GOAL TO GO

Pilot/”Messiah”

by

David Polk

Contact:
David Polk
176 Dusty Rose Court
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805.428.5775
dpolk@mac.com
 2.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM - NIGHT

A heavy rain-snow falls past bright Klieg lights into the

half-empty stadium.

ON THE FIELD

A FOOTBALL spirals toward us in SLOW MOTION. A PAIR OF

HANDS reach out to catch it. WHACK! Tight end JABARI
COLVIN (20) is clotheslined by a Boise State LINEBACKER.
The football pops out of his hands and hits the turf.

An OFFICIAL rushes in and waves his arms: “Incomplete.”

Jabari slowly gets to his feet and shakes his head, which
has to be ringing after that hit. A TEAMMATE pats him on
the ass and they head back to the huddle together.

JAKE
Alright, Jabari. Hang on to the next
one, baby.

Quarterback JAKE RANDALL (20) gives the big tight end a

helmet smack then turns to the sideline for the next play.
An ASSISTANT COACH sends it in with hand signals.

JAKE
(to huddle)
Okay, girls, listen up: strong right,
33 Tomahawk, on two. Ready...

They break the huddle and come to the line of scrimmage.

Jake scans the defense, barks the signals, takes the snap.
An explosion of violence as massive linemen collide.

Jake hands off to his TAILBACK, who breaks a tackle and

rushes a few yards before being hammered into the muck. A
WHISTLE BLOWS. A MARKER flips to “Third Down.”

SCOREBOARD

Boise State 39, Washington Tech 34, 1:21, fourth quarter

 3.

ON A PAIR OF EYES

ice blue, intense and staring at a LAMINATED PLAYSHEET.

Washington Tech’s head coach, BILLY DONAHUE (40), covers
his mouth with the playsheet as he talks into the
mouthpiece of his headset. His accent tells us he’s from
Texas; his tone tells us it’s put up or shut up time.

BILLY
Alright, Bull. Whatcha got for me?

BULL (V.O.)
Free safety’s been biting on play
action all day. Time he ate the whole
damn thing. Ninety Cadillac, up n’ go.

BILLY
Big players make big plays. Let’s get
the rock in Burner’s hands.

ON THE FIELD

Jake takes the snap, drops back, looks downfield and...

gets DRILLED from behind by a blitzing linebacker.

ON THE SIDELINE

Coaches and players react to the impact of the sack. Billy,

an Irish temper to go with his rugged good looks, is livid.

BILLY
Jesus! Where was the goddamn left
tackle?!

Then he notices that Jake is still on the turf. And he’s

not moving. The REFEREE waves for a timeout. A couple of
Washington Tech TRAINERS rush onto the field.

MAN’S VOICE (O.S.)

Elliott! Saddle up!

PHIL PHIL (21) drops his clipboard, tosses off his ball
cap, revealing a thick shock of curly hair. He starts
throwing a football, warming up fast.
 4.

ON THE FIELD – A FEW MINUTES LATER

Phil (wearing number 9) stands behind his center, tries to

read the defense over the crosstalk and chatter. We read
the uncertainty in his eyes. The linebacker who jacked
Jake and Jabari is practically foaming at the mouth.

LINEBACKER
Oh yeah! Fresh meat! It’s your turn
now, backup! Your turn now, baby!

PHIL
Blue eighty! Blue eighty! Hut-hut!

On the snap Phil drops back, feels the rush, spots an open
receiver, steps up and throws the ball just as he’s hit.
We follow the ball as it spirals through the air...

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. GIANTS STADIUM – NIGHT

...a spiraling FOOTBALL comes down from the night sky

towards us and into the outstretched hands of a RECEIVER,
who steps out of bounds after the catch. WIDER ANGLE to
reveal thousands of CHEERING FANS in the freezing
Meadowlands. A BANNER: “Go Jaguars Go! Two in a Row!”

SCOREBOARD

East Orange 34, Montclair 39, 0:39 fourth quarter

ON THE FIELD

The receiver trots back to the huddle, where his

QUARTERBACK, wearing number 9, calmly gathers his troops.
The Quarterback is black, like all of his teammates, but we
can’t make out his features because of the tinted visor
over his facemask. One thing is clear: he’s in command.

QUARTERBACK
Line, keep my pocket tight. Receivers
get off those chucks and create some
space. The ball will be there, you
will catch it? Feelin’ me?
(they do)
Alright, trips left, All Jags Go, on
me. Ready...
 5.

He steps behind the center, takes the snap, rolls right.

With a flick of his left wrist the ball flies 30 yards and
is caught by a receiver who is tackled at the Montclair 20.

The PLAY CLOCK ticks down - 0:30, 0:29, 0:28...

The offense rushes up to the line of scrimmage but their

Quarterback strolls up, almost casual. He barks out the
call and takes another snap. Looks left then right.
Nobody’s open so he sprints up the middle, juking one
defender out of his jock strap and plowing over another
before sliding at the 9-yard-line.

ON THE SIDELINE

East Orange coaches shout onto the field – “SPIKE IT!

Players nervously hold hands, bite towels, pray...

The PLAY CLOCK keeps ticking – 0:17, 0:16, 0:15...

THE QUARTERBACK

stands in the shotgun, reads the defense, locks eyes with a

Montclair cornerback, sees... Fear.

ACHILLES
Check! Check! Razor! Razor! Razor!

Receivers adjust for the audible play. The ball is

snapped, the Quarterback drops back, pump-fakes then fires
a bullet to a receiver on a slant. TOUCHDOWN!

SMASH CUT TO MAIN TITLES.

END OF TEASER
 6.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. PRESS CONFERENCE – NIGHT

Billy sits stone-faced behind a bouquet of microphones

staring into the harsh glare of television camera lights.

REPORTER #1 (O.S.)
Coach, Phil Elliott obviously had
trouble reading the defense before
throwing that interception. Why not
take a time out? He’s a backup who’s
taken maybe 10 snaps all year.

BILLY
Phil’s one of the smartest guys on the
team. He made the right read and threw
a good pass. The safety got a good
jump on the ball. It happens.

REPORTER #2 (O.S.)
Coach, this is your third straight loss
to Boise State, and you’ve also been
bumped from bowl contention again. Is
your future at Wa Tech in jeopardy?

BILLY
(beat)
A loss like the one today is tough no
matter who it’s against. As for what
it means for me, well... I’m sure you
can understand why that’s not what’s on
my mind right now.

REPORTER #3 (O.S.)
Coach, about Jake, any updates?

BILLY
It’s too soon to say how serious it is.
Good news is he’s in stable condition
and his folks’ll be here by morning.

REPORTER #1 (O.S.)
Coach Donahue, of course we all want
the best for Jake. But I’d like to get
back to the program for a minute.
 7.

Billy’s eyes bore into the reporter. He’s SANDY SANDERSON

(mid-20s), Bob Costas looks, Mike Wallace tactics.

BILLY
Go ahead, Sandy.

SANDY
If you do return for the final year of
your contract, can you fill the team’s
gaps? The Sea Devils rank near the
bottom of the WAC in offense and
defense. Now quarterback is a big
question mark. You’ve got a lot of
holes to fill, Coach, and you haven’t
had much luck recruiting top talent.

OFF Billy...

EXT. GIANTS STADIUM – NIGHT

Attractive television reporter SHERI WILLIAMS interviews

the East Orange Quarterback near mid-field. He’s still wet
from the Gatorade poured over him by teammates. With his
helmet off we see that he’s Hollywood handsome and brimming
with charisma. His name is ACHILLES ADDAMS (17).

SHERI
What better way to cap a brilliant high
school career than with a come-from-
behind victory to earn your second-
straight MVP and back-to-back state
championships?! Achilles, what are you
feeling right now?

ACHILLES
Sheri, I can’t believe it! Right now,
I just feel blessed to have played with
great teammates and for great coaches.
We fought hard all year long, stuck
together and never gave up. It’s like
a dream come true all over again.

SHERI
Achilles, USC, Notre Dame, Miami. They
all want you. Have you decided where
you’ll be playing next fall?

OFF Achilles’ Golden Boy smile...

 8.

EXT. TRUDY’S SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Snow is falling. Christmas lights TWINKLE on the one-story

cinderblock building. We hear SOUL MUSIC...

INT. TRUDY’S SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT – NIGHT

A recorded Al Green croons “Let’s stay together” as we

follow FLO, a big-hipped waitress, across the crowded
dining room. FLO stops at a booth.

FLO
How you kids comin’?

Achilles, his twin brother ULYSSES (17), CARLOTTA MOORE

(17) and Achilles’ gorgeous girlfriend PORTIA ROBESON (16)
enjoy heaping helpings of ribs and macaroni and cheese.

PORTIA
It’s all good Flo. Thanks.

Flo happily refills their glasses and swishes away.

ULYSSES
(to Portia)
You’ve got the grades for Princeton,
Portia, but little brother over there
couldn’t get into Sylvan Learning
Center without a football in his hand.

ACHILLES
Last I checked my GPA was higher than
yours, Gomer.

ULYSSES
Only because Portia does your homework
for you, Goober!

PORTIA
Now Les, stop it. I don’t do Lee’s
homework and you know it.

ULYSSES
Yeah, right.

ACHILLES
(winks at Carlotta)
Maybe if you got a smarter girlfriend
you’d get better grades.
 9.

CARLOTTA
No you didn’t just say that! Boy, I’ll
slap that grin right off your face!

ULYSSES
Whoa, Baby! You know he’s just
kidding... So, Bro, what’s it gonna be,
Notre Dame, S-C or Miami?

ACHILLES
Indiana’s too damn cold and USC’s got
too many QBs. I’ll decide after my
unofficial visit to Miami next week.

ULYSSES
Miami will probably be ranked in the
top ten again. And the shawties down
that way know how to treat a brother.

Ulysses grins at Portia. Her look says, “I’m not worried.”

CARLOTTA
What you know about Miami? The
farthest south you’ve been is Philly.
(to Portia re: Achilles)
Listen, girl, don’t let this boy go to
Miami without you. Those skanks down
there are certified freaks.

Achilles cuts Carlotta a playful glance. She shoots him

the skunk eye.

ACHILLES
(grins)
Don’t hate, Carlotta.

CARLOTTA
Don’t screw up, A.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

A high-rise view of Miami. The SOUNDS of passionate sex.

LATINA BEAUTY (O.S.)

(Spanish accent)
Aye, Poppi! Si! Si!

A LATINA BEAUTY (20s) comes hard. When she rolls onto the
bed we see Achilles, exhausted.
 10.

LATINA BEAUTY
(Spanish accent)
Mmmm, Baby, that was sooooo good!

Achilles stares at the ceiling, dazed.

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL – DAY

PADDY AGNEW (40s), gold chain-wearing Good Ole Boy, walks

with Achilles.

AGNEW
I hope you enjoyed your “unofficial”
visit to The U, Achilles?

ACHILLES
(covers his embarrassment)
Um, yeah... Thanks, Mr. Agnew.

AGNEW
Call me Paddy, everybody does. Don’t
mention it, son. And I mean that.

ACHILLES
(great, more guilt)
Yes sir. I understand.

AGNEW
When you come back for your official
visit, I know you’ll be just as
impressed with the ‘Canes as they are
with you.

ACHILLES
I can definitely see myself at Miami.

AGNEW
That’s real good news, son. Coach
Wagner built his offense especially for
a quarterback like you – fast, strong
and deadly accurate. Wouldn’t surprise
me none to see you starting your
freshman year. And you could win a BCS
Championship. Maybe even two!

ACHILLES
That’s what I hope to do, Mister –
Paddy.
 11.

EXT. DONAHUE HOME – SUNSET

A light snow falls on an expansive, modern home.

INT. DONAHUE DINING ROOM – SUNSET

Billy is arguing with his son, J.R. DONAHUE (15).

J.R.
What?!

BILLY
What? You don’t listen is what!

J.R.
I heard you the first time, Dad. You
don’t have to repeat everything.

BILLY
You sure about that? I told you to
stay away from that Malcolm character.
And three days later I catch you with
him at the mall.

We hear a TELEPHONE RING.

J.R.
“Catch me?” Oh, so now you’re spying
on me too? What’s the big deal, Dad?
You don’t like Mal because he looks
like he’s from the hood? News flash:
most of your players are from there.

BILLY
My players don’t have criminal records!

J.R.
Don’t go postal on me because everybody
in this dinky town wants you canned!

BILLY
Listen, you little! –

J.R. is saved when GALE DONAHUE (40), stunningly beautiful,

sexy without trying to be, enters. She holds out a
CORDLESS PHONE for Billy, speaks with a sweet Texas accent.

GALE
It’s Charlotte. Said it’s important.
 12.

Gale smiles supportively. Billy takes the phone.

J.R.
Are we done? ‘Cause this is so thirty
minutes ago.

Billy ignores the boy, puts the phone to his ear.

BILLY
Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE (V.O.)
Billy. I hope this isn’t a bad time.

BILLY
Gale said it was important. What’s up?

CHARLOTTE (V.O.)
Billy, you know I don’t like to beat
around the bush. Achilles Addams is
coming to Wa Tech.

BILLY
What?! B-But we didn’t even recruit
him! Why would he come here?!

CHARLOTTE (V.O.)
Your guess is as good as anybody’s.

BILLY
But didn’t he give Miami a soft verbal?

CHARLOTTE (V.O.)
I’m holding a signed letter of intent.

BILLY
Charlotte this... this is great news!

Billy and Gale share a look. J.R. rolls his eyes and
leaves unnoticed. Then Billy’s face clouds as quickly as
it brightened moments earlier.

BILLY
Charlotte, what’s this mean... For me?

CHARLOTTE (V.O.)
It means you’ve got a quarterback. And
it means you’ve got a chance, Billy.
 13.

EXT. CAMPUS – DAY

Establishing a stately, Ivy League-like campus. At the

main gate, a SCHOOL CREST reads “Washington Polytechnic
Institute, Est. 1929”

EXT. CAMPUS (VARIOUS SHOTS) - DAY

It’s July. Achilles, in cargo shorts and a t-shirt,

crosses the nearly deserted campus. As he checks out the
buildings and statues, we realize that he’s never been here
before. We sense the weight of his loneliness. He might
as well be on Mars.

We also notice the SCAR on his cheek. It wasn’t there when

we met him in our Teaser.

EXT./INT. HOSMER FOOTBALL COMPLEX – DAY

Achilles approaches a modern glass, steel and brick

building – Hosmer Hall. He passes a bronze STATUE of Drew
Hosmer, wingback, Class of ’62, on his way into the big
glass doors. The “Hoz” is home to Washington Tech’s
football program and is adjacent to Pennebaker Hall.

Inside, Achilles walks past empty offices and meeting

rooms, the training and rehabilitation center, the players’
lounge and the locker room. He follows signs directing him
to an adjacent dormitory for underclassmen athletes.

INT. PENNEBAKER HALL - DAY

As he enters the dorm, we hear MEN LAUGHING.

BREWSTER (O.S.)
I’m telling you, that girl was FUGLY!
I wouldn’t have banged her with your
father’s dick, Kindler!

It’s moving in day and a group of FOOTBALL PLAYERS are

shooting the shit in the hallway.

KINDLER
Hey, Brewster, it was a long summer and
your mother was out of town. Besides,
you know what they say, “Ugly girls
come harder.”
 14.

BREWSTER
Then “Brunhilda” must’ve come like a
freaking freight train!

The players bust up laughing again but stop abruptly when

they notice Achilles standing there. They recognize him
immediately. One of them, a six-foot-six mountain with red
hair and rosy cheeks, greets him with a shit-eating grin.
This is WARREN SITREN (18), who we’ll soon learn will earn
a new nickname.

WARREN
You’re Addams, right? Say hello to
your new security blanket, Q.B.

Warren raises his hand for a high five. Achilles just

stares and leaves him hanging. He’s seen enough. Without
a word he turns and walks away. The players react, “What
the f**k?” Warren checks to make sure hair isn’t growing
on his palm.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

 15.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. DONAHUE BACKYARD – DAY

We hear HAMMERING, DRILLING, and MEN’S VOICES. CAMERA PANS

and we see more than a dozen WORKMEN laboring in the July
heat. They’re transforming what was obviously a beautiful
yard into something that resembles a dude ranch.

MATHILDA “MATTIE” WEISS (34), prim, pretty, with a German

accent, is walking across the yard and talking into her
Bluetooth phone with Teutonic efficiency.

MATTIE
First thing Saturday, Gerard. And
first thing means when the sun rises,
not when you rise. Is this clear?

A WORKMAN hands her papers. She signs, keeps moving.

MATTIE
(taps the earpiece)
Mathilda Weiss. Tracy! Where are they?
That’s wonderful! Right on schedule!

GALE (O.S.)
But don’t you think it could be twice
as big, Darryl?

MATTIE
...Call me the instant they land.

Mattie taps the earpiece to hang up, stops beside Gale.

MATTIE
Gale, is there a problem?

Gale and DARRYL (34), the black foreman, look at Mattie.

GALE
Mattie, Darryl and I were wondering if
the dance floor is big enough.

Darryl pleads to Mattie with his eyes.

DARRYL
Ms. Weiss, it’s as big as the one last
year. That held 200 people.
 16.

GALE
Exactly, Darryl. And we’re expecting
250 this year.

DARRYL
But, Mrs. D., do you really expect all
250 people to dance at once?
(to Mattie)
Like I was telling Mrs. Donahue, to
make the floor bigger we’d have re-
grade. For that we’d need another
permit from the city. You’re looking
at another 12 hours at least.

MATTIE
And?

Darryl reacts. Mattie’s raised eyebrow says, “Just make it

happen.” He turns and walks away, muttering as he goes.

GALE
Thank you, Mattie. I don’t know what
I’d ever do without you.

Mattie warms at the compliment. It’s clear that pleasing

Gale brings her great satisfaction.

MATTIE
I hope you never have to find out. Oh,
good news! I just spoke with Tracy.
They left Austin an hour ago and should
land in Vancouver around six tonight.

GALE
That’s marvelous, Mattie! You’re
marvelous! Billy’s had a crush on
Natalie for years. He’ll be thrilled!

J.R. (O.S.)
Mom! MOM!

Gale and Mattie turn to see J.R. storming out of the house.

GALE
Yes Sweetheart, what is it?

J.R. confronts Gale with a piece of paper.

J.R.
What’s this about, Mom?!
 17.

Gale takes the paper and begins to read.

J.R.
How many times do I have to tell you?
I don’t want to play football. And I
don’t want Dad pulling strings at the
high school to get me on the team.

MATTIE
I’ve got to call the Fire Marshall...

Mattie excuses herself.

GALE
Honestly Sweetheart, I don’t know why
you’re carrying on so.

J.R.
I could say the same thing about you
and Dad. Why can’t you both get it
through your heads, I don’t care about
football. It’s a stupid game.

Beat. She stares at him. His words are so absurd it’s

hard for her not to laugh. Then –

GALE
J.R., don’t be ridiculous.

J.R.
Look, Mom, I’m not Dad and I’m not
Granddad. Why can’t you just accept
that I’m not going to carry on the all-
important “Ryan-Donahue Legacy?”

She’s not Jewish but Gale’s bags are always packed for a
guilt trip.

GALE
Alright, John Ryan Donahue. Your
father and I had hoped you’d try out
for the team – just a tryout, mind you,
nothing more – but if you can’t bring
yourself to do that one, small thing
for us... For me.

J.R.
(here we go!)
Mom...
 18.

GALE
I understand. We shouldn’t push our
expectations on you. I know it’s
wrong. Daddy’s gone and it’s selfish
of me to hope that his namesake and
only grandchild might want to honor his
memory by playing a “stupid game.”

J.R.
Mom, come on, please don’t do –

GALE
Your father has his players. Who
knows, maybe he’ll become as close to
one of them as Daddy was to him.

J.R.
(oh, screw it!)
Okay, Mom! Okay! You win. I’ll try
out for the damn team. Happy now?

She smiles. Pats his cheek like a “good little boy.”

INT. J.R.’S ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

J.R. slams the door and locks it. He’s still fuming: “Why
do I let her get away with this shit?!” He crosses the
cluttered room to a walk-in closet, steps inside, comes out
with a FIREPROOF BOX, finds the key in his desk drawer,
unlocks the box and pulls out a gallon-size ZIPLOCK BAGGIE
filled with POT.

He rolls a fat JOINT, lights up and plops on his bed. He

turns on the stereo with a remote control and REGGAE MUSIC
blares. He takes a huge drag on the joint and calms down.

INT. WEIGHT ROOM – SUNSET

THREE PEOPLE work out separately. One of them is CARA

“CAT” TRZCINSKI. A tomboy with Peter Pan red hair and a
smoking hot body, she’s wearing a NOSE STUD, NAVEL RING and
a few TATTOOS. Aerosmith is blaring in her earbuds. She
reclines on a bench and grips a barbell with gloved hands.
She might be cute if she weren’t scowling at the weight
she’s pushing.

Sportscaster Sandy Sanderson reports from a wall-mounted

television.
 19.

ON TV

SANDERSON (V.O.)
...We all remember the devastating sack
that ended junior quarterback Jake
Randall’s career last year. Not only
did the Sea Devils lose their signal
caller, they lost a shot at their first
bowl game in a decade. As if that
weren’t bad enough, third-year head
coach Billy Donahue was on the verge of
being sacked himself after a seven and
five season. That all changed last
February when Blue Chip quarterback
Achilles Addams shocked the college
football world by committing to
Washington Tech.

VIDEO MONTAGE of Achilles’ high school heroics...

SANDY (V.O.)
For months Tech fans feared the news
was a hoax. Well, it’s no joke folks.
The wait is finally over. The 6-foot-
2, 200-pound gunslinger from East
Orange, New Jersey arrived on campus
earlier today and...

CAT

blows sharp bursts of breath through pursed lips as she

struggles with the barbell. Just as she loses control a
PAIR OF HANDS grab the bar. WIDER ANGLE and we see the
hands belong to Achilles. Cat takes the earbuds out of her
ears and looks up at him.

CAT
Thanks.

ACHILLES
No problem. I’ll spot you if you want.

CAT
Sure, okay.

Still on her back, she glances at the television, then up

at Achilles. She recognizes him.
 20.

CAT
So you’re the Messiah?

ACHILLES
The what?

She sits up. He doesn’t see the huge chip on her shoulder
but does scope the rest of her. Not too shabby.

CAT
I thought you’d be taller... To hear
them talk you’re going to lead us to
the Promised Land.

ACHILLES
(charming smile)
Wasn’t that Moses?

CAT
(a look that says, “Asshole”)
So why are you here at Murphy’s Gym?
There’s a brand new training facility
just for the football team on campus.

He finally clocks the attitude. Before he can answer he

glimpses a familiar image on the television. Billy is doing
a live interview from Memorial Stadium.

ON TV

SANDY (V.O.)
Coach, the question on everyone’s mind
is how did you land one of the nation’s
top recruits without, well, actually
recruiting him?

BILLY (V.O.)
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than
good, Sandy, and in this case we
definitely got lucky...Seriously, Wah
Tech is a great university and Achilles
and his mother told us that academics
was a major factor in his decision.

ACHILLES

covers well, but we read his resentment.

ACHILLES
I needed a change of scenery.
 21.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – HOURS EARLIER (FLASHBACK)

The head coach has a nice office: leather and mahogany

everywhere, thick carpet and a floor-to-ceiling window with
a great view of the football field.

MEMENTOS and PHOTOS pay silent praise to Billy’s career: a

Sports Illustrate cover, newspaper clippings of college
bowl and NFL playoff games, autographed football helmets
from Texas A&M Aggies, the New York Jets and the Chicago
Bears. But the HEISMAN TROPHY – backlit and encased in
glass behind his desk – says it all.

JIM FLYNN (0.S.)

Achilles, it’ll be like a one-yard dive
into the end zone.

Wa Tech’s unctuous press officer, JIM FLYNN (50s), smiles

at Achilles. They’re sitting across from Billy, who is
behind his massive mahogany desk.

ACHILLES
(ignores Flynn)
But Coach, I don’t know anything about
dealing with reporters.

BILLY
Relax, Achilles. I know it sounds like
a lot to handle your first day on
campus, but there’s nothing to worry
about. Jim’s done hundreds of press
conferences. Right, Jim?

FLYNN
Right, Coach. Achilles, it’s a
friendly group of reporters and nobody
expects details. Just smile a lot and
let me handle anything unexpected.

Flynn produces a piece of paper.

FLYNN
I’ve prepared some simple talking
points for you...

INT. MURPHY’S GYM – DAY (RETURN TO PRESENT)

CAT
You ditched your own press conference?!
 22.

Achilles nods, somewhat smugly she thinks.

CAT
(gets off bench)
Ballsy. Not too bright, but ballsy.

Achilles bristles at “Not too bright.”

CAT
And here I was buying into the hype
about you starting this season. After
an “Einstein” stunt like that, you’ll
be picking splinters out of your ass
till next spring.

ACHILLES
Say what?

CAT
(seeing she’s struck a nerve)
Guess it’s time I put my money on
Elliott.

ACHILLES
Elliott?

CAT
You don’t know who Phil Elliott is?
Senior quarterback. Good arm, knows
the offense cold. And, well, smart.

She turns and walks away. He whispers “Lesbot” under his

breath. She bends down to pick up a water bottle and he
glimpses the BLACK KITTEN TATTOO on the small of her back.
His expression says, “Nice!”

ACHILLES
What’d you say your name was?

She faces him, takes a swig of water. Locks eyes

with him. A challenge.

CAT
I didn’t. But since you ask, it’s
Cara. Cara Trzcinski. Everybody calls
me Cat.

ACHILLES
Well Cara, I’m not everybody.
 23.

CAT
Right, I forgot, you’re the “Messiah of
Maitland.”

ACHILLES
You’re pretty on top of what’s going on
in the football program.
(sarcastic)
Let me guess. Cheerleader?

CAT
Hardly. I’m on the soccer team. I
also read a newspaper occasionally.
Reading – you should try it sometimes.

ACHILLES
(losing patience)
Maybe you’ll read about your boy
Elliott picking splinters out of his
ass when the season starts.

CAT
(egging him on)
Somehow I doubt it, Einstein.

ACHILLES
You said it’s time you put your money
on Elliott. How about you put your
money where your mouth is?

CAT
What did you have in mind?

ACHILLES
A hundred bucks says I’m under center
when the season starts and your boy
Elliott is standing on the sideline
holding a clipboard.

OFF Cat’s impish grin...

INT. DONAHUE BEDROOM - NIGHT

Billy is shirtless on the four-poster bed flipping through

the College Preview edition of Sports Illustrated.

GALE (O.S.)
(calling out)
Not even close! Guess again, Honey!
 24.

BILLY
C’mon, Babe. You know I don’t like
guessing games. Just tell me.

Gale comes out of the bathroom in a well-worn Texas A&M t-

shirt. It may be a familiar sight, but it’s still enough
to raise Billy’s tent. He smiles at her.

GALE
Now where’s the fun in that?

BILLY
Okay, you’ll just surprise me again.

Gale climbs into bed, slides underneath the covers.

GALE
Fun killer. I’ve got some good news.
J.R.’s going out for the team.

BILLY
Really? I thought he was done after
the infamous Pee Wee League fiasco.

GALE
Don’t be silly, Honey. Football’s in
his blood. It’s our family business.

BILLY
You know, Babe, he may not be cut out
for it.

GALE
He’s your son, Billy. Daddy’s
grandson. Besides, it’s just a try-
out. If he doesn’t make it, he doesn’t
make it. The important thing is he’s
putting in the effort.

BILLY
I just hope he’s not doing it to prove
something to me.

GALE
He wants to do it, Billy. He’ll try
out and we’ll see what happens.

She gives him a peck on the lips, turns off her lamp, lay
down and closes her eyes. He flicks off his lamp then
looks at her. He wants to make love to her.
 25.

Feeling eyes her, Gale looks up at him and smiles. But

it’s a “Not tonight, Honey” smile. She turns away.

GALE
Goodnight, Billy Honey.

INT. DONAHUE BEDROOM – LATER

Billy rolls over in bed. Gale is gone. The CLOCK on the

nightstand reads 2:03 a.m.

INT. MASTER BATHROOM

Billy comes in, not at all surprised by what he sees. Gale

is sitting in front of the vanity mirror, staring trance-
like at her reflection. She touches a “blemish” underneath
her left eye with the tip of her finger. Like Lady
Macbeth, it’s a spot that only she can see.

Billy looks at the package of ZOLOFT on the vanity. He

leans close, speaks soothingly.

BILLY
Gale, there’s nothing there. You’re
perfect, Babe. Perfect.

She doesn’t even know he’s there.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

 26.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. DONAHUE BACKYARD – SUNSET

A Texas-style barbeque is in full swing. The yard has been

transformed into an authentic-looking cattle ranch with
chuck wagons and COWPOKES as servers. The only thing
missing are the Longhorn steers. A COWBOY CHEF flips
ribeye steaks; GUESTS shimmy on the crowded dance floor to
the DIXIE CHICKS, who are jamming on stage.

We find Billy and Gale holding court with a small group of

guests, among them the MAYOR (50s) and his WIFE (50s).

BILLY
She’d turn the place into a rodeo if
the city’d give her a permit for the
bulls.

MAYOR
Knowing Gale, it’s only a matter of
time with or without the permit. This
shindig just gets bigger and better
every year!

GALE
(a bewitching smile)
I’ll remind you of that next year, Ed.

MAYOR’S WIFE
Gale, I think it’s wonderful how you
bring some of Texas to Maitland every
year for Billy’s birthday.

BILLY
Birthday hell! She does this for the
boys. Just like her Mom did for us
years ago back at A&M.

GALE
It’s their last chance for a good time
before camp starts. Billy’s so nasty
to them in summer camp, just like Daddy
was to his teams.
 27.

EXT. THE PATIO – SAME TIME

Phil finishes his LONE STAR. He’s headed for another when
he’s intercepted by a tall, athletic, dark-skinned black
kid. RICKY “BURNER” TURNER (20) is wearing his usual fun-
loving grin. He also sports a thick gold chain and a
diamond stud in each ear.

PHIL
Hey, Burner. Where you been, man?

BURNER
Out in the car. Yo, Q.B., what’s it
gonna take to get Mrs. D to bring some
real music up in here? This country
crap is making my ears bleed.

Phil smiles at the star wide receiver. Despite their many

differences, they’re best friends.

PHIL
I like Country music.

Burner flicks the Izod logo on Phil’s shirt.

BURNER
Yeah, and you like Garanimals too. Did
your Momma pick this out for you?

PHIL
No, Mia did after I rolled off of her
this morning.

BURNER
(laughs loudly)
Even in your dreams you couldn’t handle
my girl. That ride’s just for the big
boys, son.

At the bar Phil orders a beer. The bartender hands Burner

a plastic cup of Coke. Burner frowns.

PHIL
So you seen him yet?

BURNER
Nope. Heard he showed up at the Hoz
and blew off some of the fellahs.
Hasn’t been there since.
 28.

CUTAWAY – ACHILLES STARING STRAIGHT AHEAD

In front of apartment “2-C.” He glances down at the

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS in his hand. Several are circled in
red ink. Achilles knocks on the door.

RETURN TO SCENE

BURNER
Maybe he was expecting to get a special
invitation tonight.

PHIL
If he thinks I’m going to lay down a
red carpet for him like everybody else,
he’s got another thing coming.

INT. DONAHUE FAMILY ROOM – NIGHT – (FLASHBACK)

A comfortable, rustic room. An NFL PLAYOFF GAME plays on

TV. Billy and Phil sit across from one another on leather
sofas, nursing Lone Stars.

BILLY
Phil, I know you’re thinking, “Why
shouldn’t I just graduate in May and
get on with my life?” Well, nobody
would blame you if you did, least of
all me. You’ve done everything we’ve
asked you to do. You red-shirted to
get your chance at starting, and when
Randall beat you out, you pushed him to
be better by making him look over his
shoulder every day in practice.

PHIL
I just wanted to contribute the best
way I knew how, Coach.

BILLY
I know, Phil... Look, son, we drew a
blank recruiting a quarterback. Hughes
is decent, but he’s no starter. Not
yet anyway... Whether I come back next
season or not, if you stay for your
fifth year, you’re this team’s
quarterback, Phil. With or without me
on the sideline, it’ll be up to you to
lead this team on the field.
 29.

Phil checks his emotions. He always believed he could be a

Big Time college quarterback. Now it looks like he’ll get
his chance. He’s about to say “Thank you” when Gale comes
in, smiling, holding a tray of appetizers.

GALE
Are you boys...

EXT. PATIO – NIGHT (RETURN TO PRESENT)

GALE (O.S.)
...hungry?

Phil and Burner turn to see Gale holding a tray of

appetizers. The boys instinctively straighten. Phil
lowers his beer. Burner grins, takes one of the morsels.

BURNER
Thanks, Miss D.

Phil tries to decide which appetizer to take, even though

they’re all the same. She smiles at him, which makes it
even harder for him to make up his mind. He takes one.

PHIL
Thanks, Mrs. Donahue.

GALE
You’re welcome, Phil. You boys having
a good time?

BURNER
Righteous party, Miss D, as always.
And this music’s off the hook! I gotta
download me some Dixie Girls.

GALE
Chicks, Burner. Dixie Chicks.

BURNER
Yeah, they’re slammin’!

GALE
Well, speaking of slammin’, be sure to
make that your last one, Phil.

He looks down at his beer.

 30.

PHIL
Alright, Mrs. Donahue.

GALE
And Burner, you might want to find Mia.
I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t appreciate
you spending time with that blond you
had out in your car earlier.

She smiles at them, turns and walks away. They admire her
sexy body as she melts into the crowd.

BURNER
(as in “How’d she know about
the blond?”)
Damn!

PHIL
(as in koo-koo-ka-choo Mrs.
Donahue)
Damn.

INT. BILLY’S HOME OFFICE - NIGHT

PARTY SOUNDS can be heard outside but it’s relatively quite

here. Billy is talking with smooth-talking black booster
HAROLD PENNEBAKER (60).

HAROLD
Billy, what’s to figure out? He ran a
spread offense just like yours. He
hasn’t lost a game in two years.

BILLY
That was high school, Harold. The
college game is a helluva lot tougher,
especially for quarterbacks.

HAROLD
(reminiscing)
I remember when I first saw you 20
years ago. The way you ran Wolf Ryan’s
offense was a thing of beauty. You
tore Wa Tech to shreds almost single-
handedly, and I knew right then and
there that you were going to be
something special. I felt it then,
Billy, just like I felt you were the
right man for this job four years ago.
 31.

BILLY
And I’ll be forever grateful to you,
Harold –

HAROLD
Listen, Billy, Achilles falling into
our hands is like Franco Harris’
Immaculate Reception. Who cares if it
was luck? All that matters is that we
caught him. It’s a PR coup that you
should take full advantage of by naming
him our starter when camp opens.

BILLY
Whoa, Harold! Believe me, nobody’s
happier than I am that Achilles fell
into our lap, but naming him the
starter before he sets foot on the
practice field? That’s nuts!

HAROLD
Is it, Billy? You read the papers.
You watch television. As far as this
town’s concerned Achilles Addams is the
Second Coming in shoulder pads. The
media call him the Messiah of Maitland.

BILLY
Those meatheads in the media don’t know
shit from shine-olla.

HAROLD
Maybe, maybe not. But you’ll be
answering a lot more questions if you
don’t name him the starter.

EXT. BACKYARD - LATER

MARIA VARDALOS-PENNEBAKER (29), Harold’s trophy, wife stops

talking to ROULON JONES (22) abruptly and greets her
husband with a peck on the lips.

MARIA
Harold, Baby, where have you been? The
fireworks are about to start.
 32.

HAROLD
Sorry, Kitten, I was inside talking
with the Coach... Hello, Roulon. How
are you doing tonight, son?

The Sea Devils’ sexy, powerful tailback grips Harold’s hand

tightly and they shake. Maria smiles nervously.

ROULON
I’m good, Mr. P. How you doin’?

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE YARD – SAME TIME

As the Dixie Chicks finish their last song of the night,

DALLAS MORALES (20), handsome, shoulder-length hair,
TATTOOS running down his arms, drains a Lone Star. He’s
looking for a place to toss the bottle but finds Gale
staring at him instead.

GALE
Who served you that?

DALLAS
Ma’am?

She walks right up to him, stares him down.

GALE
I know all of the returning players and
the freshman recruits. So you’re a
transfer or a trespasser. Either way,
you shouldn’t have been served that
beer.

DALLAS
I’m sorry, Mrs. Donahue, I –

GALE
(pointedly)
Well, which are you?

Flummoxed, he awkwardly holds out his hand to shake. He

lowers his hand. She looks at him, waiting for an answer.

DALLAS
(nervous)
Um... I’m Dallas. Dallas Morales. I’m
a transfer. I play safety. That’s
defense.
 33.

GALE
I know what a safety is, Dallas. I’ve
known since before you were born.

This makes him smile but he quickly wipes it off.

DALLAS
Yes ma’am, I know. You’re Wolf Ryan’s
daughter... You were Miss America too.

GALE
Save the flattery for the cheerleaders.
So, Dallas, are you going to tell me
who served you that beer or do I have
to get Coach over here to ask you?

Dallas looks across the yard at Billy, who’s talking to

Maria. Then he looks at Gale, who’s waiting for an answer.
OFF Dallas’ nervousness...

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

FOOTBALL PLAYERS in street clothes sit nervously at desks.

We recognize some of them – Warren, Kindler, Brewster,
Dallas and of course Achilles. In front of each player is
a sealed three-ring BINDER.

The door swings open and the players immediately straighten

in their seats. FOUR COACHES file into the room: offensive
coordinator BULL HEFFERNAN (50), defensive coordinator JOE
MERCER, (45) quarterbacks and special teams coach BOB
GARCIA, (32) and Billy.

BILLY
Gentlemen, welcome to Washington Tech.
You remember my top assistant coaches.

The coaches stand motionless, arms folded, like a firing

squad waiting for the order to shoot.

BILLY
First day of camp, I like to spend some
quality time with you first-year guys.
It’s my way of fulfilling my commitment
to your parents to take “special” care
of you when arrived on campus...
Consider the next five minutes that
special care.
 34.

Nervous laughter that dies down quickly.

BILLY
We were all nice and accommodating
during recruiting. Well, starting
today that all changes. Starting today
you’ll get to know who we really are
and – more importantly – we’ll get to
know who you really are... Show of
hands: how many of you won a state
championship in high school?

HANDS go up all over the room. Achilles doesn’t bother.

BILLY
That’s real impressive... Now forget
about it! Completely! Who you were,
what you did, all the press clippings,
none of it counts for dick here. Over
the next 5 weeks you’re gonna get the
snot kicked outta you by players who
are bigger, stronger, faster and just
plain better than you are. And when
it’s over, most of you “superstars”
will be picking splinters out of your
ass... That’s if you make the team.

He pauses to let this sink in. Seeing that it has...

BILLY
You have talent. You wouldn’t be here
if we didn’t believe that –

A RAP RING TONE interrupts Billy.

Players look around, knowing its bad news for somebody.

The Warren Sitren pulls out a CELL PHONE.

BILLY
Sitren right?

WARREN
Yes, Coach. Sorry, Coach.

Billy holds out his hand and Warren passes the phone to the
front of the room. Another player hands it to Billy.

BILLY
(admiring the phone)
This one of those iPhones?
 35.

WARREN
My grandmother gave it to me last week.

Billy grins malevolently, drops the phone and crushes it

under his heel. Warren winces. Players stifle laughs.

BILLY
As I was saying, you’ve all got the
talent to be here. But to be a part of
this team means completely committing
to the program. Anything less than 110
percent, 100 percent of the time is
unacceptable... Now, open the binder in
front of you. I don’t care what
religion you were before you got here,
that book’s your Bible as long as you
stay. Violate any one of those
Commandments you’ll answer to me...
(looks at Warren, smiles)
Thank you, Sitren, for helping us all
remember page 21.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE CLASSROOM – LATER

Players file out. Warren walks past us, holding what’s

left of his iPhone. Bull Heffernan stops Achilles.

BULL
Coach wants to see you in his office
before you hit the locker room.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – DAY

Achilles steps in, closes the door behind him.

ACHILLES
You wanted to see me, Coach?

BILLY
Achilles, come in. Sit down, son.

Achilles sits across from him. An awkward silence before

BILLY
So you’re all settled in?

ACHILLES
Yeah, pretty much.
 36.

BILLY
Good. Look, Achilles, about the press
conference the other day. Maybe it was
wrong to spring it on you like that.

ACHILLES
Sorry, Coach. I guess I just freaked.
It won’t happen again.

BILLY
That’s good to hear. Dealing with the
media is probably the worst part of a
college quarterback’s job. Worse than a
defensive end bearing down on your ass.

They both smile. Finally a connection between them.

BILLY
What’s this about you moving into an
apartment off campus? All first-year
players room at the Hoz.

ACHILLES
Well, yeah, I know, Coach but I...

BILLY
“But?” Where’s the “but” Achilles?
The university has invested millions in
the Hosmer Complex so football players
have state-of-the-art amenities on the
field and off. Living there will help
you bond with other recruits and –

ACHILLES
But I’m not a recruit. I mean, you
didn’t recruit me, Coach.

Beat. Billy doesn’t like the attitude but keeps his cool.

BILLY
Why did you come here, Achilles?
I know, I know –
(mocking the line)
“Washington Tech is the Stanford of the
Pacific Northwest.” Save the PR
bullshit for the media.

Achilles is at a loss.
 37.

BILLY
Look, what I told that reporter the
other day is true. We got lucky when
you showed up out of the blue, and I’m
damn glad as hell you’re here. But I’m
not about to flush the rules down the
crapper for you or anybody else.

ACHILLES
I don’t expect you to, Coach. But I’m
not ready to talk about why I came – to
you or anybody else. I’m here to get
an education and to play football. As
long as I’m doing those two things, I
don’t owe anybody any explanations.

A long beat. It’s a standoff even though they’re sitting.

BILLY
Okay. That’s your prerogative... Look,
Achilles, a coach and his quarterback
don’t have to be best friends. Hell,
they don’t even have to like each other
– most of the time they don’t. But
they have to be able to communicate,
man to man. Can we do that?

ACHILLES
(beat)
We can do that, Coach.

INT. LOCKER ROOM – DAY

ON THE SEA DEVILS LOGO

woven into the carpet at the center of the room.

NEW ANGLE and we see the locker room is comfortable and

spacious, with solid oak lockers lining the walls. Players
are dressing in jerseys, shorts and helmets for the first
day of summer camp.

ON RED JERSEY NUMBER 10

REVERSE ANGLE to see Achilles standing in front of his

locker staring at the quarterback’s red practice jersey.
He’s not happy.
 38.

BURNER (O.S.)
Problem?

Achilles turns to see Burner’s perennially smiling face.

ACHILLES
No problem. Why?

BURNER
You’re looking at that jersey awfully
hard, Rook. Thought maybe something
was wrong with it.

ACHILLES
It’s fine.

BURNER
See, I knew that’s what you’d say! But
some of the guys, they figured you’d be
all bent out of shape. You know,
taking a new number and all. You wore
9 all through high school, right?

Phil walks up to them, wearing number 9. Phil and Achilles

exchange a long look.

PHIL
Burner, ready to go to work?

BURNER
I’m always ready, Q.B. Just ask Jess.

Phil smirks at the reference to his girlfriend.

PHIL
What about you, Addams?

Achilles pulls on his practice jersey.

ACHILLES
I’m always ready.

INT./EXT. TUNNEL – MOMENTS LATER

Burner and Phil walk out of the tunnel into the bright
sunlight of Memorial Stadium. Achilles is a few feet
behind them. When he exits he pauses and looks around.
The significance of the moment is not lost on him or us.
One day this will be his stadium.
 39.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM – DAY

MONTAGE – SUMMER CAMP

Players go through the rigors of summer training camp,

initially in shorts and helmets (shorts and shells), then
in full gear;

Through it all Billy seems to be all over the field, jawing

with coaches and players, shouting criticisms, studying his
players’ every move; we also sense his love for the game;

Boosters mingle in the stands; satellite trucks and news

crews are omnipresent; in interviews Achilles reluctant;
Phil assumes the mantle of leadership; and Burner’s just
entertaining;

In a full contact scrimmage, Burner catches a pass then

streaks to the end zone where he breaks into a dance. He’s
a showboat but everyone loves him;

Dallas DRILLS Jabari and knocks the big tight end’s helmet
off. Billy and other coaches react to the ferocious hit.

END MONTAGE

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (SCRIMMAGE) – DAY

WHAM! Middle linebacker COLE SEAVERS (20), homicidal on

the field and mean as hell off of it, plants a devastating
hit on a RUNNING BACK. As he’s getting up, Cole snarls and
shoves the running back’s helmet into the turf.

ACHILLES

calls the next play in the huddle.

ACHILLES
Strong right 787 check swing switch.
On two. Break!

He walks to the line and scans the defense. The safeties

and linebackers are showing blitz.

ACHILLES
Purple 87. Purple 87. Hut-hut!

On the snap he drops back and zips a tight spiral that’s

INTERCEPTED by Dallas, who runs it back for a touchdown.
 40.

BILLY

reacts on the sideline. Behind him, Phil looks on

impassively, spits through his facemask.

COLE

slaps Morales’ helmet when he reaches the defensive huddle.

COLE
Nice read, Chico!

ACHILLES

unfazed by the pick, steps into the huddle.

IN THE HUDDLE

BURNER
(grinning)
Hey, Rook, try hitting one of us in
white jerseys this time.

Achilles ignores him. He calls the play, they break the

huddle and he walks to the line of scrimmage. He scans the
defense. Their motion and chatter is confusing.

ACHILLES
Black 33. Black 33. Hut-hut!

The blitz comes hard. He easily side steps a defensive

end, steps up in the pocket and zips a pass just over
Cole’s outstretched fingers... and into Dallas’ hands.

BILLY

slaps his CLIPBOARD against his thigh.

BILLY
GODDAMNIT Addams! What the hell are you
looking at?!

Achilles lowers his head, exhales deeply.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

 41.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. SHOWER ROOM – SUNSET

Only a few players are left in the shower. Defensive ends

WALTER “BRICK WALL” HENDERSON (21) and EVAN MITCHELL (21),
both bald, powerful 260-pounders, could be twins except
Henderson’s black and Mitchell’s white.

MITCHELL
You tellin’ me you actually saw it?

HENDERSON
What? Hell no! I ain’t trying to look
at no other man’s Johnson!

MITCHELL
So how do you know it’s twelve inches?

HENDERSON
Shaw’s banging the nurse who does the
team physicals. She told him.

MITCHELL
And who decides who comes closest to
getting it right?

HENDERSON
Damn, Pete, who are you, Sherlock
Freaking Holmes? I ain’t running the
pool, I just need to know are you in or
not? It’s fifty bucks.

They stop talking abruptly when Dallas enters the shower.

Mitchell steals a glance at Dallas’ genitalia. Grinning,
Henderson raises his hands about a foot apart. Dallas is
the subject of the secret pool.

In another area of the shower Achilles is underneath a

stream of hot water, head down, eyes closed, trying to
recover from his worst day ever on a football field.

INT. COACHES’ MEETING ROOM – NIGHT

From the empties scattered all over the table, it’s clear
Billy and his coaching staff have lived off of TAKEOUT FOOD
and DIET COKE for weeks.
 42.

BULL
The kid can hit, I’ll give him that.

MERCER
And I haven’t seen a better ball hawk
since Seavers suited up.

BILLY
(to Mercer)
So Morales is your strong safety?
Okay, put him on the board, Bob.

Coach Bob Garcia writes “Morales” on the whiteboard. All

the other defensive positions are filled in.

MERCER
I swear Morales reminds me of somebody
I’ve seen play before. Just something
about him, the way he carries himself.

BILLY
Remind me again, where’d he come from?

MERCER
Transferred from a JUCO outside Los
Angeles last spring. Said Wa Tech was
the only place he wanted to play.

BULL
If that’s about it on defense, can we
turn to the Oh? Coach, who’s our Q.B.?

Bull runs the offense but everyone in the room knows this
is Billy’s decision alone to make.

Off Billy...

INT. PRESS ROOM – DAY

Billy calls on ESPN’s GABRIELLE WOODS (30), a smokin’ hot,

Mocha-skinned, African-American beauty.

GABRIELLE
Coach Donahue, you’re a week away from
the start of the season and both
Elliott and Addams are taking snaps
with the first team. Why the secrecy
about who’ll get the start at Q.B.?
 43.

BILLY
Gabrielle, I’m not in the business of
giving out information to my opponents.
We’ve got a starting quarterback. You
guys – and Portland State – will just
have to wait to see who it is.

GABRIELLE
So you’ve decided, you just won’t tell
us?

BILLY
(smiles)
You sure you’re not working for “60
Minutes”, Gabrielle?

Good-natured laughter. Gabrielle takes it in stride.

GABRIELLE
Have you at least told Elliott and
Addams who will start?

BILLY
Look, Gabrielle, you can ask me the
same question a hundred different ways
and I’m gonna give you the same answer
a hundred different times.

GABRIELLE
(a pretty smile)
Okay, so let’s say this is question
number 101. Who’s done better in camp
this summer, Elliott or Addams?

In their laughter, the reporters don’t seem to notice the

chemistry between Billy and Gabrielle. They exchange a
look. Billy’s wry smile says, “Nice try.”

BILLY
Next question...

INT. MALL – DAY

Teens in Back-to-School mode crawl the mall. Burner and

Phil check out the girls. A cute one checks Burner out as
she approaches. He smiles. She giggles and keeps walking.

PHIL
You think Coach is serious?
 44.

BURNER
(still smiling at the girl)
As a heart attack.

PHIL
C’mon, man. It’s all a bunch of PR.
He’s not ready. Not after only five
weeks in camp.

BURNER
(now focused on his friend)
Look, Q.B., it’s just like at my old
man’s rib shack. You gotta sell the
hell outta the “Special of the Day.”
Like it or not, Addams is the Special.

MIA (O.S.)
Ricky! I need your credit card.

Burner looks over at MIA CARTWRIGHT (20), runway model

looks, Compton attitude. She’s in front of a boutique,
hands on her hips.

BURNER
All right, Baby. Here I come.

Phil’s grin says, “Whipped.”

BURNER
(under his breath)
Screw you, Q.B.

INT. FOOD COURT – LATER

Burner and Phil are at a table. Mia comes toward them with
JESS WHIRLWIND (20), an adorable Native American with black
hair down to her ass. They’re carrying trays of fast food.

PHIL
(taking a tray from Jess)
Thanks.

JESS
I got you the fajita salad. The
stuffed pizza was too greasy.

Phil and Burner exchange a look. Burner grins: “Whipped.”

 45.

MIA
Guess who was ahead of us in line?
Achilles Addams.

BURNER
Did you get his autograph?

MIA
(caustic)
No, I got his phone number.
What’s so funny?

Phil stops laughing immediately. Mia’s a knockout who

could knock you out.

MIA
You don’t need to be laughing, Phil.
What you need to do is keep getting the
rock into Ricky’s hands. Do that and
you might have a shot at being drafted.

PHIL
C’mon, Mia. Everybody knows Burner’s
gonna declare early after this season,
but I’m not kidding myself...

JESS
Don’t sell yourself short, Phil.

BURNER
She’s right Q.B. Tom Brady was a
sixth-round draft pick. Look how that
worked out.

EXT. CAMPUS - DAY

It’s the first day of classes and students move briskly

across the quad under a light rain shower.

INT. BRADLEY HALL – DAY

Achilles is checking the number on each classroom door.

Students steal glances at him, some of them smile. He
ignores them. He didn’t come here to make friends. Finally
he stops, totally lost, and looks down at his COURSE SHEET.

ELYSSE (O.S.)
Lost?
 46.

He looks up at ELYSSE JOHANSSON (30), cool, blond, pretty.

ACHILLES
I thought 103 would be on the first
floor but I can’t find it.

She moves close to him to read the course sheet.

ELYSSE
It is on the first floor, but it’s in
Wyndham Hall. This is Bradley Hall.

ACHILLES
Oh f – !

ELYSSE
(smiles to interrupt him)
It’s not hard to get to from here. Go
down this hall, out the main doors,
take a right and go past the Admin
building. Wyndham’s the red building
next to the Van Helsing statue.

ACHILLES
Thanks.

He starts down the hall.

ELYSSE
(calls after him)
See you tomorrow night, Achilles.

He turns, puzzled. She motions to his course

sheet with her eyes.

ELYSSE
Ethics 101. I’m Professor Johansson.
This building, second floor. And
Achilles, try not to be late.

INT. LECTURE HALL – LATER

Over 60 STUDENTS listen as GREG NORRIS (40) reviews the

Western Civilization syllabus. A THUMP gets everyone’s
attention. The door is stuck and someone’s trying to force
it open. The door is JERKED open and Achilles comes in.
 47.

NORRIS
Ah, Mr. Addams, so glad you could join
us. And if the news reports are to be
believed, now that you’ve arrived,
Western Civilization can begin anew.

Cat Trzcinski, seated several rows back, smiles to herself,

enjoying Achilles’ latest Einstein moment.

EXT. CAMPUS QUAD – DAY

Achilles is walking in the rain with his head down. His

first day of college has been a bitch. A cell phone
RINGS. He pulls it from his pocket, checks the caller I.D.
Finally something to smile about.

ACHILLES
Hey.

PORTIA (V.O.)
Hi, Lee. How are you doing, baby?

ACHILLES
(lying)
I’m fine. How are you? Loving
Princeton I’ll bet.

PORTIA (V.O.)
I’d love it more if you were here
loving on me right now.

ACHILLES
Yeah and when they start letting
brothers like me in it won’t be
Princeton anymore, will it?

PORTIA (V.O.)
(a sweet laugh)
Stop it, Lee. You’re not just some
dumb jock. You remember that, okay?
Baby I miss you. Do you miss me?

Achilles looks up as a SEXY COED approaches. Her smile

says she’d do him right there on the quad.

SEXY COED
Hi, Handsome!
 48.

He smiles and turns to admire her after she passes. She

glances over her shoulder, knowing he’d check her out.

ACHILLES
Yeah, of course I do.

PORTIA (V.O.)
Do you love me?

He stops in his tracks. The question hits him like a

blitzing linebacker. He answers from the heart.

ACHILLES
Yes, Portia. I do.

INT. CHARLOTTE WEBB’S OFFICE – DAY

CHARLOTTE WEBB (50s), classy but tough as nails, sits

behind her desk. Washington Tech’s athletic director is
comfortable wielding power in a man’s world.

VALERIE KIM (20), pretty Korean-American sorority

president, sits across from her. In the dictionary,
Valerie’s picture is next to the entry for “Stuck Up
Bitch.” A KNOCK on the door and DEBRA THROWER enters.

DEBRA
He’s here, Dr. Webb.

CHARLOTTE
Thank you, Debra. Show him in, please.

Charlotte and Valerie stand to greet Achilles.

ACHILLES
Sorry I’m late, Dr. Webb.

CHARLOTTE
So am I Achilles. You’ve got practice
in 15 minutes, so we don’t have as much
time as I’d hoped. This is Valerie
Kim. I’ve asked her to be your tutor.

Achilles and Valerie shake hands and hold it a beat.

Neither of them wants to be here but there’s a vibe between
them when they touch and look into one another’s eyes.

VALERIE
Hello, Achilles.
 49.

ACHILLES
Hi, Val.

INT. BILLY’S OFFICE – SUNSET

Billy’s standing with his back to us, looking out the large
window down onto the field. CAMERA COMES AROUND and we see
him from outside the window. He’s deep in thought.

INT. LOCKER ROOM - SUNSET

Players are in various stages of dress after a hard

practice. We follow Dallas’ BARE ASS from the showers.
Teammates discreetly steal glances at his Johnson as he
approaches them.

CAMERA DROPS OFF on Achilles, in front of his locker.

GARCIA
Elliott! Addams! Both of you, Coach’s
office! Now!

Achilles and Phil look at Coach Garcia, then at each other.

Coach Donahue has decided on his starter.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (VERSUS PORTLAND STATE) – DAY

The stadium is only half-full but the ZEALOTS in the “Pit”

– the fan section near the tunnel – do their damnedest to
generate excitement. Quite a few FANS wear replicas of
Achilles’ number 10 jersey.

INT./EXT. TUNNEL – DAY

The Sea Devils move through the tunnel like 80 warriors

ready for battle. Wall Henderson, their captain, is at the
front of the pack. When he steps out of the tunnel he
transforms into a wild man, stomping his feet, tearing at
his jersey and slapping his helmet, Ray Lewis-style. His
teammates catch the fever.

HENDERSON
What time is it?!

TEAM
Go time!
 50.

HENDERSON
I said, WHAT TIME IS IT?!

TEAM
GO TIME!

P.A. ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

And now, here come your SEA DEVILS!

Canons BOOM and white smoke BILLOWS into the air.

HENDERSON
WHOOOOO-AAAAAH!

The team storms en mass through a blazing fire ring, past

shimmying cheerleaders and onto the pristine field.

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM - DAY

The kickoff is high and deep. Dallas catches it and runs

15 yards before he’s tackled.

ON THE SIDELINE

The Sea Devils offensive unit trots onto the field for
their first series. Billy checks his laminated play sheet.

BILLY
(into headset)
I feel good about today, Bull.

BULL (V.O.)
That’s because we’re still in first
place, Billy.

IN THE HUDDLE

A nauseous, sweaty faced Warren Sitren is about to toss his

cookies when he looks up at –

PHIL

PHIL
(to Warren)
Calm down “iPhone.” You throw up now
and you’re gonna be that defensive
end’s bitch all day. And trust me,
nobody wants to see that.
 51.

The huddle cracks up. The opening day edge is off.

PHIL
(all business)
Here we go. Slot right, 33 Stretch
Cadillac. On two. Break!

THE VIP SECTION OF THE STANDS

Gale and J.R. are with Charlotte, her HUSBAND, and Harold
and Maria Pennebaker. Harold frowns at the sight of Phil
walking to the line of scrimmage. Gale smiles at him
sweetly to assuage him on behalf of her husband.

ON THE SIDELINE

Achilles stands a few feet from Billy, holding a CLIPBOARD

and wearing a BALL CAP. He’s miserable. Off his stern-
faced expression...

EXT. MEMORIAL STADIUM (AERIAL VIEW) – DAY

The crowd erupts in CHEERS as the Sea Devils score their

first touchdown of the season, a 40-yard pass from Phil to
his best friend Burner.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BIG AL’S SPEAKEASY – NIGHT

Establishing, over which we hear ROCK MUSIC.

INT. BIG AL’S SPEAKEASY – NIGHT

Maitland’s college hot spot is packed with PARTIERS

celebrating the Sea Devils’ victory. Phil, Jess, Burner,
Mia, Roulon, Dallas and other players are there with pretty
coeds. A ROCK BAND jams onstage.

We follow a MAN from the bar as he takes TWO BEERS through

the crammed dance floor, where the CAMERA DROPS OFF on CAKE
D’AGOSTINO (18), a sexy, raven-haired beauty with all the
right moves. She smiles invitingly at the LUCKY GUY she’s
dancing with, then glances over at Cat.

Cat’s looking pretty tempting herself in black jeans and a

slinky tank shirt, dancing with another YOUNG MAN. He
moves up against her. She deftly nudges him away.
 52.

Cake gets Cat’s eye and looks toward the band. Cat follows
her gaze to THE LEAD SINGER, the Bad Boy your mother warned
you about. Cat smiles lasciviously.

INT. FILM ROOM - NIGHT

Achilles hits REWIND on one of his practice interceptions.

He doesn’t hear JOSE the night watchman until he’s standing
right next to him.

JOSE
(whispering)
Achilles. Achilles.

ACHILLES
Oh, hey, Jose. What’s up?

JOSE
It’s almost one my friend.

ACHILLES
(misunderstanding)
Yeah, I’m almost done.

He jots notes on a LEGAL PAD. Jose turns to leave.

JOSE
(over his shoulder)
Okay, just make sure you put everything
back where it belongs.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ACHILLES’ BEDROOM – NIGHT

We hear a couple having very intense sex.

WOMAN’S VOICE (O.S.)

Yeah, baby! Yes! Do me, baby! DO ME!

Achilles wakes up to the sounds of the porn session next

door. WIDER ANGLE to reveal he’s lying on the bed, fully
dressed. The lights are on and his PLAYBOOK is open next
to him. He looks at the CLOCK on the nightstand. It’s
1:15 a.m.

Achilles stares at the ceiling and drifts back to sleep.

 53.

EXT. STREET – NIGHT (A DREAM)

A light snow falls. There is no sound as Achilles and

Portia walk arm-in-arm, talking, laughing, clearly in love.
An ANGRY BLACK MAN appears and threatens them. Achilles
and the man argue. Portia tries to calm them both down.

Suddenly, the man hits Portia with a vicious backhand that

knocks her to the ground. There’s blood on her mouth.
Achilles charges and tackles him. They tussle on the
ground. A GUN appears.

Then we hear PORTIA SCREAMING.

END OF DREAM

INT. ACHILLES’ BEDROOM – NIGHT (RETURN TO SCENE)

Achilles wakes from the dream with a start, tense and

sweating. He gets his bearings and realizes that it’s
quiet now. Achilles gets up and heads out of his room.

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

It’s dark. Achilles walks quietly. Just as he reaches the

kitchen the REFRIGERATOR LIGHT comes on.

ACHILLES’ POV – A NAKED WOMAN

standing in front of the fridge, looking inside. It’s the

Porn Queen. Achilles is admiring her tight body when he
spies the BLACK KITTEN TATTOO on the small of her back.

RETURN TO SCENE

Cat turns around, drinking from a BOTTLE OF GATORADE. She

wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

CAT
(mischievous grin)
Want some?

He tries not to look at her small but perfect tits.

ACHILLES
(confused)
What?
 54.

CAT
Juice, Einstein. What do you think?

ACHILLES
Umm. No. Thanks.

She shrugs and takes another swig. Their clothing

difference doesn’t faze her at all. She puts the bottle in
the fridge, closes the door and brushes past him on her way
back to the Lead Singer’s bedroom. She stops suddenly and
turns to face him.

CAT
Hey, don’t you owe me a hundred bucks?

EXT. AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY

It’s a quiet Sunday morning. Dallas leans against a tree,

staring at a PHOTO in his hand.

INSERT – PHOTO

A blue-eyed TEENAGE BOY holds a BABY. Next to them is the

baby’s mother, a pretty Mexican-American TEENAGE GIRL.

DALLAS

looks up and stares hard at something in the distance.

INT. MORALES APARTMENT – DAY (FLASHBACK)

Dallas and his mother, CECILIA MORALES (38), sit in their

living room, dressed as if they’ve just returned from a
funeral. She’s the Mexican-American girl from the photo,
still lovely 20 years after it was taken. They’re going
through PHOTOS of her husband.

CECILIA
Your father was a good man, Dallas, and
I loved him very, very much.

DALLAS
I know he was, Mom. So did I.

She looks at him and smiles sadly.

DALLAS
What is it, Mom?
 55.

CECILIA
Now that he’s gone, I think it’s time
you knew something.

DALLAS
Time I knew what?

She takes a PHOTO ALBUM, flips through pages. When she

finds the picture she wants, she hands it to him. It’s the
one of the blue-eyed teenager, the baby and Cecilia at 18.
Dallas studies it intensely.

EXT. DONAHUE HOME – DAY (RETURN TO PRESENT)

Dallas is now at the front door of a large, expensive home.

He rings the bell and waits. He puts the photo back in his
pocket. When the door opens, REVERSE to see he’s standing
face to face with J.R. Donahue, his half-brother.

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE

GOAL TO GO