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. Give
‘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.

DALLAS
Jesus! He’s a freakin’ monster!

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.

BILLY
You’re sorry? It’s me who should be
apologizing.
 6.

J.R.
Dad, it was them who started it.

BILLY
Well all of you are going to clean this
mess up.

JERK 2
What? 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. He finally pulls the

piece of paper out of his pocket. He unfolds it. His eyes
widen as he reads.

DALLAS
Holy shit.
 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. J.R.

grabs the note, his eyes widening as he reads.

J.R.
Jeez! People can actually do that?!

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. His eyes widen.

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
 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?

VALERIE
Richard knows how much I love the
Pacific Northwest. When we started
getting serious we talked about how
nice it would be to settle there.

Nina stops walking. Valerie does too.

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?

VALERIE
I’m fine. Really.

He rubs her shoulders. She kisses him full on the lips.

RICHARD
I don’t have to go in tonight. They’d
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. Neither of them

wants to be here.

VALERIE
Hello, Achilles.

ACHILLES
Hi, Val.

RETURN TO PRESENT – INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Valerie closes the jewelry box. She looks at herself in

the mirror...

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.

ACHILLES
Red 88! Red 88! 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. The team gathers around Billy at the end

of practice.

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’. She wasn’t
bad though.

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.

BILLY
Hi, Wes! 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. Real
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?
 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? Her way or the
highway.

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. He’s not looking forward
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.
 22.

BILLY
(to screen)
You have got to be mother-freakin’
kidding me!

DONNA
(scolding)
Coach! Language.

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? They
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.
 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. Billy gives

Gale a disapproving look.

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 final exam and
I’ve done well enough on the quizzes
and papers in that class to get a B
even if I don’t take the final.

GALE
I’m so proud of you, Gracie. I know
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.

GALE
Good. We’ll go together.

J.R. re-enters the room. 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.
 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. We
don’t string family along, son.

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.

ACHILLES
The six of us? Who’s Cake bringing?

CAT
Gino Bartelli. You remember, from the
lake house Fourth of July weekend?

ACHILLES
(remembering)
Oh, yeah. Him.

DALLAS
Excuse me. I’ve got to hit the
restroom.

CAT
I could take a whiz myself.

ACHILLES
Sexy, Lesbot. Very sexy.

Cat smirks at him. He smirks back. Portia laughs sweetly.

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. Then she smiles.

GRETCHEN
Oh well. 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.

VALERIE
Yes, Ian. 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. We read her

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.

 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.

BECKY
No, Val. 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. Can’t
I just tape it or wear a brace?

Her bluntness is chilling.

DR. ROCKOV
No. You can not.

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.” Bob
slaps iPhone’s shoulder and turns to leave.

INT. CHARTER JET – SUNSET

Players are getting ready for takeoff. Achilles and iPhone

sit next to each other.

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 10-
year-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 come to the line of scrimmage. Achilles takes the

snap and runs the option, faking the pitch to his running
back then cutting up field. He jukes a linebacker, stiff
arms 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 hurry-
up 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.

BILLY
‘Morning. So what’s the plan?

SASHA
In studio tapings at KTLA and KCAL,
followed by live remotes with ESPN and
Fox Sports News Channel and a sit-down
with Andy Bennett of the L.A. Times...

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. Promise.

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.
 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. He and Valerie stare at

each other across the room.

VALERIE
(eyes on Achilles)
Warren, would you mind giving Achilles
and I a few minutes?

iPhone looks to Achilles for the answer. Achilles nods.

iPhone is about to go but has a thought. He closes the
bathroom door before turning to leave.

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. And
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.
 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! Her?!
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
 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)
Judo?! Jesus, you know judo!

VALERIE
Ju-jitsu. Black belt.

He tries to get up, but she’s got him pinned good. She’s
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. I’m
done playing with you.

VALERIE
(grinds on him)
Hmmmmm. Feels like you’re just getting
started...After everything, you still
want me as much as I want you. Accept
it, Achilles, we belong to each other.
Nothing will ever change that.

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
Hey, Q.B. – Whoa! Um...uh...

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. OFF Achilles staring at the
necklace...

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. iPhone feels his

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)
 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. Winks at

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 and once again Achilles comes onto
the field and runs the Sea Devils offense to perfection,
passing and scrambling and creating plays where there are
none, guiding his team down the field to another score,
this time on a pass to wide receiver Jet Johnson.
 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. In the

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. The ball is
snapped...and we go to a SERIES OF CUTS:

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
Alright. Let’s get it done then. Two
plays...

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. Achilles steps up to him,

pats him on the helmet.

ACHILLES
(smiles)
I believe in you, Vince. We all do.

Vince nods, but it’s clear he’s nervous as hell. Then

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 50-
yard 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 Devils players make

their way off the field toward the tunnel in small groups.
They’re all smiles. Achilles, his helmet off, walks at a
pace to keep up with iPhone, who’s 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! Rebecca, you here?

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)
Val! What are you doing here?!

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! We’re not
done!

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)
Whoa! Valerie, what are you doing with
that.

Instinctively he covers his manhood with both hands.

BECKY
Val, don’t! Don’t!

Valerie slashes the knife once across Ian’s chest then a

second time across his stomach. He cries out in horror-
pain, 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)
Help! Somebody call an ambulance!

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.

ACHILLES
Alright, Coach. On my way.

The assistant coach leaves. Achilles continues staring in

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