04x04 - A Sort of Homecoming

[bunniefuu]

Hey, you got a boyfriend?

No. Why?

'cause that's the guy that should be doing all this, Giving you rides everywhere.

Maybe it'd be more efficient if you were my boyfriend.

Got Luke here, a new player. Y'all make sure that he is welcome.

You're a long way from home, boy.

I guess so.

I'm Julie, Matt's girlfriend.

So you're the ball and chain that keeps dragging him down.

Do you think I'm holding you back?

No, you're the most important thing in my life.

If you can't finish games, I can't keep this program going. You turn it around, or we gonna shut it down.

[ cheering ]

Vince howard puts the lions on the board For their first touchdown.

[ cheering ]

Sammy Meade: (on the radio) It's still a sad state of affairs for the Panthers. In a single week, the team got a forfeit on the books and a great player, Luke Cafferty, shipped out of school. Callers you say what?

Caller: Sammy, I gotta correct you on something. That Cafferty kid wasn't shipped out. He was hand delivered by principal Taylor to East Dillon - her husband's team. And everybody knows it!

( Tami just shakes her head in disgust. )

[INT. East Dillon - Faculty Break Room]

( Eric walks in and heads to the coffee machine. Levi and other faculty are sitting at the table. )

Levi: Taylor.

Eric: Morning, Levi.

Levi: I see you finished a game last Friday. Way to go! Sis-boom-bah. Rah-Rah-Rah.

Eric: Hey, Levi. Pep rallies.

Levi: Mm...hm.

Eric: Build excitement. They're good for the school, good for the team.

Levi: Pep ralies don't cost, correct?

Eric: Nope.

Levi: (packing up his stuff) Good. Don't let me get in your way.

( Eric watches him go. )

[INT. Pizza Restaurant]

( Julie and Matt are sitting at the table while Julie types something on her laptop. )

Matt: Come on, how much re-typing do you gotta do? Just put your test scores in, tell them how awesome you are and we can move along.

Julie: It's too long. I have to cut it down at least by half.

( Matt sighs, put-out. )

Julie: Did you hear that Brown used to make you hand write your essays?

Matt: Wow. Well, that's so they can weed out the serial K*llers.

( She laughs. )

Matt: So what's the, uh, the final list of schools?

Julie: Mm... UC Berkley, UCSB, Brown, Amherst... Um, Mount Holyoke, NYU, U.T. Austin - (she throws up her fingers into a horn) Hook 'em horns.

( He just sits and watches her, look sad and frustrated. )

[EXT. East Dillon Football Field]

( Practice is in session. )

Stan: Fumble.

Assistant Coach: Good splits, good splits. Come off the ball, now. Come off the ball!

Eric: Step up! Come on up!

Player: Oh, man!

Assistant Coach: Fumble! Come on now, Five.

Eric: Get it together out there.

Luke: Do you know how to read the 'D Man'

Vince: The defensive end didn't move

Luke: He did move!

Vince: Next time give me the ball and get out of my way.

Coach: Come here. Shut up! Shut your mouth. Come here. (to Luke) You read the end. (to Vince) You stay in the pitch lane. You keep your personal crap off this field. And you quit letting me down and quit letting the team down. Cuz we are all getting tired of it. Is that understood?

Luke: Yes, sir.

Vince: Yes, sir.

Eric: Let's go now. Come on.

Assistant Coach: Come on, in the huddle. Good fake in there, let's go!

Vince: What the hell? You trying to be funny?

Luke: I don't understand. Why aren't you in the end zone? I got out of your way.

( Stan and the Asst. Coach break them up. Clearly Coach's words went in one ear and out the other. )

Vince: You're my problem right now.

Luke: No you're the problem

Assistant Coach: That's enough!

( Eric looks over to see a rusted out sign that reads "Dillon High 1983 State Champions" )

( Don't you just love our theme song?? )

[INT. Mindy and Billy's House]

( Mindy and Tim hanging at the table when Tim bursts in carrying r*fles. )

Tim: Yeah! Deer and beer, here we come. Two days away. Let's get after it, Billy.

Mindy: What the hell are you doing? This is how accidents happen.

Tim: Minds, I don't think they're loaded. We're fine.

Billy: No, Tim. Put 'em in the corner or something, alright. She's not supposed to have any stress right now.

Tim: Where's the g*n cleaner?

Mindy: Why do you have to clean your g*ns?

Tim: Wait.

Billy: What are you doing?

Tim: You didn't tell her did you?

Mindy: I totally see now. So y'all just get to go hunting and get drunk and leave me here by myself.

Billy: No, no, no.

Mindy: I have an ultrasound this week.

Billy: I understand that and I want to be there for that ultra...

Mindy: So I just get to shove this fat ass behind a steering wheel and drive myself to the doctor. Is that what's going to happen?

Billy: Honey, I will be there for that ultrasound, okay? Timmy and I can go hunting anytime.

Tim: No we can't. That's why it's called 'hunting season', Billy.

Billy: Seriously, I'm gonna put your head through a wall. Would you shut up?

( Tim sh*ts his brother a 'whatever' look and struts out carrying his two r*fles while Billy throws his head back in frustration. )

[EXT. East Dillon Football Field]

( Practice ends. )

[INT. East Dillon Lions Locker Room]

( Luke is changing and realizes he can't find his wallet. )

Luke: All right, jokers. Who took my wallet?

Player: I don't know man.

Luke: Seriously. It's not funny.

Vince: You know what I do when I lose something? I retrace my steps. Maybe that's what you should do.

Player: Yeah.

Vince: Retrace 'em.

Luke: I didn't lose it. It was in my locker and now it's missing.

Vince: I mean, you want us to get together? We can help you look for it if you want.

Luke: Cut the crap. Seriously. I'm not going to tell you again. Give me my wallet back.

Vince: You're so sure I took it.

Luke: Mmm..hmm.

Vince: (he slams his own locker shut) Go on and get it then.

( Luke moves to Vince's locker when Vince intercepts him, team moves in to stop the fight. )

Players: Whoa!

Vince: Get off!

[INT. Coach's Office]

( Luke and Vince are standing in front of Coach's desk. )

Eric: I've got a pep rally to organize. I've got papers to grade. I've got a family to raise. I've got a wife to love. And then I've got you two Bozos - trying to teach you two something you seem just damn determined not to learn. (to Luke) What makes you think he took your wallet?

Luke: It's obvious, Coach.

Eric: It's obvious. Well, you're gonna make a hell of a lawyer, aren't you? (to Vince) Do you know where his wallet is?

Vince: No, sir.

Eric: You don't know where his wallet is.

Luke: This is a bunch of bull, Coach.

Eric: Hey, Coach Crawley!

Assistant Coach: Yes, sir.

Eric: Coach, would you take these two gentlemen to the gymnasium. Have them run those stairs for the next thirty minutes or until a wallet shows up. Whichever one might come first.

Assistant Coach: You bet.

Eric: Thank you, Coach. Y'all enjoy.

Assistant Coach: Come on, boys.

( They boys follow Crawley outside. )

Eric: (removes his hat) Ja'gummit.

[INT. Pizza Parlor]

( Tim's boxing up pizza when Tim wanders in to collect his pizza pie. )

Tim: Seven.

Matt: Riggs, what's up?

Tim: Slinging dough instead of sixty yard bombs now, huh? No Chicago?

Matt: Nah, kinda felt like I should stay here and take care of my grandma.

Tim: Right.

Matt: No San Antonio?

Tim: Negative.

Matt: What else is new?

Tim: You playing any ball?

Matt: No, not really. Been working with this artist on some art stuff. Yeah. And working here, you know.

Tim: Right.

Matt: You gonna be watching any football this weekend?

( Matt sets his pizza down in the box and before he can close it, Tim removes a slice. )

Tim: No, I'm going hunting this weekend, my friend.

Matt: Oh, yeah?

Tim: Get me some white tail. Maybe wrestle down some boars.

Matt: Nice.

Tim: That's my weekend.

Matt: All right.

Tim: Anyways, it's good to see you.

Matt: You too, buddy.

Tim: Let's go for a beer sometime.

Matt: Yeah, sure.

( Tim starts to leave when Matt calls him back. )

Matt: Hey, Riggins, actually um... Is it cool if maybe I go hunting with you this weekend?

Tim: You hunt?

Matt: Well, I mean, my dad took me a couple of times when I was little.

Tim: Thursday morning, 5:15.

Matt: All right.

Tim: See you there.

Matt: Yeah, man.

Tim: Thank you.

[INT. East Dillon High Hallway]

( Jess is walking with two of her friends when she spots Landry walking with Devin. )

Jess: It's nasty.

Friend: It's nothing but used goods.

Jess: Landry!

Landry: Hey, what's going on? You know, Dev.

Jess: Hello.

Devin: Hi.

Jess: Hi.

Landry: How are you doing?

Jess: You have a car. (she looks at Devon) He hit me with it.

Landry: Yeah, everyone knows...

Devin: I heard about it.

Landry: Yeah, we all know about it.

Jess: I think you should use that car to drop me and my friends off to this party in Kilroy tomorrow. Yeah.

Landry: That's an idea.

( Devin gives him a 'haven't you been this guy before' look. )

Landry: Although, I think I might have to decline because I've kinda been down that road before where a girl asks me to do something and I just kinda say yes...And then everyone's calling me a word that I don't like to use...

Jess: You're invited to the party. (looks at Devin) You are, too.

Landry: Oh, I didn't. You could have just said that to begin with...

Devin: Thank you for the invitation.

Jess: So you cool? You wanna come?

Landry: Yeah. I think that sounds great.

Jess: Yeah?

Landry: Sounds great.

Jess: It's gonna be a lot of fun.

Landry: It's going to be fun.

Jess: Alright, see you later.

Landry: Okay, bye.

( Jess walks off. )

Devin: Okay.

Landry: Alright.

Devin: So you're going to go to a party in Kilroy!

Landry: Yeah, I am. What is that? Why with that tone?

[INT. Beauty Pageant Interview]

Becky: But I have to tell you that when I die, I hope that people will say that she gave more than she took. That would be true success to me.

( We see she is talking to a panel for Miss Teen Texas. )

[INT. Hallway]

( Bartender mom is pacing. )

Becky: Mom! I'm in!!

Bartender Mom: Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

( Hugs. )

[EXT. Parking Lot]

Bartender Mom: I could not be any prouder of you, Becky. You make it look so easy and it's not. It's not easy at all. It's such hard work.

Becky: Thanks mom.

Bartender Mom: You know what? You need a new gown.

Becky: Yeah?

Bartender Mom: Absolutely. Yeah, uh, a portrait neckline.

Becky: I know. How about tomorrow, before my shift, we could find the perfect dress, the perfect shoes and then get a bite to eat.

Becky: (beaming) Yeah.

Bartender Mom: Yeah?

Becky: Yeah, tomorrow's great.

Bartender Mom: Okay. I can't wait to watch those other girls eat your dust.

[EXT. Julie and Devin are walking to Julie's car]

Devin: I gotta ask you something and I need you to not be weird about it.

Julie: What's up?

( They get into Julie's car. )

Devin: There's this place right outside of Dillon called Steers. And I was wondering if you'd go there with me?

Julie: Steers?

Devin: It's... It's gay. I mean, it's a gay place.

Julie: Are you hitting on me?

Devin: No, you're not my type.

Julie: Oh, I'm not you're type.

Devin: Look, I just need somebody to go there with me. This is a new experience, it's kinda weird. It'd be nice to have a friend go with me.

Julie: I'll go. See what you're type is like.

[INT. Tami is in the Superintendent's Office]

Tami: Well, I think where we need to focus all our attention on right now is the library, library, library. It's been since 2005 since we've had any updates. It's where we should focus our funds.

Superintendent: Yeah, but uh, you know, I'm really sorry but our budget is already tapped out. Maybe we can do this next year.

Tami: But no, I mean, we had actually pushed it last year and we had talked about that this would be where our focus was this year so...

Sup: Look, there are a lot of people who are pretty angry out there, Tami. I mean, you realize that a substantial portion of the school's revenue is generated by football, don't you?

Tami: Oh, so you mean people are angry because I told Luke Cafferty that he had to go to the correct school for his district? That's why we're not gonna get our library? That seems like a shame to me.

Sup: Look, after what you did with Luke, we're gonna be lucky to reach half the normal amount this year. I mean, you cost yourself and the school any chance we might've had to improve that library. Now, I'm sorry, Tami but if you'll excuse me I do have another meeting.

[EXT. Parking Lot]

( Tami exits the meeting to find "Panther Hater" spray painted on her car. )

Tami: What?

[INT. Taylor House]

( Eric and Stan are sitting at the dining room table making phone calls. )

Stan: Hello, Mr. R.C. Collins, Class of '79? Mr. Collins, I would like to talk to you about football. I would like to talk to you about East Dillon High football and Coach Eric Taylor. Hello?

Eric: Try the next one.

Tami: How's it going?

Eric: Good.

Tami: What are you doing exactly?

Eric: We're looking up alumni from East Dillon Lions of past to try and get them to join the Pep Rally.

Stan: Yeah, you're husband had the inspired idea to make the Pep Rally a sort of homecoming.

Tami: That is inspired.

Eric: The Lions of East Dillon are not roaring.

Stan: He's not home.

Eric: Try the 9-3-4

Tami: Honey, honey, come here.

Stan: Hello, is this Mr. Eddie Boar? Class of '79?

( Eric joins Tami in the kitchen. )

Tami: Honey, you need food.

Eric: Huh?

Tami: You need food for these people. If you want to bring people in, you've got to make them some food. Just like we do. Just like we've always done.

Eric: You offering to cook dinner?

Tami: (looks up to the heavens) Oh, Lordy. Perhaps I am. (looks at Eric) Perhaps I am offering to cook dinner, Babe. Yeah, Mm...hmm.

Eric: Thank you.

Tami: Mm..hmm.

Eric: Thank you.

Tami: You're welcome.

Stan: (watching them) That's real sweet.

Eric: It's good, thanks. (sh*ts Stan a look) Alright.

Tami: Alright, well I'm gonna get myself ready for school. Y'all good luck!

( Julie emerges carrying Gracie. )

Julie: Hi.

Stan: I'm Stan Traub. Assistant Coach.

Julie: I'm Julie. Daughter. Nice to meet you.

[INT. Becky's house]

Becky: Hey mom! Mom, are you ready to go?

( Becky finds a note on table with some cash: "B - Had to go to work. Buy something FABULOUS! - Mom" )

[EXT. Tim's trailer]

( Becky knocks on Tim's door. )

Tim: What?

Becky: (opens the door) Can I borrow your truck?

Tim: No.

Becky: Please?

Tim: You can't borrow it. You don't even have your license.

Becky: I know how to drive.

Tim: I don't care.

Becky: (hurt) Thanks.

Tim: What's wrong?

Becky: My mom blew me off. Again.

[EXT. Taylor patio]

( Matt and Julie are playing Scrabble. )

Matt: There is a gay bar in Dillon?

Julie: It's not in Dillon. It's outside of Dillon.

Matt: Same difference.

Julie: Mr. Matthew, Z-A is not a word.

Matt: Z-A is a word and if you look at it, it spells ZA. As in pizZA. It's vernacular in certain places but wait, you're trying to...

Julie: You are such a liar!

Matt: No, no, don't try and distract me from the...

Julie: ... just cuz it has a Z you will not use it.

Matt: ... fact that you are going to a gay bar. What are you going to do at a gay bar?

Julie: Dance and make out with some chicks.

Matt: I knew it. I knew you wanted to experiment.

Julie: No. I'm going for Devin to be her moral support.

Matt: Whatever. I don't even care. I'm going hunting with Riggins anyway.

Julie: That's a joke. You're going hunting with Riggins?

Matt: It's not a joke.

Julie: So you're just gonna go sh**t some poor defenseless animals just for the fun of it?

Matt: Yeah, well, uh, to eat.

Julie: You are such so much better than that. Why would you stoop to that level?

Matt: No, I'm not. I'm not better than that.

Julie: It's barbaric. It's disgusting.

Matt: Hold on. Hold the phone. I live in Dillon and people in Dillon what they do is go hunting and sh**t animals. This is just the way it works.

Julie: That's just an awful excuse, first of all. And second of all, I live in Dillon. I don't go hunting.

Matt: You don't live in Dillon for long. (mumbles) Need a word...

Julie: Is this about my college applications?

Matt: No. It's not about your college applications... It's not even about you. I don't know why think everything's about you.

[INT. Dress shop]

( Becky is looking at dresses and Tim is looking bored. )

Becky: (flipping through the dress rack) No, no, no... All of this says runner-up. None of this is good.

Tim: I'm sure your mom wanted to be here for this.

Becky: Yeah, or she hooked up with some dude. You know, whatever.

Tim: Hey, look, cut her some slack. I'm sure she...

Becky: Don't! Because every time something really important comes along - every time - she does this. She has an emergency or a date or she takes another shift at that stupid bar.

Tim: (wants to change subject) Hey look, this one's nice. It's pretty.

Becky: You think it's pretty?

Tim: Yeah?

Becky: Is that a portrait neckline?

Tim: Uh, yeah.

Becky: Oh my God, this is stupid. You don't even know. Can we go, please?

Tim: No, hey. We can't go. We're here, we gotta pick something. And what's that saying? Doesn't the dress find you?

Becky: Can we please just go? This is... just a dumb idea.

Tim: I'm gonna tell you something, alright? And you can't tell it to anyone else. My mother never took me shopping for a pageant gown. And because of that, I never placed in Miss Texas. That's why I got into football. That's a fact.

( She laughs and he wraps his arm around her. )

Tim: This is what we're gonna do. We're gonna start with the wheels and then we'll work our way up.

( Becky is giving him that 'I want you Tim Riggins' look. )

Tim: By then, hopefully they'll have a new shipment of dresses in.

[EXT. Ray's BBQ Restaurant]

( All the girls pile into Landry's car. )

Jess Friend 1: Hey Landry!

Landry: Hey!

Jess Friend 1: Y'all look at his shirt.

Jess Friend 2: Oh, my God.

Landry: How's it going?

Jess Friend 2: What does he have on?

Landry: All right, you all ready for some good old fashioned revelry?

( Three of Jess' friends pile into the backseat. )

Jess Friend 2: What's this music?

Landry: Oh? I'm glad you like it. It's actually, it's this local band and their name is Crucifixtorious.

Jess Friend 2: Do we have to listen to this the whole ride? I'm just saying...

( Jess enters the car. )

Jess: Hey.

Landry: Wow. You look nice.

Jess: Oh, thanks. What's this music?

( She reaches for the radio. )

Landry: Here, hold on, just give it a second...

( She clicks on a hip-hop station as the other girls touch Landry's hair. )

Jess Friend 1: Feel his hair. It's like grass.

Landry: Wow.

[EXT. House Party]

( Party in full swing. Landry is all smiles as he dances with a group of girls. Meanwhile, Jess walks through the house with Vince hot on her heels. )

Vince: Jess, you're looking really good tonight. Surprised to see you here.

( Judging by the look on her face, she feels the same way. )

Jess: Really?

Vince: What's up with you? What's your problem?

Jess: I ain't got a problem with you.

Vince: Mm...hmm.

Jess: Think I'm the only person who sees how disposable you treat girls.

Vince: Well, I can only treat a girl how she allows me to treat her. Maybe I've been talking to the wrong girls.

Jess: K, now see you're trying to piss me off.

Vince: Just sitting here frontin' like you don't think about me? Not even a little bit?

Jess: You wish I thought about you. I have a boyfriend.

Vince: Oh, you got a boyfriend?

( Jess walks over and starts dancing with Landry while Vince watches. )

Calvin: What's up with that, man? I know that ain't that Opie-looking dude I hit in football practice is it?

Vince: Yeah, that's him.

Calvin: Looks to me like Jess is hitting that now.

[INT. Bar]

( Buddy and Eric are sitting at the bar, sipping beers. )

Buddy: (taking sh*ts) It's over. I'm not a Panther anymore. And it makes me --- I feel ill. I don't know why I'm saying this to you. You know what it's like to be a Panther and have it taken away from ya. I'm sorry about it. I'm sorry about all of it, Eric.

Eric: Tami and I are having some East Dillon alumni over this week for dinner. Why don't you come over and join us?

Buddy: You can't fake "Boosterism," Eric. It comes from the heart. That's the beauty of it.

[EXT. East Dillon High School]

Vince: Hey, what's up, Landry? I was surprised to see you at the party last night. Did you have fun?

Landry: That was fun. It was a lot of fun. Someone spilled something on my shoes.

Vince: Oh, that's too bad.

Landry: Other than that, it was fun.

Vince: Yeah, how a good time? There was dancing and stuff.

Landry: Yeah, I had a good time.

Vince: You had a good time with Jess?

Landry: Yeah, I mean, you know, just as... you know I was just a ride.

Vince: Really? Cuz she told me you were her boyfriend.

Landry: Is... No. I'm definitely not her boyfriend. She said that?

Vince: Yeah, she did.

Landry: No. That's crazy.

Vince: You're not lying to me are you?

Landry: No. I'm not. And that's news to me.

Vince: Alright. You good. (starts walking away and pats Landry on the shoulder) Be safe, man.

Landry: Okay.

[INT. Ray's BBQ Restaurant]

( Coach gets in line to order. )

Eric: Hey, how you doing?

Ray: Hey.

Eric: Uh...

Ray: What'll it be?

Eric: You're not by chance Virgil Merriweather? 1983 State Championship? Quarterback? East Dillon Lions?

Ray: (ignoring the questions) What'll it be?

Eric: Oh, I'll have a, uh, pound of brisket if you would, please. I'm Eric Taylor. I'm the new coach over at East Dillon.

Ray: $8.50

( As Eric gets his wallet, we see Jess in the background sweeping as she overhears the conversation. )

Eric: You don't by chance rent this place out for events or anything do you?

Ray: Nope.

Eric: Well, that's too bad. We got our first pep rally, homecoming coming up.

Ray: That's nice.

Eric: Look, this may sound odd but my wife and I are having a dinner party for some ex-Lions players.

Ray: Nope.

Eric: I got some really great kids on my team. They're good kids and they could sure use someone like you to come over and speak some words to 'em.

Ray: Brisket will be out in a few.

[INT. J.D. McCoy's fancy ride]

( J.D. is driving with Luke in the passenger seat and two other players in the back. )


Player 1: Hey, Luke, let me get this straight, man. This guy steals your wallet and you don't do anything about it.

Luke: What do you want me to do?

Player 2: Get your wallet back.

Player 1: Yeah.

J.D.: Look, Luke, I know East Dillon is like a prison or whatever, but I didn't think you'd become someone's bitch.

( J.D. and the other guys laugh. )


Player 1: Hey, I know, right?

( Luke spots Vince walking along the street. )

Luke: Stop the car.

J.D.: What?

Luke: Stop the car.

( J.D. pulls over, blocking Vince's path and Luke gets out. )

Vince: I see you brought your boyfriends with you to help look for your wallet.

Luke: Why don't you shut up and give it back?

Vince: You don't know when to quit do you?

( Luke knocks the plate of food that Vince was carrying. Vince reacts by punching Luke and fight ensues. )


Player 1: Oh! There you go, Luke. Take him down.

Vince: Don't know when to quit!

( Here the sound of a police siren so J.D. and the other players run back to the car. )


J.D.: Cops, come on, let's go!

Player 1: Go, go, go!

Player 2: Forget him, let's go!

Officer: Break it up! Break it up, boys!

Officer: Get up! Get up!

Officer: I said break it up.

[INT. Taylor Dining Room]

( The Taylor's are entertaining some alumni. Wine and food are in abundance. )

Tami: Hey, Deacon, how long have you been over there at Bethel Baptist?

Deacon: 18 years.

Tami: That's a long time.

Deacon: Coach Taylor, can I ask you something?

Eric: Yes, sir.

Deacon: Why are we here?

Damon: Oh, Lord have mercy, Deacon. I'm trying to enjoy my meal here. Man.

Eric: No, it's uh, it's a good question. Listen, I just started coaching at this school. I would imagine that you would think of it as your high school, too. With that said, we are facing - I am facing a lot of challenges over there. And we've got some problems that I want to...

Deacon: Listen, with all due respect, people from your part of town pretty frequently tell us about our problems. Our crime problem. Our education problems. You know how we got these problems? Back in the 80s, the west Side of Dillon got developed. They got the mall, they got the hotel, the west side of Dillon got the money.

Mo: And what did we get?

Deacon: We got forgotten.

Damon: We got our high school closed.

Deacon: And so listen, we thank you for your hospitality but, uh, I think I'm gonna skip that lecture about our problems.

Tami: Well, uh, I know nobody needs a lecture here that's for sure.

Eric: That's right.

Tami: Um, I think the truth is we just... We just wanted to get to know you all a little bit better and I was just hoping that y'all would get to know my husband a little bit better. Because if there is one thing about this man, he loves football. He loves football, he loves those boys out there, he lives and breathes it, you know. It's family to us.

Eric: Fact of the matter is, it's pretty damn hard playing football when you've got nobody out there appreciating the effort that you're putting into it.

Deacon: You like losing with everybody watching?

Eric: Well, Deacon, that's what we're trying to fix. Trying to fix that.

( Doorbell rings and Tami gets up to answer it. )

Buddy: Hello?

Tami: Oh! Hey, Buddy. How are you?

Buddy: How are you? You're looking more and more beautiful.

Tami: Well, thank you.

( Eric cringes, wondering if this was the worst idea ever. )

Mo: (grinning) Is that Buddy Garrity?

Eric: You know Buddy?

Mo: Do I know Buddy?

Damon: Oh, oh, oh.

Tami: Y'all, this is Buddy Garrity.

Mo: Buddy Garrity!

( The men are suddenly all giddy and laughing - the atmosphere has changed and it's all good. )

Buddy: Mo Hall! You've got to be kidding me! Big Mo!

Damon: Ain't nobody hit harder than Buddy Garrity. I'll tell you that.

Eric: Hey Buddy!

Buddy: Damon Gaston!

Damon: Hey, brother.

Buddy: Good to see you.

Eric: Honey, Buddy's here!

Tami: Buddy's here!

Eric: Hey!

Buddy: Hello Coach!

Eric: How are you?

Buddy: I'm fine.

Eric: It's good to see you.

Deacon: What's going on, Buddy?

Buddy: Good to see you, good to see you.

Buddy: Hello Deacon.

[INT. Steers - Gay Bar]

( Devin and Julie are sitting at the bar drinking sodas. )

Julie: So is this what you were expecting it to be like?

Devin: Not exactly. But I really like the lighting in here.

( Julie laughs. The place is cheesy looking. )

Devin: I just don't know how anybody meets anybody.

Julie: You are asking the wrong person.

Devin: But you've got the forever boyfriend, you know.

Julie: Yeah, well, forever boyfriend is... I don't know. It's like he seems pissed off about like the stupidest thing and then we get into ridiculous arguments that go absolutely nowhere ad it's like...

( Devin isn't listening but making eye contact with a cute girl across the room. )

Julie: It's like I don't know how to fix us. It's like something that's broken or I don't know... (realizing that Devin is preoccupied) You're not even paying attention. What are you looking at?

Devin: Stop. Don't look over there.

Julie: Is that your type? She's cute.

Devin: I'm gonna go to the bathroom. Don't flirt while I'm gone, okay?

Julie: You know me.

Stan: Almost what?

( Julie turns to see Stan playing pool and waves hello. He realizes who she is and then abruptly stops, puts away the pool cue and exits, leaving Julie sitting there wondering what just happened. )

[INT. Taylor Living Room]

( Eric is dozing on the sofa with a Teddy bear as a pillow. )

Eric: I was gonna help you with those dishes, but I somehow got stuck to the couch.

Tami: Mm..hmm, so it seems. (she snuggles up against him) Thank you so much but I think got it.

Eric: I almost made it back in there. I just got a little tired here.

Tami: I heard Deacon Malone say he was gonna make some calls for you.

Eric: That's because you make a damn good steak is what it is. Hey.

Tami: Mmm?

Eric: Thanks for tonight.

Tami: Don't thank me, thank Buddy Garrity.

Eric: Buddy Garritty ate all my damn steak.

Tami: He sure did.

Eric: Hey, you know what?

Tami: Mmm?

Eric: You're good at what you do. You were a lot of hats.

Tami: Thank you.

( Phone rings. )

Eric: (looks at caller ID) It's not Buddy. Hello? Yes, sir.

[INT. Police Station]

Officer: The white kid, he's got no record. He can go. The black kid, he's going to juvie.

Eric: His name is Vince. Has he made mistakes? Hell yeah, the kid's made mistakes. You know what though? He shows up. He gets the job done. He works hard. I can vouch for him. All I'm asking is give him a second chance.

Officer: Coach, he's used up his chances.

Eric: Can I see them?

[INT. Holding Cell]

( Officer opens door to let them in. )

Eric: (to officer) Thank you.

Vince: Coach, I can explain.

Eric: Shh!

( He waits until the officer is gone. )

Eric: Just listen, we are at a crossroads right now. (looks at Luke) You are gonna admit that everything was your fault.

Luke: My dad...

Eric: Quiet! (to Vince) You are gonna cut the tough guy crap. You're both gonna say exactly what I say. And we are gonna fix this. Understood?

Vince: Yes, sir.

Luke: Yes, sir.

[INT. Coach's car]

( Eric pulls up alongside a barren road and stops. )

Eric: You get one chance in life, fellas. You either take advantage of it or you piss it away. You do the latter, and you're gonna regret it the rest of your lives. Get out. Get out of the car.

( He drives away, leaving Luke and Vince to walk home. )

Vince: He really took off. He really did.

Luke: Hey, Howard. It's this way.

Vince: You sure?

Luke: Yeah.

Vince: Thanks.

( It's unclear if he means for the directions or for taking the blame for the fight. )

Luke: Yeah.

( Vince hands Luke his wallet. Luke shakes his head and scoffs but accepts it. )

[EXT. Jess' house as her little brothers (Andre, Caleb and Darius) run towards Ray's BBQ]

Boys: Go, go, go, go, go!

Jess: Caleb, go ahead and b*at him!

( The boys run down the street. )

Jess: Be careful with that!

Ray: Lunches! Line up, line up! Ah-ah! (hands them each a bag) Pop! Pop! Pop! (pulls them into a hug) Hey, hey, come on over here, boys. Come on over here, what you got? (releases them) Ah! Got get 'em boys! Hurry up! Catch that bus, now. Catch 'em now!

Jess: Go get 'em! Daddy, they got Pop Warner practice after school today.

Ray: Okay. You take your brothers and I'll make sure they get a ride with Mrs. Turner, okay?

Jess: Okay. You think maybe you can stop by just for a second?

Ray: Look, look. Go on before you miss the bus.

Jess: Dad, I, uh, I heard what Coach Taylor was talking to you about the other day.

Ray: That ain't your business, Jess.

Jess: Daddy, okay, look I'm sorry I like football. Okay? Andre loves football. Darius loves it so much he throws up because he gets so nervous before his game. But it's fine, it really is. It's not your thing anymore. But, it's still in us. We're still a football family.

Ray: Jess, it ain't for you to decide.

Jess: Daddy, I'm not trying to decide anything. I'm just asking if we can hold the Pep Rally here. It'd be fun, Dad.

Ray: Get on before you miss the bus. Go ahead and take the boys to school.

Jess: Yes, sir.

[EXT. Texas woods]

( Our boys are walking through the woods carrying their r*fles. )

Tim: I'm hoping we get something over that fire tonight. So keep the eyes peeled, light feet.

Matt: What kinds of things do you think we're gonna get?

Tim: White tail, boar.

( Matt steps forward, aims and fires his g*n at something twice while Tim falls back into a bush. )

Tim: Seven, Stop!

Matt: What?

Tim: What was it?

Matt: Well, I, well, I don't know.

Tim: What do you mean you don't know? The wind?

Matt: I thought, I thought I saw something but I think it might've been the wind.

Tim: So you're sh**ting... (takes the r*fle from Matt) Gimme that!

Matt: Hey!

Tim: No g*n! No g*n!

Matt: Really? Well, let me have my g*n back.

[INT. Tami's car]

Sammy Meade: Well, this has turned into the slamming Tami show. Caller go ahead.

Caller: Sammy, this year the Panther's were destined for greatness.

Sammy Meade: That is true.

Caller: No we gotta run the table just to make the playoffs.

Sammy Meade: You may right there as well my friend.

Caller: Let me tell you something, you ask me, Tami Taylor should send her resignation and a written apology

Sammy Meade: Well, I can't disagree with you on any of those points though...

Caller: She might have cost us that first game

Sammy Meade: That is true...

Caller: That's on her.

Sammy Meade: I agree with you.

Caller: She's making a mess out of this whole situation. I don't think she...

Tami: Come on, y'all. I did what was right. I did what I had to do. I'm sorry I messed up football for everybody!

Sammy Meade: I don't think she could handle... You've got to give up...

[EXT. Lamme's Candies]

( We see Tami walking into the shop. )

Tami: Hey, I need some chocolate, please.

[INT. East Dillon Hallway]

( Jess is at her locker when Landry approaches. )

Landry: Hey, Jess!

Jess: Hey.

Landry: How's it going? So am I your boyfriend? Cuz it really seemed like Vince thought that I was your boyfriend. He said that that's what you said.

Jess: I didn't say that to him at all. I just said I had a boyfriend.

Landry: Oh. I just wanted to clear that up.

Jess: But it's not like we're dating...

Landry: No.

Jess: So what does it really matter? We're not.

Landry: Okay, 100% not. Okay.

Jess: All right, see you later!

[EXT. Texas woods at night]

( Tim and Matt are by the campfire drinking beers and chatting. )

Tim: College. I'll tell you what college was like. 7 am mandatory wake-up. Then these fantastic one-on-ones with this robotic coach that tells you what you're doing wrong every single day - nothing like Coach Taylor. We were spoiled. Plus, college is boring. They gave us a curfew every night.

Matt: Did you miss Lila though?

Tim: I think we had different paths.

Matt: So, does that mean yes?

Tim: Yeah.

Matt: Yeah.

Tim: Yeah. What about you? How's Dillon Tech?

Matt: It's okay. Not as bad as I thought it'd be. I mean, I'm getting to spend a lot of time with my grandma so that's good. And I make a lot more money delivering pizza with tips and stuff than I used to make over at the Alamo Freeze.

Tim: So basically you stayed in Dillon cuz of Jules?

Matt: Yeah.

Tim: Yeah.

Matt: And now she's applying to colleges and stuff, right. And I knew that was gonna happen I obviously knew she was gonna go to college but I guess I never realized that all the colleges she was going to be applying to were like, um, the other side of the country. And now, I just start getting made at her for no reason. It's like I resent it but she never asked me to stay here, you know. That was my decision. I was the one who decided to do that. I decided that. Well, Texas forever, right?

Tim: Yes. Absolutely. Texas forever, Seven.

( They toast. )

[EXT. Pep Rally for East Dillon]

( Eric and Tami exit their car with baby Gracie - all clad in East Dillon RED )

Eric: I don't know why he changed his mind.

Tami: Well, I think it's going to be a great pep rally.

Eric: We'll see about that. What your step.

Tami: Hey, if it's not great, you still get to come home with us.

( They kiss. )

Eric: There's always that.

Tami: There's always that, right?

Eric: Let's go.

Tami: (to Grace) We're gonna go have fun.

[EXT. Ray's BBQ - Pep Rally]

( People are hanging out, blues music playing the background while Dillon girls (cheerleaders?) are performing a routine. )

Julie: Hey.

Stan: Hey. Where's your brisket?

Julie: Oh, um, I don't eat meat.

Stan: Oh, come on. Let me go get you a plate.

Julie: Oh, it's okay. I actually kinda wanted to talk to you about the other night. Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not gonna tell anybody or anything.

Stan: Tell anybody what?

Julie: Uh...?

Eric: (announcing) I wanted to thank everybody for coming out to East Dillon's first Pep Rally of the year.

Julie: Oh, it's okay.

Eric: I'd like to introduce one of Texas' great high school football teams. 1983 State Champions from East Dillon High. And what they brought home to this school 26 years ago. Come on up, guys!

( The men from the dinner party plus a few others come out in their old jersey's carrying the State Trophy. )

Deacon: Let us pray. Lord, we are gathered here today for a reason. We ask you, Lord, what is a group of Lions? It is a pride. And we stand before you today, Lord, your pride. We need pride in this world. And what do we have here? I say what do we have here?

Crowd: Pride!

Deacon: We are the Lions and we stand together. Who are we?

Crowd: LIONS!

Deacon: Who are we?!

Crowd: LIONS!

( Applause and cheering. )

[INT. Ray's BBQ kitchen]

( Landry is helping Jess clean up. She hands him a tray. )

Jess: This, uh, put his somewhere. I never really wash this, it's... it's kind of weird...

( Landry moves closer. )

Jess: Landry?

( Landry just grabs Jess and kisses her - a long kiss. )

Landry: We're not dating right?

Jess: Definitely not.

Landry: No.

Jess: No.

( Agreed, he leaves. )

[EXT. Tim and Matt are driving home]

[INT. Matt's house]

( Matt's mom is cleaning out the fridge. )

Matt's Mom: Lorraine, I'm tossing this half and half.

Grandma: Well, all right but we're gonna have to go to the store. I cannot drink coffee without cream.

Matt's Mom: Well, me neither.

Grandma: Oh, I remember how you took your coffee.

( Knock at door. )

Grandma: Well, who could that be?

Matt's Mom: I don't know.

Grandma: You failed me.

( Matt's mom answers it and reveal two men in full m*llitary uniform with grim expressions. Cut to a distraught Grandma. )

[EXT. Taylor House]

( Tim drops Matt off. )

Matt: Thanks.

Tim: Yeah.

( Matt knocks on door. )

Matt: Hey, uh, I'm sorry, you know, that I just stopped by but, uh, (notices Julie's tears) What's the matter?

Julie: Have you talked to your mom?

Matt: Why? Is something wrong with Grandma?

Julie: I'm sorry.

Matt: What's the matter?

Julie: It's your dad. He was k*lled.

( Julie cries and pulls him into a hug. )

Julie: Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.