Concussion Page #18

(continuing over--)

129 INT. COMMISSIONER’S SUITE - NFL OFFICES - DAY

Jones stands before Tagliabue, reading the paper aloud.

JONES:

It gets worse.

(then)

Dr. Julian Bailes, medical director

for the Center for the Study of

Retired Athletes and the chairman

of the department of neurosurgery

at West Virginia University, said,

“Unfortunately, I’m not shocked.”

(looks up--)

There’s more Omalu. More Bailes.

TAGLIABUE:

Bailes. Why do I know that name?

JONES:

Steelers team doctor. Neurologist

for the Players Association.

TAGLIABUE:

Oh wow.

JONES:

Yeah. Wow.

(then)

The Times is calling it a potential

epidemic. Paul. It’s not the Sports

section. Not Science. A-1. Front

page. New York Times. Above the

fold.

131 OMIT

132 OMIT

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 92.

133 INT. BOARD ROOM - NFL HEADQUARTERS - DAY

TRACK Tagliabue and Jones crossing from their suite to a set

of heavy oak doors. The doors open, and as they enter, we

GLIMPSE over their shoulder a long luxurious table encircled

by a dozen WHITE MEN waiting in grim silence. You can smell

the privilege, the power. Ownership. And as the doors close

us out-

134 JONES AT A LECTERN

JONES:

--his 17 years as Commissioner of

the National Football League

comprised the most lucrative and

stabilizing reign perhaps in the

history of pro sports-

(and we PULL BACK to reveal

we’re--)

135 INT. BREAK ROOM - ALLEGHENY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER - DAY

Wecht, Sullivan and the Techs, all watching the TV, and a

hastily arranged “press conference”.

Bennet enters.

SULLIVAN:

Nice going, Bennet. You killed off

the commish.

Bennet confused, elated. As, to Jones’ left we now see

Tagliabue. To his right is incoming Commissioner ROGER

GOODELL, 47 and sandy-haired.

TAGLIABUE/TV

Roger has worked for the NFL since

he was 21.

(--)

He lives football, breathes

football, but he’s younger, more

handsome-

(laughter, then, serious--)

(MORE)

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 93.

TAGLIABUE/TV (CONT'D)

And understands how to take

‘America’s Game’ into the future.

There is a new sheriff in town-

Upon which Wecht walks in.

As Goodell takes the lectern. Folksy, telegenic in that

Clintonesque way.

Sullivan & Wecht exchange a look.

GOODELL/TV

The NFL isn’t just a sports league.

It’s an entertainment product. What

I’m here to do now, my main

responsibility, is to protect the

shield, America’s Game.

(the NFL logo)

--I want us to go on enjoying our

great game knowing our kids love

it, respect it, never stop having

fun-

BENNET:

They heard. They’re listening.

WECHT:

Sure. Morning in America. A new day

in the NFL.

(TIGHT on Goodell;

sarcastic)

He looks like your drinking buddy.

While, on TV, Pellman appears, glum, beside Goodell.

WECHT (CONT’D)

And there’s your buddy, Pellman,

again. The knee man from

Guadalajara.

(and leaves, as)

BROADCAST/TV (OVER)

Roger Goodell’s been at the

forefront of every major decision

the NFL has made over the past

dozen years. His biggest challenge

now? Keeping the good times rolling

for a $6-billion a year business.

SULLIVAN:

You’re screwed now.

(and walks out)

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15

94.

GRACIE:

Julian Bailes is on the phone-

And Bennet crosses to the phone, picks up-

BAILES/PHONE (OVER)

Turn on the TV.

BENNET:

(into phone)

I’m watching it right now.

BAILES/PHONE (OVER)

He’s shaking up Pellman’s brain

injury committee. They’re asking

for a concussion summit, a full

presentation. In Chicago. Next

week.

On Bennet’s face-

BAILES/PHONE (OVER) (CONT’D)

We have our chance, Bennet.

136

OMIT:

137

EXT. WESTIN HOTEL - O’HARE AIRPORT - CHICAGO -

NIGHT/ESTABLISHING

One of the big ones out by the airport. Constant whine of jet-

wash. It’s snowing. Really starting to come down.

138

INT. LOBBY/BAR - WESTIN HOTEL - O’HARE AIRPORT - LATE NIGHT

Generic franchise room. Muzak, formica tabletops and mid-

layover SALESMEN.

We find Bennet and Bailes in a corner booth doing a

presentation run-through. Laptop open on Power Point. Bennet

on his second drink. Bailes into maybe his third. Looking at

it all as if at blueprints for D-Day. Bennet jacked. Bailes

knows half his men are going to perish.

BENNET:

(reciting)

“The facts speak for themselves.

(MORE)

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 95.

BENNET (CONT'D)

These brains, strangled by protein

unleashed by repetitive head trauma

related to football, tell an

irrefutable story--”

(and looks up, Good?)

BAILES:

Maybe throw in some football stuff.

Not medical terms. Things we say--

BENNET:

Why do I need to say what they say?

I thought that’s why we’re here.

BAILES:

You have, what, seven degrees?

Eight? You’re one of the smartest

people they’ll ever meet.

(--)

You know what? You’ll be fine.

Bennet takes Bailes in.

BENNET:

How about you? What will you be?

Bailes fumbling with an INSERT picture of MIKE WEBSTER, bent,

half-squatting, eyes tethered to the eyes of the nose-guard

in his face, furiously focused. And now a TIGHT on Bailes. As

we PUSH IN, his face growing in frame-

BAILES:

It can be a boring, violent, stupid

game. And it can be Shakespeare.

The game looks like life. I know

you can’t see how beautiful that

all is - I don’t blame you.

(then, reverie done)

But this isn’t fun for me. Everyone

we’re going to see tomorrow I know

personally. That feeling you get

when someone you love and respect

screws you over? They will have it.

And there’s not a damn thing I can

do about it.

We’re in on his eyes now. Maybe what he’s seeing. And out of

his reverie-

BENNET:

You already did that yourself.

(Bailes looks up, What?)

When you picked up the phone.

(MORE)

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 95A.

BENNET (CONT'D)

And you called me.

(now--)

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 96.

BAILES:

Christ. They’re here.

Bennet confused, follows Bailes’ gaze to the bar. Where a

cluster of NFL officials have arrived. Pellman, Maroon,

Jones, couple others. Pellman the schlubby one.

Goodell crosses and joins them for a word with Jones. Jones

whispers in Goodell’s ear. Maroon pivots, turns his back,

waving for the bartender. Says something to Pellman. Pellman

laughs.

BAILES (CONT’D)

(under his breath)

He’s such an ass.

But opaque, tight, Bailes shuts the laptop. On his face, the

violent collision of choice and consequences.

BENNET:

We better get some sleep.

139 INT. HOTEL ROOM - WESTIN O’HARE - NIGHT

Bennet’s sitting on the bed against the wall in his clothes.

We’re TIGHT on his face. A kind of nervous excitement and

dread. He will not sleep tonight.

And we HEAR a firm RAP on the door, and Bennet’s head turns,

and we cut to-

140 HIS HOTEL ROOM DOOR - MORNING

It opens. Bailes is standing in the hall in a suit. And we

SWING AROUND and find Bennet in the same. Cinching his tie.

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