PREVIOUSLY ON PUT ME IN
CARTER
Am I staying here or not?
JAMIE
Let’s just say you should start looking at other teams while also focusing your attention on pitching here. Okay?
CARTER
Um...sure. So about Lewis...
JAMIE
I’ll reevaluate.
CARTER smiles and leaves the room.
________________________
OPEN: CARTER is sitting in the dugout next to RAY. The game is about to go in.
RAY
I heard you got them to change their mind about Lewis.
CARTER
All Jamie said is that she’ll reevaluate.
RAY
They didn’t tell you? They’re letting him stay!
CARTER
Great! I think, right?
RAY
He could be worse. Now let’s get ready for the game, it’s a big one.
CARTER
It is?
RAY
Every game’s a big one.
CARTER
Right. I don’t think I have a baseball signing today but I’m not 100% sure on that.
RAY
You have one in a couple hours. Try to get through your six innings by then.
CARTER
Got it.
CARTER starts walking up to the mound. He looks back at RAY, who is still sitting in the dugout.
CARTER
You’re catching today...right?
RAY
Yeah. But it’s not our turn.
CARTER realizes the Capitols are batting, and it is not his turn to pitch yet.
RAY
Confused about the rules of baseball again?
CARTER (chuckling)
I guess I am.
CARTER watches the Capitols score five runs in the top of the first inning. When he pitches his first inning, he strikes out all three batters he faces and walks back to the dugout. The Capitols score seven more runs in the top of the second.
LEWIS walks over to CARTER on the bench.
LEWIS
Hey, thanks for getting me my job back.
CARTER
It was my duty.
LEWIS
Yeah so anyways, I’m taking you out of the game now. We could put virtually anyone in and win this game. Anyone who’s on our team, at least.
CARTER
I suppose. David, I assume?
LEWIS
No, he’s tomorrow.
CARTER
Then who’s pitching? Doesn’t everyone need their rest?
LEWIS
Um...yeah, you’re right. Guess you have to do both at once.
CARTER
Both what?
LEWIS
Both pitching and doing that signing of yours. Anyone who buys a Carter Danderson jersey today can get it signed.
CARTER
Nobody ever told me that.
LEWIS
Well it’s happening. You might as well head on over to the gift shop now.
CARTER
Why would anyone even be buying one? There are no fans in the stadium.
LEWIS
There are media people all over the place. I saw a line earlier.
CARTER
Guess I’ll go then. Nice to see my pitching skills are being put to use.
CARTER walks away. LEWIS turns to RAY.
LEWIS
You think he’s mad?
RAY
Probably not. Just disappointed that he can’t pitch more.
LEWIS
He’s a celebrity, what can I say?
RAY
We better hope he doesn’t ditch the team.
LEWIS
Why would he ditch the team, he loves us.
RAY
I think you should let him play a little more.
LEWIS
I’m not in charge of that. That’s the job of Jamie.
BEN (from a distance)
What about Jamie?
LEWIS
Jamie’s the one who set up a jersey signing for Carter today. Not my decision. Not that I think it’s a bad decision, in fact, I love Jamie.
RAY
You don’t have to go that far, she’s not here. (To BEN) Jamie wanted to fire Lewis.
BEN
Well the two of them do seem to be on different pages.
RAY
Maybe Carter quits?
BEN
I don’t think so. But something’s going on. Between David’s hatred of him and Jamie trying to get rid of Lewis, who knows what’s next.