Never Say Die (Act 1, Scene 1)

HR: Andre Ethier, LAD. Photo: Lori Shepler, AP

(Interior, Night.  Santa Barbara.  BG is on his cell phone talking with G SLIM.  The Dodger game is on the TV behind him)

GREG: So what percent chance are we giving the Dodgers of making it to the World Series?

BRIAN: (Pauses) Two.  Two percent.  (MATT KEMP comes up as a pinch hitter and strikes out with 2 on and 2 outs with the Dodgers down by 2 runs late in the game).  Actually, one percent.  It’s hard to play at that high level all season, they’ve definitely hit a wall though.

GREG: They just don’t seem to have it right now, no spark whatsoever.  That’s why they needed a trade, get some new energy on this team.  You bring in a new player and all the players get fired up.

BRIAN: George Sherrill’s no good for you?

GREG: I want an impact guy.  I want an arm.  I want Halladay.  You can’t keep getting these vintage Clayton Kershaw outings where he goes 4 IP and makes 100 pitches, this isn’t going to get it done in the post season. 

BRIAN: No, I agree, they look terrible-Manny is an absolute black hole in the order right now too.  They drop this and I think they are only five games up.  Five games, that is not exactly a lot.

GREG: I can’t watch this I am going to read a book.

BRIAN: Yeah I am going to do some laundry, I’m out.  (Hangs up phone)

(BRIAN turns off the TV and goes out to the Laundry Room.  He futzes around for a bit in the living room and then goes back outside to take the dog out.  His cell phone beeps with simultaneous text message from DAD and JASON)

BRIAN: Ethier walk off 3 run bomb?!!?!??  WHAT?  (Gets phone out of his pocket and rushes upstairs to turn on FoxSports.  Ethier is taking a curtain call.  He calls GREG).  Andre Ethier, my friend.  DragonSlayer.  Three run walk-off rackrammer.  You cannot sleep on this team.

GREG: What?  Really?  Why did I turn this off?  (Rustling noises, a TV is turned on in the background).  Gal damn.

BRIAN: Team of destiny.

(END)