madison-- pilot (paul thompson)

MADISON

Pilot"A Million & One Questions"

Revised Draft 11/20/2013

Written by Paul Thompson

(213) [email protected]

TEASER

INT/EXT - KENT FAMILY HOME - NIGHT

An upper-class suburban home. Today, this was the site of a *graduation party.

It’s winding down now - ADULTS are milling about, beginning to leave or helping the hosts, CATHY and SCOTT KENT (40s), clean up.

Banners (”CONGRATULATIONS!” “HAVE FUN IN MADISON!” “CLASS OF 2012”) are taken down. Everything is decorated red and white. *

Paper plates and plastic cups are strewn about the yard. These adults - parents, clearly - bring trays of half-eaten food into the house, where others take out trash and tidy up the various rooms.

Cathy and Scott bid farewell to ANOTHER COUPLE. *

FEMALE PARTY GUESTReally, it was great. Tell Sean we’re proud of him, again. Both newspapers? He’s a superstar.

CATHYOh, thanks. We definitely will. Where’s Ashley going?

MALE PARTY GUESTWestern Kentucky. Speech scholarship.

CATHYWell, good for her!

MALE PARTY GUESTYeah, she seems pretty excited. We’ve gotta get going, though. Great party! Where are the kids?

SCOTTOh, around. I’m just glad we’ll have some quiet around here now.

The four share a laugh.

INT. KENT FAMILY HOME - BASEMENT *

Shaky, handheld home video footage. It’s a mock interview with a very drunk SEAN KENT (18), clean cut and athletic (like a forgotten Kennedy cousin), who sits alone against a plain basement wall.

The voice we hear is an equally drunk MALE FRIEND of Sean’s.

FRIEND (O.S.)(slurred)

Sean Kent. Scholar. Lover. Legend.

Sean laughs.

FRIEND (O.S.) (CONT’D) *Prom king. Three-time national champion!

RAUCOUS CHEERS in the background. From our very astute hearing, we know there must be AT LEAST TWENTY DRUNK *TEENAGERS here. *

FRIEND (O.S.) (CONT’D)State record holder in the...

SEANMile. And the two-mile.

FRIEND (O.S.)Right! Mr. Kent, how fast did you run the mile this year?

SEAN4:01.

MORE CHEERS.

FRIEND (O.S.)4:01. A god among men. A man among boys. A tiger among dogs. Tell me, Sean Kent, what’re your plans for the future?

SEANWell, in, like, two months, I’m going to the University of Wisconsin-- *

The LOUDEST CHEERS YET.

SEAN (CONT’D)And then, well...

Revised (11/20/2013) 2.

Sean nods his head at the wall opposite him. The camera spins around just as the crowd of kids chants out what the poster says:

RIO 2016! *

END OF TEASER

Revised (11/20/2013) 3.

ACT ONE

TITLE OVER:

“World records are only borrowed.” - Sebatian Coe, Former holder of 11 world records. Current holder of none.

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - TRACK - DAY *

A dozen runners (18-22) from the Wisconsin mens’ cross *country team are waiting. Some stretch, some run strides on the track, some are jogging back and forth.

This is a reunion - some of these guys haven’t seen each other all summer, and they’re all great friends.

The runners wear various red and white school-issued shirts *and pairs of shorts. That is, except for a tall, lean freshman. This is WILL WELLING (18), who’s on his own.

TONY MARSHALL (22), thin and serious, commiserates with the *strikingly handsome COREY KANTOS (22). They’re the opposite of Will - they’re in charge.

TONY *The Kent kid’s not here.

COREY(sarcastic)

He can be late, he won Foot Locker.

TONY *Do we even know he’s still coming? I mean, the coach who recruits you gets fired...

COREYFor “recruiting violations.”

TONY *For recruiting violations, right. *I’m just saying.

COREYYou sure?

Corey nods toward the entrance gate. A shirtless Sean Kent is jogging up to the crowd of runners, beaming.

SEANSup, guys!

Revised (11/20/2013) 4.

Sean runs right up to Corey and Tony and extends his hand to *Corey.

SEAN (CONT’D)Sean Kent.

Tony grabs Sean’s hand and shakes it. *

TONY *Tony Marshall, and this is Corey *Kantos.

Tony points at Corey. *

TONY (CONT’D) *Team captain.

SEANNice to meet you guys. You excited about Linner?

Everyone - Corey, Tony, and all the runners in earshot - *perks up.

COREYTom Linner? The coach?

SEANWell, yeah, our coach. It’s true, right?

TONY *He coaches pros in Portland.

SEANNo, dude, I just read this! Someone texted me saying it was Linner and he was excited to get to Madison or whatever. I thought it was a prank, but I’m pretty sure he’s our new coach.

COREYWhy would Tom Linner be going back to college coaching?

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - GYM - DAY *

TOM LINNER (late 30s), the picture of fitness and intensity, *walks briskly out of the athletics gym. He’s carrying on a *conversation, but looking straight ahead because...

Revised (11/20/2013) 5.

ALEX (21), model-thin and in high heels, must be weighed down by what she’s carrying - two notebooks, a large bag, and a *stack of papers. She’s struggling to keep up, but keeps *asking questions and scribbling in her note pad.

LINNERWell, Wisconsin is the foremost *track and cross country program in the entire country. That, and it’s a great school and Madison is a *great city. I’m excited, and I think we can do some great things.

ALEXSo you’re saying this has nothing to do with the investigation?

LINNERLook, it’s unfortunate what happened, but the NCAA is obsessed with this stuff. We’re going to make sure nothing happens under my watch that could be a violation of the rules --

ALEXNo, not the recruiting scandal here. Your investigation. The USOC is investigating your pro group in Portland, right? For doping.

For the first time, Linner snaps his head around to look at Alex. We see they’re almost to the track.

LINNERNo. It has nothing to do with that. That’s just precautionary, I have nothing to hide.

ALEX...because you’ve had three athletes fail drug tests in the past 18 months--

LINNERThat’s coincidental, and we don’t even know if the tests are valid.

A beat. Linner looks at his watch.

Revised (11/20/2013) 6.

LINNER (CONT’D)Look, I’ve gotta go. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I want to talk to you again. Don’t write anything yet.

ALEXI have a deadline, sir--

LINNERYou can meet me in my office tonight. Nine, nine-fifteen.

Alex raises her eyebrows.

LINNER (CONT’D)My god, there will be other people there. Goodbye.

Linner turns and starts jogging toward the track.

ALEXOh! Are you excited to have Sean Kent on the team?

Linner stops and looks at Alex.

LINNERHow do you know who Sean Kent is?

Alex smiles.

ALEXSee you tonight.


It’s like an interview. Sean’s fielding questions from the other runners who, with the exception of Corey and Tony, seem *enamored with the newcomer.

The only runner who’s off on his own is Will, who’s stretching against a fence.

MAX BADDELEY (19), and DEREK KETTERSON (20) are the most vocal.

MAXSo, wait, what’d you run at track nationals, again?

Revised (11/20/2013) 7.

SEAN4:06, I felt terrible, to be honest. I just wanted to win.

DEREKNo, no, in the two mile.

SEANOh, 8:33.

These guys are all really fast - they’re the best college team in the country, actually - but Sean’s time still elicits awed whispers. Just not from Tony and Corey. *

Actually, it’s just now that Corey pipes up.

COREYHey, let’s try to look decent.

From the entrance gate jogs Linner, stopwatch and clipboard in hand.

MAX(amazed)

This can’t be life.

Linner arrives at the group of runners, but doesn’t say anything just yet. He drops the watch on the ground and flips furiously through the clipboard.

Will jogs over to the group - too quickly to appear cool. Some of the other runners smirk at him.

None of the runners dare speak first - most of them don’t even blink. What’s going on?

Finally:

LINNEROkay, fifteen minutes.

Confused looks - we guess they’re supposed to warm up? And, like introductions? Linner must be a hit at parties.

COREYAlright, come on.

The team follows Corey, jogging toward the gate.

LINNERSean, hang back for a second.

Sean backtracks toward his new coach.

Revised (11/20/2013) 8.

SEANHey, it’s awesome you’re here, how’s it going?

LINNERI never heard back from you.

SEANOh. Yeah, I mean, I figured it was one of my friends messing with me.

LINNERWell, it’s wasn’t. I wanted to talk to you about nationals.

SEANOh, yeah, see, I was just telling the guys, I felt really tired by the time the mile came around--

LINNERNo, that was fine. I was there, you ran fine. But if you’re going to be in my program, I’m not okay with the showboating you’ve gotten used to doing.

(off Sean’s look)Come on, you’re finishing the two mile and almost turned backwards. You’re looking at the crowd, the other runners...you patted a guy on the back when you lapped him.

SEAN(laughing)

Aww, come on coach. Lagat’s [Luh-got] always doing stuff like that.

LINNERBernard Lagat has five world championships. You beat twelve high school kids. Now go catch up with the guys.

Sean is stunned. Linner doesn’t blink. Finally, he runs off. Linner shakes his head and takes out his Blackberry. He dials it and puts it to his ear...

INT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - JOURNALISM OFFICE - DAY *

Alex steps from outside into the waiting area of the journalism office, her phone ringing. She hits ignore.

Revised (11/20/2013) 9.

She tries to deposit her note pad into her oversized purse, but drops it on the floor. As she bends to pick it up, more of her belongings fall.

As she’s gathering her things, a girl who’s sitting impatiently moves to help Alex, then hesitates. She’s -

ALEXEmma? Emma...

EMMACarter.

EMMA CARTER indeed. She’s 18, slender and stunning, but her nerves aren’t doing her any favors. You know how you can adjust your clothes and hair too much? She’s doing that.

ALEXSorry, I’m just running a little late. You can wait in there if you want.

With her head, Alex indicates a closed office door.

EMMAOh, no, I can help you...

ALEXI’ve got it!

Oh. Okay. Emma heads to the office.

INT. ALEX’S OFFICE - DAY

It’s immaculate. Emma settles in, exhaling for the first time since we’ve met her. At that instant, the door bursts open and Alex rushes in, setting herself down behind her desk.

ALEXSorry, sorry again.

EMMAOh! It’s no problem. I wanted to talk to you about the paper. You’re the editor?

ALEX(beaming)

First junior to be editor-in-chief, yes.

Revised (11/20/2013) 10.

EMMAThat’s awesome! So you were out...editing?

ALEXI’m doing a story on the new cross country coach.

EMMAYou still write stories? I thought editors didn’t do that very much.

ALEXWell, you know, it’s all about building your portfolio, right?

EMMAYeah, that’s what I hear. Anyway, I brought you my high school transcript and a resume, I’m gonna double major in history and honors political science. I know, “if you want to be a journalist, why aren’t you doing journalism?” See, my dad says that--

ALEXAre you free this week?

EMMAI’m sorry?

ALEXI need you to do an interview and write a piece on someone.

EMMAOh, I’m...hired? That’s great, thank you!

ALEXWell, we’ll give you like...a try-out. Do you know anything about sports.

Beat.

EMMANo.

ALEXYou’ll learn. *

Laughing. Laughing? Emma’s nervous.

Revised (11/20/2013) 11.

ALEX (CONT’D)We’ve got this freshman runner on the cross country team, he has a bunch of national records and stuff and won everything in the world, basically. I think he’d be great for the paper.

Alex slides Emma a piece of paper that contains Sean’s name and phone number.

ALEX (CONT’D)You know where the track is, right?

Alex is up from her desk, moving to open the door to her office. This is her ushering Emma out - Alex isn’t rude, she’s just busy. Emma realizes this and gets up to leave.

EMMAI...no, not really--

ALEXOh, and make sure you’re nice, the kid is my brother.

A stunned smile from Emma. The door closes.


If the guys were confused by Linner’s first instructions, that feeling is gone - he’s very clearly in charge.

There are 13 runners making their way around the track. There’s a group of three at the front - Corey is in this group. They look tired, but in control.

Behind them are the other ten, who are close, but more strung out and look like they’re breaking down. Sean is at the very back.

Linner’s simultaneously encouraging and insulting the runners like only coaches and drill sergeants can. As the group approaches the finish line, he’s shouting out splits.

LINNER4:28, 4:29, 4:30, 4:31, 4:32...

In fairly quick succession, all thirteen guys are through. The guys closer to the front are doubled over, panting, and the stragglers are worse - some are laying on the track.

Revised (11/20/2013) 12.

They aren’t used to this kind of intensity at the end of August, and Linner isn’t used to athletes who aren’t world-class. Everyone looks a little miffed.

LINNER (CONT’D)Okay, that’s four. 45 second then you go again.

SEAN(strained)

How many more are we doing?

LINNERYou? None. Everyone else...40 seconds.

Sean isn’t happy about this. He picks himself up off the track, straightens his shorts, and brushes the dirt off his chest.

SEANWhat are you talking about? Why am I done?

LINNER30 seconds!

SEANWhat the hell is this? I’m pretty sure if I can’t finish a workout in August, you’re pushing a little too much.

Linner’s still ignoring him.

LINNEREveryone on the line.

SEANWhat’s your problem?

LINNERI have out of shape runners, that’s my problem. Ten seconds.

SEANI set a national record less than three months ago. I was over 70 miles all summer I’ve been--

LINNERGo!

Revised (11/20/2013) 13.

The rest of the runners take off. Sean doesn’t know what to do, then takes off after them - until Linner grabs his arm and pulls him back.

SEANListen--

LINNERNo, you listen to me. I’m not trying to humiliate you, I’m trying-

SEANYou’re not trying to humiliate me? I’ve never sat out anything in my life.

LINNERThe way things are going, if you were out there right now, you’d really be humiliating yourself.

A beat, as Sean softens. His coach is right.

LINNER (CONT’D)I’m not going to let you kill yourself in the first workout of the year and blow up your training. You’re not there yet, that’s all.

SEANHow can I not be there yet? There are two freshman out there, right? I beat Brian by a minute at cross *nationals, and I don’t even know who the other kid is.

That’s funny, because the guys are coming around to finish the first lap, and the other kid is Will. He’s up with Corey and the other leaders.

LINNER69, 70, that’s a little slow, isn’t *it?

The runners bury their heads and keep going - well, most of them. One drops off the back and stumbles into the infield.

LINNER (CONT’D)(under his breath)

Jesus.(to the runner)

20 minute cool-down. And get up. (back to Sean)

It’s fine, it’s a long season.

Revised (11/20/2013) 14.

(MORE)

I’m not convinced about anything *yet. You might all be cut for all I care.

The moment’s interrupted by a voice from the stands.

EMMAIs...this the track?

Linner’s having a long day. He and Sean stare.

EMMA (CONT’D)(horrified)

Oh, god, I mean...this is the track team, right?

SEANCross country.

EMMAOkay, I’m...I need to talk to one of your runners.

LINNERWe’re in the middle of practice.

EMMAOh, god, sorry. Okay. Well, if you can tell Sean Kent that I’m looking for him, I’m with the paper--

SEANI’m Sean Kent.

EMMAYou...hi! Wait, why aren’t you running?

Linner loves this. He laughs, slaps Sean on the back and gets back to coaching the runners who are running.

END OF ACT ONE

Revised (11/20/2013) 15.

LINNER (CONT’D)

ACT TWO


Sean and Emma are speaking over the fence that divides the stands from the track. The rest of the athletes are finishing the workout.

EMMASo, it’s an interview, then I’m supposed to write a piece on you.

SEANCool. Yeah, I was in Sports Illustrated over the summer, did you see that?

EMMANo.

SEANOh.

EMMAI’m not huge on sports.

SEANJust interesting pieces, right?

Sean raises his eyebrows expectantly. A beat.

EMMAThat wasn’t the best--

SEANThat was great!

They laugh.

SEAN (CONT’D)Either way, you’ve got my number. Tonight, right?

EMMATonight. I heard that bar on State Street is good. APM’s?

SEANI’ll have them save us a section. *

Emma smirks. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 16.

EMMA *Alright, well I’ll see you then.

SEANYeah, see ya.

Emma walks down the stands to exit the stadium. She smiles at *Sean, but scoffs and rolls her eyes as soon as she’s out of *sight. *

Sean’s watching her leave, when suddenly: *

WILL You think you can close?

Well, he came out of nowhere.

SEANI mean, probably. Wait, have we met?

Will and Sean shake hands and say:

WILLSean Kent.

SEANSean Kent.

Laughing.

WILLWill Welling. Canyon, Texas.

(off Sean)West. West Texas. Rural.

SEAN(chuckling)

Man, that sounds awful.

WILLTell me about it. But hey, I’m actually pretty sure we’re roommates.

SEANI’ve got a single room.

WILLNah, coach just told me. We got upgraded to those new dorms by the lake.

SEANReally?

Sean sizes up Will, but seems pretty easygoing about it.

Revised (11/20/2013) 17.

SEAN (CONT’D)Sounds good.

INT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - GYM - TRAINING ROOM - DAY *

Corey, Max, and Tony take ice baths. Derek is rolling his *calf muscles. They’re focused on Linner, who’s very serious. *

LINNER *So, see, they’re pretty serious, *but I think we can take care of it. *

COREY *And what if we don’t? *

LINNER *They’re telling me that the NCAA *wants to make us forfeit all post *season racing this year. So no *regionals, no nationals. *

This sinks into the room. *

EXT. WOODS RESIDENCE HALLS - DUSK

A perimeter of built-to-look-aged brick buildings surround a *pristine courtyard.

Will’s carrying a sheet of paper, referring to it as he looks for a residence hall. He has numerous heavy trunks and suitcases.

Sean comes up beside Will unnoticed, startling him for a second.

SEANSo you said we’re supposed to be in Jones? Did they tell you which one it is?

WILLThere’s gotta be a check-in in the dining hall over there. Where’s all your stuff?

SEANYeah, let’s check it out. My parents are hanging out in town, I’ll have them bring it over once we find the room.

Revised (11/20/2013) 18.

Sean heads off briskly, but turns around to see Will struggling with his luggage. He heads back to help his new roommate.

EXT. STATE STREET RESTAURANT - PATIO - DUSK

Half-empty student restaurant. A BUSINESSMAN (50s), sitting alone in an ill-fitting suit, is looking at his watch.

As he picks up his menu to signal his waitress:

ALEXGod, I’m late, I’m so sorry.

Why’s Alex always carrying too much stuff? She sits.

ALEX (CONT’D)It’s so nice to see you though! You’re coming to the welcome banquet right? I hired a new writer *today. She says she’s really interested in--

BUSINESSMANWe’re cutting the student paper budget in half.

Oh.

ALEX *Well, we should discuss that -- *

BUSINESSMAN *I’m sorry, it’s done. *

ALEX *We’ll see about that. *

INT. SEAN AND WILL’S DORM ROOM - NIGHT

Now Sean’s the one with all the stuff. Will’s just trying to get all his clothes folded and put into drawers, but Sean’s already stringing up his old race bib numbers on the wall.

The wall sports five posters: Haile Gebrselassie, the famous Ethiopian runner; JFK eating an ice cream cone; the Texas Longhorns logo; Steve Prefontaine; and Ghostface Killah.

Sean’s stuff is generally nice, while Will’s is generally utilitarian.

Revised (11/20/2013) 19.

Will holds up a white shirt emblazoned with a large red STOP sign that reads “STOP PREP”. Sean chuckles. *

SEANThat’s pretty clever.

WILLI thought so too, but no one in my school got it. Oh well.

Sean’s tacking up a massive calendar that has his summer training recorded in detail.

WILL (CONT’D)So you’re from around here, right?

SEANWell, yeah. Minnesota. St. Paul. The suburbs, actually. And...

WILLCanyon.

(beat)I brought cowboy boots.

SEANCome on.

WILLI’m serious! Right here.

Will’s rummaging through his bag, looking for his heritage.

SEANYou were killin’ it out there today.

Will emerges with boots.

WILLTerrible, right?

SEANPretty bad, dude, yeah.

WILLNo, I felt pretty good. I took it real easy this summer so I feel fresh.

SEANYou did? Hey, no offense, but I figured I knew everyone who could grab a spot here. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 20.

WILLWell, I was pretty low-key in high school. No one from where I’m from’s ever been serious about it before. So, like, I never really thought about entering nationals or anything. *

Sean is paging through one of Will’s notebooks.

SEANJesus, looks like you’re still pretty fast though.

WILLYeah, but I was on my own. This whole new famous coach thing is a little much right now.

SEANNo kidding. He’s almost a legend though, I can’t believe he’s here.

WILLYeah, I’m glad he let me walk on. I didn’t commit here until two weeks ago.

SEANYou’ve already talked to the guy?

WILLYeah. I had a full ride for track at Texas Tech, but I got accepted off of the wait list into the biology honors deal here. I figured I’d be dumb not to do it, right?

Sean’s confused.

SEANRight.

WILL(laughing)

You know, to be honest, I think my parents are relieved. The school stuff’s a big deal to them...you can’t run forever, you know?

Sean doesn’t “know.”

Revised (11/20/2013) 21.

INT. APM’S - NIGHT

It’s a crowded, college town bar.

Emma and Sean are at a table with a pitcher of beer and an appetizer between them.

You know how they say first dates are a lot like interviews? Well, Sean’s clearly trying to make this interview into a *first date. *

SEANNo, I’m serious, you will not believe this guy.

EMMACowboy boots? That’s like a cartoon character.

SEANI know, I know. And he, like, wasn’t even one of the guys I knew from high school. I could tell you where the top 20 guys from Foot Locker are going to school.

EMMAOkay, yeah, I was researching this stuff, what is that, isn’t it a shoe store?

SEANI guess, but they sponsor cross country nationals. For high school. *

EMMA *And you won it. *

SEAN *Twice. Yeah. *

EMMA *So that’s how Will knew you. *

SEAN *Well...yeah, or from anything else. *People know me, I guess. *

EMMA *I did read that you were *pretty...out-going. Did you really *ask that reporter out on camera? *

Revised (11/20/2013) 22.

SEAN *I just won nationals, I figured I *had a shot. *

EMMA *That’s not unprofessional? *

SEAN *(laughing) *

What is this? *

EMMA *An interview. *

Sean takes a moment to gather himself. He studies Emma: Why *isn’t his charm working on her? *

SEAN *I’m just saying, if you’ve run in high school or college the last few years...I’m on the front page of all the websites and stuff.

A beat. Referring back to Will:

SEAN (CONT’D)(re: Will) *

He’s nice though.

EMMA *Who? *

SEAN *Will. *

EMMA(dismissive) *

Sure. Are you, like, the fastest *American? Maybe the records I found were old...

SEANNo, I mean, not the fastest American. For my age though...I’m *just saying, obviously he knows me.

A beat. Sean hears how he’s sounding.

SEAN (CONT’D)Hey, I know how that sounds. Sorry, I just don’t know how to put it.

Emma appears to be a bit sympathetic to this.

Revised (11/20/2013) 23.

SEAN (CONT’D)So what about you, journalism, right? Newspaper writer?

EMMAPolitical science and history.

SEANI thought you wanted to be a journalist.

EMMAI do, but my dad says--

SEANI’m “undecided.”

EMMAI saw, I read your bio on the website.

SEANSo you’re gonna cover different stuff? What’s going on here?

EMMAWell, yes, and then apply that to journalism--

SEANNo, no, about me. Sorry.

Sean flashes a big smile.

EMMASure, we can do different stuff. Why weren’t you running today?

SEANI was running today.

EMMANot when I saw you.

SEANThat new coach just pulled me out, wanted to talk to me. Probably wants me to take it easy, we’ve got that alumni race tomorrow.

EMMAIs that a big thing here?

Revised (11/20/2013) 24.

SEANNo, it literally means nothing, it’s just for show. But how does the new guy look if he lands me and then I blow up and suck in front of the alumni?

EMMASo you’re planning on running well tomorrow.

SEANFor sure, and, you know, having fun. Coach and I were joking about that today, I think I’m gonna wear some of my sister’s old knee-high socks or something. Just have fun with it, you know.

EMMAI know. Well, I should get going, it’s kind of late.

SEAN(sarcastic) *

We’re just getting started! Ask me about my childhood.

EMMA(cold) *

I’ll be at the race tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll see you.

SEANOh, you don’t wanna come to that! It’s just a stupid...thing. Don’t come, come to a real race.

EMMA(too cheery) *

See you tomorrow!

SEANEmma! I’m sorry.

Emma’s already heading out, looking pleased. Sean’s *frustrated. He drinks. *

INT. LINNER’S OFFICE - NIGHT *

Linner sits with his legs crossed at his desk. Across from *him is Alex, who’s dressed casually but very, very *tastefully. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 25.

ALEX *And this race is... *

LINNER *Going to determine the team. *

ALEX *Is that how it usually works? *

LINNER *No, not to my knowledge. But I *figure if I can shake things up and *catch these guys off guard, I might *be able to see who’s really *prepared. *

ALEX *Wait, run me through this again. *Seven guys... *

LINNER *Seven guys are on the traveling *team that goes to the big meets. *You run seven guys at Big Tens, *seven guys at regionals, seven guys *at Nationals. *

ALEX *And the top seven from this race *will be the guys you use. *

LINNER *For now, that’s the plan. *

ALEX *And the rest? *

LINNER *We keep about twelve, thirteen guys *on the roster. Things change, *people graduate, people get hurt. *Those guys run at smaller meets all *year. *

Alex is writing all this down. *

LINNER (CONT’D) *Honestly, how am I going to look? *

She sizes him up. *

ALEX *If you wear something with a *collar, maybe pretty nice. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 26.

LINNER *You know what I mean. *

Alex gives a coy smile. *

ALEX *Well, I’m just going to write about *the case and what I think the *school should do, how they *should... *

(air quotes) *“Act responsibly.” *

LINNER *And how do you suggest we do that? *

EXT. WISCONSIN CROSS COUNTRY COURSE - MORNING *

The next morning. Race day. *

RUNNERS of all ages and each gender warm up. For the alumni, *this is more recreational and more of a reunion - they’re *laughing and catching up with one another. *

The runners on the team are a bit more serious - other than *the freshmen, they’re in matching red long-sleeved shirts and *baggy black shorts, doing warm up drills, high knees, etc. *

OLDER RUNNER #1 *(to another) *

Thank god this is only 5K. *

Sean’s in a gold shirt with green EDINA emblazoned across the *front. He’s got a green headband and knee-high gold socks. *

He’s running strides - long warmup sprints - farther and *faster than he needs to. People - both spectators and runners *- whisper about him. *

LINNER *(megaphone) *

30 seconds. *

Runners make their way to the starting line. All have peeled *off whatever they wore to warm up and are now in their *uniforms - Sean’s is a maroon-and-gold jersey from nationals *with “MIDWEST” across the front. *

As the time - unspoken, but understood - dwindles, things *become silent. Scattered SHOUTS of encouragement from the *crowd can be heard, but that’s it. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 27.

LINNER (CONT’D) *(megaphone) *

Marks. *

A beat. *

Linner FIRES THE STARTING GUN. *

Spectators clap and cheer as the herd of runners takes off. *

Within the first quarter-mile, Sean and Corey are leading. *They look comfortable, but Corey keeps eyeing Sean *skeptically - why is he pushing the pace so much? *

By the half-mile mark, Corey looks back and sees that he and *Sean have opened a small gap on the field. Without *hesitation, Corey drops back and leads the chase pack. *

We see them next at one mile. Sean’s family - Cathy, Scott, *and Alex - are in the crowd. Scott consults his watch: *

SCOTT *Wow, 4:22. *

Elsewhere, Linner is also looking at his watch. He’s furious. *

It’s now about a mile and a half in. The gap Sean’s opened on *the field is constant for now, but Sean’s laboring. *

Now, at the two mile mark - The chase pack calmly, *comfortably, and efficiently overtakes a struggling Sean. *

This pack is made up of a couple of alumni runners in older *versions of the Wisconsin jerseys, but mostly the current *team. Corey leads the pack, and Will fits somewhere in the *middle. *

In the crowd: Sean’s parents wince, and Alex simply shakes *her head. Elsewhere: Emma smirks. *

We skip now to the end of the race. The crowd is cheering as *the athletes just start to finish. *

Now, these guys are great competitors and worked pretty hard - *thanks to Sean, harder than they planned, actually - but *there’s an understanding among good runners that intersquad *meets and workouts like this don’t turn into frantic races at *the end. *

Corey, an alumni runner, and Derek finish in a group together *to take the first through third spots. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 28.

A mixture of five more Madison runners and three alumni guys *come through next. This group includes Tony, Will, and some *others we’ve seen before. *

Finally, only after two more guys from the team and a handful *of older runners finish, a struggling Sean comes into view. *His parents wince, and even Alex looks sorry for him. *

After the race now: *

CATHY *Are you feeling alright? *

SCOTT *Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean *anything, anyway. *

SEAN *(strained) *

Yeah, I know. Whatever, it’ll be *fine. *

Alex realizes that Sean doesn’t know the consequences of this *race, but figures now’s not the time. *

As it turns out, she won’t have to deliver it at all: Linner *is jogging over to the group of recovering runners. *

LINNER *Great job, guys. *

SCOTT *Mr. Linner! Scott Kent, Sean’s dad. *

Scott extends his hand, but Linner’s probably six feet away, *and just gives him a confused look. *

LINNER *Right, hi. *

(out) *Can everyone come here for a *second? Great. Listen, two things. *Well, first, thank you, everyone, *for showing up. First, we’re not *done with the official results yet, *we’ll have those printed up in a *few minutes. But who were the first *seven of my guys to finish? *

This is easy: seven guys raise their hands. Corey, Tony, *Derek, Max, two guys we haven’t met yet, and Will. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 29.

LINNER (CONT’D) *Great, can you guys stand over *here? *

They move beside Linner, where he indicates. *

LINNER (CONT’D) *Fantastic. Ladies and gentlemen, *this is our varsity squad. They’ll *be competing in Chicago three weeks *from today. Everyone else runs at *La Crosse next weekend. *

APPLAUSE from the crowd and other runners - everyone, that *is, except the Kents. *

END OF ACT TWO

Revised (11/20/2013) 30.

ACT THREE *

EXT. WISCONSIN CROSS COUNTRY COURSE - DAY *

Sean fights through the crowd to get to Linner, who’s shaking hands with people and generally fitting in pretty well. Sean’s angry.

SEANHey, coach, I need to talk to you.

LINNERSure, come get something to eat. You look awful.

SEANI’m fine, I just feel flat. It’s...whatever, coach, you know me, this is a fluke, I’m fine.

LINNERI don’t know you at all.

SEANHow can you not take me to Chicago?

Linner pulls Sean in by the arm.

LINNER(whispering; angry)

First of all, if you make a scene like this in front of people, I won’t take you anywhere, ever. Second, look at you. You wanted attention, you got it.

Linner walks away. Sean furiously looks around to see if anyone’s going to take his side, but no one’s listening. They look pretty happy. Sean still doesn’t.

Sean stands still, the sea of people moving steadily in one direction around him.


Emma sits in a chair, her hands in her lap, maybe nervous, but smiling. Alex is going to love this, right?

Well, Alex is across the desk, standing, furrowing her brow as she reads Emma’s manuscript.

Revised (11/20/2013) 31.

Alex finally drops the paper on her desk, sits down, and raps her fingers on the wood as she thinks of how to phrase the question.

ALEXWhat would you say the tone of the piece is?

A pause, and then:EMMA

Honest?ALEX

(mimicking Emma)Honest?

Emma is taken aback.

ALEX (CONT’D)(laughing)

Sorry, sorry, I’m not making fun of you. But everyone comes in here and thinks they’re the first ‘honest’ writer we’ve ever seen. Also, ‘honest’ isn’t really a tone.

EMMAOh...oh...okay. Then...

ALEXNegative.

EMMAIt’s not negative, it’s just how I *see him. *

ALEX *It’s negative. You’re writing a smear piece. I know he’s my brother and all, but people are going to read this and think you’re a jerk.

EMMAListen, I’m sorry, but he was a jerk. You should have been there!

ALEXBut I wasn’t. You were.

Alex slides the paper across the desk to Emma.

ALEX (CONT’D)You’re going to have to fix it.

EMMAWhat do you want me to do? I’m not *going to lie.

Revised (11/20/2013) 32.

ALEXI’m not asking you to lie, I’m asking you to write it properly.

EMMA(cold) *

I guess I don’t know what that means.

ALEXI’m sure you’ll figure it out. I don’t need to run anything on Sean, but it would be nice, you know? And if you want to work for us, I need to know I can trust you.

EMMA *I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m *willing to do that. *

ALEX *Well, if you want to write on this *campus, I’m sure you’ll figure it *out. *

Alex smiles condescendingly. Emma is frustrated and leaves *immediately. Alex smiles as Emma goes, but snaps, turning *angry as soon as the door closes. *

INT. SEAN AND WILL’S DORM ROOM - DAY

Sean is shirtless, wearing only his shorts from the race. He’s sitting on the edge of his bed, head in one hand.

A loud KNOCK on the door. Sean looks up, but decides not to get it.

Another KNOCK.

ALEX (O.S.)Sean, I swear to god, if you don’t open this door...

This is enough for Sean, who snaps out of his stupor pretty quickly and opens the door for his sister.

Alex surveys the room and, unimpressed, sits where Sean had previously been on his bed. Sean’s left standing.

ALEX (CONT’D)What’s wrong with you?

Revised (11/20/2013) 33.

SEANI don’t know, I just didn’t feel that great--

ALEXNo, dummy, I don’t care about the race - although I did hear you were pretty bad. I’m talking about Emma.

SEANWhat about her?

ALEXSean, she hated you.

SEANNo, she didn’t. *

ALEXI just read her article. I hope she hates you, because if she’s being objective, then I’m embarrassed for you.

SEANShe seemed like she liked me though...

ALEXSean, she’s a reporter. She was trying to interview you.

(beat)Everyone’s not out to get you, but we’re not all here to serve your needs either.

Sean collapses into a chair.

SEANWell, just have me meet with someone else.

ALEXAre you kidding? Sean, you’re a freshman athlete who just failed to make the team in a sport half the campus doesn’t know exists. You screwed this up. You fix it or I run the article as it is.

It’s like a stare-down. Just then, the door opens - Will’s back. He’s talking on the phone, happy and laughing.

Revised (11/20/2013) 34.

WILLNo, yeah, it was great.

(beat)25:10 or something.

(beat)Yeah, doesn’t matter though. We were all pretty slow.

Will shrugs and smiles in Sean’s direction - this was supposed to be a consolation to Sean. Sean sure doesn’t take it that way, because he glares back at Will.

Alex smiles an introduction and scrawls something on a piece of paper, handing it to Sean.

ALEX(to Sean)

Today. I can’t have you screw up our last name here before you’ve *had a week of classes. *

Alex leaves, smiling again at Will, who’s bewildered but pleasant enough. *

WILL(into phone)

Yeah, Chicago.(beat)

Okay, definitely.(beat)

Love you, too.

Will hangs up the phone.

WILL (CONT’D)Hey, sorry, man. You okay?

SEANTotally. I don’t really wanna race right now, anyway.

WILLHow come?

SEANNationals are, like three months away, dude. Besides, I was thinking school might not be for me.

Will laughs, then realizes Sean is serious.

WILLWait, what are you talking about?

Revised (11/20/2013) 35.

SEANI might just quit and run professionally. Like Webb. He turned out okay.

WILL(joking)

I think he made his college team, though.

Okay, remember the Ghostface poster on the wall? Sean looks WAY angrier than Ghostface, and that’s very, very angry.

WILL (CONT’D)Man, I’m kidding. Come on. You were bad today, but you’ll be fine. You’re faster than me, you know that.

SEANWell, that’s true.

Will’s look: “Oh.”

SEAN (CONT’D)God, I’m sorry, man. I’m stressed out. I’m gonna get killed in the paper.

WILLWait, what? Oh, and who was that?

SEANMy sister. She’s the editor of the student paper, I guess that girl who did my interview hated me.

WILLYour sister’s gonna run a bad story about you?

SEANWell, she said I would have to talk to the reporter today to stop it, and I’m not coming crawling back to her.

(beat)Plus, I texted her and haven’t heard back.

WILL(re: the piece of paper)

Let me see that.

Revised (11/20/2013) 36.

Sean hands it to Will, who reads it and wordlessly begins putting on other clothes.

SEANWhat are you doing?

WILLWell, we’ve gotta fix this, right?

SEANDude, it’s fine, there’s probably nothing we can do at this point anyway.

WILLHaven’t you seen any movies?

(mock movie trailer voice)One man must chase the woman of his dreams.

Will’s looking at the piece of paper and checking his campus map.

WILL (CONT’D)Agricultural Hall. Class probably just started. Let’s go!

Sean looks dumbfounded, but his face is quickly covered by the shirt Will throws at him. He better get dressed.

INT. LINNER’S OFFICE - DAY

Linner’s sitting across his desk from Alex. Unlike at the race, he doesn’t look like he’s happy to be here.

ALEXSo are you sure you can fix it? From what I’ve read, the NCAA --

LINNERThe NCAA would like us all to believe that they’re the final decision makers, but the school’s got some power in this too.

(off her skeptical look)I’ll make sure we can run this year.

ALEXDo you think your reputation might hurt you?

Revised (11/20/2013) 37.

LINNERI’m proud of my reputation.

ALEXThen what’s with the office?

LINNERWhat?

ALEXYou were at the Olympics and stuff, right? I looked up all those guys you coached - they’re pretty famous. And...I see no pictures.

LINNERMy decorating is going to incriminate me?

Alex smiles, shrugs, and scribbles in her note pad.

LINNER (CONT’D) *What? *

ALEX *It just seems like you have a lot *to hide, that’s all. *

She grins, expecting this to offend Linner. It doesn’t. He *shrugs, then nods. *

LINNER *Probably. *

*

INT. AGRICULTURAL HALL - ENTRANCE - DAY

Sean and Will enter through the giant double doors of Agricultural Hall. It’s an old, stately, beautiful building dedicated to education in the field of...agriculture.

There are murals on the wall of horses, farmers, crops, and exciting varieties of livestock.

WILLYou’ve gotta practice your lines. Or are you just gonna grab her and kiss her?

Sean looks like he’s honestly having fun.

Revised (11/20/2013) 38.

SEAN(laughing)

Shut up, dude.

WILLAre you gonna tell the professor to stop and announce what you’re doing, or are you just gonna walk right up and do it? Are...are you going to tell her you love her?

Will’s joking - he’s not really this enthusiastic. He’s trying to keep Sean happy - what a good guy!

WILL (CONT’D)Okay, here it is. 114. Let’s go!

SEANWait out here, I’ve got this.

Too late. Will’s already opened the door and is heading in.

INT. AGRICULTURAL HALL - LECTURE HALL - DAY

It’s a huge lecture, with PROBABLY 200 STUDENTS in the seats and the PROFESSOR at the other end of the room.

Will’s squatting down, peering up, over, and around people to survey the crowd. He looks like he’s in a spy movie.

Sean, still amused, has no choice but to join his cohort to avoid making a scene. The kids around them notice and laugh, but not too many people have seen them yet.

WILL(hushed)

Dude, I...don’t remember what she looks like.

Sean does, and he sees her. She’s almost at the front of the hall.

SEANAh, she’s way up there. We should probably --

Will stands up and marches assuredly down the aisle. Sean, once again, has no choice but to follow.

As they walk toward the front of the room, the guys draw more and more attention to themselves. The professor notices too, but assumes they’re grossly late students and simply scowls.

Revised (11/20/2013) 39.

When they reach Emma’s row, Will excuses himself and squeezes by several students, finally sitting down on the far side of Emma. Sean sheepishly sits directly to her other side.

SEAN (CONT’D)Hi.

WILLSean loves you.

SEANNo. Shut up. Listen.

EMMAWhat the hell are you doing?

WILLWinning you back.

EMMAWinning me back?

SEANWinning you...wait, no. Will, shut up.

WILLYou’re so beautiful.

SEANNo she’s not.

(off Emma AND Will)Well, yeah, she is. But that’s not the point. Listen, I’m sorry I was a jerk. I want to make it up to you.

The professor has had enough.

PROFESSOR(mock concern)

Is everything okay over there?

WILL(movie trailer again; loudly)

Not yet...but it will be.

Many students LAUGH.

EMMAThis is you making it up to me?

Revised (11/20/2013) 40.

SEANLet me take you out. Another interview. I’ll be nicer.

EMMAIf I say yes, will you leave right now?

WILLAre you guys going to kiss?

EMMANo!

SEANSame place. Tonight.

EMMAFine, now please leave.

Will and Sean stand up to leave. There’s way too much commotion, and professor stops teaching. Kids murmur and laugh.

WILL(to Sean)

You really sucked this morning.

Sean’s confused - wasn’t Will just being nice to him?

SEANWell...

WILLI bet I can take you.

Will nods to the door. They take off sprinting.

Sean narrowly beats Will. They SLAM the doors open and leave the hall.

The professor glares. Emma looks more embarrassed than a person has ever looked.

END OF ACT THREE

Revised (11/20/2013) 41.

ACT FOUR

INT. SEAN AND WILL’S DORM ROOM - DAY

Sean is standing, shirtless. Will is rifling through his as-yet-unpacked collection of clothes, trying to dress Sean.

WILLSeriously, how do you have nothing but t shirts from races?

SEANWhy would I spend money on clothes?

WILLFor literally exactly this situation.

Sean gives Will a sly look: he’s never had a problem before.

WILL (CONT’D)Not every girl on campus reads Track & Field News.

SEANWell it’s a good thing she’s a reporter, huh?

Will laughs.

SEAN (CONT’D)Hey, by the way, what are you gonna do tonight?

WILLOh, I met some people in the dining hall. They invited me to some party.

SEANOh, awesome. Well, I’ll see you when you get back. Thanks, dude.

Sean pulls one of Will’s shirts over his head, starts for the door, reconsiders, backtracks, and takes Will’s watch off his wrist and puts it on his own.

SEAN (CONT’D)There we go.

Will watches Sean close the door, then opens a garment bag, looking for different clothes. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 42.

INT. BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

Will (slacks and a tie) is nervous. He’s sitting alone in the *waiting area of the counseling office at the Biology department. A SECRETARY answers a RINGING PHONE.

SECRETARYOkay, thank you.

She hangs up.

SECRETARY (CONT’D)Mr. Welling? He’s ready for you.

INT. BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT - COUNSELOR’S OFFICE - NIGHT

TOM SHARP (50s), head of the biology department, studies *Will’s transcript. He looks pretty impressed. Will’s still nervous.

SHARP *Well, I can see why we accepted you on such short notice. This is impressive...and west Texas isn’t exactly known for their science classes.

Nervous laughter.

SHARP (CONT’D) *(re: computer) *

But...did you receive your *schedule? It says here you didn’t *attend the orientation seminar. *

WILLRight, no, I got the schedule. I just wanted to ask...how much of a time commitment is this program?

SHARP *Well, it’s certainly a tremendous amount of work, but it is one of the top three undergrad science programs in the world right now. You make it through this, and the sky’s the limit.

WILLOh, I know sir. I’m very excited. It’s just...like, do you think someone could play a sport and keep up with the work? *

Revised (11/20/2013) 43.

Sharp waits to see if Will is joking, then presumably decides *he is. He laughs. Will doesn’t know how to react, so he laughs, too.


Same crowd as last time. Only now, Sean’s waiting at the table for Emma. He tries laying his hands on the table in various ways, debating how best to display Will’s watch.

He perks up as Emma walks in, but she doesn’t smile, or nod, or wave, or do anything but storm to the table and SLAM down her purse.

SEAN(confused)

Hi.

EMMAWhat’s wrong with you?

SEANWhat? What are you talking about?

EMMAWhat made you think bursting into my class would be okay?

SEAN *Listen, I know I was probably super *cocky last time or whatever, but I *get that I’m lucky. I’ve worked *really, really hard my whole life, *but there are lots of people who *work just as hard but don’t have *half the talent I do. I’m just *trying to make the most of it. *

A beat. *

EMMA *Are you serious? *

SEAN *What? *

EMMA *You don’t believe that. *

SEAN *Of course I do. *

(off her) *Fine. I just want to run fast. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 44.

EMMA *And I care deeply about how fast *you can run. Can we get this over *with? *

Sean looks hurt, but nods ‘yes.’ Obviously, he assumes this *is Emma agreeing - begrudgingly, but still agreeing - to *rewrite the article. *

INT. UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - NIGHT *

A beautiful, stately, old office with a mahogany desk. The university president, KYLE ECONOMY (60s), sits behind it. He’s growing impatient.

LINNERIf you want me to keep the team off probation, I need your help. I need to know exactly what happened here. Why Garrison was fired. Who was involved. Who knew about it.

ECONOMYWith all due respect, Mr. Linner, I haven’t spent much of my time concerned with the cross country team.

LINNERSir, with all due respect, if you don’t help me out here, you’re going to have to.

ECONOMYNo, I’m not.

He finally looks up from his paperwork and into Linner’s eyes.

ECONOMY (CONT’D)Mr. Linner, I like you. You seem like a sharp fellow. But if you want to change the ruling, you’re going to have to do it on your own.

Linner senses there’s more, but Economy is clearly done. Linner turns to leave.

INT. GYM BASEMENT - HALLWAY - NIGHT

Will, still in dress clothes, sits on the floor against the wall. He’s waiting outside Linner’s office.

Revised (11/20/2013) 45.

FOOTSTEPS. Will scrambles to his feet.

Linner approaches the office, startled to see Will. *

WILLUm, coach? Is this a bad time?

Linner pinches the bridge of his nose.

LINNERWill Welling, right? No, it’s fine, come in.

The two enter the office.

INT. JOURNALISM OFFICE - NIGHT

The waiting area is empty. It’s dark. The only light comes from under Alex’s door.

We see her through the glass: She’s scribbling furiously in a notebook, but it’s not a story - she keeps punching numbers into a calculator. When things don’t add up, she buries her face in her hands.


There are drinks on the table, but they’re forgotten. Things *are tense. *

SEAN *Are you serious? You’re just not *going to write the piece at all? *

EMMA *Absolutely not. *

SEAN *You don’t hate me. *

EMMA *No, I don’t. *

SEAN *Then why can’t you write it *differently? *

EMMA *It just feels...dirty. I’m not *saying things I don’t believe just *because your sister’s trying to *make me. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 46.

SEAN *We’re...getting along, right? *

Emma smiles...maybe, yeah. Still: *

EMMA *After that stunt you pulled in my *class? *

SEAN *Come on, it was kind of fun. *

(off her look) *Okay, it was Will’s idea. *

Emma laughs. *

SEAN (CONT’D) *But it worked! See? *

EMMA *It was kind of fun. I’ll give you *that. And I appreciate you trying *but I’m really here because your *sister -- *

SEAN *Oh, yeah, how do you like Alex? *

EMMA *Honestly? *

SEAN *Honestly. *

EMMA *She terrifies me. *

They both smile. Sean signals to a waitress. *

SEAN *Okay, so if you’re not going to *write the article in the first *place, at least tell me about *yourself. *

EMMA *What do you want to know? *

SEAN *Well, let’s see... last time, you *said you were majoring in political *science and history. But *you’re...like, a journalist. Why? *

Revised (11/20/2013) 47.

Emma’s impressed that Sean remembers this. *

EMMA *My dad says that it makes more *sense to become an expert in a *field and then write about it. Lots *of journalists are pretty empty- *headed...well, that’s what he says. *

(off Sean’s look) *Oh, no, I’m sorry, your sister *seems great! I’m sorry. *

Laughter: it’s fine. *

SEAN *So what does he do? Your dad. *

EMMA *He...owns newspapaers. *

SEAN *That’s kind of a cliche. *

EMMA *I know, I know. I was going to stay *out east -- *

SEAN *Where? *

EMMA *Connecticut. But he’s pretty well- *known out here, so I figured I’d *kind of...make a name for myself, *you know? *

SEAN *That’s...I’m impressed. That’s *cool. *

EMMA *Well, it’s necessary. Reputation *can really only take you so far, *right? *

Sean shrugs, hoping she’s wrong. *

SEAN *You know what? *

EMMA *(indulging him) *

What, Sean. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 48.

SEAN *You’re alright. *

Emma rolls her eyes. *

EMMA *Soaring praise. *

SEAN *If you don’t want to write the *article, I respect that. *But...friends? *

EMMA *Sure. *

INT. LINNER’S OFFICE - NIGHT *

Linner’s not being overtly rude, but he’s doing paperwork. Will’s trying to get his message across, but this guy’s a celebrity in his world.

LINNERSo, everything going okay? You’re not hurt, are you? You look pretty good out there.

This takes Will off guard. Like, Tom Linner is complimenting his running.

WILLOh, thanks. Yeah, I feel great, I was just wondering --

LINNERYup, Chicago should be good.

WILLWell, it was actually about that. I was just talking to --

LINNERYou seem like a decent guy. Actually, maybe you can help me. Did Garrison recruit you pretty heavily?

WILLActually, not at all. I came here at the last minute for the biology -

Revised (11/20/2013) 49.

LINNERBecause he was fired for recruiting violations, and now we’re facing a ban on post-season competition. No regionals, no nationals.

WILLOh. Wow...

LINNERSo I’ve gotta fight the decision. There’s a press conference tomorrow, but I’m going to appeal the ruling and see if we can get reinstated.

WILLDo you think you’ll be able to?

LINNERI don’t know. But I know you guys. Not you guys specifically, but college guys. Runners. You’ve probably spent your whole life to this point dreaming about college nationals, and now it’s just snatched away? That’s not fair. I mean, you come from a small school, right? I bet you trained completely alone, didn’t you? What kept you going all summer, all those times when your friends were partying and you had two runs the next day?

WILL(almost whispering)

Nationals.

LINNERExactly. Now, what did you want to talk about?

A beat. Linner looks up at Will, waiting for an answer.

WILLWhat day do we leave for Chicago?


Emma is touching Will’s watch, laughing - it looks like Sean told her how he got it. Just then, he’s put in a headlock.

Revised (11/20/2013) 50.

It’s Corey, and with him are Tony, Max, Derek, and about six *other runners we’ve yet to get to know, but most are on the Chicago squad.

COREYRookie! How’s it going?

SEANOh, Corey! Hey, man, how’s it going?

COREYWhat’re you doing here?

SEANOh, just a... *

It’s not an interview anymore, but Emma’s not giving him any *help. *

SEAN (CONT’D) *An interview? *

Mock ‘OOHs’ from the guys.

COREYWell, finish up then, superstar. We’re going out.

SEANWhere?

COREYThere’s a welcome party. Someone from the girls team is hosting. We’re just going to make an appearance.

It’s evident Sean thinks that’s some sort of euphemism for a wild night. He looks to Emma.

EMMAGo ahead. I think I’ve got what I need.

DEREKNot yet you don’t.

Max slaps the back of Derek’s head. Everyone laughs, even Emma.

SEANAre you sure?

Revised (11/20/2013) 51.

Emma’s getting up to leave. She’s smiling, though.

EMMAYeah, no problem. I’ll see you around.

Sean’s eyes are fixed on Emma as she leaves, but the guys are physically pulling him away. Sean snaps out of it and looks ready to party.

EXT. APM’S - NIGHT *

A little while later, Emma is leaving the bar. She’s a bit *drunk. She takes out her phone, dials, and puts it to her *ear. *

EMMA *Hey, Dad! I’m doing what you told *me, I’m standing up for myself. *Just thought I’d call to let you... *

Beat - clearly, her dad answered the phone, and this isn’t *voice mail. This sobers her right up. *

EMMA (CONT’D) *Well, this girl - this editor - *told me my article was too *negative, just because her *brother’s a jerk -- *

(beat) *What? This is exactly the kind of *thing that you told me -- *

(beat) *I highly doubt everyone has to do *this. *

Her look: Apparently, everyone does have to go through this. *

INT. HOUSE PARTY - NIGHT *

Sean, Corey, and the rest of the guys from the bar have *arrived at a raucous house party with probably A HUNDRED *OTHER WISCONSINITES. *

MUSIC plays LOUDLY - Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement.” *

Drinks are flowing everywhere. Most are indulging, but Corey *is leading the runners through the entryway, making the *rounds and greeting everyone. *

To THREE GIRLS: *

Revised (11/20/2013) 52.

COREY *This is Sean Kent. You know, he’s *actually one of the ten fastest *guys on the team. *

The girls act impressed, not understanding that Corey is *slighting him. Sean sure understands. *

The group keeps moving. *

SEAN *You know, I’ll put money on me *beating you by Big Tens. *

COREY *Kid, you won’t be around by then. *

(off his look) *Two months? No chance. Linner was *already talking about kicking you *off. *

SEAN *Like he’d do that. *

INT. HOUSE PARTY - LATER *

Everything is slower. The party’s just as loud, but it’s *foggy and disorienting. *

Sean sits on a couch with two girls - who are conversing with *each other, but not him. He’s holding a drink and he’s *really, really gone. *

The rest of the guys see this. They’re all completely sober. *

TONY *Should we get him? *

COREY *Nah. *

They leave. *

Sean stays. *

END OF ACT FOUR

Revised (11/20/2013) 53.

ACT FIVE

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - TRACK - MORNING *

Just like the beginning: everyone’s there except Sean. Birds CHIRP, and the guys look fit, focused, and ready to go. Linner’s finishing up a phone call.

LINNER(to the team)

Alright, are we ready to go?

Sean stumbles through the entrance gate, shoes untied. Half-running, half-walking to the group, he looks fantastically hungover.

Linner sees this, but just shakes his head.

LINNER (CONT’D)Fifteen minutes.

The guys start running toward the gate. They reach Sean in a hurry, so he has to simply turn around and head out with them, shoes still untied.


Alex is sitting behind her desk, breathing slowly and deeply. This is the first time we see her being anything but frantic.

A KNOCK on the door.

ALEXCome in.

It’s Emma. She’s holding a manuscript.

She takes a seat and slides the article to Alex, who glances *at it quickly. She then looks up at Emma, then goes back to studying the article.

ALEX (CONT’D)This is pretty good.

EMMA(empty) *

Thank you.

Emma clearly isn’t very enthused about what she wrote. **

A beat as Alex continues to read the article.

Revised (11/20/2013) 54.

ALEXSo you did see him again.

EMMAYes, last night.

ALEXOh, I heard.

(off her look)He called me at...

Alex picks up her phone to verify:

ALEX (CONT’D)2:54 AM. I’ve never heard such an impassioned pitch for a student newspaper writer.

Emma blushes.

EMMANothing...inappropriate happened.

This amuses Alex.

ALEXWhy would you even say that?

EMMAWell it’s not like it was a date or anything.

Alex laughs.

ALEXEmma, I don’t care if something ‘inappropriate’ happened as long as the writing is good.

(beat)I will care if you so much as touch my brother though.

Emma looks terrified.

A beat, and then Alex laughs again.

ALEX (CONT’D)No, no, I’m totally kidding. Of course I’m kidding! You can touch him as much as you want. Actually, you might have to.

(off Emma)Congratulations, you’re now our junior sports reporter.

Revised (11/20/2013) 55.

Emma’s confused, but shakes Alex’s hand.

ALEX (CONT’D)Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make sure there’s still a paper for you to write for.


The workout is over - all the guys look beat, but in a proper, controlled way. Not like the first workout.

All the guys, that is, except Sean, who’s dry-heaving in the infield.

LINNERThat was a good day for you boys.

Corey smirks and indicates Sean with his head. Linner turns to face him.

LINNER (CONT’D)Except, of course, Mr. Kent. Mr. Kent, could you stand up for a second?

Will looks worried - is Linner going to rip into Sean in front of the whole team?

Sean stands. He looks genuinely awful.

LINNER (CONT’D)Mr. Kent, I would have thought that two wake up calls in two days was enough. Let me let you in on something: I coached Olympians, World Champions, for the past six years. Do you know what I did to the ones who showed up to practice still drunk?

No, Sean doesn’t know.

LINNER (CONT’D)Neither do I, because none of them ever did it. I know you think you’re a big shot because you beat a bunch of 17 year olds and set records that real runners would laugh at, but what happened yesterday? Did you make the team?

Sean looks at the ground.

Revised (11/20/2013) 56.

LINNER (CONT’D)Did you make the team?

A beat.

Sean looks up: he’s mad. Will’s look: Sean being mad is a bad idea.

SEANNo.

LINNERDid you deserve to make the team?

SEANYes.

Wrong answer.

LINNEROkay, everyone else, you’re done for the day. Goodbye.

The guys jog to the exit, quickly but silently.

Linner strolls slowly over so that he’s finally standing right in front of Sean.

LINNER (CONT’D)I’m done going out of my way to accommodate you. I’ve got way bigger things to worry about. You’re a marginal runner on this team, and you’re acting like you’ve got a ticket to Rio already. I don’t like people causing problems, and you certainly haven’t earned the right to give it a shot. You’re done.

Linner starts to walk away.

To Linner’s back:

SEANWhat do you mean?

LINNERCome back when you get your act together.

(to himself)Probably in another lifetime.

Revised (11/20/2013) 57.

EXT. WOODS RESIDENCE HALLS - DAY

Sean arrives back at the courtyard of the dorms. Will is leaning against a bike rack, talking to two girls. He sees Sean and excuses himself.

WILLHey, man, are you okay?

SEANCan you believe that guy?

WILLI know, that was harsh. What happened though?

SEANWell, we all went out last night, and I just got hammered at that party. I don’t know why it’s my fault.

WILLYeah, I heard about it. Dude, you do realize that everyone else went home at, like, eleven, don’t you?

SEANWhat do you mean?

WILLWell, they were being polite. They told me about it. They showed up, said hi to everyone, had a drink, and left.

SEANWell, what about all the people I was with?

WILLDo you think they’re on the team?

Sean considers this.

SEANLinner kicked me off the team.

WILLI’m sure he didn’t really kick you off the team.

Revised (11/20/2013) 58.

SEANHe said “come back when you get your act together.”

WILLWell, do it.

(beat)But, hey, I’ve gotta talk to you about something. I’m...I’m not sure if I can do all of this. *

SEANMe neither.

WILLNo, dude, I’m serious. This has been our entire lives, right? But *how am I supposed to keep going if *I can’t do school at the same time? *

INT. ALEX’S OFFICE/INT. LINNER’S OFFICE - INTERCUT - DAY *

Alex and Linner are each putting on their best clothes, looking at notes, and generally preparing for their hearings. Each is trying to save the institution they care about the most, and it’s a pretty terrifying proposition.

INT. JOURNALISM OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY *

We see the following without sound and from outside the all- *glass conference room: *

Alex walks in and closes the door behind her. She sees the BOARD OF TRUSTEES, all middle-aged men and women in suits, including the BUSINESSMAN from earlier. She sits down, ready to begin.

INT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - GYM - HALLWAY - NIGHT *

Linner is pacing back and forth in the service hallway of the gym. The press room is right there, but he’s not quite ready to face the reporters yet.

He assumes everyone’s waiting for him, but when he hears LAUGHTER from the room, he has to check it out.

INT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - GYM - PRESS ROOM - NIGHT *

Linner pokes his head in. Alex is standing against the wall *by the door. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 59.

ALEX *Good luck. *

LINNER *How’d your thing go? *

Alex shrugs. *

There’s a sea of reporters, including Emma. He turns to see who’s speaking, and lo and behold, it’s...

Sean, in front of a cluster of microphones.

SEANNo, but in all seriousness, I’m *excited to be here either way, so I *told the AD that I’ll gladly vacate *my scholarship if it helps with the *investigation. *

REPORTER #2 *Well, we’re obviously here about the NCAA sanctions. Do you have *anything you’d like to say to the *arbitrators? *

SEANI don’t think that’s my job. *

Sean indicates Linner, who didn’t realize that anyone had *noticed him. *

Now, everyone does. There are MURMURS, but the reporter *continues his line of questioning. *

REPORTER #3Do you think Tom Linner’s reputation will have a negative impact on the process?

SEANListen, I only know Linner a little bit, but he’s taught me a lot, and I can tell he’s a great guy with a lot of integrity. I don’t know what the accusations against him are, but I’m pretty confident he couldn’t break a rule if his life depended on it.

Laughter from the room.

Revised (11/20/2013) 60.

SEAN (CONT’D)Now, I’m pretty sure that’s all my time, but thanks for being such a great-looking group.

Emma smiles and shakes her head.

SEAN (CONT’D)I’m pretty sure the man himself has something to say. Thanks for being *such a great looking group. *

He looks directly at Emma, who smiles. *

Applause as Sean leaves the podium and Linner walks toward it.

In hushed tones:

LINNERWhat are you doing?

SEANHow else am I going to win nationals?

Sean smiles broadly, and Linner cracks a bit. He chuckles and shakes his head. Sean smiles at Emma and walks out of the room, looking pleased.

INT. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - GYM - HALLWAY - DAY *

We see Sean from behind, jogging down the hallway to the *exit.

LINNER (O.S.)Thanks for having me. We’re committed to fighting this, and...

INT. SEAN AND WILL’S DORM ROOM - DAY *

Emma is there. Sean’s just introducing his new ‘friend’ to *his new roommate: *

EMMA *And you’re the one with the cowboy *boots? *

WILL *And the watch. *

He looks at Sean, who sheepishly hands it over. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 61.

The three are all laughing. This is cute. *

WILL (CONT’D) *But...boarding school? *

EMMA *Okay, honestly, it wasn’t that bad. *I got in here, right? *

WILL *(re: Sean) *

So did he. *(beat) *

I’ve gotta go, though, nice to meet *you. *

SEAN *See ya, man. *

Will exits. *

EMMA *Wait, actually I was going to ask *you about that. Did you always want *to come to Madison? *

SEAN *Well, they have the best team in *the country. So, yeah, pretty much. *

EMMA *And what do you want to do? After *you graduate? *

This question surprises Sean. Isn’t the answer obvious? *

SEAN *Well...run. *

EMMA *Like, forever? *

SEAN *Not forever-forever. Most guys are *pretty much done when they hit *forty. *

EMMA *But, like, professionally. *

SEAN *Absolutely. *

Revised (11/20/2013) 62.

EMMA *And what if it doesn’t work out? *

Sean smiles, then shrugs. *

END OF ACT FIVE

FADE TO BLACK.

Revised (11/20/2013) 63.

madison-- pilot (paul thompson)

Documents

drunk sean kent

kent kids

scott kent

slurredsean kent

kent family home basement

great party

sean contdand

sean laughs