GOAL TO GO

Episode 4.44

“Texans”

by

David Polk
 2.

RECAP

We Recap events from Previous Episodes, ending on the Sea

Devils upsetting Penn State at Pennebaker Stadium.

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. PRESS CONFERENCE – DAY

Billy Donahue sits at a table facing a room full of

REPORTERS and television cameras. He’s calm, thoughtful.

BILLY
No doubt, Joe Mercer called an
incredible game on defense. I can’t
say enough about how proud I am with
the effort and the execution we had on
that side of the ball this afternoon.

REPORTER #1
Coach, we got a chance to see true
freshman Ricky Boone under pressure and
he held up pretty well. Will we have a
quarterback controversy on our hands
until Achilles comes back?

BILLY
“We” won’t have any controversy at all.
Look, Ricky did what we asked him to do
today, he did what he had to do and
we’re pleased with the outcome,
obviously. But if Nate Hughes is
healthy, he’s our quarterback.

REPORTER #2
Coach, even though you moved the ball
well on that final drive, the offense
had a pretty difficult go of it for
most of the afternoon. Are you at all
concerned that you won’t have enough
offensive firepower to outscore San
Jose State next weekend?

BILLY
I’m always concerned that we won’t
score more points than the other team.
(reporters laugh)
That’s why we practice and study game
(MORE)
 3.

BILLY (CONT’D.)
film. Look, Penn State’s defense is one
of the best in college football.
They’re going to frustrate a lot of
offenses this year. We did just enough
to beat them today. I’ll take that.

REPORTER #3
Speaking of doing just enough to win,
it seemed pretty clear that Penn State
found an answer to the vertical passing
attack, keeping Jet Johnson hemmed in
for most of the game. Without two
speedy wideouts like you’ve had in the
past with the likes of Burner Turner
and Greg Ericsson, will you look to do
more with a short West Coast style
passing attack, even when Achilles
returns?

BILLY
We’re going to do whatever we need to
do to win football games. Penn State
played a lot of Cover Two and Deep
Three Zone, and with the pressure
coming up front we didn’t want to leave
Nate overly exposed. He’s not the most
mobile quarterback. So we kept them
short today. Against another defensive
scheme we might do something completely
different.

REPORTER #2
On the blitz that knocked Nate out of
the game. What happened there?

BILLY
We’ll look at the film to dissect the
play fully, but I think it was pretty
simple. Ronnie missed a block on a
delayed zone blitz. It happens. Other
than that one play, the O-line did a
great job today. The block that Ronnie
made on that last screen pass to Crash
was one of the best I’ve ever seen – as
a coach or as a player.

REPORTER #4
Coach, while Achilles’ rehab seems to
be on track after a slow start, he’s
(MORE)
 4.

REPORTER #4 (CONT’D.)
lost more than a step or two and
probably won’t have the same mobility
we’re used to seeing. Does that give
you any concern?

BILLY
Not at all. He threw for over 4,000
yards last year, almost all of them
standing in the pocket. His running
ability was always icing on the cake;
it’s his arm and his head that make him
a great college quarterback.

PR woman Sasha Mendez speaks up from the side.

SASHA
Let’s take one more question then we’ll
have to wrap it up for the day, guys.

JESSICA DRUCKER (22), eager, adorable, with curly hair,

raises her hand. Billy calls on her with his eyes.

JESSICA
Coach, over the summer rumors swirled
below that radar that several NFL teams
were interested in you as a head coach.
Sources say that at one point you were
actually in talks with the Houston
Texans. Will you leave Wa Tech for the
NFL after the season and would getting
to the BCS National Championship factor
into your decision to stay or go?

Beat. The room goes silent. Billy stares at Jessica like

only a person who has been confronted with the truth can.

INT. SEA DEVILS’ LOCKER ROOM – SAME TIME

PLAYERS still undressing suddenly stop and pay attention to

the press conference on TELEVISION MONITORS.

INT. VIP LOUNGE – SAME TIME

BOOSTERS celebrating the Sea Devils’ thrilling victory

stare at MONITORS in utter amazement, their mouths agape;
Champ Sussman and Charlotte Webb exchange a look that says
they had no idea; Parker St. John raises an eyebrow, his
wheels turning...
 5.

INT. JAGUAR COUPE – MOVING – SAME TIME

Gale Donahue is driving home after the game, listening to

the press conference on the radio. She’s stunned by
Jessica’s question but even more so by Billy’s awkward
silence before answering.

SUDDENLY, Gale refocuses on the road ahead and slams on the

brakes, but too late. WHAM! She rear ends another car.
AIRBAGS POP OUT all around her in the car as we...

SMASH TO MAIN TITLES.

END OF TEASER
 6.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. ROADWAY – SUNSET

A state police cruiser sits with LIGHTS FLASHING. Two tow

trucks are being loaded with damaged vehicles, Gale’s
Jaguar and the car she rammed.

A Black Range Rover pulls up behind the scene and Billy

gets out. He walks to the police cruiser. Trooper Ivy
Sandusky gets out and opens the back door for Gale. She
looks up and her eyes meet Billy’s.

INT. RANGE ROVER – MOVING – SUNSET

Billy’s driving. He looks over at Gale, who rubs the back

of her neck.

BILLY
You should go to the emergency room.

GALE
I’m fine, Billy. I told the paramedic
the same thing. I had this stiffness
in my neck when I woke up this morning.
Those airbags are wonderful – I didn’t
get a scratch in the crash.

BILLY
What were you thinking, Gale? Were you
just not paying attention?

GALE
I was thinking, “I had no idea my
husband was in negotiations with the
Houston Texans.”

BILLY
Gale, I’ve already taken enough shit
from Charlotte on this –

GALE
I’m not Charlotte, Billy, I’m your
wife! I would think you considering a
job in our home state – which I never
wanted to leave in the first place – is
something you might have at least
mentioned to me in passing.
 7.

BILLY
For starters, I’d hardly call one 20-
minute phone conversation
“considering”, and secondly, would it
have made any difference? For us?

OFF Gale...

EXT. MAIN STREET, DOWNTOWN MAITLAND – SUNSET

Establishing the revelry following a Sea Devils victory.

INT. HELO’S PUB – SUNSET

College students and locals party hearty. In the crowd we

FIND many of our players with their girlfriends, e.g.,
Warren “iPhone” Sitren and Suzy Johnson, Jet Johnson and
Rasheeka Singh, Crash Davis and Lynette Fisher. Nate
Hughes is looking pretty healthy, hitting on a foxy
BRUNETTE at the bar, and Ricky Boone is looking pretty
happy, surrounded by three HONEYS who can’t get enough of
him retelling the story of the winning touchdown.

EXT. COLLEGE NEIGHBORHOOD – NIGHT

Achilles Addams and Cara “Cat” Trzcinski walk down the

street, each carrying a plastic grocery bag.

ACHILLES
I can’t see him leaving for the NFL.

CAT
Why not? He totally guilt tripped
Dallas into the pros. He’s probably
been dying to get back ever since he
retired as a player.

ACHILLES
I don’t think so. Mrs. D is all about
college football. This is her world.
It’s when Coach was in the pros that
she got mixed up with booze and drugs.

CAT
They say she was coked up when she did
the “There she is, Miss America” walk.
 8.

ACHILLES
“They” say a lot of things. Like that
your sex change operation was a total
success, but we both know that’s a lie.

CAT
Dick!

ACHILLES
Exactly!

They laugh as they approach their apartment building. Jeni

Kim and Linc Ossling come out and see them. Linc smiles.

LINC
Hey, Q.B.!

ACHILLES
(not recognizing him)
Hey.

JENI
Hi, Cat.

CAT
Hey, Jeni. Heading over to Frat Row?

JENI
No, not tonight.

LINC
I’m taking Jen to a nice little French
restaurant down in York.

ACHILLES
Le Meurice?

LINC
Yeah! You’ve been there?

Achilles looks at Jeni and a memory quickly comes and goes.

She seems to read his mind.

ACHILLES
Yeah. I’ve been there.

CAT
Well have fun. Oh, nice game, Linc.

LINC
Thanks.
 9.

Achilles reacts, still doesn’t recognize him. Linc and

Jeni go to his car. Cat goes into the apartment building.

INT. ACHILLES & CAT’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Achilles and Cat come in and cross to the kitchen with

their grocery bags.

CAT
You don’t know one of your own
teammates?! He returned five punts and
two kickoffs today!

Achilles shrugs.

CAT
But you remember some snooty French
restaurant?
(off his non-response)
Let me guess: one of your romantic
“interludes” with the Ice Princess
before you banged her brains out?

Again he doesn’t answer, which is the answer.

CAT
(impish grin)
Mmmm. I see a pattern here. So which
one of you brilliant football players
figured out Asian sorority chicks get
lubed up in fancy French restaurants?

ACHILLES
Don’t know. Why don’t you ask Dallas?

She pulls an ORANGE from her grocery bag and flings it,
hitting him in the head. He reacts, “Ow!”

INT. DONAHUE GREAT ROOM – NIGHT

Gale hands Billy a scotch on the rocks and sits on the sofa
with her own glass of wine. Billy sits across from her in
his familiar leather chair.

GALE
So will you talk to Rich again after
the season’s over?
 10.

BILLY
We went to high school together, Gale.
Of course we’ll talk again. But I’m not
saying it’ll be about a coaching job.

GALE
A head coaching job.

BILLY
Any job.

GALE
You don’t want to coach in the NFL? Is
that it, Billy?

BILLY
Gale, you know what my goals are here.
That’s what I’m focused on now. I
didn’t tell you about my conversation
with Rich because I made it clear to
him that I’m committed to those goals.

GALE
Alright. Let’s say you do get to the
National Championship game. Your stock
will be high then, Billy. And even if
you don’t, well, you’ll get tons of
credit for turning this program around.

He takes a drink and so does she. Beat.

BILLY
This really isn’t worth talking about
right now, Gale.

GALE
(emotion rising)
Why not, Billy?! If you were to become
head coach of the Texans, we could
finally move back home. We’d be close
to the kids. Billy Honey, we could get
our lives back.

BILLY
What about your life with Pennebaker
Industries? And Parker St. John?
 11.

INT. LE MEURICE – NIGHT

A very quaint, very French bistro. Jeni and Linc look over
the MENU. Everything is in French. Jeni clocks Linc’s
quandary.

JENI
I think you would like the beef fillet
from Salers with Sichuan pepper and
potato ratte with Cantal cheese.

LINC
(surprised, impressed)
You speak French?

JENI
(smiles)
Oui. And three other languages.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

Champ is face down on the bed. Bella Milovich straddles

him, naked, giving him a hot oil massage. He MOANS with
pleasure.

BELLA
You like that, baby?

CHAMP
Mmmmm, yes. Love it... Bella?

BELLA
Yes, Charles.

CHAMP
You’re always so good to me.

BELLA
And you’re good to me. The car, the
scholarship, the stipend.

CHAMP
Taking care of you gives me pleasure,
you know that.

BELLA
I do.

CHAMP
I’ve been wondering...
 12.

BELLA
Wondering what, Charles?

CHAMP
I’m not one of those men who believe
he’s God’s gift to women.

BELLA
(smiles)
No?

CHAMP
No. You don’t think that, do you?

BELLA
That you’re God’s gift to women?

CHAMP
That I think I’m God’s gift to women.

BELLA
No, I don’t think that, Charles.

CHAMP
What I mean is, I know sometimes women
have needs that a man can’t satisfy.
That sometimes you all have an itch
that a man can’t scratch, no matter how
big his cock or how well he swings it.

BELLA
Really?

CHAMP
Really. Bella, have you ever had a
client who was a woman?

She stops massaging his back for a moment, then continues.

BELLA
What?

CHAMP
Have you ever been with another woman?

BELLA
No.

He rolls over and she kneels next to him on the bed.

 13.

CHAMP
But it’s something that every woman
thinks about, isn’t it?

BELLA
(pretends to consider)
No, not every woman. Actually,
Charles, I believe that’s more of a
male fantasy than a female one.

CHAMP
And in all the time you’ve been...
“working” you’ve never had a client who
wanted a ménage a trois?

She knows where he’s headed. Her mind races for a way to
cut him off before he gets there.

BELLA
I haven’t been “working” that long,
Charles. And you know I don’t talk
about other – former – clients. But
no, I’ve never been asked to do a
three-way. And I’m honestly not
interested in women sexually.

Beat.

CHAMP
What if I wanted you to make love to
another woman, with me?

BELLA
I don’t satisfy you anymore?

CHAMP
Of course you do, Bella. It’s not that
at all. It’s just I know being with
another woman would blow your mind.

OFF Bella’s perturbation...

INT. BELLA & JENI’S ROOM – DAY (FLASHBACK)

Jeni’s lying on her bed, staring at nothing. Bella comes

in, notices an unsigned apartment lease on Jeni’s desk,
right where she left it.
 14.

BELLA
Jeni, I told Mrs. Trzcinski we’d get
the lease to her a couple of days ago.
She’ll have to rent to someone else if
you don’t sign it.

Bella sits on the bed and takes Jeni’s hand.

BELLA
Don’t you still want this, Jeni? I do.

A long beat.

JENI
You’ll stop when we graduate?

BELLA
Yes. By then I’ll have enough money
for us to go away and start someplace
new together. I promise.

JENI
(looks in her eyes)
No other women. Promise me.

BELLA
I promise.

Jeni goes to her desk, signs the lease.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT (RETURN TO PRESENT)

Bella realizes she’s trapped. She has to go along.

BELLA
If that’s what you want, Charles.

INT. LE MEURICE – NIGHT

Linc and Jeni talk over dinner.

LINC
I think I’ve always wanted to be an
architect. When I was a little kid I
didn’t just play with Legos, I drew
diagrams of Lego buildings before I
played with them... What about you,
Jeni? What do you want to do after you
graduate?
 15.

JENI
(beat)
Wow... Well, actually, I’m still
figuring that out.

LINC
What? You’re a junior and you don’t
have any idea what you want to do for a
living?

JENI
I feel like you should love what you
do. Like you, you obviously have a
passion for architecture. I just
haven’t found what excites me yet.

LINC
Maybe you have and just don’t know it.
(off her reaction)
How are your grades?

JENI
(smiling, bragging)
I do alright.

LINC
And what are your best subjects?

JENI
(after considering)
I like poetry, literature, dramatic
arts...

LINC
I knew it. You’re a Drama Queen.

She smiles teasingly as she takes a sip of wine.

JENI
Better a Drama Queen than a Drama King.

LINC
And what’s that supposed to mean?

JENI
The way you rolled around on the ground
after that one tackle. You could’ve
won an Oscar for that performance.

They share a laugh.

 16.

LINC
We were out of timeouts and I was
trying to stall... You know what that’s
like don’t you?
(off her reaction)
How many times did I ask you out before
you said yes?

JENI
I don’t know. I lost count.

EXT. ROMANTIC WALKWAY – NIGHT

Jeni and Linc walk closely, under the stars.

JENI
Linc, what did you mean when you said
you have a feeling about us?

LINC
(beat)
Ever since freshman year, when I saw
you flirting with Reid Danielson at the
first Sigma-Delta pledge mixer, I knew
you were special, Jeni. Just from the
way you carried yourself back then.
Your spirit, the way you have a good
time without conforming to other
peoples’ ideas of what’s right.

JENI
You mean not putting up with Kelsey
Hirsch’s shit during pledge year.

LINC
Yeah. You could’ve been Delta
president this year instead of Her
Highness, but you chose to go your own
way but still stay in the sorority.

JENI
If you admire that about me, why aren’t
you more of a rebel at Sigma?

LINC
What do you mean? I am a rebel.
 17.

JENI
Really. That’s not what I got from “I
joined a frat for the free booze and
the pretty girls.”

LINC
I made a major football program as a
walk-on as a junior, and I’m starting
on special teams. For a frat boy,
especially a Sigma, to do that, that’s
breaking away from the norm... I guess
that’s what I see the same in us, Jen.
We want to belong but we want to go our
own way. And we’re both strong enough
to do it.

They stop at a tree and face each other. Beat. He brushes

a strand of hair from her face, leans in and kisses her.
She allows the kiss for a moment, then pulls away.

JENI
I’m sorry, Linc. I’m sorry. Can you
please take me home now? Please?

INT. ACHILLES & CAT’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN – NIGHT

Achilles is staring into the refrigerator. A CLOCK on the

wall tells us it’s 1:30 a.m. He pulls out a BOTTLE OF
GATORADE and drinks from bottle.

INT. ACHILLES & CAT’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS

Achilles walks from the kitchen on his way to his bedroom.

He hears a child-like WHIMPERING.

INT. CAT’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Achilles pushes the door open and comes in slowly. Cat is

in the fetal position on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Achilles goes to the bed and lay down with her, holds her
in his arms. She just cries and cries and cries as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

 18.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. RASHEEKA’S BEDROOM – DAY

Jet and Rasheeka have bed-rocking sex with him on top.

RASHEEKA
Oh, Jet! Oh, yes, baby! Get that!
Get it, baby! Yes! Yes! Yes!

INT. HALLWAY – DAY

Dr. Rashi Singh and his wife AMISHA SINGH (40) stop at
Apartment 424. We recognize him as the plastic surgeon who
performed surgery on Achilles’ face. He knocks on the door.

DR. SINGH
You talked to her and told her we were
coming?

AMISHA
Yes, of course, Rashi. I spoke to her
just yesterday morning.

INT. RASHEEKA’S BEDROOM – DAY

Now Rasheeka and Jet do it doggie style. They’re both

nearing orgasm.

INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS

Rashi and Amisha mistake the sounds of PASSION coming from

the apartment for shouts of STRUGGLE. They look at each
other, alarmed. Amisha frantically searches her purse for
a key. She finds it and Dr. Singh hastily opens the door.

Without thinking, they rush through the small apartment to

the bedroom to save their daughter. They burst into the
bedroom just as Jet and Rasheeka climax.

RASHEEKA/JET
(looking up at her parents)
Ooohhhhh! EEEWWHH!

Dr. Singh is mortified. Amisha faints.

 19.

INT. RICKY BOONE’S DORM ROOM – DAY

CLOSE ON Ricky’s face as his eyes flutter open. He’s

momentarily disoriented. A WOMAN’S HAND comes into frame,
landing on his face. Ricky cuts his eyes to the left.
Then ANOTHER WOMAN’S HAND bumps his head. He looks up.
PULL BACK and we see Ricky’s in the narrow twin bed with
two of the coeds he was talking to at Helo’s.

THIRD COED (O.S.)

I thought you guys would never wake up.

Ricky looks at the THIRD COED. She’s standing, already in

jeans, fastening her bra.

THIRD COED
Helen! Haley! Get up! I’m not
leaving by myself! It’d be too
embarrassing!

INT. JENI & BELLA’S APARTMENT – DAY

Jeni is gazing out the living room window, lost in thought.

Bella comes out of the bedroom.

BELLA
You were awfully quiet slipping out of
bed this morning.

Bella goes to her and they share a peck on the lips.

JENI
‘Morning. I didn’t want to wake you.

BELLA
What do you want to do today?

Jeni is looking out the window again, caught up in her own

thoughts.

BELLA
Jeni...

JENI
Let’s go down to Seattle.

BELLA
(a bit surprised)
Okay. And do what?
 20.

JENI
And spend a lot of Champ’s money. Stay
overnight in a nice hotel and luxuriate
in a spa and make love all night long.

BELLA
Okay.

INT. CAT’S BEDROOM – DAY

Achilles and Cat, both in sleeping clothes, are asleep.

Her eyes flutter open and she realizes he’s behind her and
that she’s still in his arms. For a moment she is self-
conscious, then she relaxes and closes her eyes to drift
back to sleep.

INT. DONAHUE MASTER BEDROOM – DAY

Gale lay awake in bed, staring out the window. We look at

her for a while. When the baby monitor CRACKLES to life
with Duncan’s baby gibberish, Gale smiles to herself and
slides out of bed to go to him.

INT. RASHEEKA’S APARTMENT – DAY

Rasheeka and Jet sit sheepishly across from her parents,

who are both stern-faced and in no mood for pleasantries.

RASHEEKA
Mummy, Daddy, this is Jet, I mean
Jeremiah. Johnson.

JET
(meekly)
Mr. and Mrs. Singh.

DR. SINGH
Doctor Singh.
(to Rasheeka, in Hindi)
You’ve behaved like a common street
whore and brought complete shame upon
yourself and your parents! How long
has this fornication with this... this
person gone on?!
 21.

RASHEEKA
(in Hindi)
I am so very, very sorry, Daddy, Mummy.
But I love Jet – Jeremiah – very much.

AMISHA
(in Hindi)
Love?! What do you know of love?! We
give you everything you desire –
clothes, money, a car, this apartment –
and this is how you show your
gratitude?! Behaving like a shameless
harlot! I knew we should not have
allowed you to come to this school, so
far away from home.

DR. SINGH
(in Hindi)
Well, we’ll solve that problem right
away.

RASHEEKA
(in Hindi)
What do you mean? Daddy, what are you
saying?

Jet can’t understand a word, but he knows they’ve reached a

decision of some kind.

DR. SINGH
(standing)
You should leave now, young man.

JET
Dr. Singh, Mrs. Singh, please.
Rasheeka and I do love each other.
It’s not just a physical thing.

DR. SINGH
Now, please.

RASHEEKA
Daddy!

AMISHA
Quiet, Rasheeka!

Jet stands. At 6-foot-4, he towers over Dr. Singh. He

looks down at Rasheeka, still sitting.
 22.

JET
I’ll talk to you later, Rasheeka.
(to her parents)
I’m very sorry.

As he exits the apartment Rasheeka burst into tears.

INT. ACHILLES & CAT’S APARTMENT – DAY

Achilles and Cat sit side-by-side on the sofa. Tears roll

down Cat’s cheeks. She wipes them away.

CAT
I just miss her so much, Achilles...
And it hurts so much knowing I’ll never
see her again, that I’ll never talk to
her again. I don’t think the hurt will
ever go away... Ever.

He puts an arm around her and she cries on his shoulder.

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO – DAY

Felix Foxx is interviewing Billy for the show “Coach’s

Corner with Billy Donahue.” Sasha Mendez watches off set.

FELIX
Moving on to the topic I know is on
every Sea Devils fan’s mind: Coach, the
Houston Texans have expressed interest
in you being their head coach next
season. How seriously are you taking
the opportunity?

BILLY
Well first off, Felix, as I said
yesterday at the press conference, it
would be inaccurate to say the Texans
have “expressed interest” in me. Rich
Santana and I go way back –

FELIX
Rich Santana, Texans general manager,
who you were best friends with in high
school, correct?
 23.

BILLY
That’s right. Rich and I go way back
and we talk about a lot of things,
football of course being one of them.
I think the reporter who asked that
question yesterday just got a few
things out of context.

FELIX
But every football fan knows how dismal
the Texans season was last year – 2-14
– and that they’ll almost certainly be
looking for a new coach next season.

INT. PLAYERS’ LOUNGE – SAME TIME

A handful of players in the lounge are watching the

interview on PLASMA TELEVISIONS. Achilles, Ricky, Jet and
Warren “iPhone” Sitren are among them.

ON TV

BILLY (V.O.)
Every Sea Devils fan knows my
commitment to this team’s goals and
that achieving them means focusing like
a laser beam on what we have to do here
and now. Besides, Felix, you know I’m
in the middle of a four-year contract
with the university.

FELIX (V.O.)
Yes, Coach, you’re in the third year of
that contract. But surely the Texans –
or any NFL team – could buy out the
fourth year and extend an offer to you.

iPhone turns to Achilles and grins.

IPHONE
Just your luck if Coach bails after
this season and you get drafted number
one by the Texans.

ACHILLES
I don’t see him bailing.
 24.

IPHONE
No? I do. Him and Mrs. D are like
rock stars in Texas, plus their son’s
in school there.

ACHILLES
(beat)
I still don’t see it.

INT. DONAHUE BREAKFAST ROOM – SAME TIME

Gale and her mother Rose Ryan have breakfast with toddler
Duncan Pennebaker. Gale’s watching the interview.

GALE
Excuse me, Mom.

She kisses Duncan on the cheek and exits.

INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Gale searches her cell phone for a number and hits a button
to dial it. We hear it RING.

RICH SANTANA (V.O.)

Hello?

GALE
(Texas charm)
Rich honey! This is Gale Donahue!

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO – DAY

The talk show is over. Billy removes his lapel microphone

and shakes hands with Felix.

FELIX
Thanks again, Coach, for agreeing to
take the questions about the Texans
rumor head on.

BILLY
No problem, Felix. I know it’s your
job to ask the questions and mine to
answer them if I can.

Billy walks toward a waiting Sasha.

 25.

SASHA
That was great, Coach.

BILLY
Thanks.

They make their way through the studio office area and exit
the building.

EXT. STUDIO PARKING LOT – DAY

Billy and Sasha stop at their vehicles, which are parked

side-by-side.

BILLY
Find out more about this Jessica
Drucker. I’d be interested in knowing
how she found out that I talked to
Rich.

SASHA
I can try, Coach, but reporters don’t
appreciate it when you ask them about
their sources. It’s sort of a cardinal
rule.

BILLY
(beat)
See what you can find out.

He climbs in his Range Rover. She goes to get in her LEXUS

and watches as he drives away.

INT. PLAYERS LOUNGE – DAY

Achilles, Jet, iPhone and Crash Davis are playing cards.

Ricky comes in beaming from ear-to-ear. The guys notice.

CRASH
(razzing him)
Uh-oh, fellahs! Looks like the “Second
Coming” did him some coming last night.

RICKY
Hey, guys!

ACHILLES
Is Crash right, Rook, you get some?
 26.

RICKY
Some? Try a shit load!

IPHONE
And people make fun of me because I was
raised on a farm. How do you get a
“shit load” of pussy?

RICKY
What else would you call it if you
nailed three girls at the same time?

CRASH
A lie.

ACHILLES
A porn movie.

RICKY
I’m not lying! And it was totally like
some kind of porn movie!

IPHONE
Seriously? You banged three girls last
night? At the same time?

RICKY
(shit-eating grin)
Y-e-a-h, buddy!

CRASH
Wait a minute. You’re not talking
about those three arm lickers you were
with at Helo’s?

RICKY
Yeah.

CRASH
The Herpes Triplets?!

RICKY
Who? No, they’re not sisters.

ACHILLES
Whoa! You guys didn’t warn Boone about
the Herpes Triplets?

IPHONE
Hey, me and Suzy blew out of Helo’s
early, so don’t blame me.
 27.

CRASH
I thought Jet told him.

Jet has been distracted the whole card game.

JET
What? Told who what?

CRASH
Boone banged the Herpes Triplets.

JET
(playing along now)
Damn! Why didn’t somebody tell him to
watch out for them?! Dude, you’re
screwed.

RICKY
What are you guys talking about?!

IPHONE
Hannah, Helen and Haley, right?

RICKY
Yeah, so?

CRASH
So they all have herpes. You know, the
S.T.D. variety.

RICKY
(panicked)
No shit?!

ACHILLES
(lying)
Yes shit.

IPHONE
Scorching herpes.

CRASH
They mostly bang each other to keep it
all in the family, so to speak. But
every now and then they get the urge
for some dick. So they hit the bars
like a pack of wolves.
 28.

JET
More like vampires. They figure, what
dude is going to turn down a chance to
bone three hot chicks at once.

ACHILLES
They almost always snag freshmen and
transfers early in the semester. You
know, before they get the word.

JET
Don’t feel too bad, Boone. They have
medicine that will clear that shit up.

RICKY
(hugely relieved)
Thank God!

IPHONE
Yeah, only once you have herpes, you’ve
got it for life. So you have to tell
every other chick you’re with that you
have it.

RICKY
(sinking feeling)
Seriously?!

CRASH
Yeah. And I knew this dude in high
school who had it. Said every time he
took a piss it was like shooting glass
through his Johnson.

Ricky is turning a shade of green when –

DR. SINGH (O.S.)

Achilles.

The guys all look up at Dr. Singh, who has entered the
lounge and is crossing to their table. Achilles stands to
greet him.

ACHILLES
Dr. Singh! Hi!

Jet’s face falls and he wishes he could disappear. Dr.

Singh notices Jet just as he’s shaking Achilles’ hand.
Their eyes meet.
 29.

ACHILLES
This is a surprise. Guys, this is Dr.
Singh. He did the reconstructive
surgery on my face.

GUYS
Hi, Dr. Singh.

Jet and Dr. Singh continue to stare at each other.

ACHILLES
(making the connection)
Dr. Singh...

DR. SINGH
(recovering, pleasant)
Yes, Achilles, I was just in town
visiting my daughter and I was told
you’d be here. I thought I would just
check in on you to see how the recovery
was coming along.

JET
(standing)
I’m going to get going now, fellahs.

CRASH
But we’re not done playing cards.

ACHILLES
It’s okay, I’m done here too. Dr.
Singh, you want a Coke or something
from the machine?

Jet stalks out. Achilles guides Dr. Singh toward the

vending machines as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

 30.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. QUAD – DAY

Jet is on his cell phone. He’s distraught.

JET
But, baby, they can’t do that! This
isn’t India, you have rights!

INT. RASHEEKA’S BEDROOM – DAY

She’s in the room with the door closed, speaking in hushed

tones so her mother won’t hear her from the next room.

RASHEEKA
What else can I do, Jet? They pay my
tuition, they pay room and board, they
pay for everything. I don’t have a
choice.

INTERCUT: JET/RASHEEKA

JET
You can get a student loan and live in
the dorms!

RASHEEKA
(shudders at the thought)
Jet, seriously! Do you see me living
in a dorm?!

JET
What’s wrong with that? I live in a
dorm!

RASHEEKA
Baby, I can’t fight them on this. They
hold all the cards.

JET
So that’s it?! You’re leaving school
just like that?!

RASHEEKA
(emotional)
I don’t want to Jet. But I have to.
I’m sorry, baby.
 31.

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE QUAD – DAY

Linc is strolling across the quad, on his cell phone.

LINC
So you’re saying you didn’t have a good
time last night?

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY

Jeni is out front talking on her cell phone.

JENI
That’s not what I’m saying at all,
Linc. I shouldn’t have kissed you.

INTERCUT: LINC/JENI

LINC
Why not?

JENI
Because.

LINC
Are you going to tell me I’m a bad
kisser now? Because if you are all I
can say is I’ll only get better with
practice and I only want to practice
with you.

JENI
(trying to resist him)
No... You’re a good kisser.

LINC
So I’m a good kisser and we had a great
time last night. So what’s the problem?

JENI
It’s like I told you, Linc, I’m just
not ready to get involved with anyone
right now.

LINC
Jen, when we kissed it felt so right.
Like we were meant to be together. Are
you telling me you didn’t feel
something too?
 32.

JENI
Linc, I’m not saying that. I’m just
saying I’m not ready.

LINC
(charming)
Do you think you might be ready
sometime in the foreseeable future?
I’m willing to wait, you know.
(off her silence)
Jen?

JENI
Please don’t, Linc. I have to go. Bye.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY

Bella comes out of the building, backpack on her shoulder.

BELLA
Now I’m all set.

Jeni picks her backpack up from the ground.

JENI
Great. Let’s hit it.

They walk to Bella’s car and get in.

EXT. SOCCER FIELD, BLEACHERS – SUNSET

Achilles and Tabitha Russell rise and CHEER with the rest
of the crowd as the Lady Sea Devils soccer team scores a
goal. His POV: on the field, Cat is congratulated by Piper
Ruhl and other teammates after making the goal.

TABITHA
She’s great, isn’t she?

ACHILLES
Cat’s pretty damn good.

TABITHA
She’s crazy about you, you know.

ACHILLES
It’s not like that, Tabitha. She’s in
love with Dallas and I’m married.
 33.

TABITHA
Oh, I know it’s not “like that.” But
you know what I mean. Look, everybody
knows what a hard ass Cat is. But
Cake’s death pounded her down to almost
nothing. Nobody could bring her out of
it, not her father or her brothers or
her teammates. Not even Dallas. Only
you... Sure, she’s “in love” with
Dallas, but she loves you Achilles.

Achilles looks back down onto the field. His POV: Cat
trots to the sideline and takes a drink of water. She
catches sight of him and smiles, then just as quickly she
smirks and sticks out her tongue. He smirks then smiles.

EXT. NEAR CONCESSION STAND – SUNSET

Ivy, like we’ve never seen her – hair down and in jeans and
a sweater that compliment her nice figure – is at a COKE
MACHINE. Achilles walks up to her.

ACHILLES
Trooper Sandusky. Hi.

IVY
(smiles)
Hi, Achilles. You know, you can call
me Ivy when I’m not on duty.

ACHILLES
Okay. Hi, Ivy.

IVY
Didn’t know you were a soccer fan.

ACHILLES
My roommate’s on the team.

IVY
So you’re living with Cara?

ACHILLES
Yeah... Just while Portia’s out of the
country. But it’s totally plutonic.

IVY
(believes him)
Yes, of course. So you seem to be
coming along well after the accident.
 34.

ACHILLES
Yeah. That’s why I came over,
actually. I never thanked you. Thanks.

IVY
You’re welcome. I was just doing my
duty, but I’m glad I was able to help.

They look in each other’s eyes. Beat. Then –

IVY
I always get Coke’s from the machine
because fountain drinks are too syrupy.

She tries to slide a DOLLAR BILL into the machine but it

falls to the ground. He grabs it, gives it to her with two
fingers. HOLD on their hands and the bill...

EXT. ROADSIDE – SUNSET (FLASHBACK)

Ivy smiles invitingly, holds his license with two fingers.

IVY
Ivy.

ACHILLES
Thank you, Ivy.

She holds onto the license as he takes it. He looks down:

a SCRAP OF PAPER is folded over it.

EXT. NEAR CONCESSION STANDS – SUNSET (RETURN TO PRESENT)

Ivy takes the bill.

IVY
Thank you, Achilles.

ACHILLES
(beat)
I’m sorry, Ivy.

IVY
Sorry? About what?

ACHILLES
That night you stopped me for speeding.
The first time... I never called you.
 35.

IVY
(beat, then embarrassed)
Oh my, God! Oh, Achilles, I’d
forgotten all about that.

ACHILLES
Oh... Sorry I brought it up again.

She smiles at him. It’s pretty and understanding and just

what you’d expect from “Polly Purebread.”

IVY
Achilles, you’re married so I totally
understand. And I was dealing with a
lot of drama back then. My parents had
just died, my ex’s new wife had just
given birth to twins. It was just a
weird time for me. I was acting out.

ACHILLES
Oh. But you’re alright now?

IVY
Yes, Achilles, I’m alright now.

A strapping man with a military haircut, BRAD (30s), comes

up to them loaded down with snacks.

BRAD
Hey, babe, you about ready?

IVY
Brad, have you met Achilles Addams?

BRAD
No. Hey, Iceman! Looking forward to
seeing you back this season.

ACHILLES
Hey. Me too.

BRAD
Babe, you never said anything about
knowing the Iceman.

IVY
Well, Hon, the Iceman has a lead foot.

BRAD
Uh-oh. Don’t want to get pulled over
too often by the Super Trooper here.
 36.

Ivy reacts, a little embarrassed by the term of affection.

ACHILLES
I was just thanking Trooper – Ivy – for
saving my life the day of the accident.

BRAD
What?! Babe, you never –

IVY
Achilles is exaggerating, Brad. It
wasn’t that big of a deal.

ACHILLES
Not a lot of people know it, but my
heart stopped after the crash. Ivy did
CPR on me until I was airlifted out.

BRAD
(a look of admiration)
No kidding? Now that’s my girl.

IVY
Like I told Achilles, I was just doing
my job. The docs did the serious stuff.

ACHILLES
(sincere)
Well, thanks again, Ivy. It was nice
meeting you, Brad.

EXT. SOCCER FIELD, BLEACHERS – LATER

The soccer game is over and fans are leaving their seats.
Achilles and Tabitha make their way down the aisle. He
catches sight of Ivy and Brad, an affectionate couple,
filing out below.

EXT. SOCCER FIELD, PLAYERS’ ENTRANCE – NIGHT

Cat and Piper come out and meet with Achilles and Tabitha.

ACHILLES
Nice game, guys.

PIPER
Thanks, Achilles. Tabitha and I are
going to get changed and head over to
Big Al’s. You guys want to come?
 37.

CAT
Pass.

ACHILLES
Me too. Me and the Lesbot have a date
in the weight room at 5:30 a.m.

Cat shoots him a scornful look. After a beat he gets it.

TABITHA
It’s okay, Cat. We know he didn’t mean
any offense.

ACHILLES
Sorry guys, you know I’m totally cool
with what you’ve got going on. Really.

PIPER
Forget it, Achilles. We know.

ACHILLES
(joking)
I’ve been trying to get Cara to embrace
her inner lesbian since the day we met.

None of the girls is smiling. Achilles feels out of the

loop.

INT. OUTER OFFICE – DAY

Donna Dixon is busily typing when Billy enters.

BILLY
‘Morning, Donna.

He walks past her on his way into his office but stops when
it dawns on him that she hasn’t responded. He gets it and
looks at her: “You too?” She looks at him with accusing
eyes. He goes into his office. She follows him in.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – MOMENTS LATER

Billy goes to his desk. Donna stands, staring at him.

BILLY
There was nothing tell you, Donna.

DONNA
Mmmmm-hmmm.
 38.

BILLY
(reads note on his desk)
Seriously? Charlotte and Sussman want
to talk about this again?

DONNA
Maybe they don’t want more surprises.
There are 32 teams in the NFL.

BILLY
Are you going to be snippy all day?

DONNA
What do you think, Coach?

INT. CHAMP’S OFFICE – DAY

Champ, Charlotte, Sasha and Billy sit talking.

SASHA
Now that the rumor is out there, we can
expect it to linger all season.

BILLY
You know the media. This will be a
story until something else comes along.

CHARLOTTE
Until that something else materializes,
talk about you leaving will take a toll
on player morale.

BILLY
Let me worry about player morale.

CHAMP
This whole messy situation can be
nipped in the bud, Coach, if you’d
publicly commit to honor the final year
of your contract.

BILLY
I’ve been as clear as I can be about my
commitment to this program, Champ.

CHAMP
This year, Billy, but what about next?
Look, I know how it goes; whether we
(MORE)
 39.

CHAMP (CONT’D.)
make it to the National Championship or
not, you’ll have NFL teams coming at
you with an all-out blitz by Christmas.

BILLY
So what are you suggesting?

CHAMP
It’s simple, Billy. The question is
sure to come up again this week in one
of your post-practice media interviews.
Just confirm your plan to honor the
fourth year of your contract.

BILLY
And you’re on board with this,
Charlotte?

CHARLOTTE
We just want to minimize team
distractions as much as possible.

INT. BOOKSTORE – DAY

Mattie is at the “On sale” table perusing a book.

CHAMP (O.S.)
The movie is much better.

Mattie looks up. Champ is standing opposite her. Beat.

CHAMP
Sorry we missed you last week.

Mattie puts the book down and walks away. He follows and
stops her in an aisle. They’re alone.

MATTIE
What do you want?

CHAMP
I want to know why you came all the way
to Vancouver and didn’t say “hello.”

She burns holes in him with resentful eyes.

MATTIE
Why can’t you leave me alone?
 40.

CHAMP
Because I need you, Mattie.

She tries to move past him but he blocks her.

MATTIE
Don’t make me cause a scene.

CHAMP
You came, which means you wanted to be
with me... and my friend.

MATTIE
(through clenched teeth)
Sasha Mendez!

CHAMP
I have other friends, Mattie.

MATTIE
How reckless are you?!

CHAMP
Like you, Mattie, I have a healthy
appetite...

She turns to go in the other direction but he grabs her

waist to stop her, moves close behind her. They’re facing
a bookshelf. He speaks close to her ear.

CHAMP
I’ll indulge your desires, Mattie...
without guilt...

Mattie feels his erection and becomes aroused. She closes

her eyes...

QUICK FLASHES

Mattie and a woman kiss passionately; a different woman

caresses and kisses Mattie’s breasts; Mattie reaches climax
in bed with Sasha... and Champ.

RETURN TO SCENE

WOMAN (O.S.)
The classics are one aisle over, right
this way.

Mattie opens her eyes and pushes Champ away just as an

attractive WOMAN and a CUSTOMER come into the aisle.
 41.

WOMAN
(pleasant surprise)
Chancellor Sussman! How are you?

CHAMP
Just fine. How are you, Paula?

Champ and the Woman exchange interested smiles as Mattie

walks away.

EXT. BOOKSTORE – DAY

Mattie exists the store onto Main Street. She breathes

deeply to regain her composure as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

 42.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. SAILBOAT (VARIOUS AERIAL SHOTS) – DAY

A sleek yacht slices through the water with sails full.

EXT. YACHT – DAY

Parker is at the helm, Gale beside him.

GALE
This day has just been glorious,
Parker. I love sailing.

PARKER
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it.

He reaches down and pours a glass of champagne, hands it to

her. As she sips –

PARKER
Somewhat better than swilling beer from
a cooler on a fishing boat, wouldn’t
you say?

Gale reacts, doesn’t appreciate the snip at Billy.

GALE
Parker darling, it’s been such a
marvelous day. Don’t ruin it.

PARKER
(kisses her cheek)
Forgive me, love.
(then)
Gale, perhaps I neglected to tell you
this, but every year I return to
Australia to check on family matters,
investment interests and the like. I
leave in two weeks.

GALE
You’ve never said anything about it.

PARKER
My son and daughter are at school in
Sydney, and then there’s my mother.
She turns 85 this year.
 43.

GALE
That’s wonderful, Parker. How long
will you be gone?

PARKER
Two weeks. Gale, I want you to come
with me.

She’s taken aback.

GALE
Parker... Two weeks, darling, I can’t –

PARKER
You can bring Duncan along. Beatrice
can come with to watch over the little
bugger when we’re out and about.

GALE
But Parker, we play LSU in two weeks.
It’s one thing to miss the Idaho State
game. I couldn’t possibly miss the LSU
game. It’s in Death Valley. The boys
expect me to be there.

PARKER
The “boys” or Billy?

Their eyes meet. Beat.

GALE
Both.

EXT. PENNEBAKER STADIUM (PRACTICE) – DAY

We’re FOLLOWING A FOOTBALL as it spirals through the air.

It hits a PAIR OF HANDS, but instead being caught it
bounces off the hands and falls to the turf. A whistle
BLOWS sharply.

Jet looks at his hands and then taps his chest: “My bad.”

BILLY
(shouting, angry)
No shit it’s your fault! Dammit, the
ball hits you in the hands like that
you’ve got to catch it, Johnson!

Jet trots back to the huddle, where Nate Hughes pats him on
the helmet for encouragement.
 44.

NATE
Next one, Jet. Next one.

As Nate calls the next play in the huddle...

EXT. SIDELINE – SAME TIME

Sasha is watching practice with Jessica, the youthful

Associated Press reporter.

JESSICA
I know what you’re trying to do, Ms.
Mendez, and I’m not going to tell you
who my source is.

SASHA
Of course I know that, Jessica. Do you
go by Jessica or Jessie?

JESSICA
Jessica.

SASHA
Jessica, I was a reporter for 10 years,
five on the network affiliate in
Seattle. I would never ask you to
divulge a source, mainly because I know
no reporter would willingly do it.

JESSICA
Good. Just because I’m new doesn’t
mean I’m stupid.

SASHA
(reacts)
Of course I don’t think that. Look, if
you’re going to cover the team this
year, you’ll want to get better
acquainted with the coaches, players
and staff. I asked you to come early
today to begin doing that.

JESSICA
(skeptical)
That sounds fine. I appreciate it.
 45.

SASHA
As you know, media day isn’t until
tomorrow, but I thought you might like
to have some one-on-one time with Coach
Donahue after practice today.

JESSICA
Really?

SASHA
Certainly. I learned a lot of things
as a reporter, but one of the most
important things was that a reporter
who breaks a story deserves first crack
at following up on it.

Jessica does a poor job of covering her excitement.

JESSICA
Are you offering me an exclusive on the
Houston Texans’ story?

INT. SEA DEVILS’ LOCKER ROOM – DAY

Players mill about in various stages of dress. Jet is

ready to leave. Nate comes over and speaks to him quietly.

NATE
Hey, Jet. I heard about Rasheeka.
Sorry, man.

JET
Thanks.

NATE
Look, I know it sucks. I know it’s
bullshit, her folks dragging her away
like that. But man, you can’t let it
affect your game. We need you.

JET
(defensive)
I’ll handle my business, Nate, don’t
you worry about it.

NATE
Like you handled it today in practice?
Look, I have to worry about it. I’m
the leader of the team and –
 46.

JET
The leader of this team is over there
(re: Achilles, at his locker)
And don’t you forget it, backup.

Jet walks away. He passes Achilles and Ricky, who is

sitting and staring at his crotch.

RICKY
How long before the blisters start to
show?

ACHILLES
What? Are you talking to me?

RICKY
I think I see some coming up already.
And I itch there. Achilles, can you
see anything, man?

ACHILLES
(a look like you’re crazy!)
Seriously?! You want me – me – to look
at your dick?

OFF Achilles laughing...

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY

Billy is being interviewed by Jessica. Sasha sits on the

sofa next to her.

JESSICA
Thanks for meeting with me, Coach
Donahue.

BILLY
It’s my pleasure, Jessica. Sasha tells
me you’re new to covering college
sports, so we want to do everything we
can to help you be successful.

SASHA
That’s right, Jessica. You’ve come on
to the beat at an exciting time, but of
course you already know that.
 47.

JESSICA
Yes. Yes, I do. So Coach, I’d like to
start by asking about Achilles Addams’
rehab. How is that coming along?

BILLY
We think he’s making tremendous
progress...

INT. REHAB CENTER – DAY

Achilles is on a contraption designed to stretch him. His

therapist is helping by pulling his legs. Achilles
grimaces with each tug. Cat enters the room unseen.

CAT
That’s just how you look when you come
in a sock.

The therapist and Achilles look at her.

THERAPIST
Hi, Cat. We’re almost done.

ACHILLES
Thought you had practice.

CAT
Coach cut us a break today since we
played so well on Sunday.

The contraption stretches Achilles. He reacts, “Damn!”

THERAPIST
Relax, Achilles, if it doesn’t hurt
it’s not working.

ACHILLES
Oh, so it’s sort of like that giant
vibrator Cara uses.

She smirks. He grins... then grimaces. She smiles.

 48.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY

The interview with Jessica is winding down.

SASHA
We’re about at the end of our time,
Jessica. Do you have one more question
you want to ask the Coach?

JESSICA
Yes... Coach, I know you said that your
conversations this summer with Texans
general manager Rich Santana were more
of a social nature than business, but
my sources have told me that you’ve
been in touch with him as recently as
this week and that builders and
architects of high-end properties have
been contacted to begin designs for a
residence. Can you confirm this?

Sasha’s face falls. Billy covers his surprise. Then we

see an idea register in his eyes.

EXT. DONAHUE DRIVEWAY – SUNSET

Billy’s Range Rover is in the driveway. A black Mercedes

Sedan pulls up next to it and Gale climbs out of the back.
She’s got a day bag with her.

She pauses to regard the Range Rover then heads toward the
front door. She waves the sedan away and goes inside.

INT. DONAHUE LIVING ROOM – SUNSET

Gale enters. Billy is standing. She can tell from his

expression that he’s upset with her. And she knows why.

GALE
(brightly)
Billy Honey. What a nice a surprise.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Mattie and her husband Darryl Banks make tantric love, with
her riding him sensuously until they both come.
 49.

INT. BEDROOM – LATER

Darryl and Mattie spoon in bed.

DARRYL
Mattie, babe?...

MATTIE
Yes.

DARRYL
Are you satisfied?

She smiles, caresses his muscular arm, snuggles closer.

MATTIE
You know I don’t fake it, Darryl.

DARRYL
I don’t mean that. I mean are you
satisfied with your life? Are you
fulfilled as a human being, not just as
a woman?

Beat.
MATTIE
I don’t know. I suppose there’s always
more one could ask for. But you don’t
always get what you want.

DARRYL
So you think you should settle?

MATTIE
I don’t mean that. I mean you should
want what you get even when you don’t
get what you want. That’s not the same
as settling. It’s appreciating what
you have.

She turns and their faces are close.

MATTIE
Are you satisfied, Darryl?

DARRYL
You know how much I love you, Mattie.
 50.

MATTIE
Yes. I do. And I love you.
(beat)
Do you want us to have a child, Darryl?

She reads the answer in his eyes. She kisses him tenderly.

EXT. QUAD – DAY

Ricky is on his way to class when he’s intercepted by

HANNAH, HELEN and HALEY, aka the Herpes Triplets.

HANNAH/HELEN/HALEY
Hi, Ricky!

Ricky is startled, looks around, sees no escape.

RICKY
Hey.

HANNAH
Where have you been? We keep stopping
by your room and calling your cell.
Why won’t you call back, Ricky?

HELEN
Yeah, we thought maybe you’d want to,
you know, hook up some more?

RICKY
Um, yeah, well... See, I’ve got a
girlfriend back home. Yeah, and she’s
real jealous, like, “I know what you
did last summer” jealous...

HANNAH
Really? You should kick that crazy ho
to the curb then.

HELEN
Yeah, you should.

HALEY
You should.

RICKY
I am like so late for class you
wouldn’t believe it. I’ve got to go.

He bolts. They watch him go, then shrug, “Strange.”

 51.

INT. ACHILLES & CAT’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN – DAY

Achilles is at the counter having a bowl of cereal and

reading a textbook. Cat comes in ready for school. She
notices an empty PLASTIC MILK BOTTLE on the table.

CAT
Is that the last of the milk?

ACHILLES
(eating)
Dunno.

She opens the fridge. Her POV: a brown banana, a tub of

cottage cheese and a nearly empty bottle of Gatorade. She
casually crosses to him and punches him in the arm. “Ow!”

CAT
You’re a real tool, you know that?
(he nods “Yes”, then)
When do you think they’ll let you play?

ACHILLES
(eating)
Rocks Off says I can join regular
practices next week. I’ll dress for
LSU but won’t play till Boise State.

She goes and stands very close to him. Looks down at his
cereal then up at him. She snorts.

CAT
Well, aren’t you just the Hot... Snot?

He stops chewing and looks in his bowl. Suddenly his

cereal is unappetizing.

ACHILLES
(grossed out)
You know, for a girl you’re disgusting!

She flashes her impish grin, takes the cereal bowl and
walks out of the kitchen, laughing as she eats.

INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – DAY

CLOSE ON Duncan playing with fresh-cut fruit cocktail.

WIDEN ANGLE to REVEAL Gale at the counter, watching
television. Her expression tells us she’s not at all
pleased with what’s on.
 52.

ON TV

FELIX (V.O.)
Days of rumors and speculation about
coach Billy Donahue’s future at Wa Tech
officially ended yesterday, when the
Associated Press reported that Donahue
has inked a four-year, 10 million
dollar contract extension with the
university. Athletic director
Charlotte Webb confirmed the deal,
which will make Donahue the highest-
paid, non-BCS conference coach in
Division I football. Donahue disclosed
the contract extension during an
exclusive interview with AP’s Jessica
Drucker. You may recall that Drucker
is the reporter who broke news that
Donahue had been in discussions with
childhood friend and Houston Texans’
general manager Rich Santana...

Gale turns off the set with the remote control. Beat. She
picks up her cell phone and dials. We hear it RING.

PARKER (V.O.)
Gale. How are you doing, love?

GALE
(lying)
I’m fantastic, darling.
(beat)
Parker, I’ve decided I’d love to join
you in Australia.

OFF Gale’s scheming eyes we...

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE