----- WEDNESDAY, 2 P.M. Natalie and Dana are standing side-by-side. They are dressed very nicely and professionally. There is a backdrop and a photographer off to the side. Jeremy: (off screen) Don't worry, you two. I'll send Dan right up. Dana: Looks like we're the only ones here on time. Natalie: Jeremy will get Dan up here. For now, let's get you to see the light. Dana: In the meantime- Natalie: Let's talk about you. Dana: I don't want to talk about me. Come back to it later. Natalie: Have you picked out your outfit? Dana: Yes, I have. Natalie: Is Kevin going to be your date? Dana: What do you mean is Kevin going to be my date? He's my boyfriend. Natalie: He didn't seem too thrilled about attending. If it doesn't involve him, he doesn't care. Don't you see that? Dana: He's excited about it, Natalie. He's there for me. Natalie: He didn't seem too excited. He wants his girlfriend to be an arm decoration. Dana: He's still a little down about the Super Bowl. Natalie: Dropping that crucial pass didn't help them, either. Dana: The Giants made the Super Bowl. That's quite an accomplishment. Kevin's dropped pass didn't affect the outcome of the game, anyway. Don't make excuses for him. Natalie: Still, he didn't seem excited about attending. Dana: Natalie- Natalie: I'm just saying, it would get his mind off the loss. Dana: Fine. Go for it, Nat. Natalie: Let's talk about Casey. Dana: Let's not. Sally walks up and joins Natalie and Dana. Dang. Saved by Sally this time. Sally: Hey, it's just us girls. That's pretty good, huh? Dana: We're still waiting for Dan. Natalie: Dan will be here in a minute. Don't forget Dan was nominated also. But you wouldn't realize that, would you? Sally: Yeah, okay. Dana, I haven't been able to personally congratulate you on your two nominations. Dana: Thank you, Sally. And congratulations on yours. Hello? I'm here too. Sally: Thanks. I'm actually kind of used to this by now. The accolades, the awards; I'm not awe-struck much by it anymore. Dana, you must be thrilled. These are your first nominations, aren't they? Tick me off, don't you, Sally? Dana: Why, yes, Sally. Yes, they are. Bitch. Natalie: Nominated for the top-ranked show on the network. Along with me. Sally: That's right. You guys still have the best rankings. But I'm telling you, my guys with the West Coast Update have been seeing their ratings rise; and that's pretty exciting for me. Not as exciting as picking up your next acquaintance. Dana: I'm sure you are. Sally: The higher ratings and the nomination should mean big things for me. In fact, I've been contacted by outside networks about possible opportunities. Another bed to sleep in. Natalie: Don't let anyone stop you from leaving. Sally smiles at Natalie's comment. Finally, got your attention, huh? Sally: Yes... uh... Natalie. It's a competitive world and we're always looking for better opportunities. You never can tell what's happening from one day to the next. One day you're on top; the next day, you're chasing after the leaders. You're going down. ----- FRIDAY, 6:15 P.M. Dan and Natalie are standing inside the atrium of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Natalie is wearing a long burgundy dress, while Dan is wearing a sports jacket with a tie. Hundreds of people are gathered with them inside the room. Natalie: This is great. I'm actually going to a special event! Dan: Thanks for coming on such short notice. Natalie: Thanks for thinking of inviting me. I know you really wanted to attend this with Jo. But I'm here instead. This is great! Dan: It's all right. They're still doing the computer hook-up thingy, and she had to stay late. We'll make it up later. Natalie: I think I'm going to need a program for this. Dan: Sure, Natalie. Dan points to his left. Dan: If you look over there, a gentleman is selling programs. I think they are about two dollars. Here, let me get it for you. Dan reaches into his pocket. That's sweet, but he doesn't need to do that. Natalie: No, no. I've got a couple of bucks in my purse. I've got it. Dan: It looks like they are going to be getting people in line soon. How about this? You go get your program, and I'll go stand in line over there. Natalie: Great. I'll be right back. Natalie walks through the crowd and toward the gentlemen selling the programs, while Dan moves to his right and gets line. As Natalie makes her way around the ticket holders, she notices the lovely painting and pieces throughout the atrium. She takes a few seconds to admire the pieces of art. It's amazing how much beauty you find in these pieces, even if you see them for the second or third time. It's breathtaking. She finally reaches the small stand where the gentleman is selling programs. She looks over to see where Dan is located, and she sees him standing in line. Dan is talking with two lovely women and signing an autograph. Oh, Dan. Women just flock to you whenever you are left alone. You're nothing but a chick magnet. Natalie reaches the front of the line. Natalie: I would like a program, please. Salesman: That'll be two bucks. Natalie reaches inside her purse, pulls out two folded bills and hands them to the salesman. Salesman: Thank you and enjoy the exhibit. The salesman hands Natalie a program. Natalie: No, thank you. Natalie turns her attention to getting into line with Dan. Is Dan flirting with them? They're beautiful women, but heck, everybody looks beautiful in here tonight. As Natalie makes her way towards Dan, she can't help but pay more attention to him than to the pieces of art. Okay, Dan. I know you're being nice to your new friends, but... oh, Natalie. Don't be jealous. It's not like he's getting telephone numbers or anything. It looks like a casual conversation. God, I feel like I'm his mother. Stop it, Nat. Natalie comes back over with her program in hand. Natalie: I'm back. I see you've made some new friends. Dan: Sure. This is Danielle. Natalie: Good to meet you. Natalie and Danielle shake hands. Danielle: It's a pleasure. Dan: And this is Jaime. Natalie and Jaime shake hands. Natalie: Jaime, good to meet you. Jaime: My pleasure to meet you. Okay, this is innocent. Dan: They're from Boston and here for the first time. Natalie: You two are in for a real treat. Dan: And they'll be joining us, if it's no problem. Put me on the spot, why don't you? Natalie: No problem. Dan, you should be so lucky. You get to escort three beautiful women tonight. Dan: I should be so lucky. Danny and his ego trip. Boy, is he going to pay later. Ha-ha.
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