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Dan and Casey are dressed in preparation for the awards ceremony.

Dan: How do I look?

Casey: Very handsome.

Dan: Just very handsome?

Casey: You look like a winner, you stud muffin.

Dan: Winner is good, stud muffin is pushing it.

Natalie walks into the office, and she is in her ceremony attire.

Dan: Whoa, Natalie.

Casey: Beauty has found the finer end of its spectrum, and the color is Natalie.

Natalie: I'll take both of those as compliments. Thank you, gentlemen. Dan you look very handsome.

Dan: There's that very handsome, again.

Natalie: And Casey... Casey. (walks over to him) We need to do something about this bow-tie.

Natalie helps straighten out Casey's tie.

Casey: Thanks, Natalie.

Natalie: No problem. Did you see Dana before she left with Isaac?

Casey: No, I didn't.

Dan: Uh, Case. We've got to go pick up Jaime and Danielle.

All three walk from the office and into the newsroom.

Natalie: She looks so amazing, Casey. Just stop acting crazy like you've been over the last couple of weeks, and everything will go fine.

Casey: I haven't been acting crazy.

Dan: Yes, you have.

Natalie: You look great, Casey. Just be yourself, your old self, and who knows what will happen.

Dan: Who knows?

Casey: We could be in a car wreck.

All three stop walking.

Dan: Seriously, dude, you aren't riding with me.

They finish walking through the newsroom.

Natalie: Casey, just relax. You look more nervous than me and Dan, and we're the ones who should be nervous.

Dan: Oh, Natalie. I found out about your little escapade with my jersey.

Natalie: It was great wasn't it? The look on Dana's face-

Dan: You know that stash of lollipops you keep in your drawer?

Natalie: No, Dan. You didn't.

Dan: I may have.

Natalie: Dan!

Natalie turns around and runs back toward the newsroom.

Dan: Keep walking.

Casey: But Nat-

Dan: Let's keep going. She's not riding with us, and we still have our dates to pick up.

The two step into the elevator and they begin their descent.

Dan stands quietly with his hands clasped in front, while Casey leans against the railing of the elevator car.

Casey: I haven't been acting crazy, Dan.

Dan: You've been a little out of control.

Casey: Well, excuse me for being out of control since my life is out of control.

Dan: Take it easy, Case.

Casey: It's difficult. I feel like I'm six-feet under and people are throwing dirt on top of me. I haven't received an offer from CSC. I feel like my career has taken a downturn. I had to break up with Lisa, and I've never had to do that. Plus, Charlie is taking it hard.

Dan: And you like Dana.

Casey: Well... yeah.

Dan turns and punches Casey in the biceps.

Casey: Hey! What was that for?

Dan: You remember what I told you a few months ago?

Casey: What?

Dan: If I was going to be subjected to another Dana-Casey relationship tale, I was going to punch you.

Casey: Well, you connected very well.

Dan: Thank you. Anyway, Natalie is right.

Casey: About what?

Dan: Be yourself.

Casey: What do you mean?

As it reaches the ground floor, Dan and Casey step out of the elevator.

Dan: Be yourself, and Dana will fall in love with you again.

Casey: Wow. Thanks.

Dan: No problem.

Casey: Do you mind me asking what you did with Natalie's lollipops?

Dan: I don't mind.

Casey: What did you do with Natalie's lollipops?

Dan: Nothing.

Casey: Nothing?

Dan: Nothing.

Casey: I'm confused here.

Dan: So will be Natalie. Psychological torture, my friend. Use it wisely.

Casey: You have become a master, young grasshopper.

-----

You are at the awards ceremony. The stage is beautifully decorated in silver, gold, and black. Some people are seated at their respective tables, while others are mingling before the show begins.

You go to the back of the room, where the entrance is located, and you see two stunningly beautiful women: Dana and Natalie.

Natalie: Have you seen Casey?

Dana: No, I haven't. He's probably down at our tables.

Natalie: No, I mean have you seen how he looks tonight?

Dana: I left before he and Dan got ready; and Natalie, I don't appreciate you pulling a prank at my expense.

Natalie: He'll get over it.

Dana: I'm not talking about Dan. I'm talking about Kevin.

Natalie: So was I.

Dana: Rrrgh. Natalie. Come with me.

Dana grabs Natalie by the arm and escorts her to a corner in the room.

Dana: We're going to do this right now, Natalie. I still have my courage from earlier today, and if we don't do this now, I don't know when we will do this.

Natalie: What is it?

Dana: Me and Casey.

Natalie: You two would be so good together.

Dana: Casey doesn't want me. He wants stability.

Natalie: He wants you, Dana.

Dana: It's a fact, Natalie. Every time something goes out-of-whack with Casey, he always comes after me. When things are stable in his life, I am an afterthought.

Natalie: Dana-

Dana: Let me finish, Natalie. Please let me finish.

Dana takes a deep breath.

Dana: I have never been first in Casey's life. I've always finished second. In college, Casey chose my roommate over me. When we first started working in L.A., things started getting rough with Casey and Lisa- so Casey came to me. I thought I was going to have him, to finally win him over, then he and Lisa up and went to San Francisco. He chose Pixley over me. Then, he chose Lisa over me again. Do you know how degrading it feels to have someone choose their controlling, cheating ex-wife over you? It is horrible. It... is... horrible, Natalie. Right now, Casey doesn't have a lot going for him. Naturally, he turns his attention towards me. That makes me feel cheap. I deserve so much better than that, Natalie. I want you to understand this. I love Casey. I love him so much, it hurts. But... it... is... not... going to happen. Understand? Casey doesn't love me the same way I love him.

Natalie looks sadly at Dana.

Natalie: I'm sorry, Dana.

Dana: I'm sorry, too.

Natalie: I just thought you two would be so good together because Casey has always been there for you. Whenever you were in trouble or you needed someone to turn to, Casey was there for you. That's what I saw, Dana. I promise, I won't interfere again.

Dana and Natalie hug.

Dana: You're like the sister I never had.

Natalie: Thanks, Dana. I love you too.

-----

Dan, Casey, and Jeremy are standing in front of their table.

Dan: Man, it's hot in here.

Jeremy: So, how are the dates?

Casey: Great. They look beautiful tonight.

Jeremy: Where are they?

Casey: Oh, they stepped out for a minute.

Jeremy: Hey, did you see Chris and Melanie?

Dan: Yeah.

Casey: They make a really cute couple.

Jeremy: Yeah.

Jeremy takes a look a Dan's attire. He then takes a second look.

Jeremy: Is that a cummerbund you are wearing, Dan?

The three focus their attention to Dan's "cummerbund."

Casey: You wore a purple cummerbund- wait a sec. Jeremy, grab him.

Dan: Hey!

Jeremy grabs Dan as Casey starts pulling out Dan's shirt. Casey lifts it up and reveals a purple shirt with a white number three.

Dan: What are you doing? You're creating a scene. Hey. How's it going? (smiles and waves across to the few onlookers)

Dan grabs his shirt and starts tucking it back in, while Casey and Jeremy chuckle to themselves.

Dan: You can't leave me alone, can't you?

Jeremy: It better work tonight.

Dan: Don't worry guys. It hasn't failed me.

Casey: Yet.

Casey smiles as Dan casts a glare upon him.

-----

The award ceremony is underway, and you see seated at one table: Jeremy, Natalie, Dana, Kevin, Isaac, and Esther.

Emcee: The nominees for "Best Feature" are..."Gambling Away Futures" produced by Natalie Hurley, CSC.

There is a round of applause.

Natalie: (whispering) Wow. My first nomination. I can barely stand it.

There is a second round of applause, recognizing the second nominee.

Jeremy places his hand on top of Natalie's.

Jeremy: (whispering) Take it easy, Natalie.

There is a third round of applause for the third nominee.

Emcee:...and "Life Begins Anew" produced by Dana Whitaker, CSC.

There is a final round of applause.

Dana: (whispering) Good luck, Natalie.

Natalie: (whispering) Good luck, Dana.

The two hold hands as everyone awaits the announcement.

Emcee: And the winner is... (reads the contents from the opened envelope) "Life Begins Anew" produced by Dana Whitaker, CSC.

The audience applauds and cheers as Dana gets up. She receives a hug from Natalie, then a second hug from Isaac. Dana works her way up to the stage, and a trophy is placed in her hands.

Dana: Wow. This is so wonderful. First of all, I would like to thank the Association for recognizing these four wonderful pieces- I know any of them could have won. I would like to thank my family, for sticking by me. I would like to thank Isaac Jaffe for putting up with me all these years. You were right, Isaac. I would be winning awards within five years of coming to CSC. And I would like to thank the staff and crew and everybody who works for CSC and Sports Night- too many to name at this time, but you are all loved by me. Thank you.

The audience applauds as Dana leaves the stage.

-----

Around another table sit: Danielle, Casey, Dan, Jaime, Chris, and Melanie.

Casey: This is it.

Emcee: Now the nominees for "Best Anchor"... Mark Gottfreid...

Dan: (whispering) I think I'm going to pass out.

The audience applauds Gottfreid's nomination.

Casey: (whispering) Suck it up. You have a speech to give in a minute.

The audience applauds a second time.

Emcee: Dan Rydell, Sports Night, CSC.

The audience applauds Dan's nomination.

Dan: (whispering) Be strong. Deep breaths. Deeeeeep breaths.

The audience applauds the final nominee.

Dan: (whispering) Come on. Go Ravens. Go Ravens. Lucky jersey, don't let me down.

Emcee: And the AARON Award Winner is... (reads the contents of the opened envelope) Dan Rydell, Sports Night, CSC.

Dan: Oh, thank god!

The audience cheers as Dan gets up. Casey, first gives Dan a pat on the back, then a handshake. Then Dan pulls Casey up and hugs him. Dan then makes his way to the stage.

Dan stands in front of the microphone as the award is handed to him. Dan takes a look at it, kisses the award, and thrusts it into the air. He then pulls it back down and holds it with both hands.

Dan: This is a dream come true. I would like to thank Isaac Jaffe and Dana Whitaker from Sports Night. The rest of the crew, you guys are the best there is to offer. Oh, I would like to thank the Association for selecting me. It's truly an honor. And finally, I would like to thank my dear friend and partner for the last seven years: Casey McCall.

Dan points the award in Casey's direction.

Dan: You helped me when I first got into this business. I've learned so much from you. You've helped me in more ways than you know, and to this I say: thank you.

The audience applauds as Dan exits the stage.

-----

Back to the table seating Jeremy, Natalie, Dana, Kevin, Isaac, and Esther.

Isaac: Three victories. This is a banner night for CSC.

Natalie: One more to go.

Jeremy: Any predictions?

Natalie: Anybody, but Sally.

Dana: Hey.

Natalie: Okay, Dana first. I'm sorry. Then, anybody but Sally.

Emcee: And winner of the AARON Award for "Best Sports Production" in the 60-minute or less category goes to... (reads the contents of the opened envelope) The Summer Games Report, CSC. Produced by Dana Whitaker.

The audience cheers once again as Dana wins her second award of the night.

-----

The ceremony is over and Dan and Casey are standing and talking.

Dan: See? I told you about the majestical powers of the jersey. (points to his chest)

Casey: I think it had more to do with the talent than the wardrobe.

Dan: You're probably right.

Casey: But why chance it?

The two laugh as Casey pats him on the back.

-----

Dana is standing outside the building with her parents.

Mr. Whitaker: You were beautiful, pumpkin. Just beautiful.

Dana: Thank you.

Dana hugs her father.

Mrs. Whitaker: Dana, darling. I have to admit... I didn't understand all these years. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of my baby.

Dana hugs her mother as tears well up in mother and daughter.

Dana: Thank you, mother. Thank you so very much. I love you.

Mrs. Whitaker: I love you too.

-----

Hours later and just after the dinner, Dana and Kevin are riding up the elevator.

Dana: And Sally looked so steamed.

Kevin: Yeah.

Dana: I was very professional about the whole thing. I didn't rub it in her face at all.

The elevator reaches the 49th floor, and Dana and Kevin step out.

Dana: I do feel bad for Natalie, though. She deserves an award so much.

Kevin: Uh-huh.

Dana: But it was so sweet of her to be happy for me and tell me that if she had to lose, she'd want to lose to me.

The two walk into the newsroom. There is a little commotion going on for the sports world didn't stop while the awards were being handed out. One person starts to clap.

Dana: Natalie's the best. And the whole staff, too. I am the executive producer of Sports Night.

Some more commotion starts in the newsroom, followed by more clapping.

Dana: I'm just going to drop these off in my office, and we'll- what's going on?

Dana stops in the middle of the newsroom and takes notice. Everyone inside the newsroom and people from the hallways have come in and started clapping. All eyes are focused on Dana with everyone cheering and clapping- this is their encomium to her.

Dana: Oh my god... th... ank... you. Thank you.

Everyone gathers around Dana to personally congratulate her. Dana starts crying tears of joy.

Once everyone has offered their congratulations, Dana and Kevin start heading toward her office. Dana opens the door and flips the switch; and the lights come on in her office.

Kevin: Uh, Dana. I think I'm going to hit the road.

Dana: Are you okay? Is everything all right?

Kevin: Yeah. I'm tired.

Kevin turns his cheek toward Dana as she sets her awards on her desk.

Dana: What's this?

Kevin: Oh. I thought I was going to get a kiss goodbye.

Dana: Okay.

Dana kisses him on the cheek and Kevin leaves. Dana looks at her awards and then at her dress.

Dana: He didn't even notice my dress.

-----

Dana walks across the Sports Night studio floor. She steps up to the anchor desk and runs her fingertips along the top of the desk. She stops as she closes her eyes and drops her head. Her hand reaches up and clutches her mouth and chin. Dana fights back the tears, recalling what she had told Jeremy earlier in the day: "I have a feeling, after tonight, everything is going to be different." Dana was right, and wrong.

Dana looks up when she hears a noise. Casey walks into the studio and stops when he sees Dana. They stare directly into each other's eyes- realizing how beautiful they look tonight.