INT. STUDIO - NEXT EVENING
ERIC (played by James Van Der Beek; coiffed hair, coiffed everything) looks nonchalantly comfortable as the apex predator at the table.
His prey - NIRAJ SHAH (mid 40s, clear framed glasses, shaved head with a trim beard) is in the middle of making his point.
NIRAJ: I don't know how much clearer I can get then saying that we categorically deny the allegations - I mean, that I'm even on here, saying this is how ridiculous this even is.
ERIC: You know what's ridiculous? You coming on here instead of Ms. Chandler. Why hide her?
NIRAJ: Ms. Chandler has nothing to do -
ERIC: Is she not the recruiting manager at Wayfair?
NIRAJ: She was -
ERIC: So you - what? Killed her to keep her from speaking?
NIRAJ: What? No - she's -
ERIC: Been pivotal in establishing Wayfair's human trafficking operation - in "recruiting" young women -
NIRAJ: We are not trafficking women -!
ERIC: Sorry - I didn't mean to imply discrimination - young *men* and women for distribution through a wholesale supplier ecosystem under the guise of an online furniture store.
Niraj just stares, not sure how to respond to the illogical spew he received.
ERIC: Your silence speaks volumes, sir. Eric turns to the camera.
ERIC: Coming up we talk to, Alyvia Storage Cabinet, a former victim of Wayfair.
CREW (O.C.): And... we're out.
Eric and Niraj are immediately beset by various CREW MEMBERS helping them take off their lav mics.
ERIC: Thanks for coming on and giving your side of the story.
NIRAJ: My side of the story?
ERIC: It's in the slogan - "No Agenda". We want to get all sides of a story out to the public.
Niraj stands to leave.
NIRAJ: Fuck you.
INT. FOX NEWS STUDIO - BACKSTAGE HALLWAY - LATER
Eric is walking through the crowded hallway, an ASSISTANT PRODUCER walking at his side.
His phone BUZZES in his pocket. He pulls it out - the screen displays a number, with "SOUTH PARK, CO" below it.
ERIC: What the fuck? He answers the phone.
ERIC: Who the hell is this?
JIMMY (O.C.): Hey Eric, it's Jimmy.
