All bullpen members minus HARRY are in the indoor bullpen, gathered around the TV that still works. It is tuned in to The 10th Inning, the Primitives’ post game show.
LORENZO
Remember guys, it’s okay if they hate on us. People hated on me when I was somehow a state representative, and I almost got re-elected! Then again they did put me in jail after that but I still swear my campaign fraud was accidental.
VICTOR
That’s not reassuring. Can we just listen to this for a minute?
ANCHOR 1
Today’s final score Primitives 10, Capitols 1, a blowout for the home team who even had the luxury of making the call to the bullpen today.
ANCHOR 2
That’s right, the bullpen closed out the game, unsurprisingly by putting in their best pitcher.
CARTER and FELIX look at the TV in anger as DAVE’s face lights up.
ANCHOR 2
But despite their minimal contributions to this game, they’re all anyone’s going to be talking about. How do you think they’re taking the chants internally?
ANCHOR 1
Not great, as one might expect. But the crowd is right — those guys really don’t know their asses from a hole in the ground. Most of them couldn’t pitch if their jobs depended on it.
ANCHOR 2
Rumor has it the chant was started by a drunk fan who was interviewed on Primitives Pre-Game? That true?
ANCHOR 1
That’s what I heard, but I don’t have a first-hand source for that. Even I don’t watch Primitives Pre-Game regularly. Ironically, I doubt many people would’ve kept their TVs on for the ninth inning had it not been for the crowd chants and the hot dog incident.
ANCHOR 2
I’ll admit that was funny. Even though they can’t really play baseball, they’re good for the game’s ratings. And if the game’s ratings are high, our ratings are high.
ANCHOR 1
Eh, so I guess they’re not that bad. There you have it folks, the bullpen may suck, but they’re our bullpen. Next after these messages, were our troubles on the mound in the fourth inning a fluke, or a sign of something more? Stay tuned.
ANCHOR 2
They only gave up 1 run.
ANCHOR 1 (quietly)
I know but we need *something* to talk about!
ACE shuts off the TV.
ROBERT
So it’s settled, we’re doing good enough for now.
DEVIN
Let’s just hope the chants don’t come back next game.
BRYAN
What if they do though?
LORENZO and DAVE
I’ll shut them down again.
MANNY
Well…I guess this means we have two ways to get the crowd on our side?
LORENZO
I’m sure this will all blow over soon no matter what.
FELIX
You better hope so or you’re losing your job with everyone else.
CARTER
Except for me.
FELIX
Get some more innings in, then start feeling confident. Guys, smarten up. It was do or die time going into the season, and things haven’t gotten any better.
ROBERT
Felix is right. We need to get into shape.
LORENZO
Good thing we have the bullpen game coming up. That’ll fix things.
MANNY
The WHAT?!
LORENZO
The bullpen game. They’re resting their starters. Did I not tell you guys?
CARTER
I better be pitching first.
LORENZO
I haven’t exactly figured that out yet but…sure. Everyone gets an inning. Get some rest guys, and come back ready to pitch!