INT. WKLR - HALLWAY
DENNY strides down the hallway of office doors without missing a beat. He's looking for the sound studio.
SID, a six-foot-three body guard, steps into the hallway. He wears a black t-shirt with "staff" printed on the breast.
SID
You're not allowed down here, guy.
DENNY
I'm here to see, Ms. Cardigan.
SID
Sorry, she's not available to fans. You're gonna' have to...
DENNY cuts SID short by kicking him between the legs. SID doubles over. DENNY continues passed him, exiting through where SID entered from.
INT. DENNY'S CAR - DAY
VIONA impatiently awaits Denny's return. She listens to the WKLR broadcast in the car.
DJ #1 (V.O.)
Well, we'd like to thank you from coming down to visit us, Katherine.
KATHERINE (V.O.)
No, it was fun, Dirk. Thank you.
DJ #2 (V.O.)
We're going to close out by playing the number one single, which Katherine performed to win her a silver medal at the last winter Olympics. Only on W...
Suddenly, a BURST through a door is heard, followed by MALE VOICES in commotion.
VIONA frowns.
DJ #2 (V.O.)
The hell is this?
INT. BROOK'S APARTMENT - OFFICE/BEDROOM - DAY - SAME TIME
BROOK sits at a sketching table by the window of her make shift design office. She is listening to the WKLR BROADCAST on her stereo.
BROOK frowns curiously as the ON-AIR COMMOTION continues.
DJ #1 (V.O.)
Who is that, James?
INT. SAMUEL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY - SAME TIME
SAMUEL has just taken a shower and is also listening to the BROADCAST COMMOTION on a shower radio. Looking at himself in the mirror, he wonders.
INT. DENNY'S CAR - SAME TIME
DJ #2 (V.O.)
James, the engineer, is being accosted, right now. Hey. HEY.
More SOUNDS OF COMMOTION are broadcasted. VIONA becomes nervous, knowing what's coming.
KATHERINE (V.O.)
What's going on out there?
A second BURST is heard through the broadcast booth door.
DJ #2 (V.O.)
We're on the air, ya' moron!
DENNY (V.O.)
Get your hands off me, butch.
VIONA panics and exits the car.
VIONA
Shit.
INT. WKLR - BROADCAST BOOTH - DAY
DENNY leans DJ #2 backwards by the throat at the door of the studio. He is struggling to get out of DENNY's grasp.
The booth's "ON THE AIR" light can be seen lit from outside the door.
DJ #1 stands in front of KATHERINE keeping himself between her and DENNY.
KATHERINE
Shake my hand?
DENNY
Yes. That's ALL I want.
KATHERINE
That's it. No, autograph or nothing. Just shake hands.
DENNY
I'm sorry, I had to do it this way, but...I heard you on the radio... "Champions" was sold out...
KATHERINE
Did you at all bother to find out that a SUNDAY show was added?
DENNY looks at the skater in disbelief, then at DJ #1 who nods in agreement. DJ #2 does as well.
DENNY
A Sunday show. No, I... Nobody had said...
DJ #2
(choked)
There's tickets in that box.
DENNY sees a small shipping box on a shelf of CD's.
DJ #2
Take a few...please.
DENNY pauses a moment.
DENNY
(to Katherine)
I'm sorry. It's just...
DENNY is embarrassed. He notices everyone staring at him.
DENNY
Okay, all right. You guys, out. Out, out. I mean it.
DENNY shoves DJ #2 passed the booth door, DJ #1 carefully follows, fearful.
DENNY
I need a moment alone. OUT.
DENNY closes the door behind the DJ's and looks at KATHERINE. Now, she is very scared; DENNY notices.
DENNY
Oh, GAD, I'm not going to hurt you! I LOVE what you have. That's why I'm doing all this.
KATHERINE
(relaxing)
Why?
DENNY
It's a long story,...and I don't think I have time to tell it.
INT. WKLR - ENGINEER'S BOOTH
A large pane of sound proof glass separate the broadcast studio and the adjoining engineer's booth. The broadcast can be heard over a monitor.
VIONA rushes into the booth where a roughed-up engineer, JAMES, is being helped off the floor by the DJ's. The body guard, SID, follows as well.
VIONA
Oh, gad.
Seeing the situation in the sound room, VIONA, the DJ's, JAMES, and SID halt at the engineer's table, listening.
KATHERINE (filtered)
So...you just wanted to meet me. You're not some pervert, then.
DENNY (filtered)
No, no. Course not.
VIONA
Somebody shoot me.
INT. BROADCAST BOOTH
KATHERINE
Then WHY. You bust through here, like Charles Bronson, to JUST shake my hand. I about pull my pepper spray on your ass.
DENNY
Why.
KATHERINE
(frustrated)
Yes, WHY.
DENNY takes a moment. He begins shaking nervously, taking a deep breath. KATHERINE listens carefully.
DENNY
I...just wanted to say...that...I think you're the most...beautiful creature ever to step on the ice the way you do. You look as natural in skates as...the sun coming up everyday. And with sharing a special gift...like yours...with others, it gives THEM the chance to feel...special in THEIR lives for once...just by watching you.
(beat)
There are only...four women in the world who have what you have.. and it's...an absolute privilege...for us to be... breathing the same air.
A moment of silence breaks the studio.
INT. BROOK'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM/OFFICE - SAME TIME
BROOK is listening intently.
INT. SAMUEL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - SAME TIME
SAMUEL, now holding his shower radio, listens carefully as well.
INT. WKLR - ENGINEER'S BOOTH - SAME TIME
VIONA covers her face, embarrassed.
DJ #1
What kind of gay shit is THAT?
INT. BROADCAST BOOTH
DENNY becomes deflated by the lack of response from KATHERINE.
DENNY
I'm sorry. I'm told I say stupid things.
KATHERINE
No, no. It's all right.
(beat)
I guess. Thank you...for the compliment...
DENNY
Denny.
INT. BROOK'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM/OFFICE - SAME TIME
BROOK is now laughing hysterically, knowing who has raided the studio.
INT. SAMUEL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - SAME TIME
SAMUEL is screaming nervously, after hearing also.
INT. WKLR - BROADCAST BOOTH - DAY
KATHERINE
Denny. That's nice of you to say.
DENNY timidly holds out his hand for shaking. KATHERINE looks at the engineer's booth, with caution.
INT. ENGINEER'S BOOTH
SID moves closer to the broadcast door, poised for intrusion. VIONA watches nervously.
INT. BROADCAST BOOTH
Slowly, KATHERINE reaches out and shakes DENNY's hand. DENNY suddenly relaxes with a smile.
Soon, SID bursts into the studio and rushes DENNY. DENNY allows himself to be escorted out of the booth. The DJ's rush into the booth, protecting KATHERINE.
DENNY
Thank you, Ms. Cardigan.
KATHERINE gives a heart-little wave goodbye.
INT. SAMUEL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - SAME TIME
SAMUEL
(laughing)
You go, Denny-boy!
INT. ENGINEER'S BOOTH
SID rushes DENNY through the booth. JAMES stands aside. VIONA assists SID.
VIONA
He's with me. I'll take him.
The three of them exit the booth.
INT. BROADCAST BOOTH
The DJ's and KATHERINE begin to relax, trying to continue the show.
DJ #1
(into mic)
Well...that was pretty tense for a spell, but everything seems to be all right now.
Suddenly, another BURST is heard from the engineer's booth, startling KATHERINE and the DJ's.
DENNY can be seen rushing in and looking through the pane of glass.
DENNY
(muffled)
Can I still get some of those tickets?!