THE REPLACEMENTS
by
Vince McKewin
SECOND DRAFT
February 19,
1999
FADE IN:
EXT. MARINA DEL REY - DAY
It's raining lightly in the harbor and the
water around the moored boats looks dirty and
cold.
We PICK UP a sad excuse for a boat sitting in
an end slip.
It's a sea-gull-shitcovered, thirtyfoot cabin
cruiser that hasn't cruised in a long, long
time. A ratty looking unpainted plywood
addition has been nailed to the top of the
cabin. It's partially covered with a blue
plastic tarp.
SUPERIMPOSE: MARINA DEL REY, CALIFORNIA -
FALL
The tarp moves and SHANE FALCO's half-naked
torso emerges from under it. Shane is late
twenties, golden boy handsome, but quickly
going to seed. He looks hung over.
Shane glances up at the sky and rain. He
pulls on the top part of an old patched wet
suit and zips it up. He shivers.
EXT. MARINA DEL REY HARBOR - DAY
We're BUZZING around the harbor with Shane in
an old Zodiac inflatable DINGHY.
Shane has pulled up the attached rubber hood
to his wet suit so that only the white, pasty
oblong of his face is visible.
It's still raining as he steers the little
boat around the sailboats and yachts.
He pulls up to a fiftyfoot sailboat and CUTS
the ENGINE.
With practiced moves, he ties the dinghy to
the rear rail of the sailboat and clips a
bill for services rendered on the sailboat's
stern line.
He slips on a weight belt, puts on a pair of
old gaffer taped goggles, jams the end of a
air-hose in his mouth, and falls backward out
of the dinghy and into the water.
EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY
It's dark, dirty and murky. Suddenly, Shane
floats INTO FRAME and comes AT us with a long
spatula.
ANOTHER ANGLE
He attacks the underside of the sailboat
which is covered with green algae muck that
hangs a foot off the bottom of the boat.
The spatula scrapes away the green mess
revealing the pure white underside of the
boat.
CLOSE ON SHANE
As he scrapes. Muck from the boat floats
past him. This doesn't look like fun.
As he works, he happens to look down and
notices something on the bottom.
SHANE'S POV
Amidst the beer cans and other trash,
something golden is sitting on the bottom.
BACK TO SCENE
Shane takes a deep pull on his hose, lets it
go and drifts down.
A shaft of sunlight penetrates the murky
water and reveals a broken trophy half-buried
in the mud. Shane kneels over it and picks
it up.
The trophy is almost a full-size football
rendered in bronze attached to a broken base.
Shane turns "the ball" over in his hands. He
grips the seams like he's done this before.
Then he holds the football out in front of
him.
Suddenly, he starts barking garbled signals
to an imaginary offense. He turns to his
running back as he yells something like "Blue
31!" It comes out in bubbles
He cocks his left leg and his wide receiver
goes in motion.
Then on the "snap" he turns and starts a five
step drop.
He moves in slow motion because hey... he's
underwater! He executes a perfect play
action fake on the third step of his drop,
and looks "down field" for his receivers.
But there's a blitz! He steps up in the
pocket but a linebacker's arm almost takes
his head off. He dodges, he bobs, he weaves
in a kind of delicate ballet.
He rolls left and keeps looking for the open
man.
Suddenly he points down field, pulls up and
cocks his arm.
The "ball" comes behind his ear and snaps
forward in a perfect release.
The trophy spins OUT OF FRAME but we HOLD ON
Shane as he watches his pass. Suddenly, he
throws both arms up in a touchdown signal.
We STAY ON him as he freezes in this pose of
victory, fifteen feet underwater, on the
trash-covered, muddy bottom of Marina Del
Rey.
CUT TO:
EXT. EDWARD FRANCIS O'NEIL STADIUM (WASHINGTON,
D.C.) -
DAY
Bam! A Miami Dolphin linebacker crushes a
Washington Redskin running back and lands on
his throat, elbow first.
It's a beautiful fall day in November and
Miami is beating the Skins in front of
seventy-six thousand crazed Washington fans.
The Redskins are at their home stadium better
known as "The Big O."
INT. CONTROL BOOTH - DAY
JOHN MADDEN and PAT SUMMERALL are calling the
game in shirtsleeves.
SUMMERALL
That play, my friends,
sums up the Redskins'
running game all day
long. Now Washington
calls their last time
out.
Madden leans over to do his diagram that
shows up on your TV screen. We STAY ON him
as he draws and explains.
MADDEN
Hey, the Dolphins do
this as good as
anybody. See, in a
four, three, two, two,
you got the guards...
boom!... Plugging up
the middle, then the
corners... boom and
boom! Are free to
box... leaving the
middle linebacker to
cut off the trap
here... boom!
SUMMERALL
Third and twenty-two,
but forget the first
down with eight seconds
showing and the Skins
down by a touchdown.
MADDEN
Could be the last play.
SUMMERALL
Could be the last play
of the season if the
players go out.
EXT. SIDELINES - DAY
Redskin quarterback EDDIE MARTEL is
conferring with Redskin head coach BUD TILDON
near the bench. Madden and Summerall
continue OVER.
MADDEN (V.O.)
Take it all in, people.
This could be it for
2,000.
We MOVE TO veteran Redskin center REESE
EVANS, 38, standing on the sidelines, uniform
totally clean.
He looks near tears.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Once again, if you
haven't heard, it was
announced during
halftime that the
N.F.L. Players
Association will hold a
press conference
immediately following
this game -- that would
make it about five
o'clock Eastern time --
and it is expected that
the players' union will
announce a strike
effective immediately.
ON REDSKINETTES
Twelve striking-looking women dressed in
burgundy and gold are doing some inane
chatter to a section of fans that ignore
them.
The girls are led by pretty ANNABELLE
FARRELL, a bundle of manic energy inside a
body from heaven.
MADDEN (V.O.)
It's all about money,
folks. More money, of
course and ain't it
always? The shame of
it is the big losers
are you out there, the
fans.
ON MARTEL
The Redskin quarterback moves to the huddle.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Here we go: Third
down, eight seconds to
play, ball on the
Dolphins' thirty-three
yard line. Skins down
by a touchdown.
The huddle breaks and Martel sets up over the
center.
MARTEL
Green 48! Green 48!
Hut! Hut!
The ball is snapped and Martel drops back.
He looks for a receiver and doesn't see
anybody.
He steps up in the pocket, sees an opening
and takes off running down field.
MADDEN (V.O.)
There goes Martel!
Martel is a pretty good broken field runner
for a big guy. Plus with the defense
covering every possible receiver, he's got a
lot of daylight.
Nobody has touched him as he crosses the
fifteen. Suddenly, a safety, smaller than
Martel, looms in front of him at the ten.
Martel goes down in one of those wimpy
quarterback slides before the safety can even
hit him.
BANG! The GUN sounds and the game is over.
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
They look at each other in disbelief
SUMMERALL
Well... Martel goes
down ten yards short of
a score.
MADDEN
On maybe the last play
of the season.
SUMMERALL
I think he might have
slipped.
MADDEN
Yeah, there's a lot of
that going around.
ON THREE REDSKIN FANS
We'll see these guys throughout. They're
typical low level Washington bureaucrats
named TODD, ROD and BOB who live for the Hogs
-- the traditional name for the Redskin
offensive linemen.
Todd is shirtless and his entire upper body
is painted Redskin red.
At that moment, they are livid with their
quarterback and Bob is speaking for them all.
BOB
We're coming to your
house tonight, and
we're gonna fucking
kill you! And if you
got a dog, we're gonna
kill your fucking dog
too!
ON ANNABELLE
Behind her, the rest of the cheerleaders are
already walking away. Annabelle looks at
Quarterback Martel with pure disgust as he
walks off the field.
CUT TO:
INT. LARGE BEDROOM - DAY
The room's blinds are pulled tightly against
the bright sunlight. Only the blue light of
a TV illuminates anything.
Suddenly, we hear an old man in the bed give
out with a loud piercing wail.
The door to the room bangs open and an
English male nurse named AUGUSTINE RIPLEY,
dressed in white, comes running in. He's
carrying a syringe in each hand, poised at
the ready.
He runs to the bed of the still wailing
EDWARD FRANCIS O'NEIL (75). O'Neil is hooked
up to an oxygen tank, watching the just
completed Redskin game with the sound off.
AUGUSTINE
Did they win or lose?!
O'Neil continues to wail.
AUGUSTINE
That has the distinct
tonal quality of a
loss.
He puts one needle down and jabs O'Neil with
the other one.
He murmurs to the old man as he injects him.
AUGUSTINE
Nice medicine for a
loss. Keeps us calm.
Makes us not so sad.
Keeps us on an even
keel. Gives us some
perspective, doesn't
it? And we'll save the
winning medicine for
next Sunday, won't we?
He finishes.
O'NEIL
If you keep talking to
me like I'm a five-
year-old, I'm going to
hurt you.
AUGUSTINE
Sounds exciting.
He reaches for the phone and hits the speed
dial.
AUGUSTINE
We'll want to talk to
coach now, won't we?
He hands the phone to O'Neil.
O'NEIL
(on the phone)
What the fuck was
that?!
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. TILDON'S OFFICE
Coach Tildon sitting in his office. We can
hear players getting dressed, listening to
MUSIC and getting SHOWERS outside his open
door.
TILDON
(on the phone)
I think he slipped.
O'NEIL
Bullshit he slipped!
He could have scored!
Anybody could have
scored! I got one foot
in the god damn grave
and I could have
scored!
TILDON
Mister O'Neil, let's
face facts: The
players are going out.
It's gonna happen. And
nobody wants to get
hurt on the last play
before a strike that
could go on for the
rest of the season.
O'NEIL
You god damn wimp!
You're fired! Get out!
Get out! Get out!
O'Neil throws the phone down. Augustine
picks it up and then cranks up the oxygen a
notch.
O'Neil takes big gulps of the rich air.
AUGUSTINE
Better? It always
makes you feel better
when you fire someone,
we know it does, don't
we? Yes...
O'NEIL
Get me Jimmy McGinty.
Get him here. Tonight.
O'Neil sucks hard on the oxygen.
CUT TO:
INT. REDSKINS LOCKER ROOM - DAY
A REPORTER is interviewing WILSON JONES, the
huge defensive end for the Redskins. Wilson
wears an enormous diamond earring.
Wilson is dressing at his locker.
WILSON
Hey, man, I do what my
union says.
REPORTER
But you're already one
of the highest paid
players in the game.
The fans just don't see
the point of a player
like you striking.
WILSON
Let me tell you
something: I'm a big
man, you see?
Wilson holds his arms out. Yes, he's
gigantic.
WILSON
There are some days
when I am so beat up,
that I cannot dress my
own big ass. I asked
management for a valet
or some shit to help me
dress and they said no
way. So, fuck 'em!
PLAYER (O.S.)
Shut up everybody, here
it is...
Somebody turns UP a TV in the locker room.
ON TV
A handsome ex-player named Jerome Lindell
steps up to a podium at a press conference.
He's wearing a two thousand dollar suit.
On the TV he is identified with a super:
"JEROME LINDELL -- President -- National
Football League Players' Association."
LINDELL (V.O.)
I have just left a
meeting with
representatives of the
owners and I am sad to
say that they have
refused the players'
final demands which
center around a rise in
the current salary cap.
(MORE)
LINDELL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Therefore, I am
recommending that all
N.F.L. players walk out
and not play until our
demands are met. I
want the players to
walk out tall, to walk
out righteous, to walk
out in the knowledge
that we do this as a
team. We shall
overcome the fat cats.
I send peace to my
union brothers.
The entire locker room is silent for a beat.
And then everyone starts getting dressed
again, maybe a little slower than before.
ON WILSON JONES
WILSON
Shit, I'm goin' to
Vegas.
CUT TO:
INT. O'NEIL'S BEDROOM - CLOSE ON O'NEIL - NIGHT
As he sleeps peacefully. The only sound is
the HISS of his OXYGEN.
Then we hear ICE CUBES SLOSHING in a glass.
O'Neil opens his eyes and sees:
JIMMY McGINTY, a handsome devil in his late
sixties, wearing golf clothes and sipping the
last dregs of a Scotch rocks.
McGINTY
You look like shit.
O'NEIL
I'm dying, Jimmy.
McGINTY
You been dying for
twenty years.
O'Neil motions to the glass. Jimmy pours
three fingers from a Glenlivet bottle and
hands it to him.
McGINTY
That poof of a nurse of
yours is gonna kick my
ass if he catches you
drinking.
O'Neil removes his oxygen to sip his whiskey.
He smiles as it goes down.
O'NEIL
Gimme a butt.
McGINTY
I quit.
O'NEIL
No.
McGinty nods.
O'NEIL
You pussy. I want you
to come back as head
coach. I fired that
asshole Tilden today.
McGINTY
I'm retired. And
besides, you don't have
a team. They all flew
home in their jets to
their castles.
O'NEIL
We're gonna finish the
season anyway. All of
us owners decided.
We're gonna use
replacement players.
McGINTY
You're a bunch of
greedy bastards, aren't
you?
O'NEIL
Us, greedy?! What
about the god damn
players?! I got the
highest payroll in the
N.F.L. and they still
want more!
McGINTY
That's because you've
been bottle-feeding
straight cash to these
big babies for years.
O'Neil sips his whiskey and calms down.
O'NEIL
No team owner in their
right mind is gonna
give back those T.V.
revenues.
(MORE)
O'NEIL (CONT'D)
All we promised Fox was
twenty-two guys with a
pulse every Sunday.
But think about it,
Jimmy. We got a great
opportunity here! We
got a chance to put a
team on the field that
plays the game just for
the love of it. Like
we used to play it.
McGINTY
We also used to play
without face guards.
O'NEIL
Jimmy, I'm really
dying. The doctor says
I'll be gone by
Superbowl Sunday. Help
me bring a winner back
to D.C. You did it for
me once before. You
can do it again.
McGINTY
Listen: I golf once a
week with the President
of the United States.
I walk my grandkids to
school every day. I
got a young wife who
will fuck me any time I
want, which frankly,
isn't too often, but
it's comforting to know
it's there. I don't
need it.
O'NEIL
Come on. Wouldn't it
be fun? A bunch of
poor nobodies who play
to win instead of a
bunch of bitchy
millionaires? You can
put it together, Jimmy.
Player's love you.
They always have.
McGinty pours more Scotch and looks into the
glass.
O'NEIL
Tell me you're gonna do
it.
McGINTY
Shut up, I'm thinking.
(pause)
Okay. Here's the deal:
you let me recruit who
I want, with no
interference?
O'NEIL
Absolutely.
McGINTY
I'm talking anybody I
want. No exceptions.
And no interference
with my coaching,
either, like you used
to.
O'NEIL
Sure, Jimmy, sure.
McGINTY
And one more thing: no
more Notre Dame
stories. You start
telling me Notre Dame
stories and I pull your
plug personally. I
swear to God.
O'Neil smiles.
O'NEIL
Deal.
CUT TO:
INT. REDSKINS' HEAD COACH'S OFFICE - DAY
McGinty is sitting behind the empty desk as
his two main coaches give him a presentation.
They are offensive coordinator LEO
PILACHOWSKI and defensive coordinator
CHRISTOPHER BANES.
PILACHOWSKI
... Six phone lines
with internet access on
two: One for defense
and one for offense.
BANES
We thought we would
skip special teams for
the moment.
PILACHOWSKI
Except for a kicker.
We definitely need a
kicker. A place kicker
over a punter.
BANES
The thinking being that
if we lose the toss, we
have to be able to at
least kick off.
Both coaches laugh nervously. McGinty
doesn't say anything.
PILACHOWSKI
Okay. Here's the list
of every player cut
this past season. What
we would like to do
is...
McGINTY
(interrupting)
Those people?
(pointing to
list)
Most of them were cut
because they were
shitty.
McGinty takes out a piece of paper of his own
with a bunch of names on it.
McGINTY
We're going to go
another way here. I've
done some scouting
since I retired. On an
ad hoc basis, of
course. And what I
have here is a list of
people I've kept an eye
on. They've all played
football somewhere, but
only a few in the pros.
And they've all got
something... unique to
bring to the game.
We're gonna take these
people and try to put
together a winning
team. And if nothing
else, they should be
fun to watch.
McGinty looks up when he senses someone
standing in the doorway. It's REESE EVANS,
the veteran Redskin we saw standing on the
sidelines with the clean uniform.
EVANS
You won't need a
center.
McGINTY
How you doin', Reese?
EVANS
Bored and ready to
retire. I'm just
looking for one more
hit. One more really
good hit.
McGINTY
What about the strike?
EVANS
Hell, I'm rich. I got
no complaint with
Mister O'Neil. I just
want a chance to play
one last time.
(MORE)
EVANS (CONT'D)
Shit, I'd rather go out
with a broken leg than
sitting on the bench.
McGinty nods to Pilachowski. The coach takes
a marker and fills in "Evans" in the center
circle.
McGINTY
Welcome to the new
Washington Redskins.
(to his coaches)
Let's find Reese
somebody to play with.
CUT TO:
INT. METHAMPHETAMINE LAB - DAY
A bunch of BIKER types are cooking up a vat
of speed. These guys are big, and
badasslooking.
After a beat, one of the Bikers looks up at
the door.
BIKER
Did you hear something?
The other biker shakes his head, no.
The one who asked the question walks over to
the door and listens for a beat. Nothing.
He turns to go back and suddenly the door
disintegrates in front of a charging man
wearing a "police" windbreaker.
This is DANIEL BATEMAN, a big, young,
psychotic cop, who immediately runs over the
poor Biker who was listening at the door,
kicking the guy in the head as he goes by.
Bateman dives on two more Bikers, and
viciously head-butts one of them.
He stuffs the other's head into the meth
mixture, pulls him out and clubs him with a
big police blackjack, three quick times:
Rap! Rap! Rap!
The guy goes down like lead.
Bateman looks around and spots a big BIKER
cowering in a corner. The Biker is
terrified.
Bateman takes two stops toward the guy when
suddenly three more COPS wearing windbreakers
run in, out of breath.
They look around at the unconscious Bikers.
COP #1
Jesus, Bateman! Why
don't you ever wait for
us?!
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Someone's BEEPER is
going off. The three cops look at theirs.
Nothing.
The cowering Biker looks at his.
BIKER #2
Not me.
Bateman pulls his beeper, studies it and
looks puzzled.
BATEMAN
What area code is 703?
COP #1
Washington, D.C.
CUT TO:
INT. LIQUOR STORE - DAY
A loaf of Wonder Bread is spinning through
the air in SLOW MOTION. It comes AT us,
twisting and turning.
ON CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
He's tall, maybe 22, and positioned behind
the cash register. He's wearing a Washington
Redskins sweatshirt.
Clifford's hands are up as he waits to catch
the bread which was tossed by his MANAGER at
the back of the store.
The loaf hits Clifford's hands and then
bounces out. It lands on the counter in
front of a TEN-YEAR-OLD smart-ass KID.
KID
Nice hands.
CLIFFORD
(not amused)
What else?
KID
A pack of Marlboro
Reds, a pint of Martel
Cognac and a box of
Trojans, extra long.
Clifford grabs the Kid's two one-dollar
bills, and makes change for the bread.
CLIFFORD
Get out of here. I'm
telling your mother you
were talking like that.
The Kid leaves.
The Manager yells from the back of the store
as he holds up a portable phone.
MANAGER
Hey, Clifford, somebody
on the phone wants you
to play football next
weekend.
CLIFFORD
Tell 'em I gotta work
Saturday. And I'm
watching the Redskins
on Sunday. Ain't
nothing stopping me
from watching the
Redskins on Sunday.
(mumbling)
No way that's gonna be
happening, me not
watching the Redskins
on Sunday.
MANAGER
(into phone)
He's gotta work.
(pause)
They said they'll pay
you.
CLIFFORD
Pay me? How much?
MANAGER
(on phone)
How much?
(pause)
Ten thousand five
hundred dollars!
CLIFFORD
(stunned)
Ray, who the fuck is on
the phone?!
MANAGER
(pause)
It's the Washington
Redskins!
Clifford collapses.
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - NIGHT
We hear deafening APPLAUSE as we hold on
ANDRE and JAMAL WILLIAMS, two huge
bodyguards, dressed in identical black suits.
Suddenly, the artist formerly known as Prince
comes off stage, grabs a towel from an
assistant and starts walking with Jamal in
front and Andre in the rear.
As they walk, a CELL PHONE RINGS. Andre
pulls it from his pocket and answers it,
quietly.
Jamal runs interference with the techies and
groupies backstage.
JAMAL
(to someone)
Get out of the way!
(to someone
else)
Don't look at him! He
don't like being looked
at, god damn it! No
eye contact!
As they walk, Andre is still talking on the
phone.
Finally, they get to the backstage door and
stop. The rock star prepares to run the
gauntlet of adoring fans behind his trusty
bodyguards.
But his bodyguards are conversing quietly but
urgently with each other.
One of the assistants throws open the door.
A big mob waits outside.
The anointed one turns to his bodyguards to
lead the way, but... they're gone!
The mob surges. The artist formerly known as
Prince screams as he's trampled to death by
his fans.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARINA DEL REY - DAY
Shane Falco, wearing his patched wetsuit,
climbs out of his inflatable dinghy and flops
onto the deck of his cabin cruiser.
He looks cold and tired.
McGINTY (O.S.)
You look like a
swordfish I caught
once.
Shane jumps.
McGinty is sitting in an old deck chair on
the stern of the boat.
McGINTY
He hit the deck just
like that.
Shane studies his visitor.
SHANE
And you look like that
coach from the
Seventies. From the
Redskins. McGinty.
Except you look a
shitload older.
McGINTY
The price of happiness.
Something to take the
chill off?
He offers Shane an elegant flask. Shane
takes it and drinks.
McGINTY
I'm running the
Redskins again. And I
want you to quarterback
'em.
SHANE
No, man, I've been out
way too long.
McGINTY
What, three years since
San Diego dumped you?
That's nothing. You're
in shape, flopping
around in the water
like that.
SHANE
You know what my
nickname was in San
Diego, don't you?
McGINTY
Sure. Footsteps.
SHANE
As in, I hear 'em and I
dump the ball.
McGINTY
Well, you didn't have
much of a line to
protect you.
SHANE
I got two concussions
to prove it.
McGINTY
That's why girls don't
play the game.
McGinty drinks from his flask.
McGINTY
I scouted you when you
were playing at Ohio
State. I told San
Diego they were
probably making a
mistake when they
signed you.
SHANE
(truly shocked)
No kidding?
McGINTY
Oh, you had a lot of
tools: a quick
release. Fast. A
scrambler by nature.
Good downfield vision.
But you got hurt a lot.
And worst of all, you
never could win the big
game. What did you
lose the Sugar Bowl by,
your senior year?
What, forty points?
SHANE
Forty-five. And now
you want to recruit me?
McGINTY
A scrambling
quarterback is gonna do
real well in this new
replacement
environment. And to
tell you the truth, I
think I can help you
with your biggest
problem.
SHANE
Okay. What's my
biggest problem?
McGINTY
Courage. I think that
Sugar Bowl took it all
out of you.
There's a beat as Shane looks away.
SHANE
I'm retired from
football.
McGINTY
Yeah, and it looks like
things have been going
really well for you
since.
Shane doesn't meet McGinty's eyes.
SHANE
I like being here.
It's quiet. I like
being alone.
McGINTY
Yeah. No screaming
crowds, that's for
sure.
(pause)
You know what separates
the winners from the
losers? Gettin' back
on the horse. The one
that kicked you in the
teeth. You're still
young. You still got
bags of talent. If you
do well, who knows what
will happen when the
strike ends?
Shane keeps staring out at the water.
McGINTY
You want me to tell you
you're not going to get
hurt? You know you
will. No doubt about
that. But, hell...
McGinty points to the boats in the harbor.
McGINTY
... Wouldn't you rather
get hurt than scrape
the shit off of other
guys' toys?
CUT TO:
EXT. QUEENS (NEW YORK) - DAY
We're right off Queens Boulevard on a busy
side street where LOU PACIFICO, 30, is taking
book. Lou is short, dark and handsome.
He leans against the wall of a liquor store.
PASSERBY #1
Deuce and an eightball
on Go Down, Rita in the
eighth.
Lou writes quickly on a small pad.
After a beat, another passerby leans in and
whispers something to Lou. Lou writes
quickly again.
>From across the street an old woman sticks
her head out of a four-story walk-up. This
is LOU'S MOTHER who speaks with a heavy
Italian accent.
MOTHER
Louis, you got a phone
call!
LOU
(from across the
street)
Who is it?
MOTHER
It's the Washington
Foreskins.
LOU
What?! Ma, what are
you, out a your tree?
MOTHER
(yelling louder)
I'm telling you they
said it's the
Washington Foreskins!
Foreskins! Foreskins!
Foreskins!
People in the street are now starting to look
up at this old woman screaming "Foreskins!"
Louis quickly crosses the street to his
apartment house.
But at that moment, a soccer ball bounces
toward him from where a group of kids are
playing in an alley.
Out of pure instinct, Lou gives it a mighty
boot.
We FOLLOW the arc of the ball as it sails
DOWN the block. Everyone stops to admire the
kick.
Still airborne, the ball crosses Queens
Boulevard.
At that moment, a very old mafioso type is
being helped from his limo by several
lieutenants.
Pow! The ball hits the old guy right in the
back of the head, knocking off his porkpie
hat and dropping him to the pavement like a
bullet.
The lieutenants pull pistols and surround
their fallen leader.
ON LOU
He sees what happens and quickly ducks into
his apartment house.
ON ONE MAFIA LIEUTENANT
He spots Lou before he disappears inside.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PRACTICE FIELD - DAY
Coach ROLAND LAMONT, a good-looking ex-
running back in his late twenties, is
coaching a high school player.
We can see that Roland is wearing a pretty
substantial knee brace.
He holds up a football.
ROLAND
Cut right on me, now.
Right on me.
He pitches the ball out to one kid, who runs
right at him, steps on Roland's foot with his
cleats and then cuts around him.
Roland screams and falls to the ground.
ROLAND
Not right on me,
goddamn it!
He writhes there a beat until he hears:
VOICE (O.S.)
Coach Lamont! Phone
call! Long distance.
Washington, D.C. It's
the Washington
Redskins!
Roland holds his foot and manages a smile
because he seems to know what the phone call
means.
ROLAND
(to the sky)
Thank you, Lord!
CUT TO:
EXT. BIG O (WASHINGTON D.C.) - MAGIC HOUR
The stadium appears empty.
Suddenly, a football thrown with a perfect
spiral comes AT us.
REVERSE ANGLE
We see the ball sail cleanly through a rubber
ring attached to the crossbar on the
goalpost.
ON SHANE FALCO
He's in shorts and a sweatshirt taking snaps
from center Reese Evans.
EVANS
Nice. Try a roll to
the right.
Evans bends over another ball. Shane sets up
in the shotgun.
O'NEIL (V.O.)
Shane 'Footsteps'
Falco? This is what
you're going to build
an offense around?
EXT. STANDS - MAGIC HOUR
McGinty is sitting with O'Neil on the fifty
yard line twenty rows back.
Augustine holds O'Neil's oxygen tank as the
old man sits huddled in a coat that's way too
big for him.
O'NEIL
Christ, Jimmy, I ask
you to build me a team
based on balls and the
first player I see is
Footsteps Falco?!
McGINTY
He's got as much
natural talent as any
quarterback in the
league.
O'NEIL
And he's got the
happiest feet I've ever
seen!
McGINTY
All he needs is a shot
of self-confidence.
He's our quarterback.
That's the way it is.
O'NEIL
What about a safety?
We got two a days
starting tomorrow and a
game in five days! And
we still don't have a
safety?!
O'Neil motions to Augustine for more oxygen.
AUGUSTINE
Here we go. Nice fat
little hits.
He turns the valve up. O'Neil breathes
deeply.
O'NEIL
I called a friend of
mine who just happens
to be the Governor of
Maryland.
McGINTY
Terrific, the Governor
is going to play
safety?
O'NEIL
Don't worry about it.
ON SHANE
He drills a perfect spiral through the
circle.
CUT TO:
EXT. BIG O - MORNING
A ramp at the rear of the stadium gives
vehicle access to the interior. The bottom
of this ramp is now a maelstrom of activity.
The regular Washington Redskins are in a
picket line walking in circles. The players
are dressed in everything from fur coats to
expensive leather jackets and leather pants.
Half of them are on cell phones.
We can see some of their cars parked
haphazardly nearby: BMWs, Porsches,
Mercedes, etc.
Jerome Lindell, the president of the
Players' Association, is being interviewed on
camera by a REPORTER.
REPORTER
As president of the
Players' Association,
what does your presence
mean here, Mister
Lindell?
LINDELL
Very simply, support
for these fine players
and union men.
Washington D.C. is the
home of freedom and the
collective bargaining
agreement. I am here
to remind all Americans
that the owners are no
better than the robber
barons of the
Nineteenth Century.
They have blatantly
gone out and hired
scabs, which is against
all principles of our
Constitution and the
Declaration of
Independence and
probably even the
Emancipation
Proclamation.
The picketers start shouting and pointing.
LINDELL
And here come the
Scabskins now!
A bus slowly makes its way towards the ramp
and the picketers.
INT. BUS - MORNING
Shane is sitting in the first seat with Reese
Evans (center).
We MOVE BEHIND them and see, among others,
Daniel Bateman (psychotic cop), Clifford
Franklin (can't catch a loaf of bread), Jamal
and Andre Williams (ex-bodyguards), Lou
Pacifico (kicker and bookmaker), and Roland
Lamont (ex-high school coach).
BANG! EGGS start HITTING the bus WINDOWS.
We can hear the regular players chanting:
PLAYERS
Scabskins! Scabskins!
Scabskins!
ON CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
He's very excited as he looks out the window
at the striking players. Roland Lamont sits
next to him.
CLIFFORD
Oh God, there's Eddie
Martel! And Wilson
Jones! I love Wilson
Jones! Yo, Wilson!
Yo, player!
ON WILSON
His big face looms right outside the bus
window. He looks pissed off and scary.
ON LOU PACIFICO
He leans across his seat to Shane.
LOU
Hey, Lou Pacifico.
Shane shakes his hand.
SHANE
Shane Falco.
LOU
I know. I lost a ton a
money on that Sugar
Bowl disaster of yours.
Wow. Did you get your
butt kicked or what?
ON JAMAL
He's looking out the window when an eeg
splats against it. He turns to his brother
Andre:
JAMAL
You know I don't take
that shit.
Jamal reaches into his jacket and starts to
pull out a nine-millimeter pistol.
Andre stops him.
ANDRE
Be cool.
INT. BOWELS OF STADIUM - DAY
A nondescript van pulls up and a muscled,
deadly-looking guy in handcuffs and jail
issue clothes gets out. This is bearded
safety EARL (he-ain't-no-girl) WILKINSON.
A Maryland state trooper unlocks the cuffs.
Earl looks... hungry.
EXT. STADIUM - DAY
The replacements are getting off the bus as
the players chant.
PLAYERS
Scabskins! Scabskins!
When Reese Evans (former Redskin center) gets
off the bus, the players go wild.
Reese coolly gives them the international
suck my dick sign.
Clifford gets off behind him. He waves and
smiles at the striking players.
They throw rotten fruit at Clifford in
return.
CUT TO:
INT. EQUIPMENT ROOM - DAY
SID, an oldtimer equipment man folds towels.
Behind him, we can see helmets, pads, etc.
McGinty walks up dragging Shane who is fully
dressed in a uniform, including helmet.
McGINTY
(to Sid)
What is this?
McGinty points to the intricate face guard on
Shane's helmet.
It's an exaggerated version of a lineman's
cage with so much metal criss-crossing that
you can hardly see Shane's face.
McGINTY
He's a quarterback!
How is he supposed to
see?
SID
He told me he was a
linebacker!
SHANE
I can see.
McGinty holds up three fingers.
McGINTY
How many fingers?
SHANE
Two. No, wait. Three.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Andre and Jamal are hitting the blocking sled
simultaneously. They drive it OUT OF FRAME.
ON SHANE
He's now wearing a helmet with a twobar
quarterback face guard. He takes a snap and
pitches out to running back Roland Lamont.
Roland, now wearing a big knee brace, looks
sharp as he cuts to the outside.
ON PILACHOWSKI
The offensive coordinator is standing with
McGinty who is concentrating on the
scrimmage. Suddenly, Pilachowski spots
someone. His mouth drops open.
ON MICKEY LEE
He's a fourhundred-fifty-pound ex-Sumo
wrestler crammed into a Redskin uniform. Fat
rolls are visible everywhere.
PILACHOWSKI
Oh my God. That's
disgusting!
Lee walks up. McGinty bows and says
something in Japanese. Lee bows and answers
back in Japanese. Then they shake hands.
McGINTY
How you doin', Mickey?
LEE
Not bad, Coach.
McGINTY
You look great. Why
don't you work out at
left tackle?
LEE
You got it.
Lee puts on his helmet, pulls his ponytail
out the back and rumbles away.
Pilachowski is looking at McGinty like he's
crazy.
PILACHOWSKI
You're not serious.
McGINTY
I met Mickey in Hawaii.
When he was even
bigger. He's a Sumo
wrestler. That means
he's an expert at
pushing people around.
That's what pass
blocking is, Leo.
Defensive coordinator Christopher Banes comes
running up in a lather.
BANES
(to McGinty)
I got a defensive end
who's deaf!!
PILACHOWSKI
(watching Lee
walk
away)
I'll trade you for a
tackle who's gonna play
in a diaper.
BANES
How can I coach a deaf
man?!
McGINTY
You don't have to...
He looks across the field at a big, good-
looking kid named BRIAN MURRAY who is in the
middle of a pass rushing drill.
Murray looks really fast, especially for his
size.
McGINTY
Brian Murray would have
gone in the first round
five years back if he
hadn't been born deaf.
I first saw him play
right here in D.C. for
Galludet College. He's
a hell of an athlete.
You won't have to tell
him anything.
BANES
I can't believe it! I
got to be able to
communicate with him.
McGINTY
Then learn to sign.
Hey, look at it this
way: He'll never get
pulled off sides on an
audible.
McGinty thinks this is funny as shit.
ON SHANE
He's just done a fivestop drop on a pass
play. He's looking down field when he sees
something scary.
SHANE
Oh shit! No!
He throws the ball away and then is nailed
and taken down on his back by Bateman
(psychotic cop).
Shane groans and lies there with Bateman on
top of him.
BATEMAN
Hi, I'm Danny.
SHANE
(groaning)
Shane.
McGinty pulls Bateman up.
McGINTY
Nice pop, Danny.
BATEMAN
Thank's, Coach!
Danny runs off.
SHANE
What was that?
McGINTY
Danny Bateman. Ex-cop,
ex-Marine, ex-rugby.
He's absolutely
harmless, if you just
play dead.
McGinty helps Shane up.
McGINTY
San Diego used you all
wrong. You're not a
drop back passer.
You're a scrambler.
Like you were in
college. So, we're
gonna roll out. A lot.
Get used to setting up
on the run. You'll
live a lot longer.
SHANE
I'm very interested in
that.
CUT TO:
PRACTICE MONTAGE
A) BATEMAN
is lined up at middle linebacker. When
the play starts, he runs headlong into
four blockers and takes them all down
with him.
B) WIDE RECEIVER CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
beats his man, and turns as Shane,
rolling out to his left, puts the ball
right on his numbers. Franklin drops it.
C) ANDRE AND JAMAL
On the snap, they pull to lead a sweep.
Unfortu-nately, each thinks the play is
to their side. They forearm each other
and then get into a fight.
D) LOU PACIFICO
boots one from thirty-five yards through
the uprights. He smiles, takes out a
Marlboro Light and a Bic and fires up.
E) CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
pulls up, does a button hook and Shane
puts the ball in his hands. Franklin
drops it.
F) LEE
the Sumo guy, hits the blocking sled and
turns it over.
G) BATEMAN
is down on the ground viciously punching
another player as two assistants try to
pull him off.
H) FRANKLIN
is in a crossing pattern in the end zone.
Shane puts the ball right in front of
him. Unfortunately, it hits him in the
hands.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Shane is sucking down water from the portable
water cart when head cheerleader Annabelle
Farrell walks up. She's dressed in tight
workout clothes.
ANNABELLE
Annabelle Farrell, head
Redskinette.
SHANE
Excuse me?
ANNABELLE
I'm in charge. Of the
Redskinettes. The
cheerleaders?
SHANE
Oh yeah, hi.
ANNABELLE
I've been watching you.
You look good. You
look strong. Good
quick release. Smart.
You read defenses
quickly. You're gonna
do great.
SHANE
Hey... thanks.
ANNABELLE
I saw your second
concussion. The one
against Cleveland.
Pow! You could hear it
in the cheap seats.
But you completed the
pass. That's what
counts.
SHANE
I guess so.
ANNABELLE
If there's anything you
need, let me know. And
I mean anything, okay?
You understand?
Shane is really not sure.
SHANE
Sure. I understand.
ANNABELLE
They put you up at the
Hilton?
SHANE
Yeah.
ANNABELLE
Good. Remember:
anything. You got it?
Okay?
Shane nods. She walks away.
We watch her world-class ass move across the
gridiron.
ON McGINTY AND CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
McGinty is holding a ball and talking to his
wide receiver.
McGINTY
... because it's a damn
waste of all that
speed, Clifford. I
told you that when you
were in high school.
You've got to catch the
ball, son. This is the
main idea of the
passing game.
CLIFFORD
I know, Coach, I know.
McGINTY
Okay. I assume that
you have touched a
woman in a romantic
way, have you not?
CLIFFORD
Oh yeah, Coach, sure.
In a, you know,
romantic way.
McGINTY
Good. From here on
out, you touch this
football, all the
time...
He shoves the football in Clifford's hands.
McGINTY
... just like you touch
your girl friends. I
better not see you
without this ball. You
understand?
McGinty starts to walk away.
CLIFFORD
Coach, wait! Can I
still like touch my
girl friends if I
don't, you know, let go
of the ball?
McGinty thinks about that.
McGINTY
Yes, Clifford, if you
can manage that,
absolutely.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Andre and Jamal are just about dressed.
Andre helps Jamal on with his jacket. Jamal
then helps Andre on with his.
ON SHANE
He's stripped down sitting on a bench.
Reporters are trying to interview him.
Microphones are in his face and video cameras
jockey for position.
SHANE
... just glad to be
back playing. That's
all I've really got to
say.
REPORTER
But where have you
been? What have you
been doing to make a
living?
SHANE
Well... I've been
involved lately in
the... aquatic
business...
ON MICKEY LEE AND ROLAND LAMONT
Mickey is watching Roland unbuckle his big
complicated knee brace. (NOTE: There should
be something slightly medieval about this
brace.)
MICKEY
You only played one
game?!
ROLAND
Actually, less than two
minutes. I was a
rookie third round pick
in '93. We were
playing Atlanta in the
home opener. Near the
end of the first
quarter, they sent me
in, I took a screen
pass over the middle
and got hit by both
linebackers.
Simultaneously. One a
side. My knee turned
into wet toilet paper.
End of career.
MICKEY
Can you play on it now?
Roland takes out a wrench and starts
unscrewing a bolt on his brace.
ROLAND
I've been teaching high
school football for
five years. It's not a
bad life. I'm good at
it. There are some
days when I actually
love it. But for one
more shot at this?
Shit. I'd give it all
up. This time, they're
gonna have to take me
out in a box.
ON EARL WILKINSON (CRIMINAL)
He's standing naked in front of his locker
staring with anticipation at a garment bag.
Slowly, he unzips the bag revealing a
beautiful new suit. He touches the lapels
reverently.
ON CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
He's sitting in front of a locker, holding
his football, with a shit-assed-eating grin.
Someone walks by.
CLIFFORD
I got Wilson Boone's
locker, man. Do you
believe that shit?
He drops his ball and quickly picks it up
again. He looks around to make sure Coach
didn't see him.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BIG O PARKING LOT - MORNING
The regular Redskins are out in force,
holding signs as they lean on their Beamers
and Porsches.
Shane pulls up in a battered '89 Honda.
When he gets out, he's immediately surrounded
by six striking regulars, led by quarterback
Eddie Martel and defensive end Wilson Jones.
MARTEL
Hey, you can't park
there.
SHANE
Look, I don't want any
trouble.
MARTEL
You don't want any
trouble?! You're
taking my job away, but
you don't want any
trouble?
(to Wilson)
He doesn't want any
trouble, but he puts
this piece of shit in a
no parking zone.
Shane looks but it's obvious he's parked
legally.
SHANE
Okay. I'll move it.
MARTEL
No, we'll do that for
you. Go ahead, Wilson.
Move it for him.
Wilson motions to another big guy. The two
of them proceed to roll the Honda over on its
roof. It lands with a crunch.
JAMAL (O.S.)
You all put that car
back.
Everybody turns to see Andre and Jamal
walking towards them.
WILSON
Who the fuck are you?
ANDRE
We're the people who
take care of the
quarterback. We're the
guards.
All the regulars laugh at this.
JAMAL
Put the car back.
Gently.
WILSON
Kiss my ass.
SHANE
(to Jamal)
It's okay.
JAMAL
No, it's not.
Jamal points to a gorgeous midnight blue
Porsche.
JAMAL
(to Wilson)
That's your ride, ain't
it?
Before Wilson can even answer, Jamal pulls
his NINE MILLIMETER. BOOM! BOOM! No more
Porsche windshield.
All the regular Redskins dive for cover.
WILSON
My windshield! You
crazy motherfucker!
JAMAL
Move his car back.
WILSON
My car!
Jamal raises his GUN again. POW! No Porsche
driver's side window.
WILSON
No! Stop!
He turns to his cowering teammates.
WILSON
Come on, help me, god
damn it!
The guys quickly pick up the Honda and put it
right side up.
WILSON
(to Jamal)
You are gonna pay for
this.
JAMAL
No I'm not. And quit
messing with my man
here. That includes
his ride.
Jamal spins the nine and holsters it.
Andre and Jamal get on either side of Shane.
They look at each other and then quickly
switch sides.
ANDRE
Let's go to practice,
Shane.
SHANE
Let's do that.
Shane smiles at his guards, smiles at the
still-shocked Redskins, and they move out.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM BATHROOM - DAY
Shane, dressed in pads and pants, opens the
door and walks in. During the opening and
closing of the door we hear:
ASSISTANT COACH (O.S.)
... so if anyone does
have any firearms, we
need to turn those in
as soon as possible, no
questions asked...
Shane stands in front of the urinal and goes
through the painstaking process of locating
his dick.
First he wrestles open his football pants and
then has to deal with the cup, etc.
Next to him, at another urinal, is WALTER
COCHRAN, a big, serious bornagain tackle.
As he pisses, Walter has his Bible propped
open behind the flush handle so he won't miss
a minute of scripture.
WALTER
Praise the Lord, Shane.
SHANE
Yeah. Sure.
WALTER
Walt Cochran.
Offensive tackle.
Shane nods. Walter pees for a beat.
WALTER
Shane, will you witness
with me?
SHANE
Will I what?
WALTER
Will you witness with
me? For this upcoming
practice.
SHANE
Now?
By now Shane is pissing too.
WALTER
Praise the Lord for
giving us a way to
eliminate, Shane. Why
not talk to Him in the
midst of performing his
gift?
Walter takes his hand off his whizzing member
and holds it out to Shane.
Shane looks at Walter's hand for a long time,
but finally, he removes his own guiding hand
and clasps Walter's hand tentatively.
REVERSE ANGLE
They continue pissing as they hold hands.
WALTER
Heavenly Father, thank
you for allowing us to
pee the poisons from
our systems. Please
help us in today's
practice to be strong
and...
CUT TO:
EXT. McGINTY'S HOUSE - DAY
A barbecue is in progress for the new
Washington Redskins at the beautiful home of
Coach McGinty.
The huge back yard features a pool and a
catered buffet/barbecue.
Andre and Jamal are loading down their
plates.
Mickey Lee is gnawing on a two-foot slab of
ribs.
Lou Pacifico has a little three card monty
going at a picnic table.
Coach McGinty is holding up a beautiful baby
girl to the admiring players. He kisses the
baby and then hands the child to his gorgeous
young wife.
Augustine is pushing Mister O'Neil in a
wheelchair. They pass the outside bar and
O'Neil suddenly lunges for a bottle of
tequila. Augustine has to rip it out of his
hands.
Coach Banes and Earl Wilkinson (criminal) are
talking to a distinguished-looking big man in
his fifties. This is a D.C. CIRCUIT COURT
JUDGE.
BANES
Where did you play,
Judge? Wait. Do I
call you judge?
JUDGE
Your Honor, or Judge is
fine. I played at
Harvard. But I played
in the days when you
went both ways.
Offense and defense.
When players were
really tough.
(to Wilkinson)
And where did you play
college ball... I'm
sorry, what was your
name again?
Wilkinson is smiling but he looks dangerous.
WILKINSON
Smith. Ray Smith. I
played at a junior
college nobody ever
heard of. What
position did you play
on defense, Judge?
JUDGE
Middle linebacker.
WILKINSON
Yeah, big fellow like
you, that's what I
would have guessed.
JUDGE
It was a different game
in those days. Raw.
Powerful. No tricks,
like today.
WILKINSON
You know, maybe you can
show me some of your
technique, Your Honor.
Maybe you can show me
some of that toughness.
JUDGE
I'd be glad to!
There's an evil glint in Wilkinson's eye.
INT. McGINTY'S HOUSE - DAY
Shane is standing alone in a large hallway
looking at an enormous trophy case stuffed
with the spoils of football.
ANNABELLE
(O.S.)
You would think he's
done enough.
Shane turns and sees her. She's as fetching
as ever.
ANNABELLE
McGinty, I mean.
SHANE
I was kind of thinking
the same thing.
ANNABELLE
My theory is he came
out of retirement to
see if he could win
with losers.
(pause)
Oh, shit. I'm sorry.
I didn't mean...
SHANE
(interrupting)
Hey, it's okay. I've
been called worse.
ANNABELLE
Like after that Sugar
Bowl game? I guess you
could survive anything
after that.
Shane has to actually smile at this.
SHANE
Sometimes I feel like
everybody in the world
saw that game. Like I
could go to India and
some little guy would
run up to me and say,
'Boy, did you suck in
the '92 Sugar Bowl.'
Annabelle laughs.
SHANE
So, how come you're
such a fan?
ANNABELLE
My dad. He's a huge
Redskin fan. For
years. He's in his
twenty-ninth year at
the Senate Office
Building. As a guard,
not a senator. The
only thing that keeps
him going he says, is
me and the Redskins.
That's where I get it.
My fan-ness.
(suddenly)
Are you scared?
Shane is totally taken off guard by this
woman.
SHANE
Scared? Well... yes.
Absolutely.
ANNABELLE
It's okay. Anybody
would be. But you're
good. And you'll do
good.
SHANE
Well, thank you. Look,
I gotta study the play
book tonight. So...
I'll see you.
ANNABELLE
Break a leg tomorrow.
SHANE
What?!
ANNABELLE
It's from the theater.
For opening night. You
say the worst thing
that can happen. And
it won't. Break a leg.
Shane waves uncertainly and walks away.
EXT. McGINTY'S BACK YARD - DAY
The Judge (now with his jacket off) and
Wilkinson are lined up across from each other
in a three-point stance in something called a
man maker drill.
The entire team forms two lanes on either
side of them, as they face off.
The idea is to knock the other guy down and
get by him.
JUDGE
Alright, this is how we
used to stop a running
back.
WILKINSON
I can't wait.
Someone says hut! And Wilkinson slams into
the Republican 16th Circuit Court Judge and
knocks him head over heels.
The Judge lands on his back, wham! He's out
cold.
Wilkinson slaps hands with Andre and Jamal.
WILKINSON
Oooh... got me a judge!
Man, that felt good!
CUT TO:
EXT. BIG O STADIUM - DAY
It's another beautiful fall afternoon and
cars are entering the stadium parking lot.
At one of the entrances, the striking
Redskins are picketing. Jerome Lindell (NFL
Players President) is still marching with
them.
A little boy stops one of the Redskins and
asks for an autograph on a program. The
player gives it to him and the kid walks
away.
Lindell runs after the kid, grabs the program
and rips off the page the player signed.
LINDELL
(to kid)
Don't be asking for no
autographs from the
real players and then
go in and watch the
scabs!
The kid retreats quickly. Lindell rips up
the page.
LINDELL
(to the player)
That is not the message
we want to send our
children!
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY
It's very quiet. Shane sits in pads and no
jersey, methodically squeezing a football.
Reese Evans, his center, stops by.
EVANS
You okay?
Shane nods and gives a nauseous-looking
smile.
EVANS
Remember to nod your
head on the snap.
SHANE
(out of it)
Nod my head?
EVANS
For when Murray's in.
The deaf kid. Hello?
He needs to look at you
on the snap.
Shane nods that he understands but he goes
back to staring at a wall.
Andre and Jamal sit facing each other. Andre
throws a vicious forearm at Jamal's head but
Jamal catches it. They both nod in approval.
Lou Pacifico smokes and stares.
Bateman is leaning against a wall, fully
dressed, helmet on. He's staring into space
and smiling to himself. He looks terrifying.
Earl Wilkinson (the criminal) is polishing a
beautiful pair of new alligator shoes.
Clifford Franklin looks at himself in the
mirror as he ceremoniously puts on his
helmet.
Walter Cochran is reading his Bible in front
of his locker, which features a picture of
Jesus and a cross.
Mickey Lee (ex-sumo) is sitting in front of a
bowl of hard boiled eggs. He's methodically
popping them into his mouth. He eats four as
we watch.
Coach Pilachowski comes up to Lee and watches
him eat.
PILACHOWSKI
What are you, crazy?
Nobody eats right
before a game.
LEE
I always ate before a
big match. I need the
bulk.
Like a hole in the head he needs the bulk.
Coach McGinty comes strolling through the
locker room, the picture of calm.
He walks by defensive end/tight end Brian
Murray and signs to him to have a good game.
Murray signs back, "Thanks, Coach."
Cochran spots McGinty and puts down his
Bible.
COCHRAN
Coach McGinty, I'd like
to lead the team in the
pregame prayer.
McGINTY
No. No praying.
That's the problem with
professional sports
today: too much god
damn praying. Five
hundred dollar fine to
the first man I hear
praying.
McGinty turns and bums an egg from Mickey and
walks to the middle of the locker room.
He eats the egg as he turns slowly and takes
in his players.
McGINTY
A lot of people are
waiting for you to fall
on your asses today.
And guess what? You're
going to. But I don't
give a shit if you look
funny out there. Or if
you miss a block, or
drop a pass, or trip
over your own dick.
This is professional.
And the difference
between professional
and amateur, between
playing for the
Washington Redskins and
Michigan State is
simply... money. You
are being paid to win.
Not just to play. Not
just to learn how to be
good sports. Not for
the alumni. You are
being paid to win. I
don't care how the fuck
you do it. But I'm
demanding it. Because
those guys whose place
you're taking have
forgotten that simple
fact. So, go win it.
He walks away. The players get up and start
moving.
CUT TO:
EXT. BIG O - DAY
We're FOCUSED ON an enormous, plastic blow-up
Washington Redskin helmet that bobs on the
ground in front of the exit to the field.
The idea is, the players will run into and
then out of the helmet as they are
introduced.
Annabelle and her fellow twenty cheerleaders
are lined up on either side of the bobbing
helmet, waiting for the players.
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
They are in their booth, vamping ON CAMERA.
MADDEN
... Pretty bold move by
New England Patriot
owner Victor Kiam, who
went out and bought an
entire semi-pro team
once the strike
happened.
(MORE)
MADDEN (CONT'D)
Redskin management, on
the other hand, is
going with a bunch of
unknowns. Their public
relations people don't
even have bios yet on
most of their players,
although we'll see one
or two familiar faces
out there today.
SUMMERALL
Like Shane Falco, the
enormously talented
college quarterback
from Ohio State, who
never fulfilled his
potential in the pro's.
(to Madden)
Wow, remember that
Sugar Bowl Falco
quarterbacked when
Florida State creamed
them?
MADDEN
Oh, yeah, they were
absolutely decimated!
SUMMERALL
Dusted. And if I'm not
mistaken, Falco set a
record in that game for
Bowl interceptions.
Anyway, for some of
these players this is
another shot; a last
shot, probably, for a
guy like Falco...
CUT TO:
INT. TUNNEL - DAY
Shane is looking out at the field through the
blow-up helmet. He looks scared.
Suddenly, a CANNON goes off with a stomach-
resounding BOOM! Shane jumps.
ANNOUNCER
(V.O.)
Ladies and gentlemen,
your Washington
Redskins!
IN STANDS
A sparse crowd is in attendance, mostly
diehard fans like Todd, Rod and Bob, who are
decked out in burgundy and gold. They look
drunk already as they cheer like mad.
ANNOUNCER
(V.O.)
Here's the starting
defense today...
INT. TUNNEL
Bateman is first in line. He looks like a
racehorse on cocaine.
ANNOUNCER
(V.O.)
At middle linebacker,
number 56, Daniel
Bateman!
Bateman takes off at a dead run out of the
tunnel and into the helmet.
ON HIS FOOT
It hits a wire stretched across the ground
inside the helmet.
ON BATEMAN
He trips big-time into the side of the
helmet. He bounces (it's inflated,
remember?) to the other side, bounces again
and is shot out of the front of it like a
cannon ball.
ON CHEERLEADERS
Bateman bounces out of the helmet and takes
out the first six cheerleaders.
Girls fly left and right. One girl is
knocked out of her shoes.
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
Madden covers his face. Summerall looks
pained.
SUMMERALL
Oh, my...
IN STANDS
Even the hardcore Todd, Rob and Bob can
hardly look at the carnage.
OUTSIDE STANDS
A contingent of strike players like Eddie
Martel and Wilson Jones huddle in the parking
lot. They are laughing their asses off as
they watch on a personal TV.
ON FIELD
Cheerleaders are down and screaming in pain.
Annabelle is running from girl to girl, doing
triage.
ON BATEMAN
He's sheepishly standing to one side as
trainers come out to assist.
INT. BLOWUP HELMET
Jamal and Shane are examining the trip wire.
Obviously, they were sabotaged.
JAMAL
Bastards.
ANNOUNCER
(V.O.)
And now... uh, the rest
of the Washington
Redskins.
The rest of the team walks unceremoniously
out of the helmet and onto the field.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
BOOM! The Patriot kicker puts one in the end
zone for a touchback.
The ball is placed on the twenty as Shane and
the offense walk out onto the field.
Shane walks slowly toward the huddle that's
forming.
IN HUDDLE
Andre and Mickey Lee are arguing.
ANDRE
That's where I stand.
LEE
No it's not.
ANDRE
Come on, man, that's my
spot in the huddle.
ON SHANE
As he walks, we hear McGinty's voice in
Shane's helmet. Yes, they do it by one-way
helmet radio so the filtered voice you hear
is McGinty, speaking into his headset mike.
McGINTY (V.O.)
All right, son, nice
and easy now. Let's
run our ten planned
plays, get a feel for
the land...
Shane walks into the huddle and chaos.
ANDRE
... Fat fucking nip!
You don't know shit!
LEE
What did you call me?!
ANDRE
You heard me, you tub a
rice shit!
SHANE
Hold on, what's the
problem here?
Andre and Lee ignore Shane and start pushing
each other.
LEE
I'm gonna kick your
black ass...
ANDRE
You ain't kickin' jack
shit...
Now Jamal gets involved as Shane tries to get
between them.
JAMAL
(to Lee)
Don't be messing with
my brother...
SHANE
Hey, hold on...
ON REF
He's watching the play clock and when it gets
to zero he pulls his penalty flag and throws
it.
REF
Delay of game! Five
yards!
IN HUDDLE
Lee suddenly punches Andre through his face
guard. Andre knocks into Shane and spins him
around. Jamal then goes to punch Lee, he
misses and nails Shane in the back of the
helmet.
Shane goes down hard.
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
They look confused.
SUMMERALL
... I don't know.
Something seems to be
going on in the huddle.
It looks like... yes,
Shane Falco is on his
back. They haven't run
a play yet but Falco is
down.
MADDEN
This is not a good
sign.
ON FIELD
Trainers race out to Shane, who is lying face
up with the huddle standing over him.
SHANE
(clearing the
cobwebs)
What happened? Am I
hurt already?
Shane sits up. Suddenly, he remembers what
happened.
SHANE
God damn it! I am the
quarterback! I am the
only one supposed to
talk in the huddle!
ANDRE
Yeah, but he took my
place...
SHANE
I don't give a shit!
Shane gets to his feet.
SHANE
Huddle up!
Everybody leans in.
SHANE
If you've got something
to say, raise your
hand! Is that
understood?!
Lee raises his hand. Shane grits his teeth
and nods.
LEE
Suppose like, you don't
feel good. Or you're
hurt or something like
that. Then what?
SHANE
Then you tell me before
the huddle starts!
Okay, listen up: 68
blue east storm toss.
On two.
Jamal raises his hand.
SHANE
What?!
JAMAL
That's to the right...
right?
ANDRE
No, it's to the left.
SHANE
It's to the right!
JAMAL
You better be quiet,
Shane, they'll hear
you.
We do hear a WHISTLE. A penalty flag flies
by.
REF
Delay of game! Five
yards!
Shane throws ups his hands.
ON McGINTY
He's talking into his mike.
McGINTY
What the hell is going
on?
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
MADDEN
Well, Pat, so far the
Redskins have minus ten
yards offensively.
ON O'NEIL
He's in bed sucking oxygen watching the game.
Augustine sits with him.
O'NEIL
Turn it off. This is
going to kill me.
ON REDSKIN HUDDLE
It breaks this time and everyone runs to the
line of scrimmage.
SHANE
Blue 68. Blue 68!
Hut! Hut!
On the snap, Shane turns to head off to
Lamont but instead runs right into Jamal who
knocks him down.
Shane looks up at Jamal.
SHANE
Have you suddenly
decided you don't like
me, Jamal?
JAMAL
Oh. You said it was to
the right, didn't you?
IN HUDDLE
Shane leans in.
SHANE
Okay. Let's try
something simple. 18
red left slot open.
(to Jamal)
That's to the left!
They break and Shane lines up over his
center.
SHANE
Eighteen red! Eighteen
red! Hut! Hut!
On the snap, Shane hands to Lamont who sweeps
left, cuts inside and picks up eight yards.
Shane is ecstatic.
SHANE
Yeah!
And then a penalty flag flies by.
REF
Holding! Number 78.
Shane looks at Jamal who is trying
desperately to hide his number.
Shane leans in with the next play. Cochran,
playing right tackle, can't resist.
COCHRAN
You see. We should
have prayed.
SHANE
Shut up! Pass. 22
Solo right slot 'A,' Y
stick. On one.
They break and come to the line of scrimmage.
SHANE
Twenty-two green. Hut!
Shane does a play action fake to Lamont and
then turns downfield.
Wham! He's buried by three defenders. The
ball squirts loose and the Patriots recover.
ON PILACHOWSKI
He's livid on the sidelines. As his
offensive line comes off he rants at them.
Shane hobbles off past:
The defense rushing onto the field led by
Bateman.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Washington comes up a
minus fourteen yards on
their first possession.
ON PATRIOTS
They break their huddle and come to the line
of scrimmage. Bateman is snorting fire.
Earl Wilkinson (with SMITH on the back of his
jersey) patrols the secondary and calls out
the formation.
EARL
Wide right! You got
wide right! Check on
the wing!
The PATRIOT QUARTERBACK sets up over center.
PATRIOT QB
Blue fourteen!
Bam! Bateman runs offside and flattens the
quarterback. Penalty flags fly everywhere.
ON SIDELINE
Defensive Coordinator Banes rolls his eyes.
The Ref moves the ball five yards and gives
the offside sign.
ON PATRIOTS
They come out of the huddle again.
PATRIOT QB
Green eighty-seven!
Pow! Bateman dives offside again and
forearms the Quarterback, knocking him on his
back. Flags fly again.
One Patriot lineman makes the mistake of
pushing Bateman. Bateman literally jumps on
his head. More flags fly.
ON SIDELINE
Banes is screaming something unintelligible
at Bateman.
ON BALL
It's marched downfield by the Ref, this time
fifteen yards.
OVER this we hear:
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
I think the Redskins
just set a record for
penalties in the first
three minutes. We're
waiting for the stats
on that...
Here come the Patriots again.
CUT TO:
FIRST HALF MONTAGE
A) SHANE
rolls to his right but the blitz is on
and he reverses and rolls left. He's
finally cornered and has to dump the ball
off. The pass is incomplete and he's
knocked on his ass.
B) SHANE
fakes to Lamont and rolls again. He
fires a bullet to Franklin on a down and
out. Clifford actually catches the ball,
then bobbles it and in trying to get
possession again, hands the ball to the
defender.
The defender can't believe it for a beat
and then he streaks down the sideline and
scores.
C) McGINTY
just shakes his head.
D) TODD, ROB AND BOB
scream in pain. Rod pours his own beer
over his own head.
E) O'NEIL
looks disgusted as he watches with
Augustine.
F) BATEMAN
grabs the opposing running backs' face
mask and spins him around and around.
Flags fly everywhere.
G) SHANE
is on the run again looking for a
receiver. He finally throws the ball...
right into the hands of the opposing
safety.
Shane dives for the guy and misses. The
safety scores.
H) ANNABELLE
is trying desperately to get the crowd
into the game by jumping up and down and
waving her pom poms.
Five guys right in front of her get up
from their seats, take all their stuff
and leave.
CUT TO:
EXT. GAME - ANGLE ON SCOREBOARD - SECOND QUARTER
shows the Patriots up 17 to 0.
ON SHANE
He's rolling in the back field again looking
for a receiver.
SHANE'S POV
Nothing but meat coming at him.
BACK TO SCENE
Shane panics and tosses the ball out of
bounds. Shane looks at McGinty on the
sidelines. We hear McGinty's voice.
McGINTY (V.O.)
You had Lamont open in
the flat.
Shane puts his head down like he knows it.
McGINTY (V.O.)
Come on, now, son.
Pick up your pace on
the roll. See the big
picture. Pump and
fake, pump and fake.
IN HUDDLE
Everyone is dirty, sweating bullets and
breathing very hard.
Shane leans into the huddle.
Lee is raising his hand.
SHANE
What?
LEE
I don't feel good.
And with that he promptly vomits sixteen
eggs.
ANDRE
Oh, God!
COCHRAN
Oooooh...
JAMAL
Man, that's ripe!
Everyone is reacting. Some players gag.
EVANS
Shane, we got to move!
SHANE
Okay. On the count of
three. Everyone more
left. Hut! Hut! Hut!
ON HUDDLE
Eleven bentover guys move in unison with tiny
steps to their left.
ON PATRIOTS' LINEBACKER
The guy watches the huddle moving.
PATRIOT LB
What the fuck is this?
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
Summerall has his binoculars on the moving
huddle.
SUMMERALL
John, how many years
have we been calling
games together?
MADDEN
Seventeen, I think.
Pat just hands John the binoculars.
IN HUDDLE
Shane calls the play as they continue to move
as one.
SHANE
U brown right, west 19
A lead. That's you,
Mickey. Puke on him if
you have to.
ON HUDDLE
The huddle stops and they break for the line
of scrimmage.
ON LEE
He lines up face to face with the Patriots'
defensive end.
Lee breathes in the guy's face and the
Patriot gags.
SHANE (O.S.)
Hut!
Lee runs right over the guy. He's quickly
followed by Lamont with the ball.
Lamont runs for eighteen yards and a first
down.
ON PATRIOT DEFENSIVE END
He's waving for a substitute as he weaves off
the field.
MADDEN (V.O.)
Very nice off tackle
run by Lamont.
Execution was letter
perfect.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
That puts the Redskins
in field goal range.
And here comes Pacifico
to see if he can get
them on the board
before the half ends.
ON PACIFICO
He flicks his smoke away as he runs out onto
the field.
INT. BAR (QUEENS, NEW YORK)
A guy sitting at the bar turns his head
quickly to the televised game when he hears
Pacifico's name.
This is the same mafioso type who saw Lou
kick the ball that knocked the godfather's
hat off. Remember?
EXT. BIG O - ON SHANE - DAY
He crouches down and waits for the snap from
Evans.
Pacifico lines himself up.
MADDEN (V.O.)
This will be a forty-
five yarder. That's a
tough distance for your
first N.F.L. field goal
try.
SHANE
Hut!
It's a perfect snap. Shane spots it,
Pacifico belts it.
And it goes through for three.
ON TODD, ROD AND BOB
They begin immediately singing "Hail to the
Redskins," a march always sung after a score.
They and the sparse crowd in the stadium know
and sing every word.
ON PACIFICO
He gets high fives all around. Then Bateman
runs up and in his ecstasy, slaps Pacifico in
the head.
Pacifico goes down, knocked out cold.
ON CHEERLEADERS
Led by Annabelle, the girls are doing a
stirring finale to "Hail to the Redskins."
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY (HALF-TIME)
Everyone is lying on the floor.
Shane has ice bags on his head, shoulder,
elbow and both knees.
Pacifico is getting smelling salts from a
trainer as Bateman hovers nearby waiting to
apologize.
Mickey Lee is chewing ice.
Cochran is reading his Bible.
McGinty walks in and bends down to Shane.
McGINTY
(quietly)
You got to look for
Murray over the middle.
You got to trust me on
this: he's a big,
tough kid with good
hands.
SHANE
We can't put three
plays together without
a penalty, a fumble of
a fight.
McGINTY
You still got a whole
half left. You're a
thoroughbred out there
running against a bunch
a nags. You can pick
these fuckers apart.
Shane smiles through his pain.
SHANE
You're good. You're
really good.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
The Patriots have the ball. Their
Quarterback drops back for a pass and throws
it.
ON WILKINSON
Earl is covering the intended receiver. He
deftly steps in front of the guy, and makes a
diving catch.
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
SUMMERALL
Another terrific
interception by Smith.
That's his second.
Madden starts shuffling through pages.
MADDEN
Yeah, this guy is a
player.
He finds the paper he's looking for.
MADDEN
According to the
Redskins, Ray Smith...
is... that's weird. No
college given, no high
school given. It just
says he's been a
resident of the state
of Maryland for the
last four years and
five months. Likes to
embroider.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Shane is walking toward the huddle. In his
ear, he hears:
McGINTY (V.O)
Half your job is
getting that huddle in
the right mindset. Use
your imagination,
Shane.
Shane stops short of the huddle. Everyone is
looking at him.
There is a beat and then Shane steps in.
SHANE
Okay, let's all take a
few seconds to think
about what we were
doing for a living...
just last week.
Shane looks around the huddle. Everybody
looks pained and/or depressed.
SHANE
Good. Let's kick ass.
Red right pass 15 x
hook.
They break the huddle and Shane sets up over
Evans. He glances over at Brian Murray.
Murray is lined up in a three point stance at
tight end. But his head is turned and he's
looking directly at Shane.
SHANE
Red fifteen! Red
fifteen! Hut!
Shane nods on the snap.
The front five, in the persons of Andre,
Jamal, Reese, Mickey Lee and Cochran, hit out
and simultaneously knock their men on their
backs.
Shane, with plenty of time, hits Murray over
the middle for twelve yards.
Shane looks over at the sidelines. McGinty
is smiling.
MONTAGE
A) SHANE
is under pressure but he rolls smoothly
and rockets the ball downfield.
Murray pulls it in for fifteen yards.
B) SHANE
rolls left off the shotgun, fights off a
cornerback and throws back across field,
complete to Lamont coming out of the
backfield.
C) PATRIOT
is calling for a fair catch on a punt.
He catches the ball but Bateman flies
INTO FRAME and decks him. Flags fly.
D) ANDRE AND JAMAL
are blocking side by side, pushing their
men back as Lamont squeezes through with
the ball.
E) EVANS
is pass blocking like the all pro that he
is. He knocks his man flat and then
doubles up on Cochran's man.
F) BATEMAN
is pursuing a running back. He knocks
down an official and runs right over him.
Then he gets his hands on the running
back and pushes him out of bounds and
then knocks over a photographer.
G) SHANE
pumps once and then drills a twenty yard
spiral.
Clifford Franklin beats his man and dives
for the ball. He bobbles it, and then
squeezes it to his stomach as he hits the
ground.
CUT TO:
INT. BOOTH - DAY
Madden uses his pen on the screen to try to
explain a play. There are already lines
everywhere.
MADDEN (V.O.)
... began with a
Redskin end around, but
Cochran, the pulling
tackle ran into Falco's
pitchout ... see?
(MORE)
MADDEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Right here, it bounced
off his helmet. Then
it was kicked by Landon
and then Hayes touched
it, I think, and then
Green got a hand on it,
and then Bellinski
recovered it and then
he lost it, and finally
the ball took a crazy
bounce right back into
Falco's hands, look at
his face here. He's as
surprised as anybody!
Falco then ran it back
to just about the
original line of
scrimmage, executed the
same play -- an end
around to Murray -- and
the Skins score.
Welcome to Strike
Football!
ON PACIFICO
Boom! He boots the extra point.
Scoreboard: Patriots 17, Redskins 10.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FIELD - LATE AFTERNOON
We're on the clock which shows one minute ten
seconds left in the fourth quarter.
ON HUDDLE
It breaks and comes to the line of scrimmage.
Shane drops into the shotgun.
SHANE
Hut, hut!
Shane rolls left but there's a blitz! The
cornerback is almost on him when Shane shifts
and rolls the other way.
ON FRANKLIN
He's wide open five yards from the goal line.
ON SHANE
They're breathing down his back.
SHANE'S POV
He sees Franklin and cocks his arm.
Suddenly, opposing jerseys are everywhere.
Shane dumps the ball. He's immediately
decked by a defensive end.
ON BALL
We watch the flight of it in SLOW MOTION. We
FOLLOW it right INTO the hands of... a New
England Patriot defensive back.
ON SHANE
He's down and not moving.
ON TODD, ROD AND BOB
They scream in despair.
ON ANNABELLE
She falls to her knees in pain.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Falco is intercepted.
That's too bad.
MADDEN (V.O.)
Yeah, and it looks like
he's hurt, too. He was
really starting to put
it together here in the
fourth quarter. Only
forty-eight seconds now
left on the clock.
ON SHANE
He's helped off the field and onto the bench.
ON McGINTY
He grabs Bateman before he can run out onto
the field.
McGINTY
Danny.
(very slowly)
Get me the ball.
BATEMAN
The ball. Okay, Coach.
He runs out onto the field.
ON PATRIOTS
They line up.
PATRIOT QB
Hut, hut, hut!
The quarterback hands off to the running back
right up the middle in a typical "run out the
clock" play.
BAM! Bateman comes out of nowhere, decks the
runner and literally rips the ball out of his
hands as he goes down.
ON CROWD
They go wild!
ON ANNABELLE
She does a cartwheel.
ON McGINTY
He's leaning over a groggy Shane on the
bench.
McGINTY
Don't shake your head
at me. You are going
back in there. You are
gonna run the same god
damn play, you are
gonna throw the ball to
Franklin again and this
time, he's gonna score.
SHANE
I can't...
McGinty grabs some smelling salts from a
hovering trainer.
He shoves them under Shane's nose. Shane is
suddenly very awake.
McGINTY
You are the only one in
this entire stadium who
can do it. Do you
understand me? You can
do something no one
else can do. So, start
right here. Start
living your destiny.
Or give it up for good.
Right here. Right now.
Shane stares at him.
Then he stands up, wobbles and puts on his
helmet.
ON HUDDLE
They're all turned and watching as Shane
makes his way slowly out onto the field.
Annabelle watches him closely.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Here comes Falco with
eighteen seconds left
on the clock.
MADDEN (V.O.)
I'm surprised to see
him again after that
shot he took from
Bellinski.
ON HUDDLE
It breaks and Shane stands over Evans and
looks out at the defense.
Nasty-looking linebackers and cornerbacks
stare at him.
SHANE
22 green!
His voice cracks and several defensive
players openly laugh at him.
Shane gets an idea.
SHANE
Check! Black 43!
Black 43!
ON ANDRE
He's down in a three-point stance facing a
defender. He whispers to Reese:
ANDRE
What's that mean?
REESE
(whispering
back)
He's changing the play.
Listen!
SHANE
Black 43!
MADDEN (V.O.)
It's a long count.
Falco could be calling
an audible.
ON LAMONT
He shifts position in the backfield.
LAMONT
(to Shane)
Is this right?
SHANE
(shaking his
head)
Black 43 left!
Lamont shifts again. Clifford goes in motion
from his flanker position but then changes
his mind and goes back the other way.
Lamont and Clifford then bump into each
other.
ON PATRIOT DEFENSE
They are totally confused now as they try to
adjust to the equally confused Redskins.
ON McGINTY
He looks extremely pissed.
ON SHANE
SHANE
Hut! Hut!
He turns to hand the ball off to Lamont but
Lamont is not there.
Shane turns the other way and sees Lamont
just standing there looking at him. Shane
runs over to him and hands him the ball.
Meanwhile, the Patriot defense is going the
other direction.
Lamont takes off.
One cornerback is not taken in. The guy
dives for Lamont's legs. We hear a CLANK as
the cornerback's HELMET hits Lamont's
industrial KNEE BRACE. The guy bounces off
and Lamont trots into the end zone.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Lamont scores!
MADDEN (V.O.)
Whoa! Falco calls an
audible at the line of
scrimmage and Lamont
takes it in!
Shane, meanwhile, is looking at McGinty on
the sidelines.
McGINTY (V.O.)
(in Shane's
helmet)
I guess you saw
something I didn't.
Shane nods vigorously.
McGINTY (V.O.)
Don't try to bullshit
me, pal. You didn't
want it. Winners
always want the ball
with the game on the
line. You know that.
Shane looks down.
McGINTY (V.O.)
Alright. The play
is... waggle right,
drag hook. You
understand?
Shane nods.
ON O'NEIL
He looks ten years younger as he and
Augustine watch.
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
With eight seconds
remaining, Pacifico
will try the extra
point that will send
this game into
overtime.
MADDEN (V.O.)
This turned out to be
one hell of a contest,
Pat!
ON PACIFICO
He sets up for the kick.
ON SHANE
He waits for the snap.
ON BRIAN MURRAY
He sets up at his flanker position.
SHANE
Hut!
Shane catches the snap and pitches the ball
out to Murray from his holding position.
MADDEN (V.O.)
It's a fake!
The Patriot right defensive end breaks
through and reaches for Murray. The only
person in his way is Shane, still kneeling in
the holding position. Shane screams as the
huge lineman trips over him and then falls on
him.
Murray sweeps around the right side and
scores untouched.
Redskins win.
Everybody goes nuts.
ON O'NEIL
He pounds on Augustine.
ON TODD, ROD AND BOB
They pound on each other. Hail to the
Redskins is deafening.
ON McGINTY
He just smiles.
ON SHANE
He's still under the defensive end. Reese
Evans pulls the guy off and bends down to
Shane.
REESE
We won, Shane. We won!
Shane manages a painful smile.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WASHINGTON HILTON - BAR - NIGHT
It's packed with players, friends and
assorted groupies.
Pacifico is smoking and talking non-stop to a
group who hang on his every word.
Andre is already passed out at a booth.
Jamal supports one side of Andre so he
doesn't fall over.
Murray is signing to several fans who sign
back.
Clifford Franklin signs autographs.
Earl Wilkinson, dressed to the nines, is
dancing close and slow with a gorgeous woman.
Shane is at the bar and he's not in good
shape. He's got cuts and bruises visible and
every time he moves he grimaces. The
martinis are starting to help, however.
He's talking to a stunning WOMAN IN RED.
SHANE
... ultimately, it's a
pain thing, you know?
I mean, it's Darwinian,
the survival of the
numbest. Whoever can
take the pain most,
gets the largest
contract. It's sick.
He finishes his martini and throws the olive
over his shoulder.
WOMAN
IN RED
Exactly. Let me buy
you another.
She signals to the bartender.
WOMAN IN RED
I don't know how you do
it. I hate pain. Pain
is a no no as far as
I'm concerned.
Shane gets his new drink, takes a sip and
visibly slumps at the bar.
SHANE
(slurring)
I'm glad that you are
concerned.
WOMAN IN RED
Hey, are you alright?
I'll take you up to
your room, if you like.
Shane looks at her closely.
SHANE
I would like.
CUT TO::
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Shane weaves down the hallway with the Woman
In Red.
They stop at a door.
SHANE
Here's home.
Shane fumbles for a key.
Another stunning-looking woman suddenly
appears from down the hall. This is the
WOMAN IN BLUE.
WOMAN IN RED
A friend of mine is
going to join us, okay?
WOMAN IN BLUE
Hi. Ready to party?
She checks the hallway, takes the key from
Shane and sticks it in the lock.
SHANE
(looking at both
women)
Oooooh. Bookends.
WOMAN IN BLUE
And you're the book,
baby.
Suddenly, Annabelle Farrell appears in the
hallway.
ANNABELLE
(to the girls)
Go away. Both of you.
WOMAN IN RED
Fuck off!
Crack! Annabelle punches her in the nose
with a straight right hand. The girl bounces
off the wall.
SHANE
(to Annabelle)
These are my guests.
WOMAN IN RED
(now bleeding)
You crazy bitch!
Both girls take off.
SHANE
Why did you do that?
Annabelle opens the door.
ANNABELLE
You were about to be
rolled.
SHANE
(as he enters)
That's what I was
hoping.
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
Annabelle is pulling the bed down as Shane
falls into a chair.
ANNABELLE
They work the bar
downstairs looking for
drunk Redskins.
Shane looks embarrassed.
SHANE
I guess they found one.
ANNABELLE
Don't feel so bad.
It's a rookie mistake.
She turns and sees that he's already passed
out.
She looks at him not unkindly. Then she
unbuckles his belt and starts pulling his
pants off.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ROOM - CLOSE ON SHANE'S BEAT UP FACE - DAWN
as he opens his eyes.
He rolls over and screams in pain.
ON ANNABELLE
She's wearing nothing but a Redskins' T-
shirt. She quickly bends over him.
ANNABELLE
Here. Take this.
SHANE
(groaning)
What is it?
ANNABELLE
It's for the pain.
Take it. It's only a
little bit illegal.
Shane takes it and swigs a glass of water.
SHANE
Oh, God. I've got to
go to the bathroom.
It's far away, isn't
it?
ANNABELLE
I'll help. We'll just
take our time.
She helps him get out of bed. When he
stands, he screams again.
ANNABELLE
Kidneys.
SHANE
Oh, man. My hair
hurts.
ANNABELLE
You took a hell of a
beating. The martinis
didn't help, either.
She walks him to the bathroom like an old
man. He shuffles in and closes the door.
ANNABELLE
Don't be afraid if
you've got blood in
your urine. That's
normal.
SHANE (O.S.)
Did you undress me?
ANNABELLE
Yes.
SHANE (O.S.)
And you... slept here
with me?
ANNABELLE
Yes.
SHANE (O.S.)
Did we... ?
ANNABELLE
Are you kidding? You
were catatonic.
He appears again at the door.
SHANE
No blood.
ANNABELLE
Good. Back to bed.
He leans on her as she walks him back.
He gets into bed with a moan.
SHANE
May I ask you a
personal question?
She nods.
SHANE
Do you do this for all
Redskin quarterbacks?
ANNABELLE
Of course not.
SHANE
Then why me?
Annabelle takes her time answering.
ANNABELLE
I don't know. I guess
I can't resist a man
who can take a hit.
SHANE
I can't take a hit!
Annabelle cradles his head.
ANNABELLE
Shhh. It's all in your
head. Now, get some
sleep.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY
Annabelle walks up to Shane's door with a
stack of newspapers. She enters.
INT. ROOM - DAY
The bathroom door is closed. Annabelle talks
to him anyway.
ANNABELLE
You're the golden boy
in the press this
morning.
She reads a headline.
ANNABELLE
'Falco scores big.'
(to herself)
Well... not really.
(still reading)
Hey, a lot of the
regular players are
starting to cross the
picket line.
SHANE (O.S.)
Redskins?
ANNABELLE
It doesn't say.
Shane comes out of the bathroom dressed and
ready to go. He's still moving slowly and in
great pain.
ANNABELLE
Where are you going?
SHANE
McGinty called a dinner
meeting with the whole
team.
Shane tries to put on his coat, but he's so
sore he can't. Annabelle helps him.
SHANE
Thank you. Thanks
for... everything. You
saved my life.
ANNABELLE
No. Probably just your
wallet and your watch.
SHANE
And that pill, that
sure worked.
ANNABELLE
You're basic double D
Vicodin. But be
careful: It's habit-
forming. The best
stuff always is.
There's another awkward silence.
SHANE
Well...
ANNABELLE
Ice both knees and that
shoulder before bed.
CUT TO:
EXT. CLIFFORD FRANKLIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Clifford, still carrying his football, comes
out of his apartment in a third floor walk-
up. He's wearing his Redskins jacket.
As he turns around from locking his door, he
stops dead in his tracks.
All of Clifford's neighbors, all the way down
both halls, are standing in front of their
doors.
They all start applauding.
Clifford smiles from ear to ear.
MONTAGE
A) ANDRE AND JAMAL
are trying to hail a cab on Wisconsin
Avenue. Suddenly, one cab, then two,
then four SLAM on their BRAKES.
Cabbies hop out to open their doors for
the brothers.
B) ROLAND LAMONT
walks down G Street with Brian Murray.
Brian spots something in a store window
and stops Roland.
Roland gasps as he sees himself
duplicated on ten TV screens in an
appliance store. He's on tape being
interviewed at a Redskins' practice.
C) EARL WILKINSON
dressed in casual chic, is moving quickly
through Lord and Taylor's Department
Store with two sales clerks in tow. He
stops, grabs four cashmere sweaters,
smells them, hands them to one clerk and
moves on.
D) LOU PACIFICO
is standing in front of the White House.
He has a line of ten people who are
paying five bucks for an autographed
picture of himself that he hands out from
a huge stack.
CUT TO:
EXT. PALM RESTAURANT - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
We see Shane walk in the door.
INT. PALM - NIGHT
The Scabskins are all being served dinner in
a private room.
Mickey Lee is served a steak the size of a
briefcase. Andre and Jamal get lobsters big
enough to be pets.
Ed O'Neil is being fed pureed asparagus by
Augustine. When Augustine drops the napkin
and bends over, O'Neil whispers urgently to
Cochran who is enjoying a steak:
O'NEIL
I'll give you 50
thousand dollars for a
bite of that steak!
McGinty taps his glass at the head of the
table and stands.
McGINTY
Alright, listen up:
There have been a lot
of rumors about the
regular players
crossing the picket
lines. They are not
rumors. Many union
players have now seen
the error of their ways
and are coming back in
droves. Apparently,
they have been struck
with the realization
that it is a blessing
to be playing
professional football.
There is dead silence in the room. Everybody
thinks it's over.
McGINTY
But they had their
chance. Now it's your
turn. Mister O'Neil
and I have agreed to
ban all striking
players and to continue
to go with you guys.
There's a beat and then everyone breaks into
cheers.
Suddenly, the door flies open and a REPORTER
and a cameraman step in and start filming.
The Reporter shoves a microphone at McGinty.
REPORTER
Coach, what will be
your strategy against
New York this Sunday?
Out in the restaurant, patrons see the
players and a few break into "Hail to the
Redskins."
Suddenly, the whole restaurant starts
singing.
Shane looks embarrassed.
Pacifico stands up on his seat, and conducts
the singing.
Andre and Jamal hold their lobsters in the
air and make them dance to the song.
CUT TO:
INT. EDDIE MARTEL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
We're ON a TELEVISION showing Pacifico
conducting and the entire restaurant singing.
Eddie Martel (Redskin quarterback) is
watching the scene at home on the late local
news.
NEWSPERSON
(V.O.)
... The Palm patrons
showed an impromptu
appreciation tonight
for the new Washington
Redskins. They may be
unknowns and far from
superstars, but it sure
looks like they have
charmed the fans.
Martel looks very angry.
CUT TO:
INT. SHANE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Shane answers his door. Annabelle is
standing there.
SHANE
Hi. Come in.
ANNABELLE
No.
She gives him a bottle of pills.
ANNABELLE
We don't travel with
the team. So, here's
Tylenol with codeine,
regular Vicodins, the
magic bullet one that I
gave you before, and a
couple of Darvons if
you actually break
something. Pop 'em in
the ambulance.
SHANE
Wow. Thanks.
ANNABELLE
I'll be watching on TV.
The Giants got back
three of their four
defensive linemen.
Plus their middle
linebacker.
SHANE
Yeah. I know.
ANNABELLE
What can I say? Go
from the shotgun and
scramble your ass off.
Shane smiles at her.
She suddenly grabs him and they kiss big-
time.
Then she breaks and walks quickly away.
Shane doesn't know what to make of this.
CUT TO:
EXT. MEADOWLANDS (NEW JERSEY) - DAY
We're DOWN ON the field in the middle of a
play.
Shane is running away from three New York
Giant defensive linemen.
Shane is not even looking for a receiver.
He's looking to save his life.
Finally, he's caught by a six-foot-five, two
hundred and seventy pound defensive end named
HANK MORRIS, who throws him down and lands on
top of him. Oooof!
MORRIS
(in Shane's ear)
Hello, again!
INT. CONTROL BOOTH - ON SUMMERALL AND MADDEN - DAY
They're back in their booth calling the game.
MADDEN
That's all-pro Hank
Morris's third sack,
his second here in the
fourth quarter and the
sixth of the day for
the Giants. Falco is
gonna be sore tonight.
SUMMERALL
If he can stay alive
that long. Ten-three
New York in what has
turned out to be an
incredible defensive
duel.
EXT. STADIUM - DAY
Jerome Lindell is once again outside the
stadium, picketing with a smaller group of
players.
He does his interview on camera, standing in
front of a huge semi-truck.
And a big, overweight truck driver stands
next to him.
LINDELL
... because it's about
brothers, and
brotherhood and
standing together
against the oppressors.
That's why I am so
grateful to our
Teamster brothers who
have joined us here
today in New York to
protest the greed squad
known as the N.F.L.
owners.
The truck driver suddenly pumps his arm and a
CACOPHONY OF TRUCK AIR HORNS GO OFF.
It's deafening but Lindell smiles through it
all.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Shane is rolling out with Morris on his heels
again. He can't find anyone open and runs
out of bounds.
IN HUDDLE
Everybody is breathing hard, beat-up and
exhausted. Shane leans in.
SHANE
(to Reese Evans)
You got to double up on
Morris.
EVANS
He's too far outside
for me to get to him.
(to Cochran)
Bring him down and sit
on him.
COCHRAN
He's huge! He's been
beating the crap out of
me all day! I feel
like a rag doll out
here.
LEE
I'll help this time.
SHANE
Okay. Spread left 'A'
Right, roll right Half
Back Sail. On two.
They break. Shane sets up in the shotgun.
SHANE
Red, fifteen. Hut,
hut!
On the snap, Lee and Cochran double-team
Morris.
Morris slaps Cochran away like, well, a rag
doll, and then confronts the Sumo master.
He bumps stomachs with Lee. Lee flies
through the air and lands on his ass.
ON SHANE
He spots his receiver, he cocks his arm and
wham! Morris decks him. And, of course,
lands on him. Oooof!
MORRIS
(to Shane)
It's just me, fuck-
face!
In order to get up, Morris puts one huge hand
on Shane's helmet and pushes himself up.
Shane moans as his face guard digs a four-
inch hole in the turf.
ON McGINTY
He's talking into his mike.
McGINTY
You want a time-out?
That looks like it
hurt.
Shane gets up. He's got a huge piece of turf
stuck in his face guard so that for a beat,
we can't even see him.
Then he pulls out the dirt and grass, and we
see Shane really pissed off for the first
time.
SHANE
Huddle up!
Everyone gathers around.
SHANE
Same thing... Except...
(to Lee and
Cochran)
Let him in. Don't
touch him.
LEE
What?
EVANS
Shane...
SHANE
Shut up! Let him
through. On two.
They break the huddle. Shane goes into a
shotgun.
SHANE
Red fifteen. Hut!
Hut!
Shane does a three-step drop from the
shotgun.
Cochran and Lee hit out on either side of
Morris, giving him a clear shot at Shane.
Morris comes hard and fast.
Shane looks downfield, winds up, turns and
fires the ball at Morris's head.
The ball goes like a bullet for five feet and
then sticks like a dart in Morris's face
guard.
For a moment, Morris is blinded.
And Shane is dumbfounded.
Then Morris starts to wrestle the ball out of
his mask.
SHANE
Get him!
Andre and Jamal grab onto Morris who starts
stumbling down field with the ball still
stuck in his helmet.
MADDEN (V.O.)
Morris intercepts!
Wait! The ball is
stuck in his face!
But Morris won't go down. He's still trying
to pry the ball loose as he throws off Jamal.
Then he shakes off Andre.
ON BRIAN MURRAY
He's in SLOW MOTION in midair, diving towards
Morris.
MURRAY'S POV
It's absolutely QUIET (he's deaf, remember?)
as he soars towards Morris's head, helmet and
ball.
Wham! Murray's full body weight hits Morris
in the helmet, which flies off and rolls
across the field with the ball still stuck in
it.
OUT OF THE SILENCE, we suddenly hear the hit
and the crowd roar.
Morris goes down like a building with Murray
buried in his throat.
ON ROOM (D.C.)
Todd, Rod and Bob are destroying Todd's den
in reaction to the hit.
ON ANOTHER LIVING ROOM
Annabelle is screaming "Whoa!" to that hit.
ON O'NEIL AND AUGUSTINE
They're watching ON TV.
O'NEIL
Now that's a hit!
ON BALL AND HELMET
It's in the very chubby hands of Mickey Lee,
who is rumbling downfield with the
fumble/helmet recovery.
New York players have been slow to pick this
up because they, too, have been admiring the
lick that Murray put on Morris.
Suddenly, the whole team is chasing Lee.
They catch him pretty easily at the twenty,
but Lee represents a lot of weight.
Lee staggers across the ten, shaking players
off left and right.
One defensive halfback sacrifices himself and
throws himself at Lee's feet.
Lee trips over the guy, gains his footing
again, walks on the guy (who screams in
agony) and falls into the end zone carrying
three players with him.
ON MADDEN AND SUMMERALL
John is beside himself.
MADDEN
Lee scores! Lee
scores! Lee scores! I
love to see a fat guy
score!
ON LEE
He gets up in jubilation, spikes the
ball/helmet combination, and runs through the
back of the end zone.
But he doesn't stop. He's aiming for a low
wall that separates the first row of fans
from the field.
ON FOUR FANS
They see Mickey rumbling at them and they all
get the picture at the same time. They
scream!
ON MICKEY
He launches himself into the stands in
ecstasy.
ON FOUR FANS
Crunch! Lee lands on all four of them.
ON FOOTBALL
It's hiked into Shane's hands and Pacifico
boots the extra point.
ON SCOREBOARD
"Giants 10 -- Redskins 10
TIME REMAINING: 58 seconds."
ON SIDELINE
Murray and Lee are getting congratulations
from everyone.
PACIFICO
(to Murray)
What a hit!
(slower)
What a hit!
Murray nods that he understands.
EVANS
(to Murray)
I'm proud of you, kid.
Jamal and Andre are hugging Lee. In the
b.g., we can see paramedics lifting one of
Lee's four fans onto a stretcher.
ANDRE
You're the one, you're
the one, you're the
one...
LEE
You think that's worth
a shoe deal?
McGinty walks into the middle of it.
McGINTY
Stop with the lovefest!
Let's get the goddamn
ball back and win this
thing!
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
We're CLOSE ON Bateman as he lines up for the
kick-off. Everybody in the stadium knows
that an on-side kick is coming.
Bateman is standing in the hot spot for
recovering the ball.
Shane and everyone with decent hands is on
the field.
Pacifico lines it up and boots it ten yards.
The ball takes a crazy hop, hits a Giant, and
ricochets off him.
Bateman runs over two guys and grabs the ball
on the bounce. He's got it.
But Bateman doesn't go down. He turns and
starts running across the field.
Shane runs after him.
SHANE
No! Danny, go down!
You're using up the
clock!
But Bateman likes this new job: kick-off
returner! Especially after he runs over a
Giant and stiff-arms another.
Bateman is finally trapped on the far
sideline after gaining perhaps eight yards.
So, he turns and starts running back the
other way.
Shane has been chasing him and now sees
Bateman running back at him.
Shane has no choice but to throw himself in
front of Bateman's legs.
Bateman goes down.
Shane jumps up:
SHANE
(to ref)
Time out!
Bateman looks up at Shane.
BATEMAN
Beautiful tackle,
Shane!
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
Now that's something
you don't see everyday!
ON CLOCK
Bateman has burned up most of the clock.
Eighteen seconds remain.
ON SIDELINE
McGinty, Shane and Pacifico confer.
SHANE
We got time for one
play, but if we don't
get it out of bounds,
the game is over.
McGINTY
Yeah, but you're
looking at a sixty-five
yard kick from here.
PACIFICO
(smoking a butt)
No problem.
SHANE
Seriously?
PACIFICO
(to Shane)
You hold it. I'll kick
it.
McGinty looks at Shane and they both shrug.
McGINTY
What the fuck.
ON SUMMERALL AND MADDEN
Madden can't believe it.
MADDEN
I can't believe it!
McGinty is gonna let
Pacifico try the field
goal from sixty-five
yards out!
SUMMERALL
Hey, John, this kid has
got a heck of a foot.
STRAM
But sixty-five yards?
Come on!
ON SHANE
He's set up to receive the snap.
Pacifico lines himself up the way soccer-
style kickers do.
Then he takes a drag on his smoke, and flicks
it away.
MADDEN (V.O.)
Pat... did he just? I
think that guy is
smoking on the field!
SUMMERALL
(V.O.)
No, I think you
imagined that one,
John.
Shane looks at Pacifico and his clean
uniform.
Then Shane looks at his own uniform which is
covered with blood, dirt, and grass stains.
Pacifico looks clean.
SHANE
You look great, Lou,
you know that?
Pacifico is really touched.
LOU
Really? Thanks, Shane.
That means a lot to me.
Shane turns to Evans who smiles at him
between his own legs.
SHANE
Hut!
The snap is perfect. Pacifico boots the shit
out of it.
ON BALL
End over end, yard after yard, it flies
straight and true.
MADDEN (V.O.)
It's straight enough!
If it's got the
distance, it's...
The ball hits the crossbar and goes over.
MADDEN (V.O.)
Good! Redskins win!
Everybody goes crazy. Players are pounding
on Pacifico. But Pacifico is desperately
looking around for someone.
He spots him: It's Bateman running flat-out
across the field to congratulate him.
Pacifico runs for his life.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT DOOR - NIGHT
Shane knocks. After a beat, the door opens
and Annabelle is standing there rubbing her
eyes. She's wearing a cut-off Redskin
jersey.
ANNABELLE
Are you hurt?
SHANE
No. Not really.
ANNABELLE
You're getting used to
being slapped around.
That's a good sign.
SHANE
I...
Nothing comes out.
ANNABELLE
Would you like to come
in and make love?
SHANE
Yes. No. I'm here
because ... I don't
want to be alone.
ANNABELLE
Most of the world feels
that way. You don't
have to be embarrassed
about it.
SHANE
But to tell you the
truth... I'm kind of
scared of you.
Annabelle takes that in and thinks about it.
ANNABELLE
I won't hurt you.
She takes his hand and leads him inside.
CUT TO:
INT. ANNABELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Annabelle is giving Shane a slow, sensuous,
full-body massage. It's lucky for us he's on
his stomach.
Shane does a lot of moaning as Annabelle's
fingers work their magic.
She gets to a place on his shoulder that's
especially tender. He moans even louder.
ANNABELLE
That shoulder is going
to need special
handling.
Annabelle pulls her jersey off and gently
presses her breasts into Shane's back.
Shane puts a pillow over his head to drown
out the ecstasy.
After a beat, he pulls the pillow away.
SHANE
You know what hurts
worse than my shoulder?
ANNABELLE
I can't imagine.
SHANE
Their defensive end
punched me in the
mouth.
Annabelle starts laughing.
SHANE
Seriously. It's
killing me.
Annabelle is laughing hard now as Shane rolls
over.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ANNABELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Shane and Annabelle are in a close, after-sex
kind of cuddle thing.
Shane is unburdening himself.
SHANE
... after that game,
after being beaten that
badly in front of the
whole country, after
humiliating myself, my
team, my school, my
family, I mean -- did
you know that I set two
Sugar Bowl records?! I
was sacked eleven
times! I threw six
interceptions!
ANNABELLE
Okay. Calm down.
SHANE
Anyway, after that, I
could never seem to
adjust in the pros. I
was too scared. I lost
my balls.
We see Annabelle's hand move slightly under
the covers.
ANNABELLE
Well, they're back.
SHANE
You know what I mean.
My nerve. I lost the
edge you need to play
this game.
ANNABELLE
I don't believe that.
I don't think it just
goes away. It was only
one bad day, Shane.
Everybody has those.
SHANE
No. Somehow, I
convinced myself that I
couldn't ever win the
big game. I got so
down, that I was afraid
to be playing when a
game was on the line.
I was afraid to screw
up. That's the sure
sign of a loser. From
there, it wasn't very
far to thinking that
I'll never win, that I
didn't deserve to win
at anything. Including
love.
ANNABELLE
You're wrong. You're
winning now. You're
winning me.
They kiss real good.
CUT TO:
EXT. O'NEIL MANSION - MORNING
It's a huge town house in Foggy Bottom. Its
entrance is now lined with REPORTERS.
One is speaking ON CAMERA to his anchor.
REPORTER
Bob, I'm standing in
front of Redskins
owner, Edward Frances
O'Neil's home and all
we know right now is
that the Washington
player previously known
as Ray Smith is in fact
Earl Samuel
Wilkinson...
INSERT
We see two photographs of Earl: One with his
current beard and the other, his clean-shaven
mug shot of five years ago.
REPORTER (O.S.)
... the All Pro Miami
Safety who was serving
five to seven years in
the Maryland state
penitentiary for three
counts of aggravated
assault. As you may
recall, one of those
counts was against a
Baltimore City police
officer and resulted in
that officer being
hospitalized for quite
some time.
INT. STUDIO - ANCHOR
He's doing his sports segment from the
studio.
ANCHOR
Any idea how
Wilkinson's identity
was discovered and who
leaked it to the media?
REPORTER
No, Bob, but rumor has
it that the National
Football League
Player's Association
had something to do
with it.
ANCHOR
Thanks, Hank.
(TO CAMERA)
In other N.F.L. news,
almost sixty percent of
the regular players
have now crossed the
picket lines and more
are crossing every day.
The strike, now in its
second week, is
expected to go out with
a fizzle. Most experts
think that the Monday
night Dallas/Washington
game will be the last
with replacement
players. But even that
game will feature at
least 75 percent of the
regular Cowboys. Coach
James McGinty will try
to make it a perfect
three and O with a team
made up totally of
replacement players.
Well... and one felon.
(pause)
That we know of.
CUT TO:
INT. O'NEIL'S BEDROOM - DAY
McGinty stares out the window at the
reporters as Augustine feeds O'Neil soup.
McGINTY
Stop worrying. The
N.F.L. doesn't care if
he played under an
assumed name.
Everything was legal.
He was let out on a
work release program.
He'll be kept under
house arrest but he'll
still be able to play.
O'NEIL
Where are we gonna keep
him?
McGINTY
In the stadium. We'll
fix up something
comfortable for him and
he'll get his exercise
by kicking the shit out
of N.F.L. receivers.
O'NEIL
How did you pull that
off?
McGINTY
How else? With your
money.
O'NEIL
(to Augustine)
Take this cow piss out
of here.
AUGUSTINE
You used to love
asparagus soup. They
say that when the taste
buds go, you're at the
beginning of the end.
Augustine leaves with the tray.
McGINTY
I want to keep Falco
after the strike ends.
As Martel's back-up.
O'NEIL
Let's keep 'em all.
The hell with the
regulars.
McGINTY
You've got to take the
union players back once
the strike ends. It's
part of the collective
bargaining agreement.
O'NEIL
The hell I do! I'm
dying! Let 'em sue me.
McGINTY
They'll do worse than
that. They'll close
down the stadium.
O'NEIL
God damn 'em! Then you
got to beat Dallas.
The whole country will
be watching. All those
millionaires down there
deserve to have their
noses rubbed in it.
McGINTY
Ed, let's be honest:
beating Dallas is gonna
be a hell of a trick.
O'NEIL
You can pull it off.
You proved that winning
doesn't have to look
pretty. These boys are
hungry for it, Jimmy.
(MORE)
O'NEIL (CONT'D)
There's nothin' more
dangerous in all of
sports than a hungry
team. I remember back
in '47, we were playing
Nebraska in the mud...
McGINTY
(interrupting)
Ed, I'm begging you --
no Notre Dame stories.
O'NEIL
Okay, Jimmy, okay. But
you beat Dallas for me,
and then I'll go gently
into that night.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR SHOWROOM - DAY
We're ON Mickey Lee, who is wearing his
Redskin game jersey with no pads. He's
stuffed into a Cadillac Brougham, a big-ass
version of the Caddy.
He's talking directly TO US.
LEE
You'll score, too, with
a Cadillac from Coleman
Cadillac. It's a big
car for a big man.
Mickey is very wooden as a spokesperson. He
tries again.
LEE
(same thing)
You'll score, too, with
a Cadillac from
Coleman's Cadillac.
It's a big car for a
big man.
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
That's good, Mickey,
that's real good.
Let's try it again.
Mickey looks game.
MONTAGE
A) EXT. STADIUM
Andre, Jamal, Brian Murray, Roland
Lamont, Daniel Bateman, Lou Pacifico and
Shane are standing outside the stadium
after practice. They are all mobbed by
autograph seekers.
All of them are signing as fast as they can.
B) EXT. WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The guys are on the grounds of the
Washington Monument. They are lined up
against a bunch of little kids. Shane
takes the snap. (The ball is a miniature
rubber football.)
All the linemen fall down. The kids
blitz and sack Shane for a big loss.
Annabelle watches and laughs and claps.
C) MICKEY LEE
still crammed into the Cadillac. He
looks exhausted and pissed.
LEE
(in a monotone)
You'll score, too, with
a Cadillac from Coleman
Cadillac. It's a big
car, for a big man.
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Okay. Good. That was
good. Let's try it
again...
LEE
(exploding)
What?! I'm not doing
it again! Who are you,
Orson Welles?! This is
nuts!
Lee tries unsuccessfully to get out of
the car.
D) ALL REPLACEMENT PLAYERS
are lined up in Redskin jerseys, minus
pads. It's team picture day and everyone
looks happy to be there.
CUT TO:
INT. HILTON - NIGHT
Shane walks down the hall to his room. He
enters.
INT. SHANE'S ROOM - NIGHT
He walks in and closes the door.
When he turns around, Eddie Martel, ex-
Washington Redskin quarterback, is sitting on
Shane's bed.
Two defensive linemen-types stand by the
window.
SHANE
What's this?
MARTEL
This is a visit.
SHANE
A visit. Who let you
in?
MARTEL
I used to nail one of
the housekeepers.
SHANE
Lucky girl.
MARTEL
(pointing to the
linemen)
You know who these guys
are, don't you?
SHANE
Dallas Cowboys. Howdy.
MARTEL
You'll be seeing a lot
of these guys tomorrow.
SHANE
What do you want?
MARTEL
Who, me? Not much.
But these boys wanted a
little head start on
you.
There's a beat and then Shane suddenly bolts
for the door. But the two linemen grab and
hold him.
SHANE
I'm flattered that you
actually think we have
a chance to win.
MARTEL
It can be a game of
luck. And under no
circumstances can we
allow a scab team to go
three and O.
Especially against the
Dallas Cowboys. It's
just not good for the
game.
SHANE
Is the union behind
this 'visit'?
MARTEL
I can't really say,
Shane. By the way,
have you ever tried
throwing a football
with bruised ribs?
He kicks Shane viciously in the side. Shane
screams.
MARTEL
The pain makes it damn
near impossible.
The linemen drops Shane on the floor.
MARTEL
And one other thing: I
want you to stay away
from Annabelle.
Shane is gasping on the floor.
MARTEL
The sad fact is she
won't give me the time
of day. But you can't
have everything I want.
I can't let that
happen. So, you gotta
stop seeing her. Just
on principle.
Martel viciously kicks Shane again. Shane
screams.
MARTEL
Let me hear you say it.
Shane is trying to get his breath.
MARTEL
Come on. You can do
it.
SHANE
(barely visible)
I won't go out with her
anymore.
MARTEL
Good.
(to the linemen)
Gentlemen?
(to Shane)
Hey, have a great game!
They move toward the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. BIG O - MAGIC HOUR
Once again, fans stream into the parking
lots.
In a corner of a lot, Jerome Lindell is once
again holding forth ON CAMERA.
But this time, he's standing with a hard-
looking guy in a suit, named MATHESON.
LINDELL
I think that Mister
Matheson here, and
myself, are very close
to an agreement that
will put the 'pro' back
in pro-football.
REPORTER
Mister Matheson, what
are the sticking points
in the negotiations as
far as the owners are
concerned?
MATHESON
Only one: that the
players immediately go
back to work with no
change in the existing
contract.
Lindell looks uncomfortable. But he smiles
anyway.
CUT TO:
INT. MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BOOTH - NIGHT
The familiar "MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL THEME
SONG" is just ending. AL MICHAELS does his
on camera intro.
AL
Good evening from the
Big O here in
Washington D.C. where
the mighty Dallas
Cowboys take on the
Cinderella Washington
'Scabskins' as they
have come to be known.
Hi, I'm Al Michaels and
we are witnesses to a
unique matchup tonight
as Shane Falco and a
contingent of strike
players go up against
the entire regular
squad of the Dallas
Cowboys. Yes, you
heard right: every
Cowboy has now crossed
the picket line, some
as late as this
afternoon, and they
will all play tonight.
Can a rag tag group of
hasbeens and castoffs
stand up to what was
once called America's
team? And what about
the strike itself? It
has been so ineffective
that many predict it
will be over before
this game ends. Stay
tuned as Boomer and Dan
join me for strike
ball, D.C. style.
EXT. STADIUM - MAGIC HOUR
Eddie Martel, Wilson Jones and other regular
Redskins take their seats on the fifty yard
line.
CUT TO:
INT. REDSKIN LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT
Everyone is just about dressed in their
uniforms and ready to go.
Lou Pacifico enters in street clothes and
starts undressing quickly. He looks worried.
Shane watches Lou for a beat. We see Shane
shift his upper body and grimace.
McGinty enters and pulls Shane aside.
McGINTY
Congratulations. It's
official. You're
staying on after the
strike.
Shane smiles in spite of the pain.
McGINTY
It's probably better
that you not say
anything to the rest of
the guys until after
the game. Okay?
SHANE
Whatever you say,
Coach.
McGinty walks into the middle of the locker
room and goes into pre-game speech mode.
McGINTY
Alright, listen up.
The strike is just
about history. By
tomorrow, you will no
longer be Redskins.
It's important that you
leave here, however,
with the knowledge that
you have made a
difference in your own
life, in the owner's
life -- or what's left
of it -- and especially
the fans'. You have
proven to a skeptical
America that sports is
not about contracts, or
agents or shoe deals.
Sports is about rising
to the occasion. We
have one more
opportunity tonight to
do that, one more
chance to show what
heart is all about.
The Dallas Cowboys are
waiting out there to
kill you. I expect
nothing less than for
you to win even in your
death throes. We have
a powerful weapon on
our side tonight:
there is no tomorrow
for most of you. And
that makes you very
dangerous people. Use
it.
CUT TO:
EXT. STADIUM - DAY
Boom! Pacifico belts the kick-off deep into
the end zone. Touchback.
ON AL, DAN AND BOOMER
The three hosts sit in shirtsleeves and ties,
headphones on.
AL
That is one very big
leg on Lou Pacifico.
He's a big reason why
this strike team is two
and 0.
DAN
But the fact is, a
kicker does not an
offense make. I think
tonight the Scabskins
will have a very rude
awakening.
BOOMER
But you have to admit,
Dan, Falco is proving
to be the real thing.
DAN
Well, Boomer, no, I
don't have to admit
anything.
BOOMER
(rolling his
eyes)
Here we go...
Everybody laughs politely.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Bam! Earl Wilkinson flattens a Dallas punt
returner. He's now wearing a jersey with his
real name on the back.
ON TODD, ROD AND BOB
Bob is dressed in a striped convict suit with
Wilkinson's number on it.
He gets high fives from Todd and Rod for
Wilkinson's hit.
ON SHANE
He walks out onto the field to join the
huddle.
ANNABELLE
Shane!
He turns and sees a smiling Annabelle.
Shane gives her a guilty wave and then
cringes with the pain of just having to lift
his arm.
ON LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
The Redskins line up. Cochran is opposite
Butler, the big tackle that "visited" Shane's
room.
COCHRAN
(to Butler)
I just want to say what
an honor it is to play
opposite you. And if
it's not too much
trouble, I would love
to have your autograph.
BUTLER
No problem.
SHANE (O.S.)
Hut! Hut!
On the snap, Butler bashes Cochran's head
with his forearm and knocks his helmet off.
Then he runs over him.
ON SHANE
He under-throws a very weak-looking pass to
Lamont.
Shane grits his teeth against the pain.
ON COCHRAN
He's dazed and still on the ground.
Butler walks over and bends down to him.
BUTLER
I'm gonna autograph
your body with bruises,
you scab-ass son of a
bitch!
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Shane is in the backfield, once again running
for his life.
He's rolling left with Butler on his heels.
He throws another weak incomplete pass to
Murray.
Shane is crushed by Butler after he throws
the ball.
BUTLER
How's that side feel?
SHANE
(grimacing)
Like Christmas morning.
Butler leans on Shane's side as he gets up.
Shane gasps with pain.
ON McGINTY
He's watching Shane closely. Then he talks
into his mike.
McGINTY
What's the matter with
your arm? Are you
alright?
ON AL, DAN AND BOOMER
They're watching the replay on their monitor.
Dan is very happy.
DAN
What pursuit! Butler
never gave up on him.
That's a 270-pound guy
who moves like a
halfback.
BOOMER
Dan, I think Butler's
hit on Falco was late,
to tell you the truth.
DAN
Well, of course you do.
You were a wimp
quarterback.
AL
Easy, guys.
Some laughter.
CUT TO:
FIRST-HALF MONTAGE
A) DALLAS KICKER
Boom! The Dallas kicker puts away the
extra point after a score.
ON SCOREBOARD
Dallas 7, Washington 0.
B) SHANE
is under pressure as he rolls out. When
a defensive lineman gets close, he throws
the ball away like we've seen him do
before. A defensive back intercepts.
Dallas's ball.
C) BALL
Boom! The ball goes through the uprights
for a Dallas field goal.
ON SCOREBOARD
Dallas 10, Washington 0.
D) AUGUSTINE
massages O'Neil's feet as the old man
watches the game. He looks worried.
E) PACIFICO
smokes and stalks the sidelines. He
looks up into the stands and sees the
mafioso type looking down at him.
F) SHANE
steps up in the pocket. He looks
downfield but in the face of the pass
rush, he throws the ball weakly out of
bounds.
G) LEE
is pass-blocking but the first guy spins
him around and the second guy runs right
around him.
H) BATEMAN
is double-teamed on a pass rush. He
spins but he can get no leverage against
his opponents. When the play ends, he
pushes one of them.
A penalty flag flies by.
I) ROLAND LAMONT
takes a pitch out, is immediately hit
hard and loses the ball. A cornerback
picks it up and takes it all the way for
a Dallas score.
J) WILKINSON
steps up and bats a ball away from a
Dallas receiver. A flag flies.
Wilkinson argues the call.
K) COCHRAN
is lined up across from Butler. On the
snap, Butler slaps Cochran in the face
mask with his big, fat club of a hand.
Cochran disappears OUT OF FRAME.
L) DALLAS KICKER
Boom! The Dallas kicker puts away the
extra point after a Dallas touchdown.
SCOREBOARD
Dallas 24, Washington 0.
M) EDDIE MARTEL, WILSON JONES AND OTHER
REDSKINS
sitting in the stands look satisfied.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
The Redskins huddle. Shane is in pain. He
looks up at the clock.
ON CLOCK
There's thirty-two seconds left in the half.
SHANE
Okay. Red right 15 X
hook.
The break the huddle and come to the line of
scrimmage.
SHANE
15 X hut!
Shane rolls right and looks downfield. He
holds the ball and keeps rolling. No one can
get open.
Suddenly, Lamont cuts in front of him and
yells:
LAMONT
Shane!
Lamont sees an open lane and Shane follows
him. He eats up 15 yards before two
defensive halfbacks close in.
Lamont throws an incredible block and takes
out both guys.
Shane blows by and heads for the end zone.
Only a safety stands between Shane and pay
dirt.
CLOSE ON SHANE
His side is killing him with every step he
takes.
When the safety moves up on him, Shane panics
and goes down in the same kind of slide that
Eddie Martel did in the beginning.
Boom! The GUN SOUNDS and the half ends.
Shane sees Redskin trainers running out onto
the field.
He turns and sees Lamont rolling on the
ground in pain as he holds his bad knee.
CUT TO:
INT. MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BOOTH - NIGHT
The boys are doing their half-time stand up.
AL
That's the end of the
first half and not
surprisingly, it was
all Dallas. The
Cowboys had over two
hundred yards
offensively versus
Washington's frankly
pathetic thirty-eight
yards. That's total
offense. Falco got
close to scoring on the
last play of the half
but he appeared to have
slipped. By the way,
running back Roland
Lamont was hurt on that
play and word is he's
on his way to the
hospital.
DAN
Al, the battle is being
fought and won in the
trenches. You can't
expect a bunch of pick-
up players to stand up
to a professional pass
rush like the Cowboys.
BOOMER
There's still a whole
half left, Dan. And
remember, Falco is
proving to be a second-
half quarterback.
DAN
You got to be kidding.
BOOMER
Those big, fat boys in
the trenches get awful
tired. You ought to
know that, Dan.
No laughter.
AL
Okay, let's join Chris
Berman with our half-
time show. Chris?
After a beat we hear:
DIRECTOR (V.O.)
Clear!
AL
What's wrong with you
guys?!
BOOMER
He started it.
DAN
I did not! You called
me fat!
BOOMER
I did not! But you
are!
Dan reaches across Al and grabs Boomer by the
throat.
AL
Stop it!
The three of them start wrestling in the
booth.
CUT TO:
INT. REDSKIN LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT
Everyone is nursing a bruise or some sort of
wound. Shane is nowhere to be seen.
McGinty walks into the middle of the locker
room.
McGINTY
Alright, listen up:
The strike is
officially over.
They're announcing it
on TV right now. So
this is it, gentlemen.
We have one half left
to keep from being
totally humiliated.
You are better than the
present score. You
have nothing but your
own self-respect riding
on this game. It's up
to you. Here's your
swan song, people. How
are you gonna sing it?
And with that he walks out. Everybody looks
beaten and depressed.
EXT. OUTSIDE LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Shane stops two paramedics who push Roland
Lamont on a stretcher. Roland is really
hurting.
SHANE
I'm sorry, Roland.
That was a great block.
ROLAND
For my last play in
football, I'll take
that block.
Shane looks terribly guilty.
ROLAND
I thought you were
going to score. What
happened? Did you
slip?
Shane can't look at him, but he nods.
ROLAND
That's what I thought.
SHANE
You were a warrior,
Roland. I'm gonna miss
you.
ROLAND
It was a dream come
true. Go kick some ass
for me.
The paramedics roll him away. Shane slumps
against the wall near tears.
McGinty comes out of the locker room. He
locks eyes with Shane for a beat.
And then McGinty turns his back on him and
walks away.
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Everyone is quiet. Shane walks in.
SID, the equipment manager, sees him and
yells.
SID
Hey, Shane, I just
heard.
Congratulations!
He smacks Shane on his bad side and Shane
grimaces.
WILKINSON
Congratulations on
what?
SID
Shane is staying on.
He's gonna be Martel's
backup.
Everyone stares at Shane for a beat.
ANDRE
Is that true?
SHANE
Yes, Andre. It's true.
Nobody says anything for a beat.
FRANKLIN
I got to tell you,
Shane, you played the
first half like you
were staying. Like you
already had a contract.
Shane looks around the room at this beaten
bunch. No one makes eye contact with him.
SHANE
You're right, Clifford.
And I'm sorry. But now
I want to go out there
and either beat these
bastards or die trying.
I never wanted to beat
anybody so bad in my
life.
Everybody lets this sink in.
Earl Wilkinson finally speaks up.
EARL
I don't know what yawl
are doin' tomorrow, but
my ass is goin' back to
jail. But if I gotta
go, I want to go back a
winner.
EVANS
Hell, I'm retiring. I
have thirty minutes of
football left in my
whole career. I'm
homicidal!
BATEMAN
Me, too, Reese!
EARL
Let's get it on!
Everybody turns to Shane.
SHANE
Gentlemen, our problem
is the Cowboys aren't
afraid of us. But they
should be!
LAMONT
Damn straight!
Everybody whoops!
SHANE
We've got one chance on
offense to make our
stand -- the first play
of the half.
JAMAL
One touchdown ain't
gonna help, Shane.
SHANE
No. But one nasty-ass
play might. We just
gotta be brave. And
trust each other.
Shane happens to glance at Pacifico.
Pacifico won't meet his eye.
Shane turns to Sid.
SHANE
Help me with this.
Sid helps Shane strip his jersey off.
Everyone reacts to the bruises on Shane's
side.
SHANE
Somebody has to tape me
up.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - NIGHT
The Cowboys are already back on the field as
the Redskins come out of their locker room.
AL (V.O.)
... at nine-forty
Eastern time, the
agreement was reached,
and except for this
upcoming second half,
the strike is history.
ON AL, DAN AND BOOMER
Boomer's tie is off and his shirt is torn.
Dan looks guilty, but still angry.
DAN
It's about time. I say
let the professionals
back on the field. The
fans deserve nothing
less.
BOOMER
Yeah, you would say
that.
ON BALL
The Dallas kicker puts the ball in the end
zone for a touchback.
ON SHANE
He starts to follow the offense out on the
field. Then he turns and sees Annabelle
engrossed in a cheer.
He runs over to her.
ANNABELLE
Are you okay? Is it
your side?
SHANE
I'm okay. I owe you an
apology.
ANNABELLE
What? You do?
SHANE
Yes. I'll explain
later. But thank you
for believing in me.
You give me strength
just looking at you.
And with that, Shane takes her in his arms
and kisses her deeply.
The crowd on that side of the field reacts to
the kiss with a "Wooooooo!"
AL (V.O.)
Well, this is a first.
Shane Falco seems to
be...
BOOMER (V.O.)
Hell, Al, he's necking
with a cheerleader!
I've done a little of
that in my time.
DAN (V.O.)
The players are not
supposed to fraternize
with the cheerleaders.
BOOMER (V.O.)
Hey, Dan, what are they
gonna do? Fire him?!
ON SHANE
He breaks the kiss and looks up in the stands
at Eddie Martel.
Shane gives him the finger.
The crowd goes "Wooooo!" at that too.
Martel doesn't think this is funny.
Shane walks onto the field leaving a confused
but happy Annabelle.
He walks past Dallas defensive lineman
Butler.
BUTLER
That wasn't too smart.
SHANE
Suck my dick.
Butler is too shocked for a comeback.
ON HUDDLE
It breaks and Shane walks to the line of
scrimmage.
AL (V.O.)
Here we go, first and
ten for the Redskins.
Twenty-four zip Dallas.
We can see now that Wilkinson and Bateman are
now part of the offense.
They line up as receivers opposite defensive
halfbacks. In fact, everyone but Shane is on
the line of scrimmage, paired up across from
a cowboy.
Shane leans over Reese and takes in the
Dallas defense.
The Dallas MIDDLE LINEBACKER yells at Shane.
LINEBACKER
Are you ready for more
pain, footsteps?
Shane just smiles.
SHANE
Blue thirteen! Blue
thirteen! Hut! Hut!
Hut!
MONTAGE
On the snap, many things happen at once:
A) COCHRAN
sticks his fingers inside Butler's face
mask and pokes both eyes. Butler
screams!
B) SHANE
throws the ball as hard as he can at the
middle Linebacker and hits him in the
crotch. The guy grabs himself and
collapses.
C) CLIFFORD FRANKLIN
kicks his defender in the shins as hard
as he can. The defender screams and
falls down.
D) BATEMAN
gets a cornerback across from him in a
choke hold. The guy can't breathe but
Bateman holds on.
E) WILKINSON
lifts up his defender's face guard and
connects with a right hand to the guy's
chin.
F) LEE
pulls the defensive lineman in front of
him to the ground. Then he falls on him.
The guy screams.
ON FIELD
All across the line of scrimmage, Redskins
are punching, kicking and gouging the Dallas
defense.
WHISTLES BLOW. Flags fly everywhere.
Most of the Dallas players are down and
screaming.
Jamal stands across from a DEFENSIVE LINEMAN.
He hasn't touched the guy. But he nods to
the player to look at his hand.
The guy looks down just as Jamal flicks open
a deadly-looking switchblade.
The guy jumps back and yells:
DEFENDER
He's got a knife!
But there is so much confusion that nobody
pays any attention. Jamal slips the knife
away.
AL (V.O.)
Whoa! Flags fly
everywhere! I've never
seen anything like
this!
BOOMER (V.O.)
Unbelievable! One
Washington player had a
Cowboy in what appeared
to be a police choke
hold.
DAN (V.O.)
I see at least five
flags... no six!
The officials are going crazy trying to
figure out the penalties as Shane and the
offense back up and make room for the Dallas
medical staff who come running out on the
field.
Some Dallas players are livid:
BUTLER
(to the Ref)
He scratched my eyes
out!
LINEBACKER
He hit me on purpose!
ON McGINTY
He's smiling to himself on the sidelines.
ON REFEREE
He faces the cameras, turns on his microphone
and sums up the penalties.
REF
Unsportsmanlike
conduct, number 72,
number 81 and number 87
on the offense, fifteen
yards...
(to himself)
... times three...
that's forty-five
yards. Illegal use of
hands, number 48 on the
offense, fifteen yards.
That makes it sixty
yards. Unnecessary
roughness number 65 and
number 32, fifteen
yards... that's,
wait... forty-five...
no, thirty...
(turns to
another
ref)
... how many yards so
far?
ON BALL
A ref is taking a very long walk with it. He
stops at the Redskin two-yard line and puts
it down.
IN HUDDLE
Shane leans in.
SHANE
Okay, everybody, stick
together and don't take
any shit. Let's make
'em hurt!
They break the huddle and line up with their
backs to their goal.
ON COCHRAN AND BUTLER
Butler is still whining.
BUTLER
I can't believe you
went for my eyes!
COCHRAN
Shut up! I'm gonna do
it again 'cause it was
fun!
ON SHANE
SHANE
Black 98! Black 98!
Hut!
ON COCHRAN
He drops Butler with a vicious forearm.
Shane flicks the ball over the middle to
Murray who pulls it in for fifteen yards and
a first down.
CUT TO:
MONTAGE - FOURTH QUARTER STUFF
A) BATEMAN
(now at running back) sweeps outside with
Jamal and Reese Evans leading the way.
Both linemen growl as they throw
themselves into the defense.
B) SHANE
is rolling right with Butler on his
heels. Just when it looks like Butler
has him, Cochran comes out of nowhere and
cuts Butler at the knees. Shane fakes a
throw and keeps the ball for a fifteen-
yard gain.
C) SHANE
hits Franklin with a short flick pass.
D) BATEMAN
runs off tackle and scores.
E) PACIFICO
kicks the extra point. Scoreboard:
Dallas 24, Redskins 7.
F) WILKINSON
blitzes from his safety position and
decks the Dallas quarterback.
G) BATEMAN
stops a runner at the line of scrimmage
and throws him for a loss.
H) WILKINSON
takes a punt at his own thirty. With
Bateman blocking, Wilkinson springs to
the outside and goes all the way for a
touchdown.
Pacifico kicks the extra point.
Scoreboard: Dallas 24, Redskins 14.
I) DALLAS FIELD GOAL KICKER
is set to boot one. The ball is snapped,
the kicker moves forward and suddenly
Brian Murray breaks through the offense
and blocks the kick.
J) SHANE
hits Franklin on a little down and out.
He's hit by the defender, the ball goes
flying but so does a flag.
Pass interference. Redskin first down.
K) ON CLOCK
Four minutes six seconds remain.
CUT TO:
EXT. HUDDLE - DAY
The Redskin huddle breaks. The guys come to
the line of scrimmage.
AL (V.O.)
First and ten at the
Cowboy twenty and I'm
telling you, we are
looking at a totally
different team here in
the second half.
BOOMER (V.O.)
Absolutely, Al. The
Redskins are playing
like there's no
tomorrow, because, hey,
there isn't!
DAN (V.O.)
I gotta agree with you
on this one. The
surprising thing for me
is how ineffectual the
Cowboys have been in
this half. I mean,
they look totally
intimidated.
AL (V.O.)
I love when you guys
agree.
ON SHANE
He's in the shotgun calling signals.
SHANE
Hut! Hut!
He gets the snap and starts looking downfield
for receivers.
ON COCHRAN
He slips while he's blocking Butler who takes
advantage of the situation and blows by him.
ON SHANE
He's got Franklin crossing in the end zone.
He cocks and throws, and simultaneously gets
decked by Butler.
ON BALL
A Dallas defensive halfback goes up for it
but just tips the ball. It keeps going now
end over end... right into the waiting arms
of Franklin who is standing by himself in the
end zone.
Franklin is shocked. His teammates run INTO
FRAME and mob him.
AL (V.O.)
Touchdown, Skins! What
a fluke!
BOOMER (V.O.)
Total luck there, Al.
Makes up for the
perfect ones they drop.
DAN (V.O.)
Maybe not so lucky.
Falco is down.
ON SHANE
He's on his back.
ON ANNABELLE
She looks worried as trainers run out onto
the field.
ON O'NEIL AND AUGUSTINE
They're watching in O'Neil's bedroom.
ON SHANE
Trainers are bending over him. He's out but
he's mumbling:
SHANE
Put your tits on my
head...
A trainer hears that and looks worried.
Shane's teammates run up and carry him off
the field.
ON FRANKLIN
He's holding for Pacifico on the extra point.
On the snap, Franklin bobbles the ball but
manages to put it down.
Pacifico belts it through the uprights.
Scoreboard: Dallas 24, Washington 21.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SIDELINE - DAY
Shane is sitting on the bench holding his
head and his side. He's talking quietly to
McGinty.
ON WILKINSON
He's on the field calling for a fair catch.
He makes it.
AL (V.O.)
... one minute twenty
remaining, and even
though Dallas didn't
score, they sure ate up
a lot of the clock.
ANOTHER ANGLE - WILKINSON
He's leading the offense out onto the field.
BOOMER (V.O.)
And it looks like Falco
cannot answer the bell.
He's still on the bench
and it appears that
safety Earl Wilkinson
will be leading the
Redskin offense.
DAN (V.O.)
They just need to get
the ball in field goal
range.
AL (V.O.)
And for Pacifico,
that's anything up to
sixty-five yards.
ANOTHER ANGLE - WILKINSON
He takes the snap from the shotgun and keeps
the ball on a sweep. He plows for twelve
yards.
AL (V.O.)
That's good for twelve
yards. The clock stops
on the first down. The
Redskins have no time-
outs left.
ON SHANE
McGinty is still bent over him.
McGINTY
I need your hands in
there for the field
goal. I can't trust
Franklin to hold. He
almost dropped the
extra point.
Shane is in major pain but nods his head.
SHANE
I can do it.
ON WILKINSON
He rolls again, but no one is open. He
crosses the line of scrimmage, is hit and
goes down.
ON CLOCK
It continues to run and passes twenty seconds
as we watch.
ON REDSKINS
They're hurrying back to the line of
scrimmage. Wilkinson stands over center.
On the snap, Wilkinson throws the ball out of
bounds.
AL (V.O.)
Wilkinson throws it
away, and with twelve
seconds remaining, the
Redskins will try a
forty-eight yard field
goal to tie it up.
That's almost a chip
shot for Pacifico.
ON SHANE
He shakily follows Pacifico out onto the
field.
Reese Evans catches up with him.
EVANS
(to Shane)
Are you okay?
SHANE
Just make it a good
snap.
(to Pacifico)
And you'll do the rest,
right?
Pacifico doesn't answer.
ON BALL
Evans leans over it.
ON SHANE
He's kneeling in the middle of the field
waiting for the snap. But something is
bothering him.
SHANE
(to Pacifico)
Lou, are you alright?
Pacifico looks up from where he is set up for
the kick. There are tears in his eyes.
PACIFICO
I'm sorry. They know
where my family lives.
Shane tries to digest what he just heard.
SHANE
What?!
EVANS
(through his
legs)
Come on, Shane!
Shane looks back at Pacifico and makes a
decision.
SHANE
Hut!
The ball is snapped perfectly. Shane catches
it and spots it perfectly.
Pacifico moves to kick it.
And Shane pulls the ball away.
Pacifico flies through the air like Snoopy as
he kicks nothing but air. He lands hard.
Shane jumps to his feet and starts running.
AL (V.O.)
It's a fake! Falco has
it!
ON McGINTY
He's in shock.
ON SHANE
He has totally caught the Cowboys by
surprise. He sweeps around the right side.
The Dallas middle linebacker has recovered
and is moving quickly to cut Shane off.
But Reese Evans comes out of nowhere and
crushes the guy with a flying block.
Shane cuts downfield and heads for the end
zone with nobody near him, except:
For the same safety from the first half who
waits for him at the ten.
The safety smiles as he takes a bead on
Shane.
Shane heads right for the guy. He puts his
head down and smacks helmets with the safety.
The guy goes down and Shane runs over him and
into the end zone.
AL (V.O.)
Falco scores!
ON McGINTY
He jumps into the air.
ON O'NEIL
He jumps out of bed.
ON TODD, ROD AND BOB
They jump on each other.
ON ANNABELLE
She's jumping for joy.
ON SHANE
He spikes the shit out of the ball. And then
sees something up field.
AL (V.O.)
Wait a minute. Wait a
minute. We've got a
flag down.
Shane stands stock-still in the end zone
watching the REF call the penalty.
REF
Clipping. Number 77
offense.
ON MICKEY LEE
He's wearing number 77 and he collapses in
tears.
ON TODD, ROD AND BOB
They are now sobbing in agony.
ON O'NEIL
He's being helped back to bed by Augustine.
ON SHANE
He's walking slowly back to the line of
scrimmage.
ON McGINTY
He looks sick.
Shane walks up to Pacifico who is down. His
arm is being immobilized by a team trainer.
PACIFICO
I broke my arm.
(big smile)
Thank you. You saved
my ass.
Shane nods. In his earpiece, he hears
McGinty.
McGINTY (V.O.)
Someday, you can
explain what that was
all about. We got no
kicker, so you gotta
take it in. Your pick.
You're the leader.
SHANE
(to himself)
What would Unitas do in
this situation?
(pause)
I have no idea.
Shane leans into the huddle.
LEE
I'm so sorry, Shane.
I'm sorry, everybody.
SHANE
No problem, Mickey.
(to Evans)
Hell of a hit, Reese.
EVANS
That's the one I was
looking for. I can
retire in peace now.
SHANE
Right after this play.
So besides me, who
really wants the ball?
He looks around the huddle. He studies each
face. And then he comes to rest on Brian
Murray.
Brian's eyes are shining. He doesn't need
words here.
SHANE
(to Murray)
Yeah. You want it,
Brian. Let's hook up.
(signs as he
says
it)
Blue left slot open
'A' right. Two Jet
'X' drive. On three.
Gentlemen, it's been an
honor sharing the field
of battle.
Everybody puts their hands into the middle.
They break the huddle with a roar.
ON CLOCK
Three seconds are showing.
ON LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
Shane leans over Reese and calls it.
SHANE
Blue 58! Blue 58!
Hut! Hut! Hut!
Shane nods. On the snap, Shane rolls left.
ON REESE EVANS
He cuts his man at the knees.
ON MICKEY LEE
He takes two men down.
ON MURRAY
He cuts on a deep post.
ON SHANE
He steps up and throws a clean bullet
downfield. He roars in pain as he throws it.
ON MURRAY
The pass is perfect. He pulls it in and
beats his man to the end zone.
Redskins win.
ON CROWD
It roars! "Hail to the Redskins" is
deafening.
Todd, Rod and Bob are screaming.
O'Neil kisses Augustine.
Annabelle throws a punch into the air.
McGinty is all smiles. Shane walks up to him
and they shake hands.
Pilachowski and Banes hug.
Lee and Andre are hugging and crying.
Cochran is on his knees praying. Reese Evans
joins him.
Wilkinson hugs Jamal.
Clifford Franklin, hometown boy, throws
himself into the stands where fans mob him.
ON EDDIE MARTEL
The Washington Redskins first-string
quarterback is so pissed off he jumps up from
his seat and turns quickly to go up the steps
and out of the stadium.
But he slips awkwardly and falls. He grabs
his knee and screams.
ON BRIAN MURRAY
He's still in the end zone, holding the ball
up to the crowd. The roar is deafening.
BRIAN'S POV
We HEAR NOTHING, but somehow the pure energy
of the moment comes through.
ON SHANE
IN the SILENCE, he's walking in SLOW MOTION
toward Annabelle. And everybody is smiling.
FADE OUT.
THE END
