CARTER is nervously sitting on the bench. RAY walks over to him.
RAY
Big game today.
CARTER
I know that! Do you have to say the obvious all the time?!
RAY
You seem riled up.
CARTER
Sorry. Just nervous. What if I blow it?
RAY
Don’t worry about it.
LEWIS walks over to CARTER.
LEWIS
Ready for the game, Carter? If you’re not nervous you’re not someone who cares about this team. Don’t blow it.
RAY
I’m trying to calm Carter down.
LEWIS
Calm him down? This is do or die. His life is on the line!
CARTER
Wait, what?!
LEWIS
Sorry, I meant to say the baseball season is on the line. I can get carried away. But still, big game. Don’t mess up. Just get us through six innings, then we’ll put the relievers in.
BEN walks over to CARTER.
BEN
Hey Carter! Sucks to be the pitcher today, having to pitch against the Indianapolis Primitives. You’re one lucky guy to have the day off.
RAY
Ben, Carter’s pitching today.
BEN
Oh?
CARTER
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Ben.
BEN
No worries. Just remember: whatever you do, they’re gonna pitch better than you.
CARTER
I know that. I’m scared out of my mind.
NIC
What’s up, Carter?
CARTER
You came out of nowhere.
NIC
Ready for the game? I heard the Primitives’ bullpen isn’t even coming to the game today.
RAY
Where’d you hear that?
NIC
I talked to one of their pitchers. They said their bullpen might as well not show up.
RAY
That’s almost always the case. That won’t stop them from showing up.
NIC
Maybe they have to put in their bullpen today? That’s really our only chance of winning.
CARTER
No way, they could put in any of their starters at any given moment. I can guarantee you every pitcher will have their eyes open the whole game.
RAY
I know they seem like super-humans with the way they pitch, but I’m sure they blink!
CARTER
You know what I mean, Ray. There’s no chance we’re facing the Indianapolis Primitives’ bullpen.
RAY
No matter what, just have confidence in yourself.
CARTER
Alright.
CARTER walks onto the mound, while RAY goes behind the plate. CARTER throws six scoreless innings.
CUT to the Charleston Capitols’ bullpen. XAVIER, MIKE, JAMES, and TYLER are all sitting on the bench alongside COACH DONOVAN.
COACH DONOVAN
Alright guys, Carter’s six innings are done. It’s bullpen time.
XAVIER
Is it though?
COACH DONOVAN
Starter pitches six innings. Then they put the bullpen in.
MIKE
It’s just that nobody called to tell any of us to warm up.
JAMES
Yeah, and they usually do that.
TYLER
We know they usually do that, James. That added nothing.
JAMES
You’re uptight.
TYLER
Who are you to tell me I’m—oh. Yeah, I guess I am.
XAVIER
It’s the seventh inning and none of us are in the game right now.
COACH DONOVAN
Alright, that’s fine, guess they’re saving you guys for the eighth and ninth. Maybe you’ll all pitch less than an inning. Pitch to a batter or two, get them out, and you’re done. Smart move.
JAMES
Eh...no phone call yet.
TYLER
Should we call them and see if they forgot?
COACH DONOVAN
No, I’m sure they didn’t forget.
The Charleston Capitols’ bullpen watches as CARTER continues to pitch into the ninth inning. The game is still tied at zero.
XAVIER
This is awful. Do they not trust us?
COACH DONOVAN
Maybe you’ll pitch if it goes to extra innings. If not...I don’t know what to tell you.
MIKE
Whatever happens, I’ll miss all of you. Sucks that none of us are coming back next season.
JAMES
I’ll miss you guys too.
TYLER
Same.
XAVIER
I’ll fourth that.
COACH DONOVAN
Not sure I can say the same. Time will tell. But what is going on???
TYLER
Hold up. LEWIS is taking CARTER out of the game! Finally!
CARTER walks back to the dugout and tips his hat. He then is directed to the bullpen.
CARTER
Hey guys. Just wanted to stop by and say thank you. Also, one of you has to go in the game now. I wish I could keep pitching but..
The Charleston Capitols’ pitcher hears a man from the Indianapolis Primitives’ bullpen yell “IT’S JUST THE SNIFFLES!!!!”
CARTER
I’m feeling fine, but they had to take me out. You know, precautionary measures. Hence the mask.
COACH DONOVAN
Oh no.
CARTER
I’m afraid so. Luckily, the Primitives’ bullpen should be just fine. Their faces are more than covered right now and there’s a lot of toilet paper on one of them.
MIKE
They dressed up for Halloween.
CARTER
Crazy. Well anyways, I have to get going now.
XAVIER
Couple Primitives’ players just left the field.
CARTER
Oh no. Am I contagious???
CARTER runs away.
TO BE CONTINUED on The Bullpen Season 3 Episode 18, Saturday, October 31 at 8pm Eastern Time.