The Replacements Page #16

Franklin's got moves that even

Clifford Franklin hasn't seen yet.

FEMALE REPORTER:

Uh, right, well, you showed us a

few of those moves today against

Phoenix. But it could be a

different story against Dallas

next week -

FRANKLIN:

Same story, different chapter.

See, a wise man once said 'Don't

just go to a man. Go to the 'go

to' man.' And that wise man was

... me. Clifford Franklin.

He's suddenly shoved out of the way by Bateman as hecrosses over to his locker. The Female Reporter turns

to see...

NIGEL:

smoking a cigarette in his underwear and scratchinghimself in a grotesque fashion. She looks horrified.

He grins.

NIGEL:

Cheers.

CUT TO:

THE REPLACEMENTS - Rev. 9/27/99 94A.

EXT. O'NEIL'S MANSION - NIGHT

MUSIC OUT as we see a light on in the den...

O'NEIL (V.O.)

Feels good, doesn't it, Jimmy?

140 OMITTED 140

thru thru

148 148

149 INT. O'NEIL'S MANSION - SAME TIME 149

A dark wood study dripping with red leather and decoratedwith stuffed animal heads. O'Neil raises a glass totheir success as McGinty eyes him suspiciously.

O'NEIL

To be one game away from theplayoffs, in the hunt, that ringso close you can already feel iton your finger!

(CONTINUED)

95.

149 CONTINUED:
149

McGINTY

What are you up to?

O'NEIL

What? I can't be excited about

the future of my team?

(off McGinty's look)

Okay okay! I've got great news.

Martel and Wilson have crossed the

picket line. I made them sweat

for a while but with the deal I

made them swallow I can't afford

not to take them back!

McGINTY

(dryly)

Congratulations.

O'NEIL

And Martel's backup has agreed tocross with him so we've got depthin the quarterback position forDallas --

McGINTY

No.

O'NEIL

(stopping)

What?

McGINTY

I'm sticking with Falco.

O'NEIL

Have you seen the news today?

O'Neil grabs his morning Post and throws it down onto thetable. The headline reads "STRIKE ALMOST OVER" and below

that in smaller letters "DALLAS RETURNS!"

O'NEIL

The entire Dallas Cowboy team hascrossed the line! On Thanksgivingnight we're playing the worldchampions! Not some rag tag groupof replacement players!

McGINTY

I don't care. I can't give up onthese boys now. Not after all

they've done.

(CONTINUED)

96.

149 CONTINUED:
(2) 149

O'NEIL

They're scabs. They served a

purpose. Falco has done a greatjob, nobody's taking that awayfrom him --

McGINTY

We made a deal! No interference

with my coaching! As long as thestrike is on Shane Falco is myquarterback!

O'NEIL

We need to beat Dallas to get tothe playoffs! We can't do it

with Falco! You saw what

happened out there today --

McGINTY

Oh for Christ's sake!

O'NEIL

Think he's gonna get lucky likethat against Dallas? They'llmurder him.

McGINTY

He's just getting his game back -

O'NEIL

He falls apart when the game is onthe line! That's been his rapever since the Sugar Bowl and ifit hasn't changed by now it neverwill!

McGinty looks away. O'Neil takes a breath before:

O'NEIL

I'm sorry, Jimmy. He's playedsome really good strike ball. But

I know, and you know, that isn'tenough now.

McGinty turns to leave when:

O'NEIL

Before you go doing anythingstupid, remember this: there are

21 other guys who put their faithin you to lead them. They wouldbe heartbroken if you abandonedthem before the biggest gameof their lives...

(CONTINUED)

THE REPLACEMENTS - Rev. 9/18/99 97.

149 CONTINUED:
149

O'Neil knows that he's got him. McGinty knows it too.

McGINTY

You really are a son of a b*tch...

McGinty storms out of the room as O'Neil watches him

go...

DISSOLVE TO:

150 EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - NIGHT 150

Shane is set up in position for that two-point conversion.

He snaps the ball and drops back before firing it overthe middle in a quick release. It hits the base of the

goal post with pin-point accuracy. He gets back intoposition and does it again, determined not to make thesame mistake twice...

McGINTY (O.S.)

Hey.

Shane turns to see McGinty watching him.

McGINTY

What are you still doing here? You

should be soaking your arm in ice.

SHANE:

I'm not gonna make the same

mistake...

McGINTY

Look, kid...

SHANE:

We might end up in the same situation

with Dallas and --

McGINTY

Shane...

SHANE:

They like to send the safeties in

on --

McGINTY

Shane.

Shane stops as he notices the look on McGinty's face.

McGINTY

It's over.

(CONTINUED)

THE REPLACEMENTS - Rev. 9/18/99 98.

150 CONTINUED:
150

They look at each other for a long beat.

McGINTY

Martel crossed.

Shane nods as it begins to sink in...

SHANE:

Oh...

McGINTY

I'm sorry...

Shane looks across the field...

SHANE:

'Chokes with the game on the line,'

is that what O'Neil said?

McGinty can't lie to him. Shane nods.

SHANE:

(waving it off)

It's okay. It's okay. It's

better for the team, right? I

mean, Martel is the best there is

... he's got it all...

McGINTY

No...

McGinty steps up to Shane.

McGINTY

He doesn't have heart. And that's

how you're going to be remembered

now.

They look at each other for a beat before McGinty holdsout his hand. Shane takes it and they shake.

McGINTY

It's been a privilege.

There's so much Shane would like to thank him for. So

much he would like to say. But in the end... what can

you say?

SHANE:

Thanks for believing.

And with that he turns and walks off the field alone...

THE REPLACEMENTS - Rev. 9/30/99 99.

150A EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT 150A

Shane is walking over to his car. But he slows when he

sees another car parked next to his. A Porsche. Martel

is sitting on the hood smoking a cigarette. He nods.

SHANE:

What are you doing here?

MARTEL:

(shrugs)

I stopped by to put my stuff backin my locker and I saw your car.

I just wanted to tell you beforeyou left... I'm sorry.

SHANE:

Yeah. Right.

MARTEL:

No. Really. I think it's

terrible what they do to you guys.

Shane just shoots him a look.

MARTEL:

You know... build you up... makeyou believe you're somethingyou're not... and then pull therug out from under you.

(shakes his head)

The cruelest thing to give guyslike you, Shane... is hope.

Shane turns to get into his car -- angry at himself forletting Martel's words get to him...

MARTEL:

You're a sinking ship, Shane.

Don't drag her down with you.

A long beat before Shane gets into his car and drivesoff...

DISSOLVE TO:

150B INT. MAC'S BAR - NIGHT 150B

Annabelle turns the sign that hangs in the window fromopen to closed before grabbing a bottle of wine and twoglasses from behind the bar. She sets them on a small

table and lights two white candles as she smiles toherself...

CUT TO:

THE REPLACEMENTS - Rev. 9/30/99 99A.

151 OMITTED 151

152 INT. HOTEL - NIGHT 152

where we find a post-game party in full swing. Nigel isworking the bar. Franklin is dancing with two ladieswhile still holding onto his football.

(CONTINUED)

THE REPLACEMENTS - Rev. 9/18/99 100.

152 CONTINUED:
152

Andre and Jamal are rapping from the living room over aRECORD SPINNING on the turntable. Murphy is signing toone of the stripper cheerleaders who signs something verysexually explicit right back to him. Murphy blushes threeshades of red.

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