OPEN: CARTER is in the dugout, sitting next to the Charleston Capitols’ second baseman, BEN.
CARTER
Look at that crowd, Ben?
BEN
What crowd?
CARTER
Exactly.
BEN
Ohhh...you’re used to having a crowd, aren’t you?
CARTER
Isn’t everyone?
BEN
Yeah, but we survived the Primitives so we should be good for today’s game.
CARTER
I still don’t know how that happened.
BEN
Well that’s easy. Their bullpen screwed up again.
CARTER
I’m scared I’m going to do something stupid too when I’m on the mound. All these new rules...
BEN
You mean just the one about not spitting on the ground? Seems pretty easy to follow to me.
RAY, the catcher, approaches.
RAY
Ben, you spit on the ground all the time. It’s very distracting, by the way.
BEN
I’m not the pitcher. There are no rules against me spitting on the ground, I don’t think. And how is that distracting?
RAY
For obvious reasons. Now who’s ready to show the media what we’ve got?
LEWIS, the manager, overhears.
LEWIS
What do we got?
RAY
What’s that?
LEWIS
You said we got something. I want to know what it is.
RAY
I said we should show the media what we’ve got.
LEWIS
I know that! So, what is it?
RAY
Nothing tangible.
LEWIS
Oh. That’s disappointing. Now go out there and show them what you’ve got.
LEWIS pats CARTER on the back.
LEWIS
Remember Carter, no spitting.
CARTER walks out onto the mound to silence. He makes it through six innings without getting into any trouble. CARTER hears people in the media cheering for him.
LEWIS
Carter, someone in the media wants an interview with you.
CARTER
Okay...when?
LEWIS
Right now.
CARTER
Oh, are they coming down here?
LEWIS
No, you have to go up to the stands.
CARTER chuckles.
LEWIS
No, I’m serious.
CARTER
Oh?
LEWIS
The media isn’t allowed in the dugout.
CARTER
Is that a new rule too?
LEWIS
I don’t know. It’s my rule, that’s for sure.
CARTER
Okay then.
CARTER starts to walk away from the dugout. He turns back to LEWIS.
CARTER
Oh and by the way, who am I looking for?
LEWIS
Uh...I forget.
CARTER
Alright, I guess I’ll go up to the stands and wander around aimlessly.
CARTER goes to the stands. Five reporters run over to him.
REPORTER #1
Carter, how did it feel to play today?
REPORTER #2
Carter, what was it like to play today?
REPORTER #3
Carter, can you describe what you thought of playing today?
REPORTER #4
Carter, how would you say you played today?
REPORTER #5
Carter, how did you feel playing today?
CARTER
Well that’s all the same question, so I’m going to answer them all by saying I felt good, played good, happy with my performance and hope we win!
More reporters from the media run up to CARTER. He gives similar answers to similar questions. When he is done, he walks back to the dugout. He is met by ERIC, the shortstop.
ERIC
What’s it like being famous?
CARTER
Tiresome.