THE HERALD/SAME NIGHT

JAKE comes out of his office, going to CHRIS' desk and tossing an edited copy of the paper on his desk.

JAKE
Chris, this layout isn't going to work. First of all, you have the ads facing off the page.

CHRIS
They're facing off the page because that's how the advertiser wanted them - it's called effect.

JAKE
It's called stupid.

CHRIS
Can't we get through one issue - just one issue - without a smartass comment?

JAKE
You know me.

CHRIS
Yeah, it would be like a day without orange juice.

JAKE
Seriously, lets change this layout.

KC is sitting at desk with the police scanner near her.

CHRIS
Seriously, no. Come on, man. It's what the advertiser paid for.

KC
Are you guys going to argue like this all day?

JAKE
No. As soon as Chris admits that I'm right --

CHRIS
(Laughing)
Oh, that won't happen.

KC
Well, I'm done here. I've got to go help my mother out at the Lucky Lady. You two behave, okay?

She stands up and leaves the office. After she leaves, a voice comes over the police scanner.

VOICE ON SCANNER
...officer down.

JAKE and CHRIS look at scanner. The newsroom gets quieter as other reporters listen too.

CHRIS
What?

VOICE ON SCANNER
...repeat. All units in the vicinity of Cory Publishing, respond to fire. Possible officer down.

JAKE
Vicky.

Jake bolts out of the newsroom.

CHRIS
(To secretary sitting nearby)
I'm going to go with him.

Chris runs after Jake and we:

FADE OUT


OUTSIDE OF CORY/NIGHT

JOE arrives as the police and firefighters are running around.

JOE
(Looking at Cory engulfed in flames).
Oh, my God.

JOSIE arrives and runs to Joe.

JOE
Josie, it's bad.

JOSIE
(a panicked sound to her voice)
I know...God, I hope they get this under control soon.

JOE
Did you call Gary?

JOSIE
Not yet.

JOE
I need to call Carl and Rachel - and Paulina. Amanda was in there.

As he reaches for the phone, we:

FADE OUT


CORY MANSION/NIGHT

MATT and ALLI burst into the room.

MATT
Mom, Carl, turn on the TV. There was an explosion at Cory!

CARL
What?

As CARL turns on the TV, the phone rings. RACHEL answers it.

RACHEL
Hello? (To Carl). It's Joe. (Into phone). Joe, what's going on? We just heard about it. Cameron is there.

CARL
And Amanda.

RACHEL
Amanda is there too? (Into phone). Joe, both Cameron and Amanda are there.

ALLI
(softly)
Mom.

Matt puts his arm around Alli.

CARL
(To himself)
Victoria was also there.

RACHEL
Okay, we're on our way...Joe, we're talking about my daughter and son-in-law. I can't just stay here and wait to hear from you. Carl and I are on our way...Bye.

ALLI
What did he say? How's my mom?

RACHEL
She's fine, sweetheart. Can you watch the twins?

MATT
Yeah, I'll stay too.

ALLI
I want to go.

RACHEL
Honey, you can't.

ALLI
My mom could be hurt. I want to be there!

MATT
I'll take care of the twins on my own. That's fine, Mom, take Alli with you.

Rachel turns to Carl.

CARL
Of course you can come, Alli.

RACHEL
Thank you, Matthew

CARL
Thanks.

Carl, Rachel, and Alli rush out the door as Matt watches them go.

FADE OUT