood with both hands. Val, don’t! BECKY Don’t!
Valerie slashes the knife once across Ian’s chest then a second time across his stomach. He cries out in horrorpain, stumbles into the bathroom, covered in blood. Then Valerie turns on Becky, grips the bloody knife. BECKY Wait, Valerie...Wait a minute, please... VALERIE You were screwing him all along, weren’t you? Before me... IAN (O.S.) (from bathroom) Somebody call an ambulance!
Help!
VALERIE When you knew I was falling for him...after I told you...that I was in love with him. You must’ve had a good laugh about that. BECKY (scared shitless) I’m sorry, Val. I didn’t mean for this to happen.
56. VALERIE You lying bitch! This is exactly what you meant to happen. Becky’s eyes go back and forth between Valerie’s angry, pretty face and the bloody butcher knife in her hand. IAN (O.S.) (from bathroom) Oh, God! I’m bleeding to death. Please, call 9-1-1! Valerie has backed Becky against the wall. VALERIE You just couldn’t stand it could you? The poor girl from K-town: better than you in school, better than you on the tennis court. You had to be better at something, didn’t you. I guess being better on your back is about as good as you could do, huh, you filthy little slut. BECKY (tears coming) Please, Val. He’s dying. Valerie clutches Becky’s throat and squeezes tightly (reminiscent from their scene in Season One). VALERIE You think I give shit! IAN (O.S.) (weakly) Help me...please...help...me. Valerie raises the knife high. Becky’s eyes open wide, then shut tightly as Valerie plunges the knife down...into the wall, inches away from Becky’s eye. Valerie releases her grip on Becky’s neck. VALERIE You’re not worth it. Neither of you are. Valerie turns and walks out of the house. Becky glances at the knife next to her head and breaks into tears. We hear Ian’s MOANS. Becky reacts, rushes to the bathroom as we...
57. RETURN TO PRESENT – EXT. THE ROSE BOWL – NIGHT ON VALERIE In the stands with Will, who is still yammering about how great a game Achilles played. VALERIE Yeah, Will...he was great. INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT All the players have left for the bus. Achilles stands in front of his locker, fully dressed and ready to go, staring at something inside. An ASSISTANT COACH who has been sent to fetch him comes in. ASSISTANT COACH There you are! Buses are ready to roll, Achilles. Let’s go. Alright, Coach. ACHILLES On my way. Achilles continues staring in
The assistant coach leaves. the locker as we...
FLASHBACK – MONTAGE OF ACHILLES & VALERIE “FIRSTS” Their first meeting in Charlotte’s office; their first “date” at Josephine’s Pizzeria; dancing together at Faces nightclub; their first kiss at the front door of Delta House; making love for the first time on a cold winter’s night at the cottage; a candlelit dinner on the deck of a Malibu beach home; her smiling radiantly when he gives her the diamond “10” necklace she now wears and... In bed at the Malibu beach house, lying in each other’s arms after they’ve made love: VALERIE Achilles... ACHILLES Yeah? VALERIE Do you love me?
58. A long beat as he weighs the true meaning of the word and the significance of the question. Then – ACHILLES (heartfelt) Yes. RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT Achilles is still staring into the locker, thinking, coming to an important decision. Finally, he reaches inside, takes out the Delta necklace, looks at it pensively. Then he puts it in his pocket, turns and leaves the locker room. FADE OUT. END OF EPISODE
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