[Interior – The Clarendon Hotel] A man stands across from the lobby reception desk, leaning slightly on the glass wall separating him from the early lunch rush in the restaurant on the other side. A single clerk is checking in a couple — two men, he spies with unassuming interest — and explaining the marijuana policies of the premises to them. His car is still running in the loading zone and he is beginning to get anxious. He slides his left sweatshirt sleeve to check his watch — 11:04 AM — glares at the glass entrance doors and wills his appointment to show. A woman appears walking down the sidewalk, turns the corner, and approaches the heavy glass doors squarely. A woman who never tugs; she grips the handle.

[DOOR FLIES OPEN]

DETECTIVE SHAKIMA GREGGS: Marquise Brown! Right place at the right time; I knew it had to be you.

MARQUISE “HOLLYWOOD” BROWN: Yeah yeah. I ever gonna be squared up with you, Detective Greggs?

GREGGS: I dunno, Hollywood. You’re the one who called me for help on your criminal speeding charge. What? Your new home ain’t got a line to the local police department the way the Ravens do?

HOLLYWOOD: Nah not with the Cardinals but I’ve got that all ironed out. This place is all talk. Don’t even think I needed you after all.

GREGGS: Well, handle your shit next time and save me the phone call. Now is your boy showing up or what?

HOLLYWOOD: He’s here. Got himself a table inside. Already working on some chili rellano at the table. What you want him for anyways? Gotta imagine he supports police causes and shit.

GREGGS: Damn, Hollywood. If I couldn’t call on you to get me a sit down with one of your teammates on short notice then how was I ever gonna get you squared up with me?

HOLLYWOOD: Whatever then, officer. We good? I need to get to practice.

GREGGS: Yeah get out of here. Ya did good.

DETECTIVE GREGGS enters the restaurant. Through the lunch crowd she immediately sees a hulking man who has nearly cleared everything from the Fiestaware platter before him. GREGGS walks over and sits down.

JUSTIN JAMES WATT: What can I autograph for you today, ma’am?

GREGGS: No thanks. You weren’t at the facility this morning. What gives? Thought you was Mr. Consistency.

WATT: Veterans day off. Can you believe this? I’ve never taken one before. Got a call last night from Kliff that he wanted me to take one so here I am. Was glad to get the text from Marquise this morning to meet you. Kinda jonesing for something to do, you know. You think they need help washing these dishes?

GREGG: You need something to do? I got something for you to do. Detective Greggs, Baltimore P.D..

WATT: Hold on there. I’ll work for the sake of work but I don’t know what we’re doing here. I didn’t get any details from Marquise before lunch and if you think I’m a snitch….

GREGGS: You like to win, JJ, right? So tell me, what’s the deal with this Cardinals team? You play eight post-season games in nine years with the lowly Texans. Then you come over to be a part of this squad — even started seven-and-oh last year. Then you’re blown out in the playoffs and —

WATT: Hey that’s life in the National Football League. It’s just a business.

GREGGS: C’mon, JJ. You got another contract or two ahead of you. I see you’re retiring at the end of the season and, if it’s just a business, why not come back and get paid?

WATT: Hey we’ve all got roles to play. If you’re trying to get me to badmouth Kliff or Steve, I can’t help you out. I’m just here to work. When I’m here to work, I work, and I get paid to do so. I’m not taking another contract to get paid and not work. That isn’t right. I know a lot of guys do it. They think it’s a game. Business decisions and all that. Not me.

GREGGS: So you’re out then? Done? Calling it a career after this next game?

WATT: That’s what I said I’d do and I’m a man of my word.

GREGGS: Well, I’ll tell you what. I know you’re a team player and I respect that. So I’m not even gonna ask you anything today. I’d sure like to meet up with you when you’re officially retired though. See if there’s anything we can discuss.

WATT: I respect that.

GREGGS: Alright. Thanks for your time. Good luck Sunday.

WATT: Hold on. That it? Don’t you want to let me know what we’re going to be discussing next week? I mean, by then I won’t be able to get back in the facility or leverage any of my relationships with the organization staff.

GREGGS: ….

WATT: ….

GREGGS: ….What’s in it for you?

WATT: Hat and a badge.

GREGGS: A hat?

WATT: A real one. Like Hershel Walker. I’m realizing that legacy is more than your NFL career. I’m just transitioning to my next grind: Retirement. And I want to make sure it’s as productive as my playing years have been. No reason my law and order personae should be usurped by some running back.

GREGGS: Should be able to that with the democrats taking over the state offices here. So what do you know about the change in philosophy that showed up when your team started winning last year? Who made the calls to tank?

WATT: Tank? Nah, that’s just the NFL. Coordinators figure out your plays. Guys get hurt. It happens. I’m helping you with the election fraud case. Secret-Governor Kari Lake sent you, right? She’s going outside the Deep 48th State for her investigation, right?

GREGGS: Fuck.

WATT: Only thing you need to know right now is that Mike Bidwill is on our side but he’s gotta play The Game too, right? So don’t think if you find smoke near him you’ll find fire. You’re with Baltimore P.D., right? He’s got something real tight going with your uh….lemme find his card….your Major Rawls. Don’t know what it is but they’re keeping it really on the down low. The D.L., I call it.

GREGGS: Bidwill and Rawls are talking?

WATT: Yeah. Was wondering why you went through Marquise for this conversation. But I gotta get out of here. I’m going to miss my window if I don’t start lifting heavy like immediately. See you around, Detective. Keep America Great.