GOAL TO GO

Episode 2.26

“Poinsettia”

by

David Polk
 2.

RECAP

We Recap events from Previous Episodes, ending on Reverend

Robeson being arrested by the FBI.

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. DONAHUE BREAKFAST ROOM - DAY

Gale Donahue and Maria Pennebaker are having fruit and tea.
Duncan Pennebaker is in a high chair enjoying Cheerios.

MARIA
Sure, I’d go to church with Harold on
Sunday’s. But like everything else
about our marriage, that was all part
of his public relations campaign. I’m
not even a Baptist.

GALE
You were raised Greek Orthodox?

MARIA
Yes. My father was a Theology
professor and mom was very active in
the church.
(remembers)
I was such a thorn in their side
growing up.

GALE
I remember you telling me that your dad
was fired from your high school.

MARIA
(re: her breasts)
When the girls grew up I made a few
changes to my school uniform and –
well, let’s just say the faculty at St.
John’s Academy were not impressed.

Maria and Gale share a smile.

MARIA
Since having Duncan, I’ve thought a lot
about the way my parents raised me, or
(MORE)
 3.

MARIA (CONT’D.)
tried to raise me. They wanted so much
- sacrificed so much - for me, and I
turned out to be such a disappointment.

GALE
Don’t say that, Maria! You’re a
wonderful person and a terrific mother
to Duncan.

MARIA
Thank you for saying that, Gale, but
you have to. You’re my friend, and
that’s what friends say.

GALE
Maybe, but it also happens to be true.

MARIA
(beat)
Thank you. Anyway, I’ve decided to
raise Duncan in the Orthodox Church.

J.R. Donahue comes into the room. Kisses Gale’s cheek.

J.R.
‘Morning, Mom. Hi, Mrs. P.
(makes a funny face at
Duncan)
Hey, Little D!

GALE
Good morning, Sweetheart. Are you all
packed for San Diego?

J.R. grabs an orange slice from Gale’s plate.

J.R.
Um, sure, almost. Can you drop me at
the mall this morning?

GALE
I’m afraid I won’t have time,
Sweetheart. Why not ask Gracie?

J.R.
Oh, Mom, please! Am I supposed to ask
her to take me everywhere?! It’s so
not cool to have a girl drive you
everywhere.
 4.

MARIA
(smiles)
But your mom’s a girl, J.R.

J.R.
That’s different, Mrs. P. She’s not a
girl, she’s my mom.

GALE
Well, ‘Mom’ or ‘Girl,’ I won’t have
time to chauffeur you around today.
You’ll just have to find a new way to
get around. Now, would you mind going
out front and bringing in the paper?

J.R. rolls his eyes in protest, but does as he’s told. As

he leaves, Gale and Maria share a knowing smile.

EXT. DONAHUE HOME – DAY

Snow blankets the lawn, but the pavement is dry due to

built-in pavement warmers. J.R. comes out of the house,
stops in his tracks when he sees what’s in the driveway: A
new KIA SOUL with a red ribbon and bow on it.

INT. DONAHUE FOYER – DAY

J.R. bursts back into the house. Gale and Maria are
waiting for him. Maria’s holding Duncan in her arms.

J.R.
(ecstatic)
Mom! Is it mine?!

GALE
(beaming)
Yes, Sweetheart.

He hugs her. She gives him the car keys.

J.R.
But Dad said no car until next year
when I turn eighteen.

GALE
Think of it as an early birthday
present and your Christmas present
rolled into one.
 5.

J.R.
Wait, so Dad’s okay with it?

GALE
He will be.

J.R. hugs her again; in his excitement he hugs and kisses

Maria too before hurrying out of the house to check out his
new wheels.

MARIA
You really do spoil him, Gale.

Gale looks at Maria then at Baby Duncan.

GALE
(smiles)
Yes, I know. You’ll spoil your little
man too.

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY – DAY

CLOSE ON Cara “Cat” Trzcinski’s face, eyes fixed straight

ahead, a hint of apprehension in them. REVERSE and we see
she’s in front of Apartment 3-G. She takes a deep breath,
raises her hand to knock on the door. She loses her nerve,
lowers her hand.

CAT (V.O.)
(to herself)
Come on, Cat, don’t be a wuss.
Remember, you caused this mess. It’s
up to you to fix it.

She steels herself, raises her hand again to knock, but

before she can the door opens. Piper Ruhl stands in the
doorway. Surprised to be face to face again with the girl
who broke drove her to attempt suicide.

SMASH CUT TO:

MAIN TITLES.

END OF TEASER
 6.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. QUALCOMM STADIUM (SAN DIEGO) – DAY

QUICK MONTAGE - PRACTICE

The SEA DEVILS are having a great time, practicing in

shorts, pads and helmets; Achilles Addams zips passes to
Burner Turner, Greg Ericsson, and Jet Johnson;

Dallas Morales, Cole Seavers and other defensive players

run wind sprints as Pete Mitchell watches from the sideline
on crutches;

iPhone Sitren and the hefty boys on the offensive line hit
blocking dummies and check out CHEERLEADERS practicing
nearby;

Billy Donahue, Bob Garcia, Joe Mercer and other COACHES

direct the players in drills.

END MONTAGE

ON THE FIELD – LATER

ESPN reporter WENDI NIX (30s) interviews our guys

separately in a SERIES OF SHOTS...

WENDI
Coach, it must have given you a special
sense of pride when you were named
Coach of the Year, knowing that the
award is named in honor of Wolf Ryan,
your mentor, father-in-law and former
head coach at Texas A&M.

BILLY
I feel more honored than anything else,
Wendi. Earning an award as a head
football coach – his award – well, I
tell you it’s very humbling and it
makes me appreciate everything Coach
taught me on and off the field.

WENDI
NFL Draft analysts, including ESPN’s
own Mel Kyper, project that you’ll be
(MORE)
 7.

WENDI (CONT’D.)
selected high in the first round, which
would make you the first football
player in Washington Tech history to
make it to the NFL. Was that your goal
when you came to Wa Tech?

COLE
I just wanted to play football. And
now I just want to beat the –
(television “BLEEP”)
– out of TCU.

WENDI
Ricky, you’re in the Washington Tech
record books for most receptions, most
receiving yards, and most touchdowns.
And this year you got the hardware to
go with all of those records, winning
the Fred Belitnikoff Award for college
football’s top receiver. Was that
season-ending injury last year the best
thing to happen to you?

BURNER
(trademark grin)
Nah! My baby Mia saying “Yes” was the
best thing that ever happened to me.
(winks at camera)
Hey, baby!

WENDI
All-WAC, Second Team All-American, over
three thousand yards passing, thirty
touchdowns through the air and seven on
the ground. You’re already being
talked about as an early favorite for
the Heisman next season. Is the sky
the limit for Achilles Addams and the
Sea Devils.

ACHILLES
(charming smile)
We had a good season, but it’s not over
yet. I’ll have to get back to you
after the Poinsettia Bowl.
 8.

INT. STADIUM MEETING ROOM - DAY

Coach Garcia is wrapping up a meeting of offensive players,

who are already in street clothes and ready to have fun.

GARCIA
After the buses drop you off at the
hotel you’ll have three hours to get in
some shopping or sightseeing.
(holds up a piece of paper)
Mr. Flynn in the PR department has
provided a list of places you can and
can’t go. There’s also a list of
chaperones with contact numbers. None
of you will need the numbers since none
of you will find yourselves in any
trouble whatsoever. Am I right?

Players roll their eyes and grumble.

PLAYERS
Right, Coach.

GARCIA
Alright then. Dinner is at the hotel
at five-thirty. Curfew is at seven-
thirty. Sharp.
(more grumbling)
Get a good night’s rest. Buses leave
for the stadium tomorrow at ten a.m.

INT. MARRIOTT HOTEL LOBBY – DAY

Achilles, Burner, Jet, Greg and iPhone cross the lobby on

their way out for some mischief. iPhone stops abruptly.

IPHONE
Shit!

ACHILLES
What is it?

IPHONE
I think I left Mr. Flynn’s contact
sheet in the room.

The other three look at him like he’s crazy.

 9.

GREG
Come on, man! Ain’t nobody calling no
damn chaperones!

IPHONE
But it also has a list of places to see
while we’re here.

JET
I don’t remember seeing any titty bars
on that list.

GREG
You didn’t see the donkey show in
Tijuana on his list either, but it sure
as hell is on mine.

BURNER
What? Who said anything about titty
bars and donkey shows?

ACHILLES
(to Greg & Jet)
After Brooke put your little closet
homo video on the web, I’d think you
two would’ve seen enough stupid donkey
tricks.

iPhone and Burner laugh. Greg and Jet don’t.

GREG
Look, guys, we’re in San Diego – one of
the most beautiful cities in America –
and it’s our last chance to get in some
serious fun before the game. We’ve got
to hit at least one titty bar.

Achilles reacts to something, pulls out his cell phone.

It’s BUZZING. He flips it open, reads the INSTANT MESSAGE.

IPHONE
What’s up, Q.B.?

Achilles considers the message. Then, abruptly

ACHILLES
Look guys, I’ll catch up to you later.

BURNER
What? Why? Is something wrong?
 10.

ACHILLES
No, man, everything’s cool. I’ll give
you a shout in a few to find out where
you are and meet you there, okay?

BURNER
Alright.
(to Greg & Jet)
But we won’t be at any titty bar.

Greg and Jet voice their dissent as Achilles heads across

the lobby and out the revolving door.

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL (GATE) – DAY

Portia Robeson clicks her cell phone off. She’s bummed.

PORTIA
He’s not answering his phone or
returning any of my messages. It’s not
like him not to call.

MIA
I haven’t heard from Ricky either since
they got there. You know how boys are,
girl. They’re probably out acting a
fool at some titty bar right now.

Mia Cartwright is next to Portia. They’re waiting to board

their flight. Mia clocks Portia’s seriously sad mood.

MIA
Portia, what’s up, girl? You’ve been
really down ever since Thanksgiving.
Are you and Achilles are alright?

PORTIA
(tries to brighten)
Lee and I are fine. We’re fine.
It’s...it’s my father.

MIA
What’s wrong with him?

PORTIA
(lying)
He’s in the hospital.
 11.

MIA
Oh, my goodness. Is it serious?

P.A. ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

We’ll now begin boarding Northwest
Airlines flight seventy to San Diego.

Portia stands and grabs her carry-on bag.

PORTIA
That’s us.

Portia moves to queue up to board the plane; Mia follows...

INT. PIPER’S APARTMENT – DAY

Piper and Cat are on opposite ends of the sofa. The unease
between them seems palpable.

PIPER
Who else on the team knows?

CAT
Just LaQuitia, Beverly, Trish and me.
‘Quitia told me right after
Thanksgiving and nobody’s mentioned it,
so I’m sure no one else knows.

PIPER
Sounds like they’re already treating
you like a team captain...It really
doesn’t matter who knows. I’m not
coming back to school next semester.

CAT
What? Piper...please. What about your
scholarship, your education?

PIPER
There are plenty of good schools, and
as for playing soccer...Do you really
think I can go on as if everything’s
normal? Practicing every day, dressing
in the same locker room, showering in
the same shower, knowing that most
nights you’ll be sleeping with Dallas?

Cat is at a loss.
 12.

PIPER
Besides, now that my folks know I tried
to kill myself and why – because their
little princess likes princesses –
they’ll insist that I attend a school
where they can keep an eye on me.

CAT
Nebraska?

PIPER
They’ve already submitted my
application. My dad’s talked to the
soccer coach about transferring my
scholarship.

Cat feels sick with self-loathing. After a long beat,

CAT
Piper, people hurt each other all the
time and somehow manage to get along
afterward. I’ve hurt Dallas more than
once, but we’ve stayed together because
we love each other. I’ve hurt you
terribly too, but that doesn’t mean we
can’t still be teammates...and friends.

They look into each other’s eyes.

CAT
...Piper, you belong here, at Wa Tech.
I know you well enough to know that
playing soccer here, with ‘Quitia and
Beverly and Vanessa...and me, is what
makes you happy.
(beat)
I’m so, so sorry about what happened,
Piper. I know I can’t undo any of it,
but I promise, if you let me, I’ll
always be your friend and I’ll never,
ever hurt you again. Please forgive
me...Please stay.

INT. GRACIES’ TRAILER – DAY

Gracie Wellington is on her cell phone.

 13.

GRACIE
(anxious)
It’s me again, Johnny. I’m all packed
and ready to come over to your house.
You won’t let your mom leave for San
Diego without me, will you? Call me,
okay?

EXT. DOS BRASAS RESTAURANT – DAY

Achilles gets out of a taxi. Valerie Kim is waiting for

him in front of the popular Old Town eatery.

INT. DOS BRASAS RESTAURANT – LATER

Valerie looks over the MENU as she speaks.

VALERIE
The fish tacos here are fabulous. Oh,
but you don’t like fish...

ACHILLES
What are you doing in San Diego?

VALERIE
My Alma mater’s playing in the
Poinsettia Bowl. We’re favored. I
hear our quarterback’s pretty good.

Achilles is starting to lose his patience. Before he can

press her for an answer, the WAITER stops at their table.

WAITER
(heavy Spanish accent)
Good afternoon, senor, senorita. Are
you ready to order?

VALERIE
(in fluent Spanish)
Yes, we are. He’ll have the carne
asada burrito, no beans, no guacamole,
extra pico gallo. I’ll have the
special Aztec salad, no onions. And
two more Margaritas please.

WAITER
(takes her menu)
Very good choices. Gracias, senorita.
 14.

He takes Achilles’ menu, smiles and leaves. Achilles

reacts, about to call after him,

VALERIE
I ordered for both of us.

ACHILLES
Really? How’d you know what I wanted?

VALERIE
(a dimpled smile)
I always know what you want, Achilles.

A beat as he tries to read her. She stares back at him,

all goodness and light.

ACHILLES
I didn’t know you spoke Spanish.

VALERIE
French, Japanese and a little Mandarin
too. And of course English and Korean.
(she touches his hand)
Achilles, I know you want to know why I
I.M.’d you to meet me here.

ACHILLES
The thought did cross my mind. Look,
Valerie, you know how I feel about you,
but I’m not going to let you screw up
my marriage. Portia’s my wife now.

VALERIE
I know that, Achilles.

HIDDEN CAMERA POV – ACHILLES AND VALERIE

Someone is watching them from across the restaurant.

RETURN TO SCENE

ACHILLES
So what’s this all about?

VALERIE
I wanted to tell you face-to-face that
I understand why you married Portia
and...that I’ve finally come to terms
with it.
 15.

ACHILLES
(beat)
So you’re okay with it now?

VALERIE
I accept it.

She strokes his hand gently. Instinctively he holds hers.

HIDDEN CAMERA POV – ACHILLES AND VALERIE

The hidden camera SNAPS pictures of their tête-à-tête.

RETURN TO SCENE

VALERIE
I also wanted to tell you that Richard
and I have set a date for our wedding.

His flash of jealousy doesn’t go unnoticed by the Ice

Princess. Once again, she’s hit her mark.

ACHILLES
(covering)
That’s great. When?

VALERIE
July thirtieth. On Kauai.

ACHILLES
This July thirtieth?

VALERIE
Yes.

EXT. DOS BRASAS RESTAURANT – LATER

Achilles and Valerie are saying good-bye out front.

VALERIE
Good luck tomorrow, Achilles.

ACHILLES
Thanks. We’ll need some of that. TCU
is a tough team.

He regards the DIAMOND “10” NECKLACE that he gave her.

Then they gaze into each other’s eyes.
 16.

VALERIE
I’m still in love with you, Achilles,
but I’ll let go if that’s what you need
me to do. If that will make you happy.

HIDDEN CAMERA POV – ACHILLES AND VALERIE

From across the street, SNAPS pictures just as she kisses

him softly on the lips then holds him with her eyes.

RETURN TO SCENE

Neither of them wants to say “Good-bye.” After a long beat

filled with emotion, she turns and walks away. He watches
her go.

INT. JETLINER – FLYING – DAY

In the First Class cabin we find Gale, Maria (with Duncan),

Rose Ryan, J.R. and Gracie. He’s listening to his iPod
with his eyes closed. Gracie plucks out an earbud.

J.R.
(annoyed)
Hey, I like that song!

GRACIE
You haven’t said two words to me since
I got to your house this afternoon.

J.R.
I said like seven words to you just
now.

GRACIE
Five. And you know what I mean. What
did you do all day in your new car?

J.R.
I hung out at the mall with the
fellahs.

GRACIE
The fellahs?

J.R.
Yeah.
 17.

GRACIE
(unconvinced)
Uh-huh. So you get a new car for
Christmas and you don’t bother to tell
your girlfriend...who’s been your
personal chauffer for over a year?

J.R.
Is that what this is about? You wanted
to ride in my new car? Gracie –

GRACIE
(interrupts)
You know what this is about, Johnny.
Are you screwing somebody?

J.R.
Can you say ‘screwing’ louder so my
Grandma can hear?

GRACIE
Well, are you?

J.R.
(beat)
No.

He takes the earbud from her, puts it in his ear, goes back
to listening to music.

OFF Gracie...

INT. MATTIE’S BEDROOM – SUNSET

CLOSE ON the face of Mathilda “Mattie” Weiss. She’s in the

throes of a powerful orgasm.

MATTIE
Yes! Yes! Yes!

When it’s over Darryl Banks pops his head from under the
sheets.

DARRYL
How was that?

MATTIE
(smiles)
Wunderbar!
 18.

INT. MATTIE’S LIVING ROOM – LATER

Mattie is smoking a JOINT. Darryl comes in from the

bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.

MATTIE
Want some?

DARRYL
Thanks, but I’m good. You know, just
when I think I’ve got you figured out,
you go and surprise me.

MATTIE
What do you mean?

DARRYL
(ref. the joint)
Straight-laced Mattie Weiss a closet
dope fiend.

MATTIE
It’s one joint, Darryl. That hardly
classifies me as a fiend. Besides,
it’s doctor recommended.

DARRYL
Yeah, right. If I’d known sooner that
all it took was a little weed to help
you get off, we could have avoided all
that other sex therapy crap.

Suddenly, she giggles the way pot heads do.

DARRYL
What’s so funny?

MATTIE
Me, a “closet” dope fiend? I’m still
in the closet, but not for smoking pot.

DARRYL
Does it really matter if Mrs. D finds
out you were a lesbian?

Mattie suddenly turns serious.

MATTIE
Am a lesbian, Darryl, and Gale can
never know. Do you understand?
 19.

DARRYL
(no, not really)
Sure, okay.

OFF Darryl’s bewilderment...

INT. HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT

Rose Ryan puts down her crocheting.

ROSE
I think I’ll go to bed now.

MARIA
I’ll see you to your room, Mrs. Ryan.

Rose and Maria get up to leave. J.R. and Gracie are on

opposite sides of the sofa watching television.

MARIA
Gracie, after I get Mrs. Ryan settled
in her room, I’ll be in our suite. You
come soon, okay?

GRACIE
Okay, Mrs. Pennebaker. I’ll be there
in a bit.

MARIA
Not that I don’t trust you, Gracie
(looks at J.R.)
but boys are boys...
(then at Gracie’s tits)
...and you’ve got too much going on
there.

J.R.
(embarrassed)
Come on, Mrs. P. Not in front of
Grandma.

GRACIE
(sarcastically)
Believe me, Mrs. Pennebaker, nothing’s
going on here.

After Maria and Rose leave,

 20.

GRACIE
In Hawaii last year you couldn’t keep
your hands off me. Now look at us.

J.R.
You heard Mrs. P. And the way I
remember it, you told me ‘No’ a million
times in Hawaii.

GRACIE
You never answered my question.

J.R.
Which one? You’ve got about a million
of them these days.

GRACIE
You know which one. Are you cheating
on me with that preppy Polish chick at
your school? Barbie Whatshername?

J.R.
I told you ‘No’ on the plane, Gracie.
Now will you drop it?

GRACIE
Then why won’t you even try to get into
my pants? It’s like you’re not even
interested in me anymore. Don’t you
love me, Johnny?

J.R.
What do you want from me, Gracie? You
tell me no more sex and now you’re
pissed at me because I’m not trying to
rip your clothes off.

GRACIE
Well you should at least try, Johnny!
What’s a girl supposed to think if her
seventeen-year-old boyfriend isn’t
trying to get his hands on these?

She cups her breasts. He ogles them, reaches out and

touches one through her sweater. They lunge across the
sofa at each other and go at it hot and heavy. She’s
unzipping his pants when her cell phone RINGS.

J.R.
Don’t answer...
 21.

GRACIE
...Johnny...

She pulls the phone out of her pocket, looks at the number.
She flips it open and answers.

GRACIE
Mrs. Pennebaker. Hi.
(listens)
Yes, I was just leaving.
(listens)
Yes, right now.

INT. UPSCALE RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Among the well-dressed couples in this romantic restaurant

we find Billy and Gale having dinner.

GALE
You did a nice job in the interviews,
Honey. But then, you always do.

BILLY
I tell the boys it’s something they
have to get used to, but to tell the
truth I’ve never gotten used to it. I
hate the media. Always have.

GALE
You got that from Daddy. He thought
reporters were a bunch of sissies.

BILLY
Stop avoiding the subject, Gale.

GALE
Why whatever are you talking about?

BILLY
J.R. The car. You know I said no car
before he turns eighteen in June.

GALE
Billy, Honey, eighteen? Don’t you
think that’s a bit unrealistic?

BILLY
No, Gale, I don’t. More teenagers die
in car accidents than any other cause.
 22.

GALE
Alright. I’m sorry, but he has it now
and he’ll do fine. I’m sure of it.

BILLY
He’d better. Remember –

GALE
Yes, Honey, I know: a month grounded
the first ticket he gets.

LADIES’ ROOM – LATER

Gale checks her makeup in the mirror. We hear the DOOR

OPEN. Her eyes turn cold when she sees who’s behind her.

GALE
(casually)
I’m not surprised to see working girls
at a place like this, but I thought
they’d do a better job of keeping out
the common whores.

REVERSE and we see Gabrielle Woods standing behind her.

FADE OUT.

END ACT ONE

 23.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. LADIES’ ROOM – NIGHT

Gabrielle walks to the sink and stands next to Gale.

GABRIELLE
I didn’t see any twenty-two-year-old
college quarterbacks out front. Sure
you’re in the right place, Gale?

Gale is cut to the quick. “How does she know about her
affair with Phil Elliot?”

GALE
(covering)
I’m here with my husband. Whose
husband are you here with?

They exchange lethal glares. Gale turns and walks out.

INT. UPSCALE RESTAURANT - LATER

Billy and Gale leave their table. As they cross to the

exit, Billy spots Gabrielle having dinner with Harold
Pennebaker. He stops in his tracks. Harold sees him,
smiles and comes over...

HAROLD
(jovial, charming)
Coach Donahue. Good to see you. And
Gale, you look ravishing as always.

Billy is struggling with the idea of Harold and Gabrielle

together. Gale doesn’t even try to cover her loathing for
her best friend’s estranged husband.

BILLY
What is it, Harold? Why’d you come all
the way over here?

HAROLD
I can’t say hello to an old friend?

BILLY
We’re not friends.
 24.

Harold catches Billy stealing a glance at Gabrielle, who is

looking at them from Harold’s table.

HAROLD
Stunning, isn’t she? And quite
passionate, I must say.
(sotto, to Billy)
But you already know that don’t you?

GALE
Let’s go, Billy. Suddenly I feel sick
to my stomach.

The MAITRE’D overhears Gale and reacts as they turn to go.

HAROLD
(calls after them)
Good luck tomorrow night, Coach. I’ll
be rooting for you.

EXT. QUALCOMM STADIUM (VARIOUS SHOTS) – SUNSET

The stadium is rocking with pre-Bowl Game excitement.

Throughout the stands our characters settle in: Gale,

Maria, Rose and Gracie; Cecilia Morales; Charlotte Webb
(looking stronger), her husband Ronald Fraser and their
daughters, Jocelyn and Bethany; a contingent of haughty
Deltas, including Valerie, her sister Jeni and a noticeably
pregnant Nina Miller; Portia and Mia; and, looking down
from a luxury skybox, Harold.

A drunken fan (RANDY) checks out Cake D’Agostino as she and

Cat sit down a row in front.

RANDY
(to his buddies)
Did I tell you boys these were the best
seats in the house or what?!
(to Cake)
Hey, sexy lady, I’m Randy.

CAKE
Hi, Randy. I’m Not Interested and this
is my friend Fat Chance.

Randy’s buddies react. “Whoa! Burn!”

 25.

CAT
Why am I always ‘Fat Chance?’ Are you
trying to tell me something?

CAKE
Nothing a mirror and scale haven’t
already told you.

CAT
Slut.

CAKE
Skank.

INT. BROADCAST BOOTH - SUNSET

ESPN commentators Desmond Howard and BOB DAVIE are

finishing their pre-game analysis.

DAVIE
On paper these are two very evenly
matched teams. TCU’s defense will have
a hard time keeping up with Washington
Tech’s speedy receivers, and if they
manage to do that they still have to
worry about quarterback Achilles
Addams, who’s scrambled for over three
hundred yards and seven touchdowns.

HOWARD
That’s right, Bob, this Sea Devils’
offense is extremely explosive. Don’t
forget that this is the team that upset
number one ranked Miami in a shootout
early in the season. You mentioned
Addams’ scrambling ability, but don’t
expect to see much of a ground game
tonight, Bob.

DAVIE
I agree with you there, Desmond.
College Football Coach of the Year
Billy Donahue will go with what got him
here – the spread offense. Look for
Addams to fling it tonight.
 26.

EXT. QUALCOMM STADIUM – SUNSET

On the sideline, the SEA DEVILS surround Billy. Water boy

J.R. is next to him.

BILLY
We’ve been here before. Just stay
loose, play like you belong here and
have fun. You deserve it.

The huddle breaks. Billy shares a look with his other son,
Dallas Morales. It’s his first bowl game.

BILLY
Go get ‘em, son.

Dallas nods and trots onto the field. The TCU Horned Frogs
line up to kick off.

HOWARD (V.O.)
Here we go.

The ball is kicked high into the air. When it comes down,
Dallas catches it and runs up the middle of the field. He
jukes left, gets a block and finds a lane...

INT. MATTIE’S APARTMENT – SUNSET

Darryl jumps off the sofa and shouts as, ON THE TELEVISION,
Dallas sprints past TCU defenders...

HOWARD (V.O.)
He’s only got one man to beat...and
he’s gone!

Mattie is on her feet now too, arms around Darryl’s neck.

EXT. QUALCOMM STADIUM – CONTINUOUS

Sea Devils fans go wild as Dallas reaches the end zone.

Cat is jumping up and down, arms thrust up triumphantly.
She looks down onto the field, flush with pride. Elsewhere
in the stands, Cecelia also smiles down at her son.

IN THE END ZONE

Dallas accepts helmet slaps and high fives from his

teammates. He grips the ball – it’ll be a souvenir – and
 27.

looks up into the stands. He can’t hope to find the two

women in his life among the 70,000 fans, but he tries.

ON THE SIDELINE

Dallas walks past Billy, who purposely ignores him and

focuses at his PLAY SHEET. When Dallas sits on the bench
he’s hit in the face by a stream of water. J.R. laughs
then tosses his half-brother a water bottle.

It’s the last of the good times for the Sea Devils.

MONTAGE – POINSETTIA BOWL – FIRST HALF

Beginning with their first drive, TCU opens up a can of

industrial-sized whoop ass on the Sea Devils, seemingly
scoring against the Wa Tech defense at will;

Achilles and the offense don’t fare much better: he’s

sacked three times, throws a couple of interceptions;
College football’s top receiver, Burner Turner, can’t catch
a cold, and when he does he’s HAMMERED by TCU defenders;

The SCOREBOARD tells the sad tale: by halftime it’s TCU 38,
Wa Tech 7.

END MONTAGE

INT. MATTIE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Darryl sits dejected on the sofa, watching the television.

DAVIE (V.O.)
I know this is a bowl game and there’s
plenty of jitters, but TCU has flat out
dominated Washington Tech in this first
half. The Devils have yet to show up
in this one, and when the get any
momentum at all, they shoot themselves
in the foot with penalties and just
plain poor execution. Coach Donahue
needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat
to have any hope of a comeback.

HOWARD (V.O.)
Washington Tech has been comfortable
coming from behind, and anything can
happen in college football, but the
(MORE)
 28.

HOWARD (CONT’D.)
Sea Devils are going to need more than
magic tricks to get back into this one.
They’re going to need a miracle.

Mattie crosses the room and takes her coat from the closet.

DARRYL
Where are you going?

MATTIE
I need a few things from the market.

DARRYL
But the game?

MATTIE
Will be on when we get back.

DARRYL
‘We?’

MATTIE
(tosses his coat)
Yes, Darryl, ‘We.’

DARRYL
What’s so important that it can’t wait
till morning?

MATTIE
(beat)
I’m out of K-Y.

Darryl is up off the sofa, putting on his coat...

EXT. QUALCOMM STADIUM (CONCESSIONS) - NIGHT

Portia and Mia are in line. Portia seems even more down
than when we saw her at the airport. Mia strokes her arm
to show support.

MIA
Hey, girl, they’ve come back before.
And if they don’t, it’s only a game.

PORTIA
I know.
 29.

Mia realizes it’s not the game that’s got Portia down.

MIA
Worried about your dad?
(off Portia’s nod)
Well, look at it this way. After
tomorrow you’ll have three weeks in
Jersey to be with him.

PORTIA
(smiles weakly, knows it’s
not true)
Yeah, you’re right.

Through the crowd Portia catches a glimpse of Nina. Portia

smiles, starts to call out to her then notices she’s with
Valerie. Valerie sees her and they lock eyes coolly.
Valerie says something to Nina then turns and walks away.
The archenemies won’t meet tonight.

INT. FOOD KING – NIGHT

CLOSE ON a BOX of lemon-flavored K-Y JELLY.

DARRYL (O.S.)
I didn’t know this stuff came in
flavors.

Mattie takes the box from him and puts it in a HANDBASKET.

DARRYL
But I like cherry.

She takes the box out of the cart and replaces it with a
box of cherry-flavored K-Y.

MATTIE
Satisfied?

DARRYL
(smiles)
Not yet, but you will be.

She rolls her eyes.

They’re on the way to the check out line when Mattie looks
up and sees Lilly Dreyfus, her ex-girlfriend. It’s an
awkward reunion.
 30.

LILLY
Mat.

MATTIE
Lilly, hello.

Lilly looks at Darryl.

MATTIE
Lilly, this is my friend, Darryl.

LILLY
Hello, Darryl.

DARRYL
Hello, Lilly.

MATTIE
How have you been?

LILLY
Well. And you?

MATTIE
I’ve been good. Very busy.

Lilly checks out the handbasket. Along with the K-Y jelly
is a can of COOL WHIP and a pint of FRESH STRAWBERRIES.

LILLY
Well, I see you have things to do. I
won’t keep you. Merry Christmas, Mat.
It was nice meeting you, Darryl.

Lilly walks away. Darryl and Mattie exchange a look.

Darryl’s says he knows he won’t be tasting cherries or
strawberries tonight.

EXT. QUALCOMM STADIUM – NIGHT

The Sea Devils come out of the tunnel onto the field. Billy
catches sight of Gabrielle. She’s talking to Wendi Nix.
Gabrielle stops talking when she sees him. His eyes harden
when they lock with hers. She knows what’s behind them:
thoughts of her with Harold.

WENDI
Time to go to work.
 31.

Wendi intercepts Billy for a sideline interview before the

second-half kickoff.

WENDI
Coach, you had a pretty tough first
half. What did you tell them in the
locker room and what adjustments have
you made for the second half?

BILLY
We’ve got to cut down on the mental
mistakes and get our heads in the game.
As for adjustments, well, we’ve just
got to play our tails off on both sides
of the ball.

WENDI
Were you surprised at the pressure TCU
has been able to put on Addams?

BILLY
Three sacks and two interceptions in
the first half – yeah, I’d say we were
pretty damned surprised.

WENDI
Thanks for taking the time, Coach.
Good luck in the second half.

As Billy walks to the sideline he glares at Gabrielle.

Wendi clocks the tension between them.

MONTAGE – POINSETTIA BOWL – SECOND HALF

It doesn’t get much better for the Sea Devils. Achilles

makes a valiant effort to rally his team but the Horned
Frogs defense is fierce, sacking him hard and picking off
another pass; on the sideline Billy’s frustration shows as
he paces, shouts and grimaces;

Cole, Dallas and the defense is demoralized as TCU moves

the ball around the field with ease; in the stands, our
fans grudgingly resign themselves to the inevitable; only
Harold seems to be in a good mood.

Midway through the fourth quarter the score is TCU 49, Wa

Tech 10.

END MONTAGE
 32.

ON THE FIELD

Achilles hits Burner with a pass over the middle. The

speedy receiver races fifty yards into the end zone.

IN THE STANDS

Sea Devils fans come to life. Mia thrusts her hands in the
air and shouts down to her man. But the crowd dies down
fast when they realize...

A YELLOW PENALTY FLAG is on the field. The REFEREE’S call

comes over the P.A. system.

REFEREE (V.O.)
Holding. Number seventy-six. Ten
yards from the spot of the foul.
Repeat third down.

Suzy Johnson, with the Delta’s in the stands, pouts as she

looks down at her man, iPhone, Number Seventy-Six.

ON THE SIDELINE

Billy is irate. He stalks the referee along the sideline.

BILLY
That’s a crap call and you know it!

REFEREE
It’s the right call, Coach.

BILLY
Oh, come on! Are you kidding me?!

REFEREE
Calm down, Coach.

BILLY
Alright, I’ll calm down. But you’ve
got to help protect my quarterback.

REFEREE
He’s got an offensive line, Coach. I
can’t block for him too.

IN THE HUDDLE

Achilles gets the next play from the sideline then turns to
his teammates, sees they’re dispirited, iPhone especially.
 33.

ACHILLES
(to iPhone)
Forget about it, big boy.
(to all)
Alright, I won’t say we’ll win this,
but we won’t go out like scrubs. We’re
better than that! Now let’s put
together a drive and prove it!

They feel the heat of his words and steel themselves for a
final drive. They’d break through walls for Achilles.

ACHILLES
Trips right, X shallow, Z curl. On
two. Ready...

TEAM
Break!

ACHILLES

stands in the shotgun, coolly reads the defense.

ACHILLES
Blue, eighty! Blue, eighty! Hut-hut!

iPhone snaps the ball. Achilles stands in the pocket,

looks down field for Burner, who’s coming open in the seam.

A TCU DEFENSIVE END bulls past an offensive lineman and

charges untouched at Achilles. He hits the quarterback so
hard it can be heard all the way in the nosebleed section
of the stadium. Achilles is driven into the turf and the
ball pops loose. A TCU LINEBACKER scoops it up and rumbles
40 yards into the end zone.

IN THE STANDS

Our fans watch in dismay. None are more distressed than

Gale, Portia and Valerie.

ON THE SIDELINE

Billy slides off his headset. This game’s over.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

 34.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY

Billy’s at his desk. We sense his ire growing as he stares

pensively at a MESSAGE SLIP. Finally, he picks up the
office phone, pauses before dialing...

INT. MEETING ROOM – DAY

ESPN REPORTERS and PRODUCERS are having a spirited

discussion about story ideas. A cell phone RINGS.
Gabrielle takes it from her pocket, a bit embarrassed.

BOSS
That’s five bucks for cookie the jar,
Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Sorry.
(then, reacts to the caller
i.d.)
I’ve got to take this.

Her BOSS starts to protest, but Gabrielle’s gone before he

can get it out.

INT. ESPN OFFICES – CONTINUOUS

Gabrielle finds a private alcove. Answers her phone.

GABRIELLE
Billy, hi.

INTERCUT BILLY/GABRIELLE

BILLY
Donna tells me you’ve been trying to
reach me this morning.

GABRIELLE
Yes...Not just this morning. The last
couple of weeks.

BILLY
Well?
 35.

GABRIELLE
(clocks edge in his voice)
Billy...I’m sorry about the Poinsettia
Bowl. You’ve got a good core of
underclassmen. You’ll be back.

BILLY
That it?

GABRIELLE
(beat)
Billy, I wanted to explain...

BILLY
Really? Explain what, Gabrielle?!

GABRIELLE
That night at the restaurant. I know
how it must have looked, me being with
Harold.

Billy snaps at the mere mention of the name.

BILLY
Jesus Christ, Gabrielle! Harold?!

Gabrielle tries to keep her cool as a STAFFER walks past.

GABRIELLE
I know your relationship with him is
strained, Billy, but –

BILLY
(beside himself)
Strained! Strained! Try he’s my
absolute worst enemy! Look, Gabrielle,
I know we agreed to stop seeing each
other. And I knew you’d move on with
your life and find somebody else,
eventually. But Harold Pennebaker?!
Jesus, Gabrielle, he’s twice your age!
Not to mention he’s a sick, immoral
piece of snake shit!

GABRIELLE
Me and Harold?! You think I’m sleeping
with Harold Pennebaker?! Billy, are
you out of your mind?!
 36.

BILLY
Don’t deny it, Gabrielle! He told me
at the restaurant.

GABRIELLE
And you believed him?

Beat.

BILLY
So you’re not...sleeping with Harold?

GABRIELLE
Hell no! I’m working on a story on
moneymen in college sports. He knew I
was going to be in San Diego for the
Poinsettia Bowl and suggested we have
dinner to talk about his support of Wa
Tech’s program.

Billy realizes he’s been played by Harold.

BILLY
Gabrielle...I’m sorry. I...I don’t
know what got into me.

She knows what got into him, and she couldn’t be more
relieved. His feelings for her are still strong.

GABRIELLE
Billy...I haven’t been with anyone
since that night we spent in your
office...

Billy reacts. “Can this be true?”

GABRIELLE
...and I don’t want to be with anyone
but you.

BILLY
Gabrielle, we’ve been over this. You
deserve better than a no-win
relationship with a married man.

GABRIELLE
I deserve to be with the man I’m crazy
about...even if he’s married.

OFF Billy...
 37.

INT. CHARLOTTE WEBB’S OFFICE – DAY

Billy and Charlotte are discussing budgets.

CHARLOTTE
The seven-hundred-fifty thousand from
the Poinsettia Bowl will come in handy
this year. But you know the drill:
only about half of it will go to the
football program. The rest will help
offset expenses for other athletic
programs.

BILLY
I suppose I should be thankful the bowl
committee isn’t asking for a refund.

They share a smile that attests to their mutual respect.

CHARLOTTE
Fifty-five to ten. It was without a
doubt the most painful game I’ve ever
sat through, Billy.

BILLY
Thanks for the memory. Happy New Year
to you, too, Boss.

CHARLOTTE
(a smile)
Fortunately, the bowl game split is the
same whether you win or lose. And we
can also be thankful that the hit
Achilles took in the fourth quarter
wasn’t anything serious.

BILLY
Yeah, losing him would make recruiting
a lot tougher. With Burner graduating
and going pro we’re light on receivers
and we need Achilles’ arm to lure more
to the program.

CHARLOTTE
When do you hit the road?

BILLY
I’ve got three recruiting trips this
month. California, Arizona and Oregon.
 38.

CHARLOTTE
(reminiscing)
Fleabag hotels, dreadful food and those
puddle jumper airplanes...God,
sometimes I miss recruiting.

She realizes Billy is looking at her admiringly.

BILLY
You look great, Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE
Thank you, Billy. I feel good. I’m
not home free, but I’m a long way from
throwing in the towel.

BILLY
(beat)
You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever
really told you this in so many words,
but I think you’re one hell of a woman,
Charlotte.

She takes his words in, appreciates them, then flashes an

admonishing smile.

CHARLOTTE
You’d better save the sweet talk for
the mothers of those recruits...

EXT. DONAHUE DRIVEWAY – DAY

Gale’s Jag pulls into the driveway next to J.R.’s Kia Soul.

INT./EXT. GALE’S JAGUAR – CONTINUOUS

Gale notices the “Check Engine” light is on. She dismisses

it, gets out of the car, leaves the engine running.

INT. DONAHUE HOME - CONTINUOUS

Gale comes in and goes upstairs with her coat on, heads for
the Master Bedroom, straight into her closet and finds what
she’s looking for – an expensive PAIR OF BOOTS. She leaves
the bedroom. As she passes J.R.’s bedroom she hears a
SOUND coming from inside. She stops, regards the door.
 39.

GALE
(opening door as she knocks)
J.R.? Sweetheart?

She’s floored by what she sees. REVERSE to show Barbara

Pollack, naked and on top of J.R. The startled teen rolls
off of J.R., covers herself with the sheets.

J.R.
Mom!

INT. DONAHUE FOYER/KITCHEN – A SHORT TIME LATER

J.R. and Barbara come down the stairs. He gestures for her
to wait. He heads into the kitchen where...

Gale stands waiting for him, arms folded, seething.

J.R.
Mom, I –

She SLAPS the shit out of him.

EXT. PARK – DAY

A light snow falls. Achilles and Portia have the park to

themselves as they walk along. She’s been crying.

PORTIA
I’m such a fool!

ACHILLES
That’s the last thing you are, Portia.

PORTIA
What? You’re going to tell me I’m a
genius? Huh! Some genius. The genius
that blindly believed her father was
scraping by in some hut in Ghana when
all these months he was living the life
in sunny California, gambling away
money that you gave him.
(fights tears)
How could he lie like that?! To me!

He takes her in his arms. She presses her face against his
shoulder and is overcome by emotion.
 40.

PORTIA
(weeping)
I don’t know if I can take it anymore,
Lee, all the lies and the fronting,
trying to go on as if the past never
happened. And now finding out about
Daddy...It’s just too much, Lee...

He puts a finger on her chin, lifts her face, wipes away

her tears. He steadies her with his confident eyes.

ACHILLES
It’s going to be alright, Portia. I
promise.
(then)
Baby, if it weren’t for you I’d be the
one in prison now. When I lost it, you
kept it together; you got us through
that night. I’ll get you through this.

Beat.

PORTIA
You’re all I have, Lee. You’re
everything to me.

INT. ACHILLES’ & PORTIA’S LOFT – NIGHT

Achilles and Portia lay in each other’s arms on the sofa.

She’s in a flannel pajama shirt; he’s wearing the pants.
Mary J. Blige plays softly in the b.g.

PORTIA
Want something to eat?

ACHILLES
That sounds good.

She kisses him on the lips then goes to the kitchen. He

admires her as she goes – “Damn that girl is fine!” – then
he gets up. He sits at the desk, turns on his LAPTOP.

ACHILLES
(calls to the kitchen)
You know, I’ve been thinking, we should
find another place after the semester.
 41.

PORTIA (O.S.)
But the loft is so nice. Tell me again
– how’d you manage to get it?

ACHILLES
(calls to the kitchen; lying)
Some guy who knows a guy. You know how
it goes.

He begins scanning his e-mails.

PORTIA (O.S.)
Do you really think we can afford
another place as nice as this?

ACHILLES
(calls to kitchen)
I’m pretty sure we can. I don’t mean
to brag, but I think I’ve got a little
pull in this town.

PORTIA (O.S.)
(laughs)
After the beat down you took in San
Diego, “little” is the operative word.

ACHILLES
(calls to kitchen)
That’s cold, Baby! Cold!

She laughs again and he smiles to himself. An e-mail gets

his attention. The subject line reads: “Hot Poinsettia
Date for Ice Man and Ice Princess.” He opens the e-mail
and reads. As he does his anxiety kicks into overdrive.

ON COMPUTER SCREEN: “Are ‘Ice Man’ Achilles Addams and ‘Ice

Princess’ Valerie Kim a hot ticket again? Check out these
pix of the two in San Diego before the Poinsettia Bowl.
You be the judge.”

ACHILLES
(to himself)
Shit!

He clicks on the link and his heart drops into his stomach
when the web page pops up. ON COMPUTER SCREEN: PHOTOS of
him and Valerie holding hands, smiling lovingly at each
other at their table in Dos Brasas; and of her kissing him
in front of the restaurant.
 42.

Portia comes over with a SANDWICH and a GLASS OF COKE.

PORTIA
Here you go, Baby –

She clocks his dismay at whatever’s on his computer.

PORTIA
What is it, Lee?

She looks down at the images of Achilles with Valerie.

OFF Portia’s emotion we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

 43.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. STREET – DAY

Valerie is jogging down the street, working up a sweat and

looking mighty fine in a designer jogging suit, ear plugs
in, listening to Cold Play.

The MUSIC is interrupted by a PHONE RING TONE. She stops

running, slides the “answer” button on the iPhone strapped
to her bicep.

VALERIE
Hello?

NINA (V.O.)
Valerie.

VALERIE
Oh, hi, Nina. What’s up, girl?

INT. NINA & JABARI’S APARTMENT – DAY

Nina is all Jamaican “attitude.”

NINA
Don’t ‘What’s up, girl?’ me. Have you
gone plain crazy or Psycho Bitch Crazy?

INTERCUT VALERIE/NINA

VALERIE
Something’s obviously bothering you.
Why not stop the name-calling and tell
me what it is?

NINA
Okay, Big Sis, I will. The pictures of
you and Achilles on the web.

VALERIE
(casually)
Oh. That.

Nina can barely find words.

 44.

NINA
‘Oh. That.’ Val, he’s MARRIED!

VALERIE
We both know he shouldn’t be.

NINA
But he is! Look, I’ve tried to be
understanding. I’ve tried to be
supportive, but this is insane. You’re
insane!

VALERIE
Do you not get it, Nina? I love
Achilles and he still loves me.

NINA
And this is how you show your love, by
outing him as an adulterer on the
Internet? Who the hell took those
pictures anyway?

VALERIE
A photojournalism major at U-C San
Diego shot them in exchange for two
tickets to the game. They turned out
nice, don’t you think?

Nina thinks she’s in the Twilight Zone.

NINA
Valerie, Richard’s incredible. He
loves you to death and you’ll be so
happy together. You’ve got to let
Achilles go. For your sake and his.
Please, Valerie.

VALERIE
(beat)
I won’t let him go, Nina. He belongs
to me. His heart belongs to me. We
belong together and I’ll do whatever I
have to do to make that happen.

EXT. GRACIE’S TRAILER – SUNSET

Gale’s Jaguar pulls and parks. Christmas lights twinkle

along the frame edges of the trailer.
 45.

INT. GALE’S JAGUAR – CONTINUOUS

She notices the “Check Engine” light before she switches

off the engine. She gets out of the car.

INT. GRACIE’S TRAILER – SUNSET

Glynnis Wellington opens the door to Gale. Glynnis is

stoned on something, but she’s still thrilled and
embarrassed that the former beauty queen has graced her
home. The place looks like a junk yard inside.

GLYNNIS
Oh, please, come in. I’m sorry about
this mess.

GALE
(lying tactfully)
Oh, it’s just a little lived in.

Gracie’s mother smiles, feels more at ease. She follows

Gale’s eyes down the narrow hallway.

GLYNNIS
Poor thing hasn’t been out of her room
in two days. She’s just been in there
crying her eyes out. I feel so awful
for her.

GALE
Do you think I can talk to her?

OUTSIDE GRACIE’S ROOM

Glynnis knocks on the door.

GLYNNIS
Gracie. Baby, there’s someone here to
see you.

Beat.

GRACIE (O.S.)
Tell them to go away! I don’t want to
see anybody!

GLYNNIS
But, Gracie –
 46.

GALE
(interrupts)
Gracie, Sweetheart. It’s Gale Donahue.
I’d like to speak to you, if I can.

Beat.

Gracie opens the door. She’s been crying. A lot.

INT. GRACIE’S ROOM – LATER

Gracie and Gale sit side by side on the bed.

GALE
Gracie, I’m so sorry.

GRACIE
Really?! You finally got what you
wanted, didn’t you? He dumped me for
somebody better.

GALE
I never wanted to see you get hurt,
Gracie, you have to believe that.

GRACIE
No? I remember what you said you’d do
to me if I got pregnant.

Gale remembers how venomous and hurtful her words were.

GALE
I’m so sorry I said those things,
Gracie. There’s no excuse, but I was
in a very, very bad place then.

Gracie looks at her. Remembers Gale’s confession about her

drug and alcohol dependency.

GALE
You’re a good girl, Gracie. I know
that now. You’re kind and you try to
do the right things. Like not having
casual sex, and going back to school to
get your diploma. And Mrs. D’Agostino
can’t say enough good things about you
at the restaurant.
 47.

GRACIE
Really? She always seems so pissed off
at everyone. Me especially.

GALE
That’s just her way. You’ve done so
well this last year, Gracie. You
should be proud of yourself...I know
I’m proud of you.

Gracie struggles to hold it together.

GALE
I’m very sorry for the way J.R.’s
treated you. He knows how disappointed
I am in him.

GRACIE
Oh, no! You talked to him about
dumping me?

GALE
Yes, I did. And you’re wrong, Gracie.
J.R. didn’t leave you for someone
better. He just made the same mistake
I did – he didn’t realize what a good
thing he had in you.

Gale puts her arm around Gracie’s shoulder. Gracie breaks

down in tears.

GRACIE
(sobbing)
I love him so much. I love him so
much.

GALE
(soothing)
I know you do, Sweetheart. I know you
do.

INT. TRZCINSKI HOME – NIGHT

Cat, Dallas, Cake and Achilles are in the living room.

ACHILLES
You’re sure your dad doesn’t mind if I
crash here for a couple of days?
 48.

CAT
No problem. He doesn’t get back from
Vegas until late Sunday night.

CAKE
He’s there with his ‘girlfriend,’ Mrs.
Pensky. And you know what lovebirds do
in Vegas.

CAT
Shut it, Cake. I mean it.

ACHILLES
I’ll be out by then. Portia just needs
some space right now. You know, to
cool down.

DALLAS
Yeah, Q.B, getting caught cheating
sucks, getting caught cheating on the
Internet sucks hard.

ACHILLES
Hey, Morales, I didn’t cheat on my
wife, okay!

Dallas spreads his hands in a “mea culpa.”

CAT
Jesus, Einstein, what were you thinking
anyway, hooking up with that bony,
stuck up skank again?

ACHILLES
We didn’t hook up and she’s not a
skank.

CAT
Sorry
(sotto, to Cake)
Skank.

ACHILLES
We had dinner and talked. That’s all.

CAT
Yeah, until she stuck her tongue down
your throat.
 49.

ACHILLES
That didn’t happen, Lesbot!

CAT
(having fun with it)
No? Go to www-dot-sororityskanks-dot-
com and see the pictures yourself.

DALLAS
(playing along)
I’ve seen them. There’s definitely
some tongue action going on there, Q.B.

ACHILLES
Hey, you know, I can stay someplace
else if it’s going to be like this.

CAT
Sorry. Seriously, Einstein, you know
we’re just kicking you in the balls
because you’re down, right?

CAKE
(pretty smile)
And because you threw three
interceptions in the Poinsettia Bowl...

CAT
(impish grin)
...right after you banged the most
stuck up skank in North America...

He sighs loudly, rolls his eyes.

CAL’S BEDROOM – LATER

Achilles is unpacking his back pack onto the twin bed. A

KNOCK on the door and he turns. Cake comes in.

ACHILLES
Hey.

CAKE
Hey.

She looks around the room. We sense that being in it holds

memories for her.
 50.

CAKE
This is Cal’s room.
(off his reaction)
Cat’s twin brother. He died in a car
accident four years ago.

Achilles doesn’t know how to react, but he’s a little

creeped out. Cake moves around the room, reverently
touching the dresser, the chair, etc.

ACHILLES
Oh...I didn’t know. Cara told me I
should take this room.

CAKE
Cat likes you. She wouldn’t let you
set foot in here if she didn’t.

Again, he’s at a loss. She stops on the opposite side of

the bed, looks directly into his eyes.

CAKE
You were with the sorority girl at the
Wildflower Inn, weren’t you? The night
we saw each other there.

Beat.

ACHILLES
That was before Portia and I were
married.

CAKE
But you slept with her? You had sex
with her that night?

ACHILLES
Look...Cake...it’s complicated.
(she keeps staring at him)
I still have feelings for Valerie but I
didn’t cheat on my wife. I won’t do
that. I love Portia.

CAKE
(beat)
I believe you.

She goes to the door, pauses to regard the room again.

 51.

CAKE
I loved Cal...with all my heart.
(long beat)
Goodnight, Achilles.

ACHILLES
Goodnight.

A beat as they share a meaningful look. Then she leaves.

INT. ACHILLES’ & PORTIA’S LOFT - NIGHT

Portia is curled up on the bed, holding an empty WINE

GLASS. A BOTTLE OF WINE is on the nightstand. She stares
into nothingness, eyes red from hours of crying.

INT. DONAHUE LIVING ROOM – DAY

Gale and Maria are on the sofa, talking.

GALE
That’s marvelous news, Maria! But
don’t let your guard down. Not for a
second. Harold’s a rattlesnake and he
can pop up to bite you from nowhere.

MARIA
Believe me, I know Harold. He never
concedes anything without having an
ulterior motive. Not fighting for sole
custody of Duncan will save him a boat
load of money. I suspect that had a
lot to do with his decision.
(a smile)
That and having you on my side.

Mattie comes in.

MATTIE
Gale, I’m going to take off a bit
early. Darryl and I are spending a
long weekend at his cabin and we’d like
to get an early start to beat traffic.

GALE
Another weekend with Darryl. You two
have gotten pretty serious.
 52.

MATTIE
We’re in a good place.

GALE
Good as in you’re thinking about dates
in June?

MATTIE
Gale!

GALE
Mattie! Darryl is a great catch. He’s
honest, hardworking...good-looking.
His business is doing well.

MARIA
He’s obviously smitten by you, Mattie.

MATTIE
I care about him too, but it’s much too
soon to talk about a wedding.

GALE
Suit yourself. But I have a sense
about these things.

MATTIE
(scoffs as she leaves)
I’ll see you on Monday. Good-bye
Maria.

MARIA
Bye, Mattie. Have fun.

GALE
(calls out)
Don’t be afraid to put the spurs to
him!

MARIA
(reacting)
Gale! You little whore.

They laugh. J.R. comes in covered in snow.

J.R.
I’m done clearing the snow from
Grandma’s walkway. Can I go to the
mall now?
 53.

GALE
No. You’re in for the evening.
(he reacts)
You may as well settle in and do your
homework.

J.R.
But I don’t have any!

GALE
Find some.

He leaves in a huff. Gale and Maria exchange a look. Just

then a cell phone RINGS. Maria takes it from her purse.

MARIA
Hello. Beatrice? What’s wrong?

INT. PENNEBAKER MANSION (NURSERY) - DAY

Beatrice, the nanny, is speaking in hushed, panicked tones.

BEATRICE
Miss, you have to stop him! You have
to stop him! They’re leaving the
country now!

INTERCUT MARIA/BEATRICE

MARIA
What? You’re not making any sense,
Beatrice. Slow down.

BEATRICE
Mr. Pennebaker is leaving the country
this afternoon. He’s taking Duncan
with him. He told me to pack Duncan’s
things and to come with them. Miss,
you have to stop him!

MARIA
He can’t do that! No!

EXT./INT. GALE’S JAG – DAY

Gale and Maria rush out of the house to the car and get
inside. Gale pushes the “START” button but the engine
GRINDS. The “Check Engine” light illuminates and stays on.
 54.

MARIA
What is it?!

GALE
Damn! It won’t start.

MARIA
(panicked)
Gale, we have to go! He’s taking my
baby away from me!

Gale looks at J.R.’s Kia Soul next to them in the driveway.

INT. J.R.’S ROOM – DAY

J.R. is on the bed with headphones on, smoking a JOINT. He

panics when Gale barges in. He throws the joint away –

J.R.
Mom –

GALE
Where are your keys?!

J.R.
(confused)
What?

GALE
Keys, John Ryan! Where –

Never mind. She spots them on the dresser. She’s gone

almost as fast as she came in.

EXT. DONAHUE HOME – DAY

The Kia backs out of the driveway then tears down the snow-
covered street.

INT. PENNEBAKER MANSION – DAY

Beatrice is packing baby things. Slowly. Harold comes in

and goes to Duncan, who is sitting in a playpen.

HAROLD
Hiya, Little Man. Ready to go on a
trip with Daddy?
 55.

Duncan looks up, slobbers and grins cutely. Harold picks

him up, pinches the baby’s cheek.

BEATRICE
Mr. Pennebaker. Duncan’s down to his
last few cans of formula. I really
should buy more before we leave.

HAROLD
Have Mitchell meet us at the hangar
with whatever we need to make the
flight to Tokyo. You can stock up
after we land.

BEATRICE
Yes, Mr. Pennebaker.

INT. KIA SOUL – DAY

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC blares on the stereo. Wipers wipe away

the steady snowfall. Gale drives fast down an icy, two-lane
road. Maria is consumed with worry.

MARIA
I should have known Harold was up to
something! I should have known!

Gale turns knobs, pushes buttons as she drives, trying to

turn off the annoying music. An SUV speeds past going the
opposite direction, causing and a buffeting of the Kia.
Gale grips the steering wheel.

MARIA
If he leaves the country, I might never
see my son again.

GALE
Don’t you worry, Maria. The bastard
won’t get away with this. I swear to
God he won’t.

INT. 18-WHEELER – CONTINUOUS

A burly black TRUCK DRIVER listens to TWANGY COUNTRY MUSIC

and munches on a fat CHEESEBURGER as he’s crossing a two-
lane bridge that spans an icy river.
 56.

INT. KIA SOUL – CONTINUOUS

Gale and Maria speed around a bend, onto the bridge. Gale
finally pushes the right button to turn off the stereo.

INTERCUT 18-WHEELER/KIA SOUL

The truck driver sees the car fly onto the bridge, a little
too much in the center of the road. He PUNCHES THE HORN.
Gale reacts, turns the wheel right. The car hits an ice
patch and swerves. The truck driver SLAMS on the brakes,
but it’s too late. He smacks the back end of the Kia,
flipping it once and flinging it over the guard rail, down
into the icy river 50 feet below.

Gale and Maria scream in sheer terror as the car plunges

into the icy water. Airbags EXPLODE in their faces. The
screams stop. The car begins to submerge.

TRUCK DRIVER
Oh my God!

EXT. BRIDGE – LATER

EMERGENCY VEHICLES crowd the bridge. A NEWS HELICOPTER

circles overhead as a Fire Department BOAT CREW helps a
DIVER back on board. The truck driver, still visibly
shaken, is answering questions of an INVESTIGATOR in the
back of an EMT vehicle.

EXT./INT. ROSE RYAN’S COTTAGE – DAY

J.R. has just finished shoveling fresh snow from the

footpath leading to his grandmother’s cottage. He sets the
shovel aside and goes inside.

J.R. sees Rose sitting on the sofa, watching television.

J.R.
Grandma, I shoveled the snow again and
I put salt down, so it’s okay to walk
across to the house anytime you want.

We become aware of her SOBBING. He comes closer her.

J.R.
Grandma, are you alright?
 57.

Tears stream down her face. Her eyes are glued to the
television. ON THE TELEVISION SCREEN, SASHA MENDEZ (late
20s) and very attractive, is reporting live. In the b.g.
we see rescue and recovery trucks on the bridge.

SASHA (V.O.)
(checks notes)
Here’s what we know right now. At
about three-thirty this afternoon, a
small car believed to be carrying two
people and traveling eastbound on route
31, collided with a semi-tractor
trailer truck, jumped the guardrail on
the Reseda Bridge and plunged into the
Whatcom River.

OVER VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM THE HELICOPTER of the rescue and

recovery operation below. The rear of the Kia can be seen
jutting out of the water.

SASHA (V.O.)
The car – I believe you can see it in
this shot from the Air Seven Chopper –
is a late model Kia Soul. We haven’t
gotten any official word yet, but
hearing what’s been said by rescue
workers, we believe that both people in
the car, the driver and one passenger,
were women. Of course, we don’t know
the identity of either at this time.

J.R. recognizes his car.

J.R.
Mom...

BACK ON SASHA as she takes a note from someone off camera.

SASHA (V.O.)
(reads note; turns grave)
News Seven has just learned officials
here on the scene have confirmed that
there were in fact two women in the
car. They’ve also confirmed that one
of the women has been pronounced dead
on the scene.

OFF J.R. and Rose’s emotion...

 58.

EXT. BRIDGE – CONTINUOUS

Billy’s Range Rover stops in front of emergency vehicles.

He gets out; his handsome face is etched with worry as he
wades through police and rescue workers. Police chief Tony
D’Agostino spots him and approaches.

BILLY
Tony, what happened? Where’s Gale?

CHIEF
I’m sorry, Coach. Please follow me.

Billy does as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF SEASON TWO

GOAL TO GO