INT. MONK’S CAFE – DAY
Jerry and Steve are in their usual booth. Steve is fidgeting with his phone, looking distressed.
JERRY: (noticing Steve’s distress) What’s the matter with you?
STEVE: He didn’t call.
JERRY: Who didn’t call?
STEVE: Him.
JERRY: Ohtani?
STEVE: Ohtani never called, Jerry. He was supposed to call me about joining the Mets!
JERRY: (puzzled) Did you call him?
STEVE: (exasperated) That’s not how it works in baseball, Jerry! He’s supposed to call me. It’s a respect thing.
JERRY: A respect thing.
STEVE: A respect thing! He calls me, I give him money. That’s how it works Jerry.
INT. JERRY’S APARTMENT – LATER
Kramer bursts in,.
STEVE: It’s a disaster, Jerry! Ohtani signed with another team!
KRAMER: (excitedly) Ohtani? Shohei Ohtani? The two-way sensation?
STEVE: (frustrated) Yes, Kramer, the very one. He never called, and now he’s gone!
KRAMER: (speculating) Maybe he lost your number.
STEVE: (sarcastically) Oh, sure. He loses the number of the owner of the New York Mets. That happens.
KRAMER: Well….did you call him?
STEVE: Why would I call HIM?
KRAMER: It’s a respect thing. In Japanese culture, you call him.
JERRY: You call him.
STEVE: Why would I call HIM?
KRAMER: Oh, you gotta make the call. If you don’t…..it shows a lack of respect.
Elaine enters the apartment.
ELAINE: (to Jerry) What’s with him?
JERRY: He never called.
ELAINE: Who never called?
STEVE: (dejected) Ohtani.
JERRY: (smirking) He’s upset because Shohei Ohtani never called and now he signed with the Dodgers.
ELAINE: (confused) Wait, the baseball player? Why would he call you?
STEVE: (defeated) It’s a long story.
ELAINE: Did you call him?
STEVE: (dejected) No.
ELAINE: Well, you should have called. It’s a respect thing.
INT. CITI FIELD OWNERS BOX – NIGHT
Steve, Jerry, and Kramer are at a game, watching Ohtani play for the Dodgers. Steve is visibly upset.
JERRY: (teasing) Look on the bright side, at least you’re not paying his salary.
STEVE: (grumbling) I would have paid double to see him in a Mets jersey.
KRAMER: (pondering) Maybe it’s a sign, you know? Like the universe telling you something.
STEVE: (annoyed) The only thing the universe is telling me is that I should’ve called.