Scene 6
PLAYER 2:
WOW! This man is from out of this world! His knees were higher than the ring at the peak of his jump! What's he made of – magic rubber?
PLAYER 3:
If had four arms, he could've made all the balls! That's just fantastic, man!
Some of the players just sat on the floor in disbelief for what they saw. One player, though, not that impressed . . .
PLAYER 4:
He's good by himself, but what if he has a guard sticking to him like a leech, can he make those shots?
A moment of silence, then coach Jacobs stirs them to action.
COACH JACOBS:
Okay guys, let's have some scrimmage! We'll see how Sean will make it out on our defense strategies!
INT. – GYM (practice session game)
Coach Jacobs divide the twelve players into two teams of six men each. Coach asks MA-1 which team he wants to join. He opts for the team with smaller players. Coach says the other team will be "skins" so MA-1 will not be confused.
COACH JACOBS:
You have any shirt and trunks inside that jogging suit?
MA-1:
Yes.
COACH JACOBS:
Well, get out of those suits!
MA-1 runs over to the bench where SA-1 and MA-2 are seated, takes off the suit and runs back to mid-court. The players react when he gets to them . . .
PLAYERS:
Ohhhh man, he's IN the team . . . Yeah, and it's new . . . Hey, coach, have you told management about this yet?
Even Coach Jacobs was taken aback, more so, with the numbers he's got on his jersey! – 6/23!
COACH JACOBS:
Hey, Dan! You just simply don't fail to amaze me! He-he-he-he-he. . . .
Dan Hill himself was not aware of it nods and looks at the two aliens beside him. The two just remain poker-faced.
COACH JACOBS:
For the toss-up, Sean you do it for your team. They sure could use those springs in those legs.
MA-1 looks down at his legs. Coach blows the whistle and prepares to toss the ball. MA-1's opponent bends his knees while he just cocks his a little. Both jump. At the peak of their jump, the opponent is face to face with MA-1's crotch, and MA-1 doesn't care to whoever he taps the ball to. He runs down with his team for defense. A stocky ball handler wants to test the defense of MA-1 and drives straight at him. MA-1 sidesteps and lets the man get to the ring. Expecting MA-1 to challenge his charge, the man leaped so hard that his momentum sent him crashing down on the other players. No goal was made, now it's the turn of MA-1's team for offense. Two passes from inbound and the ball is with MA-1 who tries to dribble to the basket. His guard blocks the way and tries to swat the ball away. Escapes free and leaps for a slam. A seven-footer jumps to block. Seeing this, MA-1 he gives the ball to the seven-footer. Coach blows the whistle for a time out and approaches MA-1.
COACH JACOBS:
What was that move all about Sean!?!
MA-1:
He wanted the ball, so I gave it so him.
COACH JACOBS:
There is no charity in this game, you punk!
MA-1:
(modest smile)
Why do they call the free throw line a charity line?
The coach looks up with arms up as if asking, why this?
SEVEN-FOOT PLAYER:
(approaches MA-1)
You must be from out of this world man. You never gave us the chance to prove yourself!
MA-1 in a puzzled look does not understand what the player said.
COACH JACOBS:
Okay, okay, that's enough! Sean, do you know the basics and fundamentals of this game?
MA-1:
I think so.
COACH JACOBS:
(disgusted)
AAAARGH! This one really pisses me off. You think so! You think so!
(turning to Hill)
Will you come here!
(Hill runs over)
Where on earth did this guy come from? His skills are good for nothing! He only thinks he knows the game!
DAN HILL:
(apologetic look)
Why don't we give him a chance? Maybe he learned his skills only from a backyard court.
COACH JACOBS:
Well, you teach him! I don't have the time to give milk to this baby of yours!
EXT. – OUTSIDE THE GYM
Dejected, Dan Hill goes out ahead of the three, gets in the car and slams the door. The aliens follow a few seconds later without any word from them.
DAN HILL:
(to MA-1)
What happened in there? What was that all about? Do you really know how to play the game or just shoot baskets?
MA-1 & MA-2:
We know the game but we just can't play it the way you…
SA-1 stops them just in time . . .
SA-1:
What they mean is they can't play rough or they're trying to put a standard into the game.
DAN HILL:
(with a look of regret)
Are you all nuts? You'll have to change the entire NBA rules if you think you can!
SA-1:
Please take us back to L.A. We have to talk this one over.
DAN HILL:
Now… just wait a second there. How come Chris was saying "we" with Sean? Do you play the game too, Chris? Did I hit two birds with one stone?
The aliens are put in a dilemma. MA-1 and MA-2 at the rear seat lightly elbow each other for their blunder. SA-1 turns his head to them with a stern look.
SA-1:
Chris meant that he plays but not in the caliber of Sean. That's it. Take us back to L.A. We'll be in touch when we're able to sort this out.
DAN HILL:
It might help if I take the three of you to the championship series of the NBA. There will be at least four games, to a max of seven. How would you like that?
SA-1:
We'll include that in our talk, thank you.
The flight back to L.A. was quiet, nothing for them to say much.
INT. – MOTEL ROOM – AFTERNOON
The three get off in front of a motel where Hill booked them after they met (flashback). The front desk gives the key to their room. On entering . . .
SA-1:
You almost bungled our plans for earth. Have you been exposed too much to them, MA-2?
MA-2:
It's not that. I guess it is our natural reaction to what we are supposed to know and defend it.