RSN Los Angeles: 4.5 (-0.2)
RSN Indianapolis: 2.8 (-0.2)
RSN Des Moines: 0.7 (=)
RSN Anchorage: 0.7 (+0.1)
RSN Santa Fe: 0.4 (-0.1)
RSN Bridgeport: 0.4 (=)
RSN+: 820 monthly subscribers (+19)
KYLIE, NICOLE, AUSTIN, SASHA, BLAKE, and TREVOR are working individually at their desks when BENNY runs over.
BENNY
We have an emergency.
NICOLE INTERVIEW
When Benny says we have an emergency, it could mean anything from he forgot the login to his computer to one of the station's signals has gone down. You never know what unless you ask.
AUSTIN
What's the emergency, Benny?
BENNY
I forgot the password to my computer.
AUSTIN
It's Benny saves a penny, no spaces or caps.
BENNY
Also, Ernie's coming by later.
BENNY walks away. KYLIE, NICOLE, AUSTIN, SASHA, BLAKE, and TREVOR gather around BLAKE's desk.
SASHA
How was Ernie coming by not the emergency?!
TREVOR
It's okay, we still have time to plan for this.
KYLIE
Also, it's Earnest to us. I don't know why Benny insists on calling him Ernie.
BLAKE
Do we even have any idea what he's coming over for?
NICOLE
Probably because he's watched more of our interviews and wants to change more stuff. Because we're the problem with RSN, not the fact that we have nothing airing.
AUSTIN
Right? Maybe if Earnest wasn't such a cheap bastard there'd be more people watching. He needs to run this company better.
EARNEST [from behind]
Duly noted, young man.
AUSTIN
I--I--Earnest! Pleasure to see you again.
EARNEST
Don't suck up to me, everyone heard what you just said.
AUSTIN
I'll see myself out now.
BENNY runs over.
BENNY
What's going on--Ernie! Pleasure to see you again.
EARNEST
Yeah, sure, whatever, Benjamin. Young man, do not leave.
BENNY
Oh, I wouldn't call myself young anymore...
SASHA
He's not talking to you, Benny.
SASHA glances over to AUSTIN.
AUSTIN
I'm ready for my punishment.
EARNEST gives AUSTIN a long stare.
EARNEST
I want you to replace him.
EARNEST points at BENNY.
BENNY
WHAT?!
EARNEST
You heard me. Kid says what I need to hear.
BENNY
Surely this is a misunderstanding...
EARNEST
Benjamin. Enough.
BENNY
C'mon Ernie...
EARNEST
Consider today your last day as an RSN employee, Benjamin.
KYLIE
Wait! You can't do that!
EARNEST
Why not?
AUSTIN
You don't want to be a cheap bastard, do you?
EARNEST
I suppose I don't like being called out for what I am.
AUSTIN
Then let Benny stay. There's room in the budget.
EARNEST
That's what I'm here about. RSN lost $2 million this quarter. I need to speak with the person in charge of RSN+.
Everyone looks at TREVOR.
TREVOR
What are you looking at me for, I'm not in charge of RSN+.
NICOLE
That's literally what you've been doing here all year.
BENNY
Devin knows a thing or two about RSN+.
BENNY calls DEVIN over.
DEVIN
Yes, Benny?
BENNY
Tell Ernie here all about RSN+.
DEVIN
Oh. Yeah. So, RSN+ is basically how people watch RSN now if they don't have cable. They can watch any of the affiliates they want, no matter where they are, even if they don't have an RSN affiliate near them.
EARNEST
And you got a whole 820 monthly subscribers.
DEVIN
Correct.
EARNEST
I see.
EARNEST paces back and forth, which leaves an uncomfortable silence.
EARNEST
Tell you what: I won't shut RSN down. But you're on thin ice.
EARNEST leaves.
AUSTIN
What was that?
BENNY
I think you're manager now.
AUSTIN
Oh don't worry, you can have the job.
SASHA
Was he talking about shutting RSN down? He can't just come from out of nowhere and do that!
KYLIE
He didn't come from out of nowhere, he's been watching us this whole time, remember? He's bound to shut us down one day, so let's just celebrate RSN Los Angeles' ratings while we can.
NICOLE laughs.
NICOLE
You know what? You're right. What the hell, let's toast to RSN Los Angeles' ratings, because it's something that we have going half-decently.
BENNY
Or we could toast to ourselves.
SASHA
Yeah, I like that idea better.
BLAKE
One problem with this: how do you expect to do this without anything to drink?
BENNY
There's a bar a few blocks away, we can just go there.
Everyone starts to leave.
BENNY
Although, Ernie's probably there now so why don't we give it until the end of the day.