"ANY GIVEN SUNDAY" (1999)

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY

by

Jamie Williams & Richard Weiner, John Logan, Daniel Pyne

revisions by

Gary Ross, Raynold Gideon & Bruce A. Evans, John Logan, Lisa Amsterdam & Robert Huizenga

current revision by

Oliver Stone

REVISED SHOOTING SCRIPT

May 1, 1999

"... Any man's finest hour -- his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear -- is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle -- victorious."

Vince Lombardi

FADE IN:

A1 EXT. "SHARK" STADIUM (MIAMI, USA) - LATE DAY A1 (ANY SUNDAY)

MUSIC sets a mood of mystery, verdure, sky... Grass sways gently in the wind, silence to the world... Then a football is placed in the grass. The large, taped knuckles of a center grasp the football for the snap. The world is still, coiled like a spring...

CREDITS RUN...

1 GAME 1 MINNESOTA AMERICANS AT MIAMI SHARKS - FIELD #1 - 1 CONTINUOUS ACTION

An EXPLOSION on the field -- as bodies crash against each other like armies. The game as played and felt in "the pit".

A swift, short pass over the middle... A tight end (Miami) takes the hit... Then the quarterback (Miami) goes down hard. A blur of motion. A WHISTLE BLOWS and referee #1 signals first down; chains are moved.

2 HELICOPTER #1 2

A steep view of the proceedings -- godlike, evoking ghosts, wind; as if the football gods look down on their human combatants and vote for first downs, touchdowns, careers, lives... These overheads punctuate the film... The silence lingers briefly -- before the Announcers' voices bring us back to the media reality of the late 20th Century...

The MUSIC THEME -- a blend of martial, choral, and rock and roll -- is now swallowed in the ROAR of the CROWD...

3 FIELD #2 3

... the technicolor eyes of quarterback JACK "CAP" ROONEY, hostage to anger and pain, as his aging frame crashes on the dirty grass.

4 SIDELINE #1 4

Head coach TONY D'AMATO, a striking, intense man in his 50s, moves in a five-yard swath of the sideline, his eyes flicking worriedly to his fallen alter-ago.

He's giving it to Leslie McKenna, the right guard, and the other linemen, as he senses the game is now shifting momentum -- against him.

5 SIDELINE #2 5

DR. ALLIE POWERS, 30s, the new internist with the team, grabs his doctor box and starts onto the field.

Powers sheepishly u-turns back to the sideline where DR. HARVEY MANDRAKE, the grey-haired team orthopedist, gives him a second scolding.

6 FIELD #3 6

As LESLIE McKENNA (#63), the big right guard, helps Cap up, knowing he's blown the block.

7 WIVES' SECTION #1 (VIDEO) 7

CINDY ROONEY, a sweet-looking blonde, waves back as she notices the electronic eye gazing down on her; other wives join in.

8 SIDELINE #3 8

Coach D'Amato fumbles with his newly-mangled headset, consults his plastic-coated single-page game plan, into his mouthpiece:

INTERCUT WITH:

9 COACH'S BOOTH #1 9

NICK CROZIER -- 40s, star offensive coordinator, in his first year here, handsome, a comer -- studies the game below through instant computer printouts. In the booth are several offensive and defensive assistants.

10 SIDELINE #4 10

TYLER CHERUBINI, the stoic, 32-year-old perpetual back-up quarterback relays the telex signal from upstairs, on his headset to the field via walkie-talkie -- in addition to various body signals, both legitimate and deceptive.

11 HUDDLE #1 11

QB Cap Rooney bangs on his helmet; something in the electronics is off. He glares at his teammates, and though at times he chews them out like a Marine sergeant, there is an unmistakable affection for his line. He tries his hardest, like an aging Boy Scout, not to curse, not always successfully.

PATRICK KELLY, his massive right tackle, known around the league as "MADMAN," bleeds from his nose, but adores his QB.

They clap and break. With 15 seconds to play time, the constant barrage of "voices" inside Cap's helmet ceases.

12 MEDIA BOOTH #1 12

TUG KOLOWSKI -- in the flesh -- is a boisterous, boozy, veteran sportscaster, alongside KEVIN BRANSON, a young and upcoming TV-type who seems Tug's opposite, bland and safe.

INTERCUT WITH:

13 STANDS #1 (VIDEO) 13

Reveals the stadium at two-thirds capacity.

A13 SIDELINE #5 (VIDEO AND FILM) A13

Tony, on TV display, talking intensely into his headset, takes us past defensive coordinator MONTEZUMA MONROE -- 60s, a monument of a man, former star linebacker, now limping noticeably. He glares strongly, rarely moves. With him is 34-year-old vet LUTHER LAVAY, linebacker and the captain of the defense, black, built, and a total predator. His nickname: "SHARK."

An ASSISTANT offers Monroe a set of digitally-produced enhancements of the Minnesota offensive formations.

He stomps toward the defensive unit.

14 OWNER'S BOX #1 (VIDEO) 14

As seen on TV, several family friends and VPs mill around, but we only see the back of elegantly-attired blonde President and co-owner, CHRISTINA PAGNIACCI.

15 FIELD #4 (VIDEO AND FILM) 15

JULIAN WASHINGTON, 27, an extremely strong, sexy, solidly-built, 230-pound running back, sets, his teeth blazing with jewelry and facial paint on the far edges of the Association's rule book (The Associated Football Franchise of America). He presently goes into play- motion.

Rooney barks out the numbers, "hot reading" the coming blitz. The clock slows, as his eyes flick from the key safety to his own team. Can they handle the confusion of the audible?

The Shark linemen read the shift... but Madman is clearly confused... blocking assignments are missed.

Cap takes the snap and fades back to pass, but he's an inch too slow and a year too old -- his arm in the air, about to release, he is brutally blind-sided by a fast reptilian defensive end. Simultaneously, a blitzing safety hits him in the lower back with his helmet.Cap goes down hard again, landing on his own blocker's helmet at an awkward angle -- he screams loudly -- and this time, nothing moves.

16 SIDELINE #6 16

Tony is looking at his worst fear come true. An eerie quiet momentarily pervades the stadium. D'Amato breaks it, yelling at Dr. Powers.

17 WIVES' SECTION #2 17

Cindy Rooney shares the uncertainty.

18 OWNER'S BOX #2 18

Still standing with her back to the window, Christina talks to a friend.

As she becomes aware of the hush in the stadium, she turns to look -- then up at the TV for the slo-mo replay.

She reaches for a red phone.

INTERCUT WITH:

19 TV MONITOR 19

shows the injury in slo-mo. Xs are drawn over Cap's knees by Tug's finger on the telestrator. A big O goes over Cap's back.

20 MEDIA BOOTH #2 20

Branson covers his microphone and hisses at both a technician and Tug:

21 FIELD #5 21

Drs. Mandrake and Powers, and Trainer #1 attend to Cap as he rolls back and forth, in intense pain.

The stadium applauds as Cap hobbles up to his feet.

22 SIDELINE #7 22

Back-up QB Tyler Cherubini nervously jams index cards with play calls under the clear plastic holders inside his special wristband, intersecting Coach D'Amato.

Cherubini AD LIBS and jogs onto the field. Fans stomp their feet in sync with the driving beat of the inspirational "Shark Theme."

Cap crosses towards the bench on the shoulders of Powers and Trainer #1. Tony intersects briefly, but he doesn't seem to want to confront this, makes light of it.

His sometime nickname for Cap.

23 FIELD #6 23

From the BOOTH POV -- the team claps and breaks from the huddle.

25 FIELD #7 25

Tyler Cherubini scans the defense, sees all the signs for another impending blitz.

Minnesota attacks with everything they've got... Cherubini never even sees the light of day as he is buried, coughing up the ball -- which bounces into the hands of a surprised Minnesota safety -- who sprints 20-some yards into the Miami end zone for a touchdown!

The fans go wild with rage, booing the fallen Cherubini.

26 OWNER'S BOX #3 26

Christina watches the fiasco with her husband, ANDY MATTER, a young handsome lawyer, and two VPs of the team -- JOHNNY POLITO, in his 50s, and ED PHILLIPS, in his 60s -- a distinguished man with a comforting aura, the family advisor from her father's era.

A young woman raised to appreciate football, her outburst quiets the dozen people partying in the box. Her mother, MARGARET PAGNIACCI, an elegant older woman, who looks out of it, mostly quasi-drunk or drugged, though she does a superb job of concealing this with her fixed and dignified expression, inquires:

27 SIDELINE #9 27

WILLIE BEAMEN, third-string QB, 26, black, sits on the bench, as accustomed, not expecting to be called on.

A27 TUNNEL #1 A27

Drs. Mandrake and Powers enter the locker room tunnel with Cap Rooney when TRAINER #2 yells after them:

TRAINER #2 Doc! They need you back! Cherubini's down!

29 FIELD #8 29

The Americans kick off.

30 SIDELINE #10 30

As the kick returner downs it in the end zone, D'Amato huddles with Willie Beamen, who is adjusting the speaker sound in his helmet.

Willie looks for Crozier upstairs in one of those anonymous boxes, lost in the roar of sound and the sea of faces.

Tony slaps Willie on the shoulder and sends him out.

31 MEDIA BOOTH #3 31

TECHNICIANS and assistants frantically adjust as Tug and Kevin rifle through papers during the commercial break.

32 HUDDLE #2 32

Willie is ignored in the huddle, hesitant -- he tries to shut out the stadium noise.

Willie tries to hear the QB Coach's voice in his helmet.

VOICE (V.O.) (helmet) Left Deuce Zig 22 Tomcat. Watch the mike backer, he'll probably be coming. Relax and show me you got it!

Willie turns and waves to the sideline.

VOICE (V.O.) (helmet) No... tell them!

McKENNA (to the rest) HEY! SHUT THE FUCK UP! On?

Willie is trying to suppress dry heaves.

Willie suddenly rips off his helmet and vomits.

33 SIDELINE #11 33

Shark Lavay, the middle linebacker, is standing next to Monroe.

34 MEDIA BOOTH #4 34

Tug is laughing heartily.

Kevin shoots him a look, and rifles through some papers.

35 OWNER'S BOX #4 35

Christina is now on a black field phone:

36 HUDDLE #3 36

REFEREE #1 (intersecting) Come on, son, let's play ball!

VOICE (V.O.) (helmet) Would you run the play already!

A36 FIELD #9 A36

As they move towards the ball, Willie glances in several directions -- it's terrifying -- the Minnesota defense is shifting position, confusing him; the crowd is deafening, the cameras zooming in, the sun blazing.

Willie intensely scans the defensive alignment. All talk ceases when he yells:

Willie steps back a little too fast and too far. He spins towards Washington, awkwardly handing the ball off on a delayed slant... Washington shoots into a different hole than assigned -- a dangerous runner, gaining ten yards from nothing.

In the backfield, the taunting defensive end slaps Willie's helmet hard as the whistle blows. Willie barely has time to breathe before he hears "the voice of God" in his helmet speaker:

VOICE (V.O.) (in helmet) Thunder Left Smoke 90 Sally.

TIME CUT:

in motion, of the speed and confusion of the game as giant defensive linemen close on him. He sees a brief opening onto Sanderson 15 yards downfield -- throws far too high -- almost intercepted by the safety.

38 SIDELINE #12 38

Tony, concerned, beckons to his tight end, talks to him and sends him out onto the field. Tony continues to yell something into his headset at Crozier.

39 HUDDLE #4 39

The tight end yells something lost in the crowd. Willie has to look up the play on his arm band.

40 FIELD #11 40

At the line, Miami players immediately sense the defense is stacked up to the right for Washington's run.

Willie realizes it too -- audibles too quickly and too softly to communicate accurately.

The snap -- Miami is hopelessly confused. There is no such play as "Red 70 Blackstar" and players run this way and that. After several athletic moves, Willie is bounced out of bounds, eight yards behind the line of scrimmage.

41 SIDELINE #13 41

Tony is having a really bad day, about to throw his mangled headset away again.

42 FIELD #12 42

Washington yells at Willie on the way back to the huddle:

TIME CUT:

43 SCOREBOARD #1 43

MINNESOTA 24, MIAMI 21. SECOND QUARTER. 0:25...

A43 SIDELINE #15 A43

Tony has one more chance at a field goal at the Minnesota 45-yard line.

44 FIELD #14 44

Willie eyes the defense as he sets, but mistakenly lines up over right guard Leslie McKenna instead of his center...

McKENNA 'Less you tell me you love me, sugah, get your hands outta my ass!

The defense picks up on it instantly and goes after Willie loudly. Embarrassed, he makes his adjustment -- but too late. A flag flies. Delay of game penalty.

A44 SIDELINE #16 A44

Tony throws up his hands and rolls his eyes. There goes the field goal!

a sportswriter with his own local TV show, makes an acid comment on this bone-headed move to a colleague as he works his laptop. Coming off Beamen's throwing up, the press knows it has a story!

46 OWNER'S BOX #5 46

Christina leans forward to watch. Willie fades back to pass.

47 FIELD #15 47

The rush is on again. Willie, scrambling out of the pocket, avoids several tacklers, but his eyes give away the 25-yard pass... The defensive back steals it from Sanderson and runs it back 10 yards. The crowd roars with disappointment. Referee #1 whistles -- ending the half.

48 SIDELINE #17 48

Coach D'Amato shakes his head, picked up by the TV cameras.

NIGHT

With 10 minutes to go, the offense is concentrated in one part of the room on chairs, the defense in the other -- listening to analyses and looking at video pictures from their respective coaches.

50 TRAINER'S AREA #1 50

Madman's got the flu, and is dehydrated enough to require two I.V.s in either arm. Dr. Powers reads his thermometer.

Powers sees Dr. Mandrake hurry past, follows him.

Mandrake barely breaks, waits.

51 MANDRAKE 51

heads toward a small exam room where Cap waits alone -- bypassing Cherubini, the forgotten QB, waiting to have his knee examined, attended to by TRAINER #2, a stutterer.

TRAINER #2 Doc, what about Rhodes? He's really in p-p-pain...

TRAINER #2 He doesn't wanna put that sh-shit in his body. He wants Demerol.

TRAINER #2 Well, I think m-m-maybe I can get him to t-t-take some Alka-Seltzer.

52 EXAM AREA #1 52

Mandrake closes the door on Trainer #2. Cap is with Trainer #1. He puts Cap's x-ray up on the screen.

53 TRAINER'S AREA #2 53

Powers attends to Madman, who suddenly has an urgent look on his face.

VOICE (O.S.) (yelling out) Three minutes!

He goes, IVs trailing, Powers calls out to Trainer #1 for help.

LOCKER ROOM #2

With shouts of "Get out of the way!", "Coming through!", Powers and Trainer #2, protecting the I.V.'s, follow a surging Madman into the bathroom.

Other players chorus in, hooting and hollering, till the coaches shut them up.

BATHROOM #1

The stalls are filled.

Madman kicks open a broken stall and finds an unlucky rookie staring back at him.

Terrified, the rookie runs out; then Madman forces his way in, managing to squeeze Powers, Trainer #2 and himself into the stall.

Crozier, studying a stack of computer printouts, enters.

He whacks on the door, which opens on Madman sitting with his pants around his ankles, I.V.s entering each outstretched arm, ministered to by Trainer #1 and Dr. Powers. Crozier is amused but hardly surprised; to Madman:

54 LOCKER ROOM #3 54

The players are gathered around Coach D'Amato, who now addresses both offense and defense.

You the defense, you've got to create something out there, you've got to start flying around the fucking ball and hitting somebody. Don't let these assholes chew up the clock on us! On first down, they're killing us with the weakside slant. Corners, when we put eight in the box, you've got to jam the receivers, take 'em on, you're hesitating! If you're gonna make a mistake, go on! Make it a big one! I'm not gonna eat your lunch for that, but don't fuck around like pussies at a pee party, you hear me?!... P.J., Mac, Beast Man, Horny, Shark! One, two yards less each time and they'll be two and eight instead of two and six! Stuff the goddamn run. They're killing us!

No more stupid penalties, okay?! Concentrate. Focus. We're only down by three points. We can win this mother! I'm sick and tired of losing! Are you?! Three losses in a row. (MORE)

The team is poised, clenching up, except for Washington who rises laconically.

A tense moment -- then all bust up laughing, including D'Amato.

55 BATHROOM #2 55

As the team roars out of the locker room, Madman is eager to rejoin his crew.

Powers understands that if he can't bend his elbows that he... he sighs and wraps a stretch of tissue paper around his hand -- as Mandrake pokes his head in the stall, enjoying the view of Powers wiping Madman's ass.

Winter's night has now fallen as the team hollers, exiting a narrow tunnel onto the field. The stadium is charming but decayed (1930s WPA architecture) and in need of significant renovation...

Jimmy Sanderson, the young star wide receiver for the Sharks, repeatedly adjusts his shoulder pads, talking to himself as he walks; he is all hands and nerves, a thoroughbred with a sweet personality.

Willie gets the message. Several fans, intoxicated, hurl profanities, peanuts, beer, seat cushions at the Sharks. One OBESE FAN in particular:

Willie ignores him, but when the Fan throws his beer at him, it empties on Madman, who is rushing out last, his IVs gone. Enraged, Madman roars and tries to go up into the stands after the unlucky Fan, but is restrained by teammates. AD LIBS...

TIME CUT:

57 SCOREBOARD #2 57

THIRD QUARTER. MINNESOTA 31, MIAMI 21. 7:14 remaining. Minnesota has increased its lead by one touchdown.

A57 SIDELINE #18 A57

Tony paces anxiously.

58 FIELD #14 58

The Miami defense tries to stop a long gainer by the Minnesota running back, propelling his 230 lbs. right at Shark Lavay, who upends the running back, one on one... Shark is the best open-field tackler on the Sharks, but as he takes those few extra beats rising, adjusting his shaken frame, congratulated by teammates, his expres- sion reveals the wearying price he pays -- at 34, going on 50 -- for this leadership role.

59 SIDELINE #19 59

Powers now kneels next to the defensive end, Beast Man, coming off the field onto the bench with an agonizing, dislocated finger.

Powers hesitates as Mandrake passes by, sees the problem, and makes the adjustment without thinking.

POP! Beast Man's FINGER CRACKS back into place. Beastie hardly winces.

Beast Man mutters something venomous under his breath, and moves off.

60 FIELD #15 60

Using his bare white foot, the smallish Eastern European Miami kicker drills a graceful 38-yard field goal through the uprights.

TIME CUT:

61 FIELD #16 61

Everything moves fast in the big leagues. Too fast. Willie again too quickly breaks from the pocket, scrambling the offensive and defensive lines up and down the field, tiring them... Unable to find his receiver, he takes off running; makes it over the middle of the field for a first down plus another five or ten yards before he is pulped in two different directions.

62 SIDELINE #20 62

Tony, hiding his eyes as if from a car accident, shakes his head, to Crozier on the headset.

63 FIELD #17 63

Willie drops back, and without any pressure, throws a perfect 10-yard interception over the middle into the arms of a Minnesota linebacker. The stadium turns really sour, booing Willie as he walks off.

64 SIDELINE #21 64

Tony is waiting for Willie, like Ahab himself.

He stalks off. Willie, closed off by Tony's intensity, moves to the bench.

A64 ON TV A64

Tony is saying some pretty rough things.

65 OWNER'S BOX #6 65

The box has been thinned out of associates and friends, who've obviously sensed Christina's mood on the phone.

INTERCUT WITH:

A65 TV MONITOR A65

Willie now fumbles a simple hand-off to Julian Washington... The fumble is recovered and Willie calls a time-out.

65 CHRISTINA 65

slams her hand down in frustration, sharing a65 look with Ed Phillips. She is a strong, energetic executive in her late 20s, raised by her deceased father, founder Art Pagniacci, to be a son and gain the respect of a man's world, to the point of acquiring a "take no prisoners" attitude. She calls up to:

INTERCUT WITH:

66 COACH'S BOOTH #2 66

Crozier is polite, though bothered by her interference.

67 SIDELINE #22 67

Willie, coming off the field, moves towards D'Amato, expecting the worst. Instead D'Amato throws an arm around his shoulders and walks him along the sideline -- in a paternal tone:

He grins.

There's a special, soothing tone to the way D'Amato expresses himself, when he wants. A voice that makes you believe.

68 FIELD #18 68

Willie walks up to the line. A fierce new concentration occupying him. ALL SOUND DRAINS AWAY. He is distracted by nothing! The crowd has become a semi-real phantasmagoric beast with a thousand eyes. On his own face there is an extraordinary, savage look -- primordial.

He barks out the signals, SILENT... Soundless, he backpedals, cocking his arm, fingers tight on the laces, fingernails digging in... his eyes like radar... the read... one receiver... two receiver... a quick, strong release... a fast, clean spiral -- yet it seems to sail for hours through the air.

... Caught by Sanderson at the 20! The beginner's luck holds when the two Minnesota defensive backs collide into each other, falling down, and Sanderson runs freely into the end zone for a TD!... Now -- an EXPLOSION OF SOUND. The first TD of a career.

69 SIDELINE #23 69

D'Amato allows himself a small smile of pleasure -- a long time coming. The offense is cheering -- alongside Montezuma Monroe and his defense, who now pay the offense a little attention.

70 FIELD #19 70

Players slam a stunned Willie on the back.

71 SIDELINE #24 71

The Shark mascot -- a guy dressed in a huge foam shark costume -- dances the "Shark dance"... As Madman trudges up to Dr. Powers with blood dripping from his mouth.

72 SIDELINE #25 72

Willie's eyes looking for D'Amato -- who acknowledges him from a distance.

Sanderson disrupts the moment, in Willie's face, twitching as he repeats himself over and over.

73 SCOREBOARD #3 73

MINNESOTA 31, MIAMI 31. FOURTH QUARTER. 12:00...

A73 FIELD #20 A73

Willie, playing with some real confidence, runs an option pass right, and completes a 17-yarder to the second receiver.

74 FIELD #21 74

This time Willie heads left, faking well off his right shoulder to keep the DBs deep, then takes off on an adventuresome run through the Americans. He's a natural- born athlete, but the Minnesota defense exhorts a price for making them look bad -- pounding him hard after a 13-yard gainer.

INSERTS

At the bottom of the pile, the linemen wrestle one another, going for the eyes and nuts, anything for the edge (AD LIBS)... Close to Willie, at the bottom, Madman growls:

We hear the crunch of his elbow and a painful grunt from the abused party, who presumably "fishhooked" him earlier.

REFEREE #2 Get out of there, guys! Come on! Knock it off! Climb out!

75 FIELD #22 75

The shoeless wonder boots a 45-yard field goal dead center through the uprights -- a thing of beauty as the fans revive their hopes, starting to pick up on Willie Beamen.

A75 SCOREBOARD #4 A75

MINNESOTA 31, MIAMI 34.

76 SIDELINE #26 76

Tony is just a little bit happy, finally, but can't show it.

77 OWNER'S BOX #7 77

So is Christina, turning to Johnny Polito.

This sticks in her craw -- she fired "Arnie."

78 PRESS BOX #2 78

Even in the cynical media, there is an appreciable shift of interest in the young quarterback.

Back to his laptop...

79 OWNER'S BOX #8 79

Christina seems more relaxed on the phone, discreetly to the side. The game is meandering toward conservatism, close to won, and friends have slipped back in. AD LIB chatter, food, drinks.

80 ON TV 80

Miami's offense is on the field at their own 29, 2nd and 8. The score reads: MINNESOTA 31, MIAMI 34, FOURTH QUARTER, 1:54 left. It looks good.

81 SIDELINE #27 81

Yet Tony prowls nervously... Trainer #2 adjusts the air in ICE HAWKINS' (tight end) helmet, who complains to Powers about the large black and blue bite on his neck.

82 COACH'S BOOTH #3 82

Crozier is a little nervous.

83 FIELD #25 83

A bulldozing straight-ahead three-yard run by Washington. Third down and five.

84 COACH'S BOOTH #4 84

INTERCUT WITH:

A84 SIDELINE #28 A84

Crozier relays the call.

85 HUDDLE #5 85

Willie hears "the voice," doesn't like the call either.

The team breaks, Washington with a particular strut about him, tasting victory already.

86 SIDELINE #29 86

Tony sees the Minnesota defense stacked against the run right.

87 COACH'S BOOTH #5 87

Crozier sees the same thing. Especially from this height, the defensive adjustments are clear.

88 FIELD #24 88

Willie hands off to Washington, who powers into the line, seeing nothing -- his eyes wild like a horse around fire -- He rolls along the line searching for the hole -- thinks he sees one -- goes for it.

Swack! He is blindsided by the tall, reptilian defensive end, who hatchets him from high, then drives his helmet into the ball, which pops out high and loose and crazy. It is a spectacular fumble -- the kind of fumble all running backs have nightmares about -- Washington desperately dives back for it -- but everyone else is diving too, including Willie.

A swift Minnesota safety makes the snag -- racing past confused Miami players -- some 24 yards, into the end zone. Touchdown.

Willie is on his knees, unbelieving... Washington drops his head, the loneliest man in the world. A gash of blood crawls down inside his helmet from his forehead.

89 SIDELINE #30 89

Tony is not so much stunned as resigned, believing now that nothing can change his luck.

90 OWNER'S BOX #9 90

Christina and everyone else in the box mutter quietly, in retreat...

91 STANDS #2 91

The fans turn ugly, throwing things onto the field.

A91 SCOREBOARD #5 A91

flashes the new score: MINNESOTA 37, MIAMI 34, 1:32...

92 MINNESOTA SIDELINE #1 92

The Americans are ecstatic.

A92 MIAMI SIDELINE #31 A92

Whereas Miami is devastated! Their very life-force threatened by this fourth straight defeat... the gods have voted. Despair and self-pity commingle.

B92 OWNER'S BOX #10 B92

Christina watches the replay of Washington going through the line.

INTERCUT WITH:

C92 ON TV C92

The fumble as highlight... Utilizing her cane, Margaret Pagniacci leaves the room with her small, doting entourage and two white Schnauzer dogs, absorbing her daughter's passion with a detached amusement.

C92 CONTINUED: C92

She turns to her husband, Andy, who is accompanying her mother home, and kisses him.

... makes a drinking motion.

D'Amato walks through like an undertaker.

As the men slowly assemble in various stages of dress, pre and post-shower, some totally nude, D'Amato crosses to Willie's locker, who seems off in his own world, undressing slowly.

It's hard for Willie to accept a compliment of any kind.

Tony doesn't quite understand the motivation there; the rest of the team is waiting.

The team assumes a collective prayer position; Tony signals the team CHAPLAIN.

On a cell phone, Dr. Mandrake stitches an uneven, buckled suture onto Julian Washington's forehead -- who yelps out in pain.

Powers, in the b.g., observes Washington's budding scar, concerned, says nothing.

TRAINER #2 (to Mandrake) Doc, 'Horny' won't shut up. Can we get him some...

HORNY, a white, runty defensive back and punter, is rather upset at the large flap of skin hanging from his foot, which he proudly displays.

Knowing what he's left behind, Mandrake rushes out with the phone; Powers sidles up to Julian's suture.

In progress, a dozen or more press -- among them Jack Rose -- are gathered around Tony, in a lousy mood, giving out his postgame interviews from his cramped office.

He leaves abruptly.

Grumbles all around...

The quiet of the empty stadium fills the humid air. Distant ECHOES of the roaring fans fall off into BIRDSONG and FROG CROAKS out of the swamps.

Coach D'Amato enters to find Cap Rooney in bed, his lower back and legs supported, a morphine drip in one arm and an IV in the other, unnaturally white and swollen from the hits -- doing his stoic best to abide the searing pain in his back. Flowers fill the crevices of the room.

He's on a speaker phone with the boss, Christina -- while Cindy, his concerned and devoted wife, acknowledges Tony with a head nod.

Tony quietly tucks in Cap's sweaty, strewn bed sheets, preferring not to signal his presence to Christina.He notices a large black and blue discoloration around the point of surgical entry in Cap's lower back.

Tony gives Cap some water.

She hangs up. Cindy disconnects the call.

He pours himself some water distastefully, as Cap plays with his pump.

Tony touches Cap gently on the head.

She acknowledges him.

He exits as the PHONE RINGS and Cindy follows Tony out.

Cap closes his eyes. He can't find a spot of stillness -- the pain boiling up again.

In a high-rise apartment above the bay, sporting a glorious view of the curve of the city against the ocean, shadows play off the balcony from the TELEVISION within -- a MUTED "End Zone Weekly" plays (NOTE: This is not Jack Rose's "Sports Corner," rather an ESPN-type national show).

He laughs and hands the phone to his attractive girlfriend VANESSA STRUTHERS on the couch next to him -- a longtime sweetheart, she is studying marketing.

INTERCUT WITH:

A98 ON TV A98

Shots of Tyler Cherubini going down... Shots of Willie stepping in.

A98 CONTINUED: A98

The infamous vomit in the huddle on national television. Willie covers his eyes. We also hear upset SCREAMING from MOM on the phone.

Willie MUTES the TV, taking the phone back from Vanessa.

She hugs him like his Mom might.

Dark walls in this high-class hangout are filled with celebrity photos, especially the Sharks and Dolphins. Caricatures of the football crowd hang over the bar where D'Amato, Nick Crozier, and Montezuma Monroe drink.

ON TV

Jack "Ripper" Rose, the local expert on the Sharks, who seems to prove that the more you know about a team, the less you really understand, interviews a guest on his local "Sports Corner."

BACK TO SCENE

Glancing away from the omnipresent television (several others dot the bar space, all tuned to sports), Tony drinks Scotch -- one of several -- his thoughts depressed and fatalistic tonight. Four losses in a row is a phenomenon that has never happened to him before.

MANDY, a young glamorous woman, sitting down the bar with a girlfriend, catches his eye.

The BARTENDER pours another Scotch, beers for the others.

Crozier clears his throat, needs to talk business.

He leaves.

As they move off:

Tony's eyes wander, against his will, back to the TV.

INTERCUT WITH:

A99 ON TV A99

Jack Rose continues to talk a mile a minute -- on camera and then in background V.O. as we return to Tony.

A99 CONTINUED: A99

Tony's eyes have shifted back to the caricature of himself on the wall, a man fatter, older, and more degenerate than he actually looks. Mandy, the young woman he noticed earlier, slides up next to him, sits, sipping a non-alcoholic blue-ice number with a straw.

He shakes hands.

A99 CONTINUED: (2) A99

A99 CONTINUED: (3) A99

Tony's taken aback. She touches his knee, goes further.

A plucky kiss on his cheek.

She slinks away, as Monroe sits, enrapt by her legs.

A99 CONTINUED: (4) A99

The letter "L" is written with a black marker next to the Americans on the season schedule (Miami is now 7-6).There are only three games left in the regular season: Chicago, California and New York. Tony cradles a cordless phone while drinking Scotch, as a COMPUTERIZED VOICE introduces Jeanette's voice on the answer machine.

He walks into his bedroom, emptying his pockets on the dresser. Pictures of the past confront him -- Jeanette, a boy and a girl; another of Tony with Cap Rooney and Art Pagniacci winning the "Pantheon Cup."

He has crossed to the toilet, where he unsuccessfully tries to urinate -- all over the place. A COMPUTERIZED VOICE suddenly cuts in to tell him:

VOICE #1 (V.O.) ... Your call has been cancelled. Please leave your full name after the tone and record again.

(NOTE: Potential one of three football practices -- a brief montage set to music, that leads us to:)

DAY

Tony drives up to a beautiful mansion on one of Miami's bays in an older, elegant car. As he talks into an audio-video monitor, the gates roll open.

ACTION - DAY

In a large cross-shadowed private office, Christina and Johnny Polito listen to Ed Phillips on the phone -- noticing Tony's drive-up on the indoor monitor... The walls reveal pictures of Christina with various high- powered individuals in the city; an MBA from Stanford; others that are competitive at tennis and golf, on safari and skiing with her husband; shots of her as a young girl with her dad. In these images of fishing, riding, hunting, perhaps one senses that Christina was raised as an only son by Art Pagniacci and forever embodies the hardness of that fate.

Hangs up.

She glances at a picture on her desk of her late father. Beneath it in the silver frame she has had engraved: "Whatever It Takes."

Christina, conflicted, watches as her housekeeper shows Tony in.

Tony looks hungover and bumps into something, as Christina crosses into the giant-sized living room.

Remote in hand, she flicks on a state-of-the-art video screen.

A102 ON TV A102

The shot of Washington fumbling in excruciating slo-mo.

A102 CONTINUED: A102

A testy edge to the dialogue, as Christina freezes the image of Julian fumbling. She shows him the sports section of USA Today -- folded to a condemnation of the team, specifically Tony. Although raised to treat Tony like an "uncle" in a large Italian-American family, the team comes first and foremost.

A102 CONTINUED: (2) A102

Now Tony's headache is getting worse.

Tony is fuming, but a part of him knows she's right.

A102 CONTINUED: (3) A102

Another silence. Ed coughs. Christina regrets the atmosphere, throws up her hands and paces.

A102 CONTINUED: (4) A102

A102 CONTINUED: (5) A102

A102 CONTINUED: (6) A102

He throws a hard look at Ed, who looks away. Tony stalks to the door.

Christina shares a look with Ed. She shakes her head: "Beer?"

MIAMI SHARKS - FIELD #1 - DAY

Miami QB Tyler Cherubini releases his throw far over the head of Sanderson. The crowd boos.

104 STANDS #1 104

Shark fans are sullen. Signs read: "D'Amato is a Dinosaur"... images of D'Amato in Thanksgiving turkey feathers, etc. The capacity, again, is at best two-thirds.

105 SIDELINE #1 105

Coach D'Amato talks quietly with Tyler Cherubini and Cap Rooney, using a cane in civilian clothing.

Willie, ignored, watches from the bench, not warming up. As Cherubini wanders off, the QB Coach fetches Willie. D'Amato's eyes now flash on him...

106 FIELD #2 106

Shark rages up and down the defensive line, faking a blitz, baiting the young Chicago QB.

The Chicago QB, made a little nervous by Shark, bobbles the ball slightly... Shark, reading the trap, finds a lane through the Chicago line for a crushing hit on the baby-bonus QB, who pops the ball loose... Miami's "Beast Man" instantly pounces on it.

Shark, congratulated by his teammates, rises hurting, and hiding it... In a brief, micro-moment:

HIS POV

reveals: BLURRING (SPX) ON teammates and stadium.

107 SIDELINE #2 107

Willie, in his oddball way, walks up to the edge of the sideline, with Tony.

Willie heads out onto the field.

108 FIELD #3 108

Willie, on a play action pass, takes off running, gesturing to his blockers, directing his flow like an experienced back... He is slammed hard after a big 32- yard gain to the Chicago 43 yard line; the crowd roars with lusty approval.

Julian Washington eyes Willie wearily as he bounces up. Is this kid going to be another runner in his backfield?

109 COACH'S BOOTH #1 109

Crozier on the headset upstairs:

110 FIELD #4 110

At the Chicago six-yard line, Willie surveys the defensive alignment.

Julian rushes forward left of Willie for the hand-off -- but Willie doesn't give him the ball -- Julian breaks for a confused micro-moment, then throws himself forward into the pile -- as Willie races right, as if to run, then loops a high, curving pass to the second wide-out in the end zone. Touchdown!

A110 SCOREBOARD #1 A110

reads CHICAGO 14, MIAMI 10. THIRD QUARTER. 02:41...

111 SIDELINE #3 111

The stadium PA SYSTEM explodes a triumphant "SHARK THEME" as Willie jogs past Tony on his way to the bench, crossing the kicking unit on their way in...

Julian passes Tony, shaking his head... Willie gulps down Gatorade as Tony comes after him.

Tony gets right in his face, indicates the game plan in his hand. There is no backing down.

As Tony stalks away, Willie's expression is one of quiet anger.

MONTAGE #1 (WILLIE BEAMEN AS QB)

MUSIC is UPBEAT, as Willie slices and dices the L.A. defense:

112 FIELD #5 112

Willie steps back and throws a precise 25-yard spiral, aimed for the pocket on Chicago's 5-yard line -- it sails perfectly to a place where Jimmy Sanderson accelerates to reach that sweet spot in time where ball and man meet -- sailing right PAST US into the end zone, the Chicago safety trailing. Touchdown!... Willie races down to the end zone for a celebration.

113 SCOREBOARD #2 113

CHICAGO 17, MIAMI 17. FOURTH QUARTER. 7:03...

Willie fires a crisp bullet of a pass to the tight end in the chancy seam of the zone.

115 HUDDLE #1 115

VOICE (V.O.) (helmet) Hustle Right Switch 60 Bravo. Hustle Right Switch 60 Bravo.

They clap and move to the ball, Washington upset.

116 SIDELINE #4 116

Tony watches the new formation, amazed.

A116 COACH'S BOOTH #2 A116

Sanderson races for the left corner -- Willie not taking his eyes off him, he pump fakes the ball to him -- but once the Chicago defense commits to his sleight of hand, Willie bootlegs it towards the right end zone. Two defensive backs reverse and run right at him. It's going to be a race to the wire.

STUNT

The DBs have him beat by a yard or so. But Willie leaps into the air at the 2-yard line to avoid the diving tacklers. Then, finding himself having to go yet higher, he flips in mid-air, taking himself over their heads, pads and all, into a somersault, landing scot-free in the end zone. TD! Amazing!

118 OWNER'S BOX #1 118

Christina can't believe what she just saw, looking at the:

A118 TV REPLAY A118

Willie's somersault is something that is going to make the highlight reel for a long time to come -- his second week in a row!

119 PRESS BOX #1 119

Jack "Ripper" Rose also senses a turn in the destiny of his team.

HIS POV

downstairs AT Willie --

BACK TO SCENE

-- inspires him to rap excitedly at his laptop, a poet in disguise describing a new major athlete... Insert (TBD).

Willie trots off the field, looking for D'Amato, about 15 or 20 yards away, with daring in eyes that say, "You want to win or not? Go fuck yourself!"... Cap, next to Tony, reads the situation, but the rest of the team, standing and milling, is simply awed by this new discovery.

121 ON TV 121

Tony watching, deeply perturbed at having his plays changed by this young, arrogant enigma. He keeps it inside.

END OF MONTAGE #1.

The stars are out tonight. Establishment Miami meets football jocks meets business supporters meets politicos, meets sex and alcohol. It's also a charity event, designed by the Sharks' P.R. Department to deliver a Children's Needy Fund some million dollars a year, most of which is being raised tonight -- with, naturally, the colorful Mayor Tyrone Smalls in attendance.

Julian Washington ROARS up to the dock in a dramatic CIGARETTE BOAT -- product logos for his sponsors all over it. Four gorgeous girls cling to him. Flashbulbs explode, the paparazzi eating this up as much as Julian.

Cap Rooney and his gorgeously-attired wife Cindy now enter, the glamour couple of the party, though Cap still struggles with a cane. The photographers descend on them, clicking.

Watching all from a discreet corner is Tony, interrupted by three FANS/BUSINESSMEN coming up to him for autographs; unsuccessfully, he tries to duck away.

A banner reading: CHILDREN'S FUND OF MIAMI. Flashbulbs and camera idolize Christina presenting a check to MAYOR TYRONE SMALLS, a boisterous Afro-American in his 60s.

Much applause.

Raucous laughter. People have long come to accept the Mayor's idiosyncracies. Smalls greets Christina's mother, a blitzed Margaret, on the podium, escorted by Ed Phillips. Also there is Andy, Christina's yawning, tired husband.

Observing this in the crowd are Willie and Vanessa, who feels herself out of place and underdressed for this affair. She excuses herself to the ladies' room... as Willie walks over to Sanderson and Julian.

Fans now envelop them, singling out Julian... Vanessa, returning from the bathroom, her makeup even worse now, can't help but notice Willie openly gazing at women of beauty, with finer clothes and jewels.

A124 EXT. MANSION - GARDENS OFF VERANDA A124

Shark sits next to Dr. Mandrake's girlfriend TRISH, a buxom 20-year-old, talking with a very rich ELDERLY COUPLE and several OTHER COUPLES, who don't notice Shark's hand finding its way beneath the table between Trish's thighs...

A124 CONTINUED: A124

Trish squirms in her chair.

Christina is trying to get the Mayor's attention, surrounded by his entourage.

Christina, put off, turns impatiently to Cap and Cindy, approaching.

They shake hands, AD LIB. As photographers snap pictures.

Cap and Cindy share a look of disappointment as they go.

Tony and Margaret Pagniacci, leaning against an upstairs railing, take in a view of the party below; Margaret commenting on the AFFA Pantheon Cup ring that Tony wears tonight, part of his formal wear.

Tony is unsure how to respond.

This catches Tony off guard.

Trish's hot, flushed face says it all. She adjusts her panties under the table, allowing better access for Shark's hand. The others listen intently to Shark.

Murmuring slightly, Trish stretches, wrapping her lips around a strawberry from her dessert plate.

Dr. Mandrake approaches the table.

He sees Trish's look. He sees Mandrake's distance. Racing the geometry!

ELDERLY MAN #2 ... Well, did you score?

Trish orgasms just in time -- sinks into the chair, muffling her sounds with a napkin.

Mandrake sits next to Trish, sensing something. Trish conceals her expression when he fondles her.

Mandrake protests. Shark has removed his hand, but notices Madman nearby, coming on strongly to one of the local society dames who impresses him with her face jobs and jewelry. His pregnant, pathetic mouse wife sits alone in a corner, wanting to cry.

He moves towards the dance floor...

Shark grabs him by the lapels and smacks him fairly hard across the face -- not discreetly. Madman registers it, then wants to kill, but when he sees Shark, he grunts docilely...

Shark looks sheepish.

Mayor Smalls embraces Willie in an extravagant bear hug, as Christina and others look on.

Willie laughs, hugs the Mayor back.

A photo op develops. Vanessa goes unintroduced -- She feels very hurt, not understanding why Willie would ignore her or is he that embarrassed by her? She wanders for the wrong solace over to Cindy and the other wives, chatting in a small group.

The once pristine bathroom has deteriorated. Guest soaps are crushed on the floor, towels in the tub. Julian and Sanderson cavort with some girls.

Drs. Powers and Mandrake walk together.

Mandrake senses Powers doesn't understand his approach.

Crozier tries to snag Christina's attention span.

She now sees the Mayor free! and goes quickly.

The WIVES hold court.

WIFE #1 Dexamethasone?

Cindy, at the top of the food chain, takes notice when Vanessa appears.

Vanessa now understands the reference to her fiance.

They all laugh.

Christina is at last alone with the slightly-inebriated Mayor.

She leaves, pissed. It looks like L.A. for sure.

The party is getting rowdy as Julian, Sanderson, Madman, Shark, and others heat up the dance floor.

Cindy turns to a NASTY WOMAN whose breast implants are as big as her hair.

Montezuma Monroe intersects Mayor Smalls; they know each other.

They share a knowing laugh.

He laughs.

The Mayor returns to the party as Monroe looks down into the gardens for Tony. MUSIC WAFTS OUT from the party.

Margaret Pagniacci's holding onto Tony's AFFA ring, alone with him; he's had a little too much to drink.

Margaret rises, handing the ring to D'Amato.

Christina wants to connect with Tony as he toys with his ring.

He walks away.

Willie and Vanessa are fighting, tension in the air. The TV is ON to the Jack Rose's "Sports Center" as Willie tries to analyze his playbook, an icebag wrapped tight around his right shoulder.

INSERT - PLAYBOOK

Shows the complexity of the system, the number of plays, the mumbo-jumbo, which would be tough enough for any student of the game to learn -- but for Willie, who is unschooled, it comes hard; his frustration mounting, as is Vanessa's.

BACK TO SCENE

Willie changes the subject, indicating the playbook.

A138 ON TV A138

Meanwhile, the deranged Jack Rose is going on and on to his guest.

Willie stands, slams the playbook shut, stalks to his bedroom. She tries to grab him and they struggle.

Willie looks at her, disgusted.

She slams the door violently on her way out... Willie is really upset.

D'Amato wanders back from the first-class section through the aircraft. Some nap, others mingle in a subdued atmosphere. He spots Willie sitting near the back of the players' section by himself, wearing his headphones.He approaches, waits.

Willie finally sees him, or pretends to, takes his headset off, clears his CDs from the empty seat.

He waits on Tony, who goes the extra yard.

Willie nods, mumbling something incoherent.

140 IN FRONT SECTION 140

D'Amato rejoins Dr. Mandrake, reading his Wall Street Journal.

Tony, in his game suit, has breakfast with his son, TOM, a bland mid-level executive in his late 20s, with a Christian fish on his lapel.

Tony looks at him, wondering what he's wrought. They hush as the WAITRESS brings coffee and danish.

She leaves.

Game 3. Miami Sharks at California Crusaders.

FIELD #1

The Crusaders' wide receiver runs deep against the Miami DB, nearly catching a 50-yard pass at the Miami 5-yard line... A yellow penalty flag flies through the air.

A142 SCOREBOARD #1 A142

MIAMI 7, CALIFORNIA 14. SECOND QUARTER. 4:49...

143 SIDELINE #1 143

Tony is livid at REFEREE #1, not noticing Shark.

REFEREE #2 trots by Tony, who jogs alongside, to get his attention.

REFEREE #2 Get back in the coaching box...

Tony shares his frustration with Cap Rooney, in street clothes for the game, and Crozier upstairs; Cherubini is relaying the signals to Willie on the field.

144 FIELD #2 144

Shark lies on the field, moaning. Mandrake, Powers and Trainer #1 test his joints.

Powers and the Trainers help drag Shark to his feet.

145 SIDELINE #2 145

The crowd cheers for Shark, coming off, as...

He leaves Monroe a study in total, betrayed frustration...

146 HUDDLE #1 146

Willie feels loose.

They break. Sanderson hangs back a beat.

As they move to the line of scrimmage, Madman is lost.

McKENNA You got the nose guard.

147 SIDELINE #3 147

Montezuma Monroe is rampaging up and down before his unit, pissed beyond words.

A cry of grief from the crowd stops him. Monroe spins to the field to see a mad brawl of players for a Shark fumble -- a Crusaders player comes up with the ball!

And worse! At the line of scrimmage, Leslie McKenna, the right guard, is down.

148 SIDELINE #4 148

As REFEREE #3 signals the California first down to a joyous echo from the home crowd, Tony is screaming at Referee #3 who jogs over to him.

REFEREE #3 (wearily) What is it with you, Coach?!

REFEREE #3 To be honest, Tony -- I didn't really see it.

Referee #3 shakes his head and runs back to the field as Mandrake hurries over to Tony.

Tony hurries towards Leslie McKenna in great pain -- being helped off the field by Dr. Powers and trainer #2.

149 SIDELINE #5 149

Julian and Willie are going at it hotly.

Tony approaches, dominates.

He notices a film crew in his face, recording all of this; this brings him to the very edge.

Security quickly closes down the lens.

150 SIDELINE #6 150

The Crusaders sweep towards the Miami sideline, its big offensive line leading. This time the Miami defense penetrates them and gang-tackles the running back.

He turns away, eyeing the scoreboard, as his offense runs out.

A150 SCOREBOARD #2 A150

CALIFORNIA 21, MIAMI 10. THIRD QUARTER 8:57...

151 HUDDLE #2 151

Willie suddenly breaks from it and pukes quietly, into the turf, clears his throat.

Willie walks back to the huddle, to his teammates.

FIELD #3

They break and move to the ball. Willie scans the defense, loose, enjoying himself.

Willie checks off his receivers as they speed downfield, pumps once; the offensive line protecting him strongly.

Two L.A. corners blanket Sanderson -- but Julian is open, waiting in the flat.

Willie ignores him, his eyes downfield -- a Crusaders' lineman is almost on him when Madman slams him aside at the last moment... Willie takes the shot -- it's a dead perfect pass, threading the microscopic gap between two Crusaders' defenders. Sanderson spins in midair so that the nose of the ball crosses the goal line just as he is slammed backwards by the backs -- too late -- the Ref's arms shoot up -- touchdown!

Willie races down the field and grabs Sanderson, both of them breaking into a funky dance.

A152 FIELD #4 A152

Upfield, Julian, not very happy, heads for the sideline.

153 SIDELINE #7 153

As Willie comes off, Tony hugs him in a familiar, paternal way, which surprises Willie. Cap Rooney witnesses.

155 FIELD #5 155

Willie runs an option pass for 26 yards, and when he is pounded into the turf, jumps right up and taunts the defense.

Which makes them want to kill him -- but Madman and several others step in to separate Willie.

FIELD #6

Willie, pursued by linemen and almost off balance, throws an incredible long bomb, hitting his third receiver; the ball travels almost 60 yards in the air. The receiver runs it in for a touchdown!

152 GUEST OWNER'S BOX #1 152

Christina, with local friends, studies her new phenomenon.

SCOREBOARD #3

MIAMI 24, CALIFORNIA 21.

- 6 PM

The Shark locker room seems too small to contain the combustible energy of these larger-than-life men. Sanderson and other "Dawgs" rally to the BOOM BOX. Perhaps Willie joins in briefly...

Coach D'Amato circulates, congratulations all around... Cap doesn't have much to do, hanging. In the b.g., the doctors and trainers are busy.

Madman opens a locker which is a shrine to the band Metallica. Madman puts one of their CDs on a portable player.

As the MUSIC of "SO WHAT" CRANKS, others protest loudly (AD LIB). Madman ignores them all, banging out the rhythm on his locker.

Elsewhere, Smitty, the Christian, walks up to Willie.

Smitty moves off...

157 JULIAN WASHINGTON 157

is throwing on his $3,000 suit, busy on his cell, while Willie watches nearby.

Willie catches Julian before he exits.

158 TRAINING AREA #1 158

Dr. Mandrake stitches Sanderson's cut chin, pulling out a tray of bandages:

159 LOCKER ROOM #2 159

The mood in the locker room shifts quickly as Christina Pagniacci enters, escorted by two security guards in suits with earphones -- along with her VPs. In a good mood, she passes most of the no-name players, signalling or calling out to some of her stars (AD LIB)... Cap notices her not "seeing" him; Joe Polito makes up for it, coming over to him, as she approaches Willie.

Others look on at the two of them.

Willie, in his jockstrap, is coming on to Christina in a cheeky, street way, showing off his muscles. Christina, accustomed to locker rooms and not seeing her players in any way as competitive with her husband, ignores the fact he doesn't add one stitch of clothing to his jock. Willie senses this gulf and will come to resent it as another synecdoche for the owner/player class structure.

She exits. Her eyes catching Tony, on the fly, through a cubicle window -- huddled with Rooney, Crozier, and Julian in the cramped visiting coach's office.

160 COACH'S OFFICE #1 160

Tony's thinking about it.

161 SHOWERS #1 161

Players dance to a BOOMBOX PLAYING in the shower... Madman tries to join in but looks ridiculous and they trash him cruelly. Willie showers next to Shark, who, unseen, seems to lose his balance, grabs onto a shower head...

Madman now retaliates, throwing a baby ALLIGATOR into the shower, the tiny reptile terrifying most of these behemoths with its HISSING jaws.

162 LOCKER ROOM #4 162

Cap Rooney catches Willie's eye as the latter throws on some frayed jeans, a beeper and cell phone hooked to his belt. Adjusting his shades and headphones, he's about to leave when:

Willie rolls on out -- barely avoiding the press -- who gather around Shark. Shark, in his underwear, puts his sunglasses on, bothered by the camera lights.

Which cracks up the reporters.

163 TRAINER'S OFFICE #1 163

Cameras mounted, the room lit, Jack Rose has the first go at Tony, a tiny tape recorder in his palm.

They laugh.

It's like a routine between them -- on the edge of danger.

The reporters are somewhat stunned by Tony's erratic behavior.

Dr. Mandrake is exiting quickly, but Dr. Powers manages to catch up to him.

Mandrake stops.

Mandrake, agitated, resumes walking. Powers follows.

Madman now walks out, wearing an upside-down jockstrap around his forehead. The waiting fans and miscellaneous REPORTERS love it, snapping pictures... Willie, following, is surrounded and held back by a mob of fans and shouted questions, requests, photographs (AD LIBS). He tries to accommodate, but is overwhelmed.

TUNNEL REPORTER #1 Willie!... You got 100 yards rushing today, how 'bout that?

They're laughing.

TUNNEL REPORTER #2 Hey, Willie! What's it feel like one day to be nobody, next day the whole world knows you?

The question gives Willie pause. He fields it gracefully.

He has a natural charm and the press seems to like him for now... Other players walk by, ignored -- Shark among them, with Monroe, spotting Willie.

Set to a RAP SONG, "I'm Willie Beamen."

E166 EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY E166

The Met-Rx image tied to Willie appears on the side of a Miami bus as Willie exits a beautiful hotel, two babes in tow, and enters his shiny new yellow Suburban, accompanied by a new agent, Wayne Mercer. Pointing to the moving bus:

E166 CONTINUED: E166

They can't help laughing at the hugeness of it all.

A166 MONTAGE #2 - EXT. SOUTH BEACH - CONTINUOUS ACTION - DAY A166

As the SONG CONTINUES, our players fool around at a touch football game against a group of sexy beach girls. Goofing off, Willie -- the cynosure of many eyes -- suddenly pulls up, grimacing, his throwing shoulder cramping on him. He conceals the pain and continues on.

B166 MONTAGE #2 - INT. MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUOUS ACTION- B166 DAY

The flash and THROB of MEDICAL MACHINERY as Dr. Mandrake supervises Shark undergoing his MRI...

D166 MONTAGE - INT. CAP ROONEY'S HOUSE - GYM - CONTINUOUS D166 ACTION - NIGHT

In his state-of-the-art home gym, a sweating Cap Rooney is going through an intense workout -- fly-motions and windmills on a Swiss ball. A supervising, sleepy trainer in a sexy nightgown.

Cap ignores her.

D166 CONTINUED: D166

Cap comes off the ball, checks his body fat and heart rate on an intricate sports computer showing him at 7.5 percent body fat.

Cap looks at her hard, his look saying: He's closer than you think.

C166 MONTAGE #2 - INT. MIAMI PRACTICE CENTER - GYM - C166 CONTINUOUS ACTION - NIGHT

Willie works out with a crew of powerful teammates...

Later, he is still there, alone. His eyes burn into the wall-size mirrors with compulsive determination.

ACTION - DAY

Willie now shoots a "Met-Rx" commercial. He's in a bathing suit, body beautifully chiseled as girls by the dozen surround him... singing his own rap song.

As the SONG and MONTAGE #2 END AT...

Coach D'Amato and the QB Coach watch Willie and Rooney throwing side-by-side. Cap is still feeling pain in his lower back and legs; his passes are off, and he realizes it; whereas Willie's passes are on the money, sometimes too much so. One bullet pass bounces out of Sanderson's gut, burning his fingers, cursing.

Tony shakes his head as Willie this time completes a hard, precise spiral to his tight end.

Rooney, pissed, moves to the sidelines, Tony, sensing his unrest, follows... as Christina, keeping an eye on her new star, arrives with Willie's agent in tow...

Cap walks away, crossing Willie on his way off the field. He slaps the back of his helmet hard.

Mandrake walks alongside Christina, through an empty locker room.

Mandrake, thinking she would be pleased, shakes his head, realizes what she's really thinking.

A168 EXAM ROOM #1 A168

If she thinks so, Christina stays cool-eyed about it. They enter a small exam room.

A168 CONTINUED: A168

Tony's in his kitchen when the DOORBELL RINGS, laboring over a pot of jambalaya, wearing an apron reading:"Kiss My Chef." A BILLIE HOLIDAY RECORDING PLAYS. He goes.

AT FRONT DOOR

Willie waits, carrying flowers.

He thrusts the flowers forward. Tony looks at them, a little taken aback; then takes them and shows Willie into the living room.

Tony goes to the kitchen, looking at the flowers.Willie now gets it.

Tony brings beers to Willie, glancing at Ben Hur on television; the irony slave ships and gladiators is not lost on Willie.

Tony leads Willie into a dining room, Willie glancing around, noting many football photos that grace the walls.

172 DINING ROOM 172

Tony and Willie eat from two steaming plates of jambalaya.

Willie sees where this is going.

Tony looks at Willie with a singular, quiet intensity.

Willie says nothing.

Tony takes a long moment.

Tony fights to control himself. Outside, the evening crawls through the twilight.

A long pause. Tony's eyes, moving past ego, scrambling to understand.

He leaves Tony -- drained.

Valet parkers attend to the numerous expensive cars and limos that pull into a circular driveway, unloading beautiful laughing women and exuberant football players...

Willie drives his Suburban right up onto the front lawn, enraging the valets.

Willie is met with a ferocious explosion of MUSIC and mayhem; players dance and drink and pursue the opposite sex through the house... Shark bounces up to him:

In a lively mood, Shark stumbles off. Willie makes his way through a packed living room... women immediately perk when they see him, whispering, some predatory...

A174 INT. SHARK'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS BALCONY - CONTINUOUS A174 ACTION

Willie gravitates to Washington, Sanderson, a few others: The dialogue is fast, overlapping.

A174 CONTINUED: A174

Willie walks off -- his thoughts contradicting what he said at Tony's place; a troubled man, his confusion brewing to the surface. Julian, on the other hand, is a furious man, restrained by Sanderson and the others.

A174 CONTINUED: (2) A174

In the hot tub, players are cavorting with the women, and Shark is telling stories, as Powers listens in.

Dr. Powers, disturbed, leaves without being noticed.

A175 INT. SHARK'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - SAME TIME A175

A dozen beauties are lined up at the giant mirror, making themselves up, "doing blow," chatting, gossiping...

B175 EXT. SHARK'S HOUSE - BACK YARD B175

Julian, still angry, slides up to Shark.

Shark thinks a beat, then:

& &

RAY FIELDS, former star linebacker, now using a set of canes, approaches, Crozier, talking to Willie. Fields' wizened face and eyes are a little too desperate for attention.

Willie notices the dominant Pantheon Cup ring on Fields' hand.

Fields emits a strange, oxen-like laughter -- they split looks, Willie horrified; Fields knows it, refers to his emaciated fingers.

His eyes burning like candles, Ray shifts his intense, almost blind gaze off Willie, and staggers back into the chaos of MUSIC and flesh on his canes.

Moved, Willie's eyes remain on Fields, talking to someone else; he's also rethinking Crozier's attitude towards the players.

Washington strolls up to him.

Smiling, he strolls back out the front door. A beat. Willie follows fast.

A LOUD, GRINDING, BUZZING sound. Partygoers are assembled.

Shark bestrides Willie's Suburban with an enormous CHAIN SAW in his hands, literally SAWING the VEHICLE in two halves. Sparks shoot out, upholstery, plastic, and metal fly... Willie can't believe, then rushes Shark, wanting to kill him! (AD LIBS)... but others jump him; it takes several strong players to restrain him.

The car now tears open at a jagged angle. Shark TURNS OFF the CHAIN SAW, removes his safety goggles... to Willie:

Tony sits with Monroe at his favored sports bar. Monroe is drunk.

Mandy, the young beautiful woman who approached Tony previously, enters with a friend. Tony notices, as does Monty.

A180 ON TV #1 A180

Willie's commercial explodes over the bar, with LOUD MUSIC -- stylish, slick, sexy.

180 BACK TO SCENE 180

They watch for a moment, then Monroe drains his beer.

He goes. Tony sits for a moment, and then glances at Mandy.

Tony gazes at one of three wall TV's; Mandy on an exercise bike in the corner, semi-naked in his pajamas.

She attacks him, tickling him all over. Like a boy, Tony giggles; it's been a long time since he'd been tickled.

INTERCUT WITH:

A181 ON TV A181

Willie, wearing gold chains and a new diamond stud earring, is being interviewed by Jack Rose on "Sports Corner."

A181 CONTINUED: A181

181 BACK TO SCENE 181

Tony, made happy by Mandy, gets out of bed, puts a robe on with his name emblazoned, like a fighter's, on the back, about to turn off the TV.

Tony looks at Willie, wondering. Being with someone as young as Mandy permits him to understand. He pulls a blank check from his robe.

He goes as she continues to dress, watching.

He tries to high five Willie, who doesn't respond... Meanwhile, Tony crosses back with the coffee.

184 TONY'S BATHROOM #1 184

Mandy is on a cell phone to her service (AD LIB), brushing her hair, closing the phone as Tony enters.

Writing...

A beat. She gives him her business number in lipstick.

Tony lingers for a moment, then sets his coffee down and leaves. Mandy watches after him in the mirror.

TONY'S BEDROOM #2

Tony crosses OUT past:

ON TV

INTERCUT WITH:

Sanderson talks on a cell phone, feeding the numerous sharks in J-Man's specially-designed pools, as he heads inside, accompanied by a frightened beauty... At the party, there are no men -- only some 20 beautiful women, most in lingerie, dancing and making out among themselves.

A182 INT. JULIAN'S BEDROOM - FOLLOWING A182

Upstairs, at the controls is Julian, propped on his bed, with several more girls, watching Willie on TV coolly.

INTERCUT WITH:

ON TV

Madman, on his cell phone, is heated as he watches the TV, amid an atmosphere of CRYING BABIES, BARKING PIT BULLS, and a pregnant, miserable wife.

(Game 4. New York Emperors at Miami Sharks.)

FIELD #1

Willie goes smashing into the mud, taking the hit on his throwing shoulder. A painful sack, he drags himself up... Dazed, Willie goes after the linebacker who nailed him... The 49er players sprint over to protect their teammate, but the Shark team does nothing to help their QB.

On the way to the huddle, over the DRIVING sound of RAIN.

Madman goes for him, Sanderson and the others holding him back.

A187 SCOREBOARD #1 A187

EMPERORS 25, SHARKS 7. FOURTH QUARTER. 5:13...

190 SIDELINE #1 190

Coach D'Amato glares at the field, the rain pouring over his face.

189 FIELD #2 189

As the Emperor offense sets up, Shark urgently calls for a defensive realignment -- Miami players hustle for new positions -- the veteran Emperor QB sees this and quickly barks out an audible --

A quick handoff -- the Emperor running back shoots through a hole in the confused Miami defense -- Shark tries to make the diving tackle but his knee gives and he goes facedown in the mud, as the running back splashes right past him for 25 yards. Touchdown!

The running back turns back to the downed Shark and his D, and points his fingers like a gun -- Bang! Bang! Bang! The trainer and doctors run out to Shark, grabbing his knee in fierce pain.

A190 SCOREBOARD #2 A190

EMPERORS 32, SHARKS 7. FOURTH QUARTER. 1:33...

191 HUDDLE #1 191

Willie, reading a signal from Cherubini on the sideline, takes the team on with a dead stare.

192 FIELD #3 192

Willie splashes back through the mud to pass -- an Emperor defensive end slips through full speed -- Willie is blindsided, his helmet goes flying off, he crashes to the turf, his face slammed once more into the mud.

193 SIDELINE #2 193

D'Amato is wholly demoralized, can't look... Neither can Cap Rooney, now in uniform, recognizing something he'd rather not. Or something he'd perhaps forgotten -- the sheer, frightening violence and impossibility of the QB position.

Tony looks at him, frustrated.

194 OWNER'S BOX #2 194

The visiting Mayor Smalls shares his feelings with Christina.

195 FIELD #4 195

Blood seeps down Willie's face from a scalp contusion as he pulls himself slowly to his feet.

The locker room is silent and depressed as players undress and shower.

BATHROOM/SHOWER #1

Willie, dazed and steaming with anger, crosses Shark.

Willie ignores him, but not Julian on his other side, when:

Willie explodes, takes a wild swing at the big man. They struggle. They slip... players pull them apart, Willie bleeding.

Tony storms into the shower with Monroe, sizes up the situation.

Players freeze. Showers continue to run.

He stalks out.

Unnaturally bright lights are on Willie and Cap Rooney in pads, side-by-side. They wear TV smiles, surrounded by a gang of children in Shark jerseys. Willie's cheek is stitched.

They smile. And smile. Finally:

VOICE (O.S.) That's a wrap, thanks, guys.

Rooney and Willie split in different directions... we PULL BACK to reveal a small TV crew shooting a public service commercial. Christina talks with the Sharks' PR director and a TV producer.

Julian Washington watches the shoot from the bleachers, brooding, upstaged by Beamen.

The children from the commercial follow Willie for autographs. Willie's agent notes this to Christina as they leave.

Rooney crosses to Cindy.

Walks away.

In the bleachers with the rest of the media, Jack Rose observes with his two-man TV crew.

Julian studies the kids, who seem to adore Willie.An OLDER KID, 11 years old, intersects.

KID #1 Hey, J-man! Is it true you making 10 million a year? (as J-man smiles, nods) ... That true then 'bout you not blocking no more? It's part of your contract? That's what my Dad says. He says you don't have to catch no passes over the middle either 'cause you don't want to get hurt? It's also in your contract... Right, J?

ACTION - DAY

Tony sits with Dr. Powers, Monroe and Shark Lavay -- his MRI's spread on Tony's desk, the mood glum.

Shark looks from Monty to Tony, who is conflicted, holding his feelings close.

Tony doesn't deny it, silent.

Monroe shakes his head, disappointed. As he goes out with Shark:

He pulls out an envelope with X-rays.

DAY

Mandrake's on a cell phone on the sidelines with his new girl friend COURTNEY, when Tony walks up on him, furious, followed by Powers. Christina has long left the practice field.

Tony pulls him out of ear-shot.

This explosion draws looks from the team. Jack Rose tries to move closer to hear, but is blocked by Monroe.

Mandrake glares at Powers.

Mandrake is genuinely sad to leave; he looks at Tony, not without affection.

Dr. Harvey Mandrake smoothes out his expensive jacket and walks away with some dignity, leaving Courtney behind.

Tony heads back to his office, unfortunately intersecting Jack Rose with his crew, and several other reporters.

He shoves Rose out of his way and storms past. Rose slips into the dugout, smacking his head on the bench. Tony doesn't turn around, but everyone else tenses, expecting trouble.

201 HUDDLE #2 201

Cap Rooney claps his hands, breaking the spell. Madman and Sanderson have been watching this, worried and confused, their doctor suddenly exiled from their lives.

A201 PRACTICE FIELD #4 (3 OF 3) A201

They move to the ball. The team is running light contact scrimmages, Crozier supervising on the sideline... Rooney scans the defense.

The snap -- the red-shirted D comes with a blitz.Rooney paralyzes, showing a moment of pure terror in his eyes as "Beast Man," the DB, pulls up short; the WHISTLE SHRIEKS.

But Rooney's grinning eyes speak of a sea change churning in him.

Willie makes his way through layers of steam. There is only one other player in the bath -- Shark Lavay.Willie considers leaving but sits... Shark gazes dispassionately at Willie, who won't look at him.

Shark knows it's ending for him.

Willie listens, lets it sink in.

Cap Rooney cooks hot dogs on the outdoor barbecue of his massive suburban home. The lawn is far removed, as most of the outdoor activity takes place on concrete. The three Rooney kids (two boys, one girl) are tricycling, screaming, running through doll houses -- as a busy Cindy Rooney surveys it from an upstairs balcony on the cell phone.

The kids mumble chaotically, as Rooney serves early dinners on some strange space-age plastic table.

Cindy acknowledges.

Tony and Cap walk around the edges of a man-made lake facing the house. During the dialogue, they approach a veranda area.

Tony picks up on a vulnerability in the air.

Cap doesn't respond or look at him. He sits on a swing. Tony is stunned as the realization hits him.

Rooney swinging back and forth, proceeds with great difficulty:

Tony's disgusted and moved at the same time; relents and puts a comforting hand on Cap's shoulder; his quarterback's breaking down right in front of his eyes -- he's never seen him like this. But Tony, ever the coach of men, won't allow Cap -- or himself -- to quit.

Cap dries his eyes, looks at Tony hard.

Ridden with doubt, Tony hugs his boy, tightly.

In their screening room, alone:

She suddenly slaps him across the face.

Four sexy women in short killer skirts sway like vampires into the next club... Miami. A world outside American culture.

Willie entertains his agent, Mercer, at an outdoor club overlooking the beach. Two beautiful models accompany them. Attractive people stroll by. Various ETHNIC MUSIC PLAYS, a warm, highly-artificial setting that Willie senses, as he listens absently to the dialogue at the table, a vocabulary reduced to words of expansion, contracts, and greed. On the table are covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN sports featuring Willie.

MODEL #1 (to Wayne) Honey, let's go dancing... I'm bored.

Willie muses at the passing parade.

MODEL #2 Baby, that arm's gonna last you forever.

Willie suddenly spots his old girl friend, Vanessa, moving towards the ladies' room. He jumps up, follows.

Vanessa looks over Willie's shoulder. He realizes, follows her glance to a well-dressed, middle-aged African-American businessman waiting at a table.

She goes, sadly. After a brief moment of indecision, Willie follows.

Vanessa sort of expects Willie to follow.

At the mirror, an older woman, with a bushel of white hair, looks disapprovingly at Willie.

Despite herself, Vanessa laughs. "Barbara Bush" exits in a huff.

She laughs to herself when he's gone, delighted.

Tony's desk is covered with play diagrams. He's drawing new routes, as an old JAZZ RECORDING plays softly on the CD PLAYER... Crozier enters with a pile of computer printouts.

Tony doesn't answer, fingers Crozier's printouts.

Unexpectedly, HEELS CLICK down the corridor, and Christina suddenly walks in, furious -- throws USA Today Sports across the desk.

These words cut Tony hard. He puts on his game face.

Crozier stands, a glance to Christina. They go. Tony is alone.

A207 EXT. PAGNIACCI MANSION - NEXT DAY A207

Christina walks along the tennis court and enters the house through the back door, bypassing the housekeeper.

B207 INT. PAGNIACCI MANSION - FATHER'S OLD OFFICE - DAY B207

Christina sits at her father's desk, living in the past. We FLOAT PAST a large portrait of her father TO the living room, where we overhear the VOICES of Tony and Margaret.

Tony consults with Margaret. The thick velvet drapes are always drawn tight here -- banishing the blazing Florida sun and permanently shrouding Margaret's elegant parlor in shadows... Today she burns with an oracular power.

Her intensity is unnerving.

Tony looks away, betrayed, hurt.

SIMULTANEOUS ACTION

Christine cries quietly, also devastated by her mother's revelation of her character.

A SONG plays through the house, ghost-like. Tony drinks whiskey, pausing, as he goes through his personal mementoes in his chest of drawers, the TV turned to:

INTERCUT WITH:

TV

On "Sportscorner," Jack Rose, sporting a dramatic bandage across his head, similar to a Revolutionary War icon, talks to Sanderson.

The station runs the famous "shot" again, the ending blurry with Tony "pushing" Rose into the dugout.

Tony roars at the TV.

He picks out Mandy's lipsticked telephone number on a piece of paper and, after a pause, tears it up.

Rose continues to rattle on in the b.g., but Tony ignores the babble of our time, removing from the drawer a small wooden box and a framed picture of a younger Tony with Jeanette, Timmy, and Melinda.

He sets the box aside and picks up the picture. It is clear now that he is crying. He looks at it for a long and difficult moment, then sets the picture down and opens the box -- in it are two glimmering Pantheon Cup rings.

The MUSIC THEME moves over a deserted field -- the night TURNING to dawn.

IMAGES slowly move. Ghosts. Men who once played the game, heroic and shimmering, a thing of glory... We don't know who these ghosts are, but we sense what they represent. Some in old leather helmets, the '30s, '40s, '50s, each era unfolds its changes... le plus ca change, le plus ca reste le meme... the diving catches, the magnificent tackles and blocks, the astounding runs and passes become really the same through time -- accompanied now by the GROWING ROAR of the FANS...

The MUSIC reaches a CRESCENDO with the dawn breaking, and the ghosts fade, and the stadium enters time present...

Game 5. Playoff. Miami at Dallas.

STADIUM #1

The Dallas Knights stadium, with its artificial, exaggerated green Astroturf, is spectacular. The fans are stomping in anticipation.

INGO McNAUGHTON (V.O.) (Dallas anchor) ... Controversy swirls around the six point Shark underdogs. Willie 'Steamin' Beamen, the sensational third-string miracle-mile quarterback who's held the sinking Sharks together these last four weeks, is not starting and is said to be feuding with his beleaguered Coach, Tony D'Amato -- who is being investigated by the League for having 'hit' local reporter Jack Rose at practice earlier this week... Meanwhile, immortal but vulnerable Cap Rooney -- only six weeks off a microdiskectomy on his lower back -- is definitely starting for the Sharks against the toughest pass-rush in the league. Watch for the sparks that are gonna fly! We'll be right back!

SAME TIME

Coach D'Amato stands at a podium in front of the large press corps. Jack "Ripper" Rose accepts his apology with a smug smile and a nicely-dressed bandage on his forehead.

He leaves the podium, eyes down... Christina and the tall, dignified AFFA COMMISSIONER, PHIL JOHNSON, are not exactly pleased with the apology.

Everything we see suggests uncertainty, doubt, and tension... Willie reads X-men... Cap Rooney is stretched out, towel over his head, asleep...

215 MONTAGE #3 (MADMAN'S PREPARATION) 215

A brief MONTAGE of JUMP CUTS shows Madman's tape preparation: Ankles, knees, shoulders, jock and shorts, wrists and fingers, shoes and socks -- are heavily taped by trainer #3. In his final stage, Madman is the complete zombie warrior...

Another player (OTIS), finishes praying, crosses himself, turns to Madman.

214 BATHROOM #1 214

In the mirror, Sanderson is a wreck, eyes closed, whispering to himself.

LOCKER ROOM #2

Trainer #1 wakes up Cap Rooney from his slumber. He rises, stoic.

216 TRAINERS' ROOM #1 216

The door is closed. As the huge CROWD upstairs makes its presence known, STOMPING and ROARING, the ECHOES surging through the tunnels and pipes of the inner stadium, Dr. Powers, in temporary charge, inserts a large 18-gauge needle of cortisone directly into the swollen, scarred knee of Shark, who winces in great pain. Powers drains a straw-colored liquid into a Dixie cup.

Powers now shines a beam of light into Shark's eyes, moving his finger back and forth in front of his eyes.

Powers retracts the needle.

A moment passes between them, then Powers relents, goes to get a fresh syringe. Ironically, he begins perhaps to understand Mandrake's dilemma as both a doctor and a human being.

218 LOCKER ROOM #3 218

Trainer #1 harnesses Cap Rooney into a flak jacket, as creaky as El Cid in his armor, stuffed and mounted for the last battle.

SAME SCENE - LATER

Coach D'Amato stands before the team, humbled, hiding nothing.

This team has never heard their Coach take it to such a personal level.

Willie listening to these words, with new meaning.

Silence... The team, as if one mind, emits a roar of approval. The players hug and slap each other on the back. It is a joyous moment of sudden unification and affection, a savage release of tension.

Julian jumps up onto a table, grabbing their attention.

The team falls quiet again.

He grabs a smiling Willie into his bear-like hug and swings him around. This is another moment of significance. The team goes wild to see these two finally connecting... And now Monroe feels he must leap on the bench to speak his piece:

The team runs roaring from the locker room. When most of the team has exited, Monty climbs down from the bench.

219 MEDIA BOOTH #1 219

Tug Kolowski and Ingo McNaughton are on the air.

The opening kickoff as McNaughton calls it.

The Dallas runner (Scanlon) races through Shark defenders and into the end zone. Dallas fans leap to their feet -- an enormous, pounding celebration, the sound heightened by the ECHOEY nature of the stadium.

221 LUXURY BOX #1 221

Christina, Ed Phillips, Joe Polito and others watch, their hopes suddenly dashed.

222 SIDELINE #1 222

Coach D'Amato claps his hands and walks down the sideline, talking to his troops, coming to a stop at Cap Rooney -- Willie close by.

Rooney strides onto the field.

223 STANDS #1 223

The Miami section unleashes a great stomp of recognition and adoration. Huge booing from the Dallas side...

224 SIDELINE #2 224

The Shark mascot dances. Cap Rooney is back! Two Pantheon Cup rings, anything can happen in the memory. Anything!! Willie applauds as well, looking over to see:

& &

A226 STANDS #2 A226

His mom -- with an older lady friend and a younger sister at the 50-yard line. She waves to him, in her Sunday best, proud of him.

227 STANDS #3 227

Cindy Rooney -- with a retinue of loyal wives -- clamor for Cap.

228 HUDDLE #1 228

FIELD #2

The ball is snapped... and we go into a SERIES OF CUTS of Cap Rooney's return -- four plays, all quick, on-the- money passes, inside and out, Cap in control, moving the team like a whipmaster.

231 FIELD #3 231

On the fourth play, Cap finds the second wide out (Owens) for a TD!

232 STANDS #4 232

A Dallas fan decks an overenthusiastic Miamian...

233 FIELD #4 233

Shark sacks the Dallas QB -- jumpoing up and doing his "sack dance."

234 FIELD #5 234

But Dallas stays right in the game. A short, broken- field run, 22 yards for a touchdown. (Ingo AD LIBS.) Each man obviously rooting against the other.

235 FIELD #6 235

Answered by a Miami 32-yard field goal...

INTERCUT WITH:

236 SIDELINE #3 236

Willie listens and watches closely as D'Amato confers with Rooney, studying Cap's style on the field. He -- not Cherubini -- is calling in the plays, which puts him in the heart of the conflict.

A236 SCOREBOARD #1 A236

MIAMI 10, DALLAS 14. FIRST QUARTER 2:48...

237 FIELD #7 237

Sharks are poised to score on the Dallas 11...

Cap fades back -- a Dallas defender breaks through the line -- Cap scrambles out of the pocket -- no one can get open -- he tucks the ball and decisively charges the goal line.

The "old man" will not be denied in a race to the goal line. A Dallas defender zeroes in on him. Rather than slide, Rooney hurls himself into the air, inspired possibly by the younger Willie and collides head-first with a Dallas defender -- a thunderclap of sound.

The ball, tight in Rooney's grasp, is planted firmly beyond the goal line -- touchdown!

A237 SIDELINE #4 A237

The Sharks taste the old glory!

238 FIELD #8 238

Rooney pulls himself slowly to his feet, accepting the congratulations of his teammates, inwardly numb, outwardly ecstatic.

INTERCUT WITH:

239 SIDELINE #5 239

D'Amato watches Rooney intently, sensing the worst, but basking in the glory of it -- the aging charioteer pauses in the end zone, opens his breast to the roar of the crowd. His moment in time.

A239 SCOREBOARD #2 A239

MIAMI 17, DALLAS 14. SECOND QUARTER. 11:12...

240 HUDDLE #2 240

Rooney's significant pain carries over. His teammates keep a respectful silence, but he sweats and breathes with difficulty.

As they break:

241 FIELD #9 241

Cap fades back, a fake screen to Julian which deceives Dallas, then he flings it far downfield -- headed for Sandman...

Rooney thinks it's a lock... But the pass, 45 yards in the air, is overthrown by inches! -- Sanderson, perhaps a half step late on his own, stretches but cannot grasp it -- missing by an inch -- the ball implodes, incomplete, as the Miami fans moan and the Dallas fans roar.

As Cap walks to the sideline, crossing his punting unit, an eerie feeling invades a mind already fragile in confidence.

A241 SCOREBOARD #3 A241

MIAMI 17, DALLAS 14. SECOND QUARTER. 03:57...

242 FIELD #10 242

Rooney scans the defense, sees the signs for a full blitz. Under the center, his hands shake.

The full blitz at the Miami 35 -- two Dallas speedsters come from either side -- Rooney fakes a handoff to Julian and turns upfield -- but both Dallas defenders slam into him, a devastating double hit -- his body crumples into the grass.

The ball sails from his hands -- a Dallas lineman snatching it up on the bounce and sprinting to the Miami

243 STANDS #5 243

The crowd, which a few short minutes ago loved this man, has turned surly and unsure. Time is swift.

244 STANDS #6 244

Cindy Rooney knows it's over.

245 LUXURY BOX #2 245

So does Christina.

ON TV: The score reads Miami 17, Dallas 21.

A246 STORAGE ROOM #1 A246

In a dark and solitary storeroom, Sanderson is shaking and sweating, pathetically pleading to Dr. Powers:

A246 CONTINUED: A246

247 TRAINING AREA #2 247

Trainers #1 and #2 work on Cap Rooney, re-taping his bruised ribs and back, as Tony crosses in.

Rooney looks at him. His face tells the story.

248 LOCKER ROOM #4 248

Tony moves around the locker room, studying his team.He locks eyes with Willie, who comes over. They speak quietly.

Christina -- surprising everyone -- enters the locker room, moving quickly past the players. With Ed Phillips and Joe Polito backing her, she seeks out Tony.

Tony sweeps Christina by the elbow, into the small visiting coach's locker room.

A248 COACH'S LOCKER ROOM #1 A248

Outside, the players listen silently.

He throws a chair. Willie enters tentatively...

A pause. They all share looks.

Christina exits, her dignity intact.

A248 CONTINUED: A248

She crosses to the main locker room, her entourage following.

Tony is talking fast to Willie as they move down the tunnel. The sound of the CROWD GROWING...

He grins at a surprised Willie.

As they now break from the tunnel, the ROAR of the Dallas crowd, and the excitement of the sportscaster's voices overwhelms all.

250 SIDELINE #5 250

Willie steps to the side, alone -- and vomits quietly... then he jogs out onto the field for the second half.

Ingo finally laughs.

251 HUDDLE #3 251

Willie, totally focused, assesses his teammates. He spots Cap Rooney, in uniform, signaling in the play!

They clap and break, believing it. Over Willie:

252 FIELD #11 252

Willie steps back, flings it far... 50 aerial yards... Interception!... An upset roar from the Dallas fans.

253 SIDELINE #6 253

Willie jogs back, past Tony, loose about it.

261 LUXURY BOX #3 261

The AFFA Commissioner, with a small entourage, is watching part of the game in Christina's box.

He moves, with great dignity, to the door.

They're out of earshot at the door. The Commissioner, obviously under some pressure of his own, decides to tell her now.

She checks herself.

He exits.

A261 CORRIDOR OUTSIDE BOX A261

The Commissioner, on the way out, shakes his head, to an associate.

261 LUXURY BOX #4 261

Christina, staggered, turns to Ed Phillips and Johnny.

Christina is worried.

A254 SCOREBOARD #4 A254

Reads: MIAMI 17, DALLAS 28. THIRD QUARTER. 4:27...

255 SIDELINE #7 255

Dallas has added another TD! It looks dicey.

256 FIELD #12 256

Willie scans the defense. As predicted, the Dallas player (Branco) is tensed for the blitz, his knuckles white to the astroturf.

Branco breaks through! Willie, expecting it, throws a classic screen pass to Julian, who rumbles for 15 plus yards.

Branco lies on the field, bleeding. His eyeball lies several feet away. It is shocking, and quickly covered up by the TV cameras.

257 FIELD #13 257

A classic sweep follows, run by Washington, thundering towards Tony on the sideline; he turns the corner with a great block from Madman, and picks up another 20 yards to the Dallas 12-yard line.

258 SIDELINE #8 258

Tony, rediscovering the purity of the sweep, smiles to himself. Monroe catches Tony's expression and gives him the "up."

FIELD #14

Willie hands off to Sanderson, who hands it to the second wide receiver, Owens, who runs a reverse 20 yards in for a touchdown!

259 SCOREBOARD #5 259

MIAMI 24, DALLAS 28. FOURTH QUARTER. 12:57...

A259 FIELD #15 A259

The Dallas QB answers right back. Running in for a TD!

260 SIDELINE #9 260

It's now Dallas 35, Miami 24 -- 11 points. We PULL DOWN FROM the scoreboard to:

Cap's eyes are solid, supportive. Willie believes.

254 CHRISTINA'S LUXURY BOX #5 254

In a quiet moment, Christina notices most of her associates talk business on cell phones or to each other, only watching the game in quick eyebursts -- she hears a buzzing chorale of "increasing market shares" and "merchandizing revenue streams" and "league relocation protocols..." Margaret sits in a quiet corner with a friend, sipping on a Bloody Mary. She smiles over at her daughter.

262 FIELD #16 262

The Shark offense is on the Dallas 25, third and seven. Willie is over the ball. His eyes focus... A Dallas safety has his "go to" foot a slight inch ahead of the other. Willie smiles.

Willie spins back and hands the ball off to Washington on a counter. Washington shoots through the line with room to run.

Downfield, a Dallas defender tries to force Washington out of bounds, but spinning on a dime, Washington cuts back towards the center of the field -- Dallas defenders tackle him -- one, two, three at a time -- but he drags them for another five yards -- into the end zone. Touchdown!... Willie is the first downfield to jump all over him.

263 SCOREBOARD #6 263

MIAMI 31, DALLAS 35. FOURTH QUARTER. 02:00... Miami time-outs remaining: 2. A WHISTLE BLOWS. The clock runs.

A263 FIELD #17 A263

The Dallas offense at the Miami 24 -- Third and seven.

264 SIDELINE #10 264

Tony talks closely and intently with Willie...

265 FIELD #18 265

The Dallas QB pitches to the flat -- his running back snares the ball and cracks back for a few extra yards -- tired tackling from the exhausted Sharks.

266 SIDELINE #11 266

Fourth down and one. Miami 18-yard line. Tony looks... The Dallas field goal unit is not coming out. They're going for it!

Tony calls a time-out... Shark runs off the field to sidelines. Tony and Monroe converse with Shark.

267 SIDELINE #12 267

Tony and Willie stand close as we hear:

268 PRESS BOX #1 268

Jack Rose is outside himself, rooting.

269 MIAMI DEFENSIVE HUDDLE #1 269

Shark, bloody and exhausted, yells at his defensive unit:

270 DALLAS HUDDLE #1 270

They clap and move to the ball.

271 FIELD #19 271

As the Dallas QB scans the defense, Shark calls for a shift in the Miami defense.

The defensive players scurry to new positions.

The Dallas QB shoots back, handing off to the running back. Shark waits, poised to fill the hole. The back powers forward, no running lanes -- he bounces to the outside, sees daylight, speeds for it...

Shark runs desperately to the same hole on his bum and swollen knee. The runner is almost to the first down marker -- inches! -- He dives for it!

Shark dives at the exact same time -- an all-out lunge of sheer faith to stop the first down -- at any cost!

Shark and the runner collide, a loud crash! The runner is stopped! An inch or two short of the first down marker! The Miami 18.

272 SIDELINE #13 272

Tony and Monroe go nuts in each other's grasp. Just like the old days!

A272 SCOREBOARD #7 A272

Clock stops for the change of possession. 01:34...

273 FIELD #20 273

But Shark lies there like a dead man -- no motion!Dr. Powers and two trainers race onto the field.

274 STANDS #7 274

Shark's wife and kids look on, terrified.

275 SIDELINE #14 275

Tony hurries out, as does Monroe. In b.g., Willie and Cap wait in the grip of fear. The entire team waits. Tony and Monroe now run out.

276 MEDIA BOX #1 276

ON TV: The tackle replayed... Then the medical cart is shown on the field. Nothing is said. The stadium is hushed.

277 FIELD #21 277

Shark is definitely not moving. The ambulance waits near the goalpost. Tony, Powers, Monroe, and the trainers wait helplessly.

They ease him onto a stretcher when suddenly Shark's eyes open, falling on Tony with a glazy smile -- and a huge headache!

Powers AD LIBS.

278 STANDS #8 278

Both sets of fans roar their appreciation for his valor, as he tries to acknowledge them with a weak wave of his arm, as they cart him off.

279 STANDS #9 279

Shark's family, next to Willie's mom, reacts with great relief and joy.

280 SIDELINE #15 280

Tony clasps Willie by the shoulders.

Willie runs out, the crowd going nuts!

281 FIELD #22 281

First and ten on the Miami 18. 82 yards to go. 1:34...

WILLIE

drops back in the shotgun formation -- no pass lanes open, all covered, Willie drops a short screen to Julian, who dazzles on a 16-yarder out of bounds.

282 SCOREBOARD #8 282

MIAMI 31, DALLAS 35. FOURTH QUARTER. 00:55...

283 HUDDLE #4 283

Willie notices Sanderson is rattled, his eyes closed, sweating a storm.

Eye to eye.

284 FIELD #23 284

Willie in shotgun formation -- Three wide outs.

Willie again sees nothing, the receivers all expertly covered. But then he sees -- a chance -- a desperate chance -- Sanderson is slanting free downfield --

285 SIDELINE #16 285

Tony sees it as well:

286 FIELD #24 286

Willie takes that cubic centimeter of chance; he flings it deep... In breathless suspense, the ball sails. Sanderson, sweating like a pig in his helmet, sees it, adjusts his route mid-stride... It's as if it is his soul flying towards him, which he now catches! And then runs it in another 15 yards into the end zone! A miracle! Jimmy Sanderson feels himself freed of the demons!

287 SIDELINE #17 287

A frenzied celebration on the Miami sideline -- in the stands -- they've won! But suddenly... Tony is crestfallen.

288 FIELD #25 288

A yellow penalty flag lies on the field... Holding!

REFEREE #3 No touchdown. Holding on offense #69. Repeat second down. Ten yards.

Madman furiously shoves Referee #3 in argument, and the Referee ejects him from the game (AD LIB).

289 LUXURY BOX #5 289

Christina and her guests groan.

THEIR POV

The entire field stretches before Willie and the offense in the huddle. Never has 76 yards looked so long.

BACK TO SCENE

Christina sits down next to her mother; they talk AD LIB -- a new attitude shaping between them.

290 HUDDLE #4 290

39 seconds.

The team claps, breaks, and starts to the line. The Dallas defense is worn by the swagger and trash-talking coming right at them.

FIELD #26

A flurry of plays -- Tony firmly in control -- each play well-called and quickly executed -- relayed from Tony to Crozier, to Cap to Willie. A chain of minds. Every person doing their job.

QUICK CUTS AND FLASHES

Subjective -- A caught pass -- a runner leaps out of bounds -- a screen pass slanting out of bounds...

292 COACHES' BOOTH #1 292

Crozier reeling off the plays in conjunction with Tony.

HIS POV

The Sharks moving downfield like a ravaged but hungry 4th quarter machine. Sanderson is back to his natural glory, playing without the help of substances.

A292 SCOREBOARD #9 A292

MIAMI 31, DALLAS 35. 35 yards to go. 13 seconds.

293 FIELD #27 293

Willie, gazing over the defense at the line, doesn't like what he sees, calls his last "time out."

294 SIDELINE #18 294

Willie jogs over to Tony.

Willie looks at him and laughs.

295 FIELD #28 295

Willie scans the end zone -- would love to take a shot -- but there's nothing -- he throws the ball away, spikes the clock.

A295 SCOREBOARD #10 A295

Now reads 35 yards, 9 seconds left...

296 SIDELINE #20 296

Tony stares at the field, at Willie, deep in thought -- it seems the biggest decision of his career is always now.

INTERCUT WITH:

A296 COACH'S BOOTH #2 A296

Tony casts his eyes skyward at Crozier in the box.

A296 CONTINUED: A296

Crozier breathes and relays the play to Cap, on to Willie.

297 HUDDLE #5 297

Willie hears it from Cap and looks over at Tony in amazement. Tony nods... Willie shakes his head. Okay!

298 FIELD #29 298

They break and line up over the ball. Willie scans the defense.

Willie pump fakes a pass to Sanderson -- the Dallas defenders flinch left to cover him -- Willie immediately takes off right with the ball, skimming the outside of the line -- Madman delivers a devastating block -- Julian runs slightly behind Willie, ready to throw his block --

... but Willie sees some daylight, and tears down the sideline -- the Dallas safety is racing him -- Just as he zooms in on Willie, he laterals the ball to Julian just behind him...

Julian snags the ball -- leaps around the safety, who slams Willie out of bounds --

Julian races against time down the sideline, turning on the afterburners -- the game clock.

A298 SCOREBOARD #11: A298

Game clock ticking down... 00:07... 00:06... 00:05...

INTERCUT WITH:

B298 SIDELINE #20 B298

Faces: Tony, Cap, Monroe, others...

INTERCUT WITH:

C298 STANDS #10 C298

Faces: Cindy, others...

D298 FIELD #30 D298

A Dallas corner is moving fast onto Julian -- but Julian, flashing the clock, plays smart -- without selfishness -- no dazzling spin moves -- no evasions -- he dives out of bounds.

E298 SCOREBOARD #12 E298

The clock freezes. Three yards to go. No penalty. Four seconds. One play.

299 SIDELINE #21 299

300 PRESS BOX #2 300

Jack Rose is as excited as any 11-year-old kid, praying to more worldly gods.

301 LUXURY BOX #6 301

Christina and her Mother share the moment of together, rooting for once as a family.

302 SIDELINE #22 302

Willie now huddles with Tony, forehead to forehead, talking low, confidently, as Cap listens.

Willie nods and runs back onto the field, as there are no time outs left!

B301 SCOREBOARD #13 B301

MIAMI 31, DALLAS 35. FOURTH QUARTER. 00:04...

302 STANDS #11 302

The fans are in an uproar, stomping, screaming! A man in a gorilla suit with a placard: "I've gone ape over Willie!" is pushed and mauled by irate Dallas fans.Off flies his ape head!

303 HUDDLE #7 303

They break and line up over the ball at the four yard line. Willie scans the defensive alignment. The play clock marches...

The breathless crowd...

pointing, shifting positions, trying to confuse Willie.

306 SIDE LINE #23 306

Players kneeling on the sidelines, some praying, barely daring to watch, some chewing nails, others screaming encouragement... Cap Rooney whispers a silent prayer for Willie. Coach D'Amato -- the picture of a man at a zenith in his life...

307 FIELD #32 307

A sudden torrent of movement -- Miami slams forward -- Dallas slams back -- in SLOW MOTION, Julian reaches for the handoff -- the ball slaps into his stomach -- a convincing fake -- as Willie keeps the ball -- Julian leaps left -- Dallas defenders surge to cover him -- at that moment Willie chooses to go right back over the hole Julian has collapsed.

High over the goal line -- he seems to sail through the air for suspended moments -- he is almost there -- almost across the plain of the goal line, almost to glory -- as a wall of Dallas players rise up to meet him like a breaker at sea... Willie crashes into it...

A307 BRIEF SHOT OF GHOST A307

whoever he be -- from another time -- diving with him.

Willie seems to bauble the football as he disappears into "big Wednesday." All SOUND CEASES. Wind plays off the grass... In the silence of the major pileup, bodies draped and intertwined like smoking car wrecks, referee ... the tension rising to extraordinary heights! Where the fuck is it?

A307 SIDELINE #24 A307

Tony waits silently...

B307 FIELD #33 B307

A player peels off, revealing Willie smiling, the ball held awkwardly up around his neck, but firmly in his possession... Referee #2's arms now shoot up in SLOW MOTION -- touchdown! The Miami players go absolutely nuts! The Dallas players are stunned, protesting!... Willie is hauled into the air by his ecstatic teammates. The Dallas crowd is stunned and silent; Miami fans are ecstatic!

C307 PRESS BOX #2 C307

Even Jack Rose is in love with the Sharks again.

D307 SCOREBOARD #13 D307

MIAMI 37, DALLAS 35. FOURTH QUARTER. 00:00...

E307 SIDELINE #25 E307

Pandemonium on the Shark sideline. Tony falls to his knees in a prayer-like position... then finally rises, and runs across the field to hug the Dallas coach.

Jubilation in the locker room... Willie gives and receives congratulations from all...

Cap Rooney searches out Willie in the chaos. Their eyes meet, with respect.

They nod to each other. Simple as that.

SERIES OF DISSOLVES: The players and reporters and team personnel gradually disappear until Coach D'Amato and Rooney are left in a corner of the quiet locker room.

A beat.

He exits.

Christina reenters the same small room where she fought with Tony at halftime.

She nods, not surprised.

A beat.

He walks on. Christina watches after him.

Tony walks out onto the field where Willie stands alone, a football in hand, watching as the groundskeepers unroll the large tarps and stadium personnel pick through the stands. The stars are abundant this night.

They walk together across the field.

Tony gazes around the stadium, taking it all in.

Tony pats Willie affectionately on the arm and walks off. Willie's expression is gentle, appreciative. He drops back three quick, lithe steps, and sails a long, perfect spiral down the empty field.

He turns to look for Tony. But he's already gone.

Press conference.

SUPERIMPOSE: ONE MONTH LATER

REPORTER #1 Why's that, Coach? The 32-13 loss to Minnesota?

He's responding off-handedly to a FEMALE REPORTER'S question on the stairs leading up to the veranda of an Italian- style villa housing the Pagniacci Foundation. The group mills nervously; something's in the air.

CHRISTINA

stands before the assembled press corps -- Coach D'Amato moving to her side on cue. Nick Crozier sits close by. Margaret Pagniacci and the Mayor attend.

The Mayor accepts the applause, but some in the press mutter among themselves, believing they know the real story.

As they applaud, Christina turns to Margaret. United behind the family name, they seem to have discovered each other again.

She hugs Tony as he steps to the podium.

There is significant, heartfelt applause from some, not all. Rose, in spite of himself, is regretful to see his nemesis depart, muttering to a colleague.

Tony acknowledges the applause, about to leave the podium -- but then seems to change his mind.

Now there is pandemonium on the veranda. Christina's expression drops, crossed. Crozier looks like he's going to throw up. Tony grins. That's the way it goes.

He waves and walks out -- leaving Christina and Crozier to deal with a bewildered and upset press corps.

The same image that opened the story:

A football field. Any football field.

Grass sways in the wind.