PREVIOUSLY ON PUT ME IN
CARTER
They know I can pitch. I’m just not a good batter. You know, because I’m a pitcher.
DAVID
Plus, you’re prone to injury.
CARTER
It was a minor injury that happened once.
DAVID
Well, we’ll see which one of us they like better.
CARTER
They’ve already decided on me.
DAVID
I could change their minds.
DAVID walks away. CARTER gathers his belongings and leaves.
______________________________
OPEN: CARTER has just finished throwing six scoreless innings. He is sitting in the dugout next to RAY.
RAY
Nice pitching today, Carter.
CARTER
Thank you. Of course, if I didn't pitch well I'd probably be cut from the roster.
RAY
Why would you say that? You're our best pitcher.
CARTER
David seems to think differently.
RAY
Yeah David doesn't exactly like you.
CARTER
I know. I've known for a while.
RAY
Anyways, why are you still sitting here?
CARTER
I have nothing else to do.
RAY
You have that commercial to film.
CARTER
Crap, you're right. See you later.
CARTER runs out of the dugout and into the clubhouse. A crew representing a beverage company is waiting for him.
CARTER
Hey everyone. So what do I do?
CREW MEMBER
Stand there. Take this drink/
The CREW MEMBER hands CARTER a bottle of iced milk. CARTER looks at the bottle.
CARTER
Iced milk? Who would drink this?
CREW MEMBER
Many people if you endorse it. I don't think you understand just how popular you are.
CARTER
You know what, everyone is telling me that. Alright, let's do this.
CREW REMEMBER
Ready? And...action!
CARTER
Wait, what do I say?
CREW MEMBER
Cut!
CARTER
Why would I say that?
CREW MEMBER
Wow, you are very unseasoned at this.
CARTER
I've never done it before.
CREW MEMBER
I can tell.
CARTER
So once again, what do I say?
CREW MEMBER
You didn't look at your script?
CARTER
What script?
CREW MEMBER
Forget it. Just ad-lib.
CARTER
Um...okay.
CREW MEMBER
Ready? And...action!
CARTER
Hey. I'm Carter. You may know me as the ace pitcher of the Charleston Capitols. I wouldn't be able to do it without this iced milk. Check it out, in stores now!
CARTER takes a sip of it.
CREW MEMBER
Cut! That was amazing!
CARTER (cringing)
That iced milk definitely wasn't. People drink that?
CREW MEMBER
No. That's why we're trying to get you to sell some!
CARTER
Ohhh...got it.
CREW MEMBER
They sell it in markets. There's this one restaurant in Indianapolis that sells it too.
CARTER
Now that I think about it, I think I've been to that place. Lorenzenian's Kitchen or something like that?
CREW MEMBER
Lorenzo's.
CARTER
Whatever. So am I done here?
CREW MEMBER
Yep.
CARTER walks away and back to the dugout. He sees LEWIS.
LEWIS
Hey Carter! How was the commercial?
CARTER
I had to ad-lib and stupidly drank some of the product. I don't think I'm endorsing that product again.
LEWIS
Yeah about that, I have this for you.
LEWIS reaches into his pocket and gives a check to CARTER. CARTER looks at it.
CARTER
Whoa. I think they made a mistake.
LEWIS
Let me look at that...nope, not a mistake.
CARTER
A million dollars?!
LEWIS
What did you expect? Ten million?
CARTER
No, like a hundred bucks.
LEWIS
You're famous, Carter.
CARTER looks up in shock, letting the words sink in.
RAY
Carter, whatever happens, don't let David see your check for a million dollars.
BEN (overhearing)
YOU MADE A MILLION DOLLARS?!
RAY
Ben! Too loud!
Word quickly makes its way around the dugout.
RAY
Secret's out, Carter. Good luck.
RAY walks away. After the game, CARTER leaves.