BLESSINGS FROM BUFFALO "Pilot"

written by

Angelo Ierace

561-329-5879 [email protected] COLD OPEN

EXT. CONGOLESE VILLAGE - DAY - 1991 AJALA (7, Black) runs with a group of other KIDS toward a stack of large boxes on a dirt road in the epicenter of their small village. Ajala opens one of the boxes to reveal dozens of folded t- shirts, all of them the exact same. Ajala unfolds one of the shirts to reveal the writing on it: Buffalo Bills Super Bowl XXV Champions. AJALA (V.O.) The first set of boxes came when I was just seven years old. The shirts inside all told us the same thing...that the Buffalo Bills had won the Super Bowl.

EXT. CONGOLESE VILLAGE - DAY - 1992 Ajala, now 8 years old, grabs a t-shirt from the box and unfolds it for all the KIDS to read: Buffalo Bills Super Bowl XXVI Champions. AJALA (V.O.) And every year after that for the next three years in a row, more boxes came. And every year the shirts in those boxes let us know that the Buffalo Bills had won the Super Bowl yet again...

EXT. CONGOLESE VILLAGE - DAY - 1993

Ajala, now 9 years old, grabs a t-shirt from the box and unfolds it for all the KIDS to read: Buffalo Bills Super Bowl XXVII Champions. AJALA (V.O.) ...and again...

EXT. CONGOLESE VILLAGE - DAY - 1994 Ajala, now 10 years old, grabs a t-shirt from the box and unfolds it for all the kids to read: Buffalo Bills Super Bowl XXVIII Champions. 2.

AJALA (V.O.) ...and again. And ever since that time, I've dreamed about going there. I've dreamed about going to America. Ajala, beaming with pride, removes a crisp cap from the box that reads Buffalo Bills Super Bowl XXVIII Champions and puts it on his head.

INT. AJALA'S HOME - ROOM - DAY - PRESENT DAY CONGO Ajala, now in his early thirties, packs a suitcase as his best friend OLUWA (30s, Black) looks on. Ajala wears his Super Bowl XXVIII Champions cap that is now worn and faded. OLUWA America?! AJALA Yes, America. OLUWA What do you mean? To travel? AJALA To live! I've been awarded a green card. OLUWA How? AJALA The green card lottery. I entered it last year, did everything that was asked of me and I have officially been granted a green card. (beat) I am going to America, Oluwa! OLUWA How is it that your best friend did not even know that you applied for an American green card? AJALA I did not want to get my hopes up. But if it makes you feel any better, you are only the seventeenth person I have told. 3.

OLUWA Seventeenth?! What an honor indeed. (beat) But why leave, Ajala? You have a good job here breeding goats. AJALA Yes and it is because I am a dwarf goat breeder that I have been able to save enough money to go to America. OLUWA How much have you saved? AJALA It has taken me thirteen years, but I have saved a total of three thousand dollars. Of which, two thousand will pay for the flight there. OLUWA One way? AJALA Of course it is one way. No regrets! OLUWA America is a big place. Where will you go? AJALA Buffalo, New York. OLUWA What's in Buffalo?

AJALA (pointing to his token cap) The Buffalo Bills. I shall play for them. OLUWA Not again with that childish nonsense, Ajala. I thought you'd long given up that dream. AJALA Given up the dream?! The dream dies when the man dies. 4.

Packed in Ajala's suitcase are the four commemorative shirts from his childhood along with three tattered commemorative caps. Ajala zips the suitcase shut. OLUWA So this is it, then? AJALA Yes. I fly out tomorrow. OLUWA To Buffalo? AJALA Yes. To the greatest city on earth. Buffalo, New York. The city of champions!

ACT ONE

EXT. BUFFALO NIAGARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - RUNWAY - DAY An airplane comes to a SCREECHING stop.

INT. AIRPLANE - CONTINUOUS Ajala, overjoyed by the landing, lifts both arms in a classic 'touchdown' signal. AJALA Touchdown! (beat) The first of many I assure you. Ajala turns to the MAN next to him, hoping he, too, shares his enthusiasm. He doesn't.

EXT. BUFFALO NIAGARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - MOMENTS LATER Ajala, suitcase in tow, barges through the airport doorway and into a BLIZZARD outside. AJALA Hello, Buffalo! 5.

Bundled up LOCALS and TOURISTS alike stare at the underdressed Ajala. An AIPORT PORTER opens the backseat door of a taxi cab and Ajala slides into:

INT. TAXI CAB - CONTINUOUS The perpetually disgruntled TAXI DRIVER looks at him through the rearview mirror. TAXI DRIVER You're not cold? AJALA My eyelids are frozen open. I cannot blink if I tried. (beat) All the better because I do not want to miss anything as we drive! TAXI DRIVER Where to? AJALA Take me to the Buffalo Bills. TAXI DRIVER It's Wednesday. They're not playing today. AJALA Very well. Take me there anyway. Taxi Driver grumbles as he starts the meter.

INT. TAXI CAB - MOMENTS LATER (DRIVING)

Ajala takes in the sights from the backseat of the cab. TAXI DRIVER So how long are you in town for? AJALA Forever. I am in town forever. How about you? Are you from Buffalo? TAXI DRIVER Born and raised. AJALA Oh the luck! 6.

TAXI DRIVER Luck? I wouldn't exactly call it luck. AJALA Spoken like a true winner indeed!

EXT. NEW ERA FIELD - FIELD HOUSE - DAY The taxi cab pulls up in the vacant parking lot outside of the Buffalo Bills Field House. Ajala exits the cab, suitcase in tow, and trudges through the blizzard toward the front door of the Field House. The taxi cab drives away. AT THE FRONT DOOR OF THE FIELD HOUSE: Ajala frustratedly pulls on the locked door. A SECURITY GUARD inside approaches the door. SECURITY GUARD We're closed. Ajala continues to pull incessantly at the door. Security Guard opens the door halfway. SECURITY GUARD (CONT’D) We're closed, dude. Ticket office is over there, but that closed at five. You can come back tomorrow for tickets or you can go online. But what you can't do is keep tugging on this door like you're about to rip it off. Okay?

AJALA I am not here for tickets. I am here to play for the Buffalo Bills. My name is Ajala Tinibu. SECURITY GUARD Never heard of you. AJALA Very well. Where shall I enter? SECURITY GUARD You shall not enter. If you do enter, that's trespassing. So if I were you, I'd leave before I got arrested or hypothermia. 7.

Security Guard SLAMS the door shut. SECURITY GUARD (CONT’D) Nice hat by the way. Ajala looks around the vacant, snow-covered parking lot. Dressed in only a t-shirt and shorts, Ajala is ill-prepared for both the blizzard and the monumental undertaking of playing for the Buffalo Bills. Ajala reaches in his pocket and takes out a slip of paper with an address scribbled on it along with: Stewart Bishop - go to if Bills are not home

EXT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Ajala, suitcase in tow, KNOCKS on the door. The door opens, revealing STEWART (20s, Black). STEWART Yeah? AJALA Are you Stewart? STEWART Yeah. Who are you? AJALA I am Ajala Tinibu. We corresponded on the Internet about the bedroom. The Bills were not home, so I wish to take you up on your backup offer until I am able to live with the Bills, which will hopefully be tomorrow. May I come in? Ajala starts to enter anyway, but is blocked by Stewart. STEWART Hold up. I coulda sworn you were catfishing me. AJALA Was I to bring you a catfish? I did not know it was customary for one to bring one's roommate a catfish upon moving in. Maybe that is why the Bills did not let me in. I shall make a note to retrieve a catfish before tomorrow. 8.

STEWART I thought you were fake is what I'm saying. AJALA I am very real, I assure you. STEWART I can see that. But I thought that whole email thing was a scam because it kinda sounded like those Nigerian Prince emails. AJALA I am no prince. I am just Ajala Tinibu from Congo. STEWART It's not every day you get an email from an African dude who isn't trying to get your bank account information. AJALA What? STEWART You've heard of that, right? The whole Nigerian Prince thing. Saying they have millions of dollars from an inheritance but he needs your bank account information to transfer the funds. AJALA I have never met a Nigerian Prince. STEWART I got a question. In Africa, do you guys get emails from an American Prince telling you about an inheritance? AJALA I have only used basic Internet a couple of times so I am unsure. (beat) May I come in now? STEWART I guess? 9.

Ajala walks past Stewart into the apartment. Stewart, dumbfounded, looks around the apartment complex, as if trying to find hidden cameras.

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS Ajala makes his way to the living room. Stewart closes the door and follows. STEWART I'm gonna be real with you, the only reason I let you in is because my roommate straight up peaced out last month without a word so I'm a month behind on rent and I need another roommate stat. You feel me? Ajala caresses Stewart's arm. AJALA I am feeling you. Stewart jerks his arm away. STEWART Not like that, man! I'm just letting you know the situation I'm in. Alright? I wouldn't normally do this, but given the circumstances, I'm making an exception. (beat) Rent here is eleven hundred for a two bedroom, so that means your half of the rent every month is five hundred and fifty dollars. Not including utilities.

AJALA I hope the Bills do not require money as well because I am running quite low on funds. Ajala reaches in his pocket and counts out the required cash. He hands the cash to Stewart. AJALA (CONT’D) If you did think this was a trick, why did you supply me with your home address, Stewart? STEWART I dunno. Not the first stupid thing I've done online, that's for sure. 10.

INSERT: A picture on Twitter of Stewart's weathered and creased social security card with the caption "thought this was long gone, but I found it" followed by a thumbs up emoji. His social security number is clearly legible. STEWART (CONT’D) Your room is back there. There's nothing in it right now, but that's on you to furnish. AJALA No need for furnishings as I will only be here a short while. May I share your bed with you until I live with the Bills? STEWART Hell no, man! First off, I don't know what you're talking about living with the Buffalo Bills. Second of all, you're sleeping in your own room. It's carpeted and I can hook you up with a pillow and a sheet for the time being, but don't even think about hopping in my bed, alright? (beat) How do you pronounce your name, anyway? Uh-jay-luh? AJALA Ajala. STEWART Mind if I call you AJ? AJALA Very well.

Ajala turns toward his bedroom. STEWART And you ain't worried about anything, AJ? AJALA Worried about what? STEWART I dunno. Me killing you or something? 11.

AJALA I was not concerned about that before but since you have brought it up, I am now quite concerned. Do you wish to kill me, Stewart? STEWART Nah, man. But you don't know me, so for all you know, I could be a serial killer. AJALA Are you a serial killer? STEWART No. But no serial killer's gonna admit that he's a serial killer when you ask him. AJALA So you are a serial killer? STEWART No. It just seems like you're too trusting when you shouldn't be. AJALA From now on I will ask all those I meet if they wish to kill me. Does that suit you? STEWART Just trying to look out for you. AJALA I appreciate that, Stewart. With a nervous nod of the head, Ajala turns back toward his room. STEWART Yo, I gotta case of the munchies so I was 'bout to bounce and grab some pizza if you're down to hang. Wanna roll? (off Ajala's confused look) I'm very hungry so I was about to leave in order to eat pizza if you are also hungry and would like to accompany me. Shall we go? 12.

INT. PIZZA RESTAURANT - NIGHT Stewart and Ajala sit at opposite ends of a two top table. Between them is a large meatball pizza. Ajala grabs a slice and puts it on his plate, as does Stewart. Ajala picks up a fork and knife. Stewart folds his pizza. STEWART Like this, AJ. They're gonna kick you outta New York if that fork touches your pizza. AJALA I have never folded a pizza before. But when in America... STEWART Yeah, so about that. Are you on a visa or do you have a green card? AJALA I have a green card so I am a permanent resident and in five years I can become an American citizen. Then I will officially be an African American. (beat; louder) Imagine. Me, Ajala Tinibu. An African American! A proud African American! DINERS look on confused. STEWART It doesn't matter if it's official or not, people would still call you African American regardless. Because you're black. A couple years ago I studied abroad in England and some of the white people I was with were referring to the black people in England as African Americans, too. (beat) They're British! They're not American. They may not even be African, either. They're black! I call white people white. I don't go around trying to guess their origins and lineage. Know what I mean? So all I'm saying is that a black dude doesn't need to be African or American to be an African American around here. (MORE) 13. STEWART (CONT’D) (beat) How's that pizza treating you? AJALA It is treating me nicely. STEWART Lemme get this straight, AJ. You coulda picked any place in America to live and you picked Buffalo. Why in the hell did you pick Buffalo? AJALA I came for American football, the stories of which sound delightful! STEWART So why'd you come to Buffalo, then? AJALA The same reason everybody comes to Buffalo! I may not know how to eat a pizza properly, Stewart, but I do know that the Bills are the best football team ever! Ajala points to his cap as if to say, "See?!" DINERS eating at the restaurant stare at Ajala and Stewart. Some are confused while others are upset. STEWART So the only reason you came to Buffalo is for the Buffalo Bills? AJALA Yes! I came to play for the Buffalo Bills! I came to play in the city of champions! STEWART AJ, I don't know how to tell you this, but I got some real bad news for you. Off Ajala's concerned look, WE: CUT TO BLACK. 14.

ACT TWO

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Ajala beelines to his room and resurfaces with all of his Buffalo Bills commemorative memorabilia -- four shirts and three hats. AJALA I have the shirts and hats, Stewart. I have the proof right here in my hands! Four straight years of championships! STEWART Those'll probably fetch a pretty penny if you sell 'em on eBay. AJALA I do not wish to sell these. STEWART But AJ, the Bills never won a Super Bowl. I can prove it to you. AJALA (re: shirts and hats) I have the proof! STEWART You had the Internet in Africa, right? AJALA I've only used it twice. Once for the green card lottery application and the other time to seek living quarters, for which I had sent out two inquiries. One on the list that Mr. Craig has provided and one inquiry to the Buffalo Bills which unfortunately went unanswered. STEWART You've looked up the Bills, though, yeah? AJALA Why look up what you already know to be true? 15.

STEWART So you're just going off of clothing? You never watched the games? AJALA When my father was alive, he would tell us all stories of the Bills' victories. STEWART But you never went online to look any of it up? AJALA The Internet lies, Stewart. You yourself told me this. It's all fake news, yes? STEWART I can show you right now how bad the Buffalo Bills are, AJ. I can show you a thousand different ways. My friend can hook us up with a couple tickets against the Steelers this Sunday and you can see for yourself how bad they are. The only bills that are for real in Buffalo are the ones you gotta pay. (beat) Look, I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but- AJALA I came here to play for the greatest sports organization in the world -- the Buffalo Bills. Champions.

STEWART My family moved to Buffalo when I was four. I was raised in Buffalo. And if there's one thing we're not, it's champions. (beat) AJ, you gotta let me show you.

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATER Ajala, crestfallen, watches video clips and sifts through online news articles detailing the Bills' disastrous Super Bowl streak. 16.

We stay on Ajala's face as he watches the videos; the reflection of the video clips in his TEARY eyes. Stewart walks up next to Ajala. STEWART You okay, AJ? AJALA That is not how my father described the competitions. I fear my dreams tonight shall be plagued by what I have just seen. I no longer know why I have even come to Buffalo to begin with. STEWART So what are you gonna do now? AJALA That I must decide. (beat) I need to be alone right now, Stewart. I apologize. Ajala stands up and leaves. We hear his bedroom door CLOSE. STEWART I gotta get better at picking roommates.

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - AJALA'S ROOM - NIGHT Ajala's room is illuminated by two lit candles. Ajala stares pensively at his commemorative Bills memorabilia. He holds his tattered cap over the candle flame, fully intending to light it on fire.

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY Stewart, dressed and ready for the day, talks on his cell phone while finishing a bowl of cereal. STEWART You know how like on American Idol people who are tone deaf and can't sing audition thinking they can actually sing? That's this dude, man. I don't know how he got this far thinking that A the Bills are good or B he could play for them. (MORE) 17. STEWART (CONT’D) He's just as delusional as those people who can't sing. Ajala enters. He is not wearing his token cap. STEWART (CONT’D) Alright, man, talk to you later. Stewart hangs up the phone. AJALA I have made my decision, Stewart. STEWART Alright, AJ. I wanna hear it, but I'm already running late for work. I'm a lab courier and my schedule's slammed today. If you want, you can ride with me. AJALA What is a lab courier? STEWART I drive around medical stuff like human organs. AJALA I am finding it harder and harder to believe that you are not a murderer, Stewart.

INT. STEWART'S CAR - DAY (DRIVING) Stewart drives while Ajala sits in the passenger seat eating leftover pizza.

AJALA So what do you have in your cargo today? STEWART Some tissue samples and I think some eyes. AJALA Do you like your job? STEWART Yeah, it's cool. I don't wanna do it forever, you know. Right now I'm just taking a break from med school and making some money on the side. (MORE) 18. STEWART (CONT’D) That's what's up. So how 'bout you? You staying or you going back to Africa? AJALA Here is my situation. I do not have enough money left to fly back home. But as I was thinking last night, I was reminded of something. I was reminded of my name. STEWART You didn't remember your name? AJALA Maybe my father told such elaborate tales hoping for me to one day go to America. Perhaps it was his plan for me to go to Buffalo. Ajala is a Yoruba name that means 'victory at last' so perhaps it has always been my destiny to finally bring victory to the City of Buffalo. STEWART How're you gonna do that? AJALA I will play for the Buffalo Bills and we shall win a Super Bowl. I will make this city the winner I always thought it to be. (beat) I would appreciate it, Stewart, if you could drop me off with the Buffalo Bills. STEWART Alright, hold up. You keep saying it and all, but how in the hell are you gonna play for the Buffalo Bills, man? AJALA I shall play very well. STEWART No matter how bad the Bills are, they're still a professional sports team and they don't let dudes straight up from Africa with no experience or knowledge of the sport walk on a professional sports team. (MORE) 19. STEWART (CONT’D) This ain't a Disney movie, man. You gotta play college ball. You need to be scouted. You know? You gotta prove that you can play. AJALA I shall prove it when I am on the team. STEWART Man, they need to know that before you get on the team. AJALA So what are you trying to tell me, Stewart? STEWART I'm saying I have a better chance of getting eaten by a shark during me and Beyonce's wedding than you do of playing for the Buffalo Bills. AJALA If I could just introduce myself to them and-- STEWART That's like a fat person taking off their shoes before they weigh themselves. It ain't gonna change nothing. AJALA I shall play for the Buffalo Bills, Stewart.

STEWART You ever play football on a team? AJALA Not yet. STEWART You ever play football? AJALA Not yet. STEWART Have you ever stepped foot on a football field? 20.

AJALA Not yet. STEWART How big is a football field, AJ? AJALA Which one? Where the Bills play? STEWART They're all the same size, man! (beat) My mom knows more about football than you do, AJ, but you don't see her wanting to play for the Bills. How do you expect to play for the Bills if you've never played football? AJALA You can help me, Stewart. STEWART Help you? I don't know how to play football, AJ. What, you thought just because I'm black I know how to play football? AJALA No, but you are my only Buffalonian friend thus far. Perhaps you can make the introduction when you drop me off today. STEWART That's not how it works. AJALA Then I will tell them that I am fantastic at football. Do you know how many stories I had to make up for them to award me a green card? STEWART Wait, hold up, you lied to get your green card? AJALA Simply on the application and the interview about some education, work experience and my financial situation. But now I am here and if I am to stay in Buffalo, it will be to play for the Buffalo Bills. (MORE) 21. AJALA (CONT’D) I will do so, Stewart. Will you help me? STEWART All I can do is help you get a job. AJALA Fantastic! I will need a job since I suspect playing for the Bills is not something they pay people to do. But I also need your help playing for the Bills. Then I shall move from your home to live with them. STEWART They don't live together, man! They all got their own places. So either way, whether or not you actually do play for them, you gotta live on your own. Which means you're probably gonna live with me. And if you're gonna live with me, you're gonna make money and pay rent. And you're gonna find other transportation because I can't be driving you around town like some damn chauffeur. AJALA Will you please introduce me to the Buffalo Bills, Stewart? I beg of you.

EXT. NEW ERA FIELD - THE BILLS STORE - DAY Stewart's car is parked in the otherwise vacant parking lot.

Stewart walks back to his car from the Bills gift shop.

INT. STEWART'S CAR - CONTINUOUS Stewart gets in the car where Ajala sits anxiously waiting. AJALA Did you speak with them? STEWART I did. 22.

AJALA And what did they say? Shall I play soon? STEWART They gave me this checklist. AJALA A checklist? Stewart hands Ajala a piece of paper that looks to be official Bills stationary. Written on the paper: Checklist For Joining The Buffalo Bills: 1. Job 2. State ID 3. Complete Application. AJALA (CONT’D) This is fantastic, Stewart! I shall get started on this immediately. STEWART A friend of mine just got hired at a burger place that'll be opening soon. I can probably get you an interview there. But employers and the Bills will want you to have a state ID. Just to make sure you're sticking around, you know? AJALA Then I shall get a state ID. Where shall I go for that? STEWART You gotta go to the DMV. AJALA (big smile) The DMV! How exciting! (beat) What is the DMV? STEWART It's the Department of Motor Vehicles and you are way too happy to be going there. If there's one thing Americans don't do, it's smile while waiting in line at the DMV. If you wanna blend in tomorrow, don't smile. 23.

EXT. DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES - DAY The line at the DMV wraps around the building. Ajala stands in the middle of the long line wearing his token cap, earmuffs, mittens and a size-too-small jacket borrowed from Stewart. Despite shivering, Ajala has a big smile on his face. Ajala turns to the WOMAN standing behind him. AJALA My father once told me that when in a long line always look at how long the line is behind you so that you may count your fortunes. WOMAN I'm more of a 'look how many people are ahead of you and make sure nobody cuts' kinda person. AJALA My friend Stewart told me everything there is to know about the Department of Motor Vehicles and he warned me that people are always unhappy here. But I still cannot understand why. WOMAN It's the DMV. AJALA But the Department of Motor Vehicles unites us all as Americans. (louder; as if delivering a speech) When we leave here, we will be awarded the card of pride. This is the card that lets everybody know where you live. It will show the world that I live in the great state of New York. I live in the great city of Buffalo. This is where I live. I, Ajala Tinibu, am not only an African American, I am a Buffalonian! I am a proud Buffalonian! We are Buffalonians! Count our good fortune to be living together in the great City of Buffalo! (beat) (MORE) 24. AJALA (CONT’D) With this card, you can play for the Buffalo Bills! I can play for the Buffalo Bills! Ajala looks around, hoping to have inspired the masses, but unfortunately, the crowd continues to stare apathetically at their phones.

EXT. DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES - ONE HOUR LATER Ajala turns around. AJALA I feel us getting closer. Woman rolls her eyes.

INT. DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES - FOUR HOURS LATER Ajala, with a big smile, stands in front of a blue backdrop. A disgruntled DMV CLERK stands ready to take Ajala's photo. DMV CLERK Remove your cap. AJALA But I- DMV CLERK You will remove your cap. Ajala reluctantly takes his cap off, but continues to smile. DMV CLERK (CONT’D) Don't smile.

AJALA Don't smile? How can I not smile? This is quite a milestone in m- DMV Clerk SNAPS a picture of an unsuspecting Ajala. AJALA (CONT’D) I am not confident in that picture. Shall we go again? DMV CLERK Next! 25.

ACT THREE

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY Ajala shows Stewart his temporary identification paperwork. STEWART What are you doing with your face in this picture, AJ? It looks like you just took a bite out of a crap sandwich for the first time and you're not really sure how you feel about it. AJALA I do not wish to speak of this picture. I was able to submit my own photo for the green card picture. That was much better than having a terrifying woman yell at me for smiling. When I go back to get my driver's license, I will be ready for the picture. Fool me once, shame on them. Fool me twice, more shame on them. STEWART Well good news is you have a job interview tomorrow. AJALA An interview! Fantastic! So do you have any advice on what I should do during my interview? STEWART You had a job in Africa, right? How did you get that job? AJALA When I was younger, my father gave me several dwarf goats and told me to milk them. STEWART Yeah, that's not really resume material around here. I think they're just looking for a dishwasher. (beat) First thing's first, it all starts with a firm handshake. 26.

INT. RESTAURANT (BUFFALO BURGERS) - DAY Chairs are stacked upside down on tables. The restaurant is empty, save for two people. GINA (30s; a straight shooter with an all-business demeanor) greets Ajala with a handshake. GINA Ajala? AJALA (shaking her hand) Yes. GINA I'm Gina. Nice to meet you. AJALA Nice to meet you as well. You are the first to pronounce my name properly. Gina tries to release herself from the handshake, but Ajala refuses to let go. GINA Well what can I tell you, private school really hammered in phonetics. Gina, still trying to release her hand from Ajala's grip, brings her hand closer to her body, but to no avail. Ajala's hand remains attached. GINA (CONT’D) Quite a handshake you got there.

We stay on Ajala's face as he recalls Stewart's advice. STEWART (V.O.) Ask insightful questions. Even though you're the one being interviewed, don't let them ask all the questions. AJALA Is this your restaurant? GINA This is my fourth, actually. All of them are fast casual restaurants throughout the city. This one opens the day after tomorrow. 27.

STEWART (V.O.) There's no such thing as asking too many questions. AJALA Is the day after tomorrow Monday? GINA Yes. AJALA Is Monday the day before Tuesday? GINA Yes. AJALA Is Tuesday the day before Wednesday? GINA I can give you a calendar if you'd like. STEWART (V.O.) Do research on who you're interviewing with. You know, cyber stalk them. AJALA I meant to stalk you heavily before this interview but unfortunately I did not have time to sufficiently stalk you. GINA Excuse me?

AJALA I said my apologies for not stalking you beforehand. I do plan to stalk you afterwards, though. STEWART (V.O.) Make eye contact. Never look away. Ajala stares at Gina intensely; wide-eyed without blinking. GINA The job opening is for a dishwasher. Pretty standard position. We pay eleven dollars an hour. Shifts are eight hours. (MORE) 28. GINA (CONT’D) I'm looking to put someone in the morning to early afternoon shift. (beat) Is everything okay with your eyes? AJALA (wide-eyed) Yes. They are fine. Gina turns her head, Ajala follows with his eyes. Gina looks down, Ajala looks down, mirroring her eyeline. STEWART (V.O.) Don't whisper, don't mumble...speak authoritatively. GINA I guess the only requisite is that you have the ability to wash dishes. Can you wash a dish? AJALA YES! I plan to DOMINATE the dishes! STEWART (V.O.) Be confident. It's impossible to show too much confidence. Brag a little. AJALA I pride myself on my ability to conserve water while washing. GINA You can use all the water you want so long as the pots, pans, dishes and trays are clean.

AJALA In my village I was known as awon omi okunrin. The water boy. (beat) I could clean a hundred stacks of dirty dishes in a puddle's worth of water if need be. GINA Again, use all the water you want. STEWART (V.O.) Just remember to let them know how much you want the job. 29.

AJALA This has been my dream! GINA To be a dishwasher at a fast casual restaurant in Buffalo, New York? AJALA Yes! Absolutely! The dream of all dreams. (beat) Okay, that is a lie. My dream has been to play football for the Buffalo Bills. (beat) Do you yourself enjoy football? GINA I'm not much for sports in general but my father raised me to be a Bills fan so I guess you can say I have a soft spot for Buffalo Bills football, unfortunately. No matter how bad they are. AJALA That will soon change. GINA They always say that. Every year is our year until it's not. That's when next year becomes our year. (beat) Okay, Ajala, you'll know by tomorrow if you got the job or not. AJALA Tomorrow! I love tomorrow. It is only a day away. GINA Are you a fan of Annie? AJALA Who is Annie? GINA Nevermind. AJALA The sooner I get this job, the sooner I can play for the Buffalo Bills! 30.

GINA Sure... Ajala reaches out for a handshake. Gina looks at his hand but does not extend hers. GINA (CONT’D) I'll take a raincheck on the handshake. I'm still recovering from the first one. AJALA Very well. I look forward to stalking you tonight, Ms. Gina.

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Ajala and Stewart sit on the couch, both intently focused on Stewart's opened laptop. STEWART Gina Henry. Owner of the fast casual chain Buffalo Burgers. Carnegie Mellon graduate. And it doesn't say anything about a husband...or a wife. AJALA A man like me could never marry a woman like her. She is far above my potential and I could never afford her bride price. STEWART So you're saying she's out of your league? The same guy who thinks he can just join a professional football team with no experience thinks that this is impossible. AJALA Love is not something that should or could be earned by hard work and determination. It is a feeling that is either felt or not felt. STEWART Are you a virgin, AJ? AJALA Now is not the time to offer the intimate details about my life, Stewart. 31.

STEWART Some women find it endearing. AJALA Goodnight, Stewart. Ajala leaves. STEWART C'mon, AJ. (beat) You not answering was basically you answering so I already know the answer. AJALA (O.S.) Goodnight, Stewart.

INT. STEWART'S APARTMENT - AJALA'S ROOM - NIGHT Ajala sits on the floor of his unfurnished room and writes a letter to Oluwa. His dark room is illuminated by two lit candles. He has unpacked some of his belongings -- a Yoruba divination board, wooden sculptures of three Yoruba gods, two leather talisman necklaces and a stack of colorful, patterned clothing. Hanging on the wall are his four commemorative shirts and three of the four caps. Taped to the wall are several pictures of his West African Dwarf goats. AJALA (V.O.) Dear Oluwa, blessings from Buffalo. I was devastated to discover that the Buffalo Bills have never won a Super Bowl Championship, let alone four championships. Regardless of what I have learned and what I have unfortunately seen, I am determined to remain in Buffalo and play for the Buffalo Bills. I feel that I am very close in doing so, Oluwa. The Bills have given my friend Stewart a checklist that I must complete in order to play. I have interviewed for a job and have gotten an identification card from the wonderful Department of Motor Vehicles. Tomorrow I shall see the Buffalo Bills play in person. I find myself very excited for the future. (MORE) 32. AJALA (V.O.) (CONT’D) Until our next correspondence, Oluwa. Blessings from Buffalo.

EXT. NEW ERA FIELD - PARKING LOT - DAY Stewart and Ajala walk through an UPROARIOUS Buffalo Bills tailgate. Ajala wears his token cap, a jacket and mittens. We TRACK with Stewart and Ajala through the crowd and see Bills fans doing kegstands, body slamming one another into folding tables, and participating in other drunken games. AJALA And I thought the cattle markets back home were something. My goodness. BILLS FAN #1 (calling out to Ajala) Dope hat! BILLS FAN #2 stops in front of Stewart and Ajala. BILLS FAN #2 (yelling in Ajala's face) The Steelers can eat my ass! Go Bills! AJALA Yes, go Bills. Bills Fan #2 passes out in front of them. Stewart and Ajala step over him and continue to Stewart's friends: DREW, JAMAL and EDDIE, all of whom are in their twenties. Eddie holds a football. STEWART These are my friends right here. (pointing) That's Drew, Jamal and Eddie. (pointing to Ajala) Guys, this is AJ. DREW This is the guy you've been talking about? STEWART Yup. 33.

DREW (to Ajala) So you're the one who thinks he's gonna play for the Bills? AJALA I will play for the Bills as soon as I complete the checklist. JAMAL Checklist? (off Stewart's 'go with it' look) Oh, yeah. The checklist. Well good luck, bro. That checklist is, uh...difficult. Stewart's friends snicker. EDDIE Yo, AJ. Eddie tosses the football to Ajala. The ball bounces off of Ajala's hands and falls to the ground. The group snickers as Ajala picks up the football. DREW (whispering to Stewart) Man, you were not lying. This dude is straight up delusional. (yelling out to the crowd) Hey! Lemme get your attention, everybody! The other TAILGATERS in close proximity give Drew their attention.

DREW (CONT’D) This right here is AJ. He is the Buffalo Bills' newest prospect straight from the country of Africa. STEWART Africa's a continent, dumbass. BILLS FAN #3 calls out from thirty yards away. BILLS FAN #3 Throw it here, then! Jamal takes out a phone and holds it up. 34.

JAMAL I'm rolling AJ. It's your NFL debut! STEWART (to Jamal) C'mon man, that ain't cool. Ajala looks at the football. He cocks his arm and HEAVES a pass. He clearly overshoots Bills Fan #3, but the football sails for at least eighty-five yards, and knocks an unsuspecting DRUNKEN BILLS FAN into a fiery folding table. Tailgaters, mouths agape, stare at Ajala in silence and disbelief. AJALA (ref: mittens) Surely I could've thrown better without my hand warmers on. The now unconscious Drunken Bills Fan lays on the folding table, engulfed in flames. The other tailgaters around him are too stunned to extinguish the flames. STEWART I'm gonna straight up Jerry Maguire this situation. CUT TO BLACK. END OF SHOW