INT. JERRY’S APARTMENT – DAY
The door swings open, and Kramer struts in, sporting golf attire.
JERRY: (curiously) Hey, Kramer, golfing attire? Aren’t you and Newman hitting the game today?
KRAMER: (with enthusiasm) No doubleheaders for us, Jerry. Newman and I are taking advantage of the WFH life.
STEVE: (perplexed) WFH? You mean “work from home”?
KRAMER: (nodding sagely) Exactly! The golf courses are packed these days. All those telecommuters looking to squeeze in a round between Zoom calls.
JERRY: Newman’s a mailman. How does a mailman work from home? And you don’t even have a job.
STEVE: (raising an eyebrow) Wait, if they’re working from home, how are they golfing?
KRAMER: (confidently) You’re not seeing the big picture. When you work from home, you don’t actually work from home. It’s all about the mobile office. Emails on the back nine, conference calls from the fairway. It’s a whole new ball game. You know, a lot of people are working 4 day weeks now.
JERRY: Yeah, like Newman apparently.
STEVE: (slowly processing) So, let me get this straight. They’re not really working from home; they’re just playing hooky on the golf course?
KRAMER: (grinning proudly) Bingo, Steve! It’s the WFH loophole.
JERRY: I was actually thinking of hitting the baseball game.
STEVE: You can have the owner’s box. I’m doing a TV appearance on CNBC today so it’s free.
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM – DAY
Steve sits across from the interviewer, his expression slightly tense as the interviewer prepares to question him about the Mets’ rough start to the season.
INTERVIEWER: (leaning forward) So, Steve, tough break for the Mets, huh? Starting the season 0-4?
Steve shifts uncomfortably in his seat, but maintains a composed demeanor as he responds.
STEVE: (with forced nonchalance) Well, you know, it’s only four games into the season, right? Nobody wants to start 0-4. But, you know, it’s early, right? And, you know, during the season you’re going to have losing streaks. We just happen to have one at the beginning.
The interviewer nods, but there’s a hint of skepticism in their expression.
INTERVIEWER: (raising an eyebrow) Losing streaks at the beginning, huh? That’s not exactly the momentum you want to set for the season, is it, Steve?
Steve’s forced smile wavers slightly, sensing the interviewer’s doubt.
STEVE: (defensively) Well, you know, baseball is a long season. We’ve got plenty of time to turn things around. You don’t want to have it at the end, right? I mean, look at the 2007 Mets. Much better to lose games at the beginning. You want to lose at the beginning. Much better.
The interviewer nods, but their skepticism remains.
INTERVIEWER: But then don’t fans lose confidence? I understand Monday night’s attendance was the lowest ever at Citi Field outside of the pandemic.
Steve hesitates for a moment, then offers an explanation that’s part justification, part diversion.
STEVE: (quickly) Well, you see, people are working a four-day workweek now.
The interviewer looks puzzled.
INTERVIEWER: A four-day workweek?
Steve nods enthusiastically, seizing the opportunity to steer the conversation in a different direction.
STEVE: Yes, a four-day workweek. And that’s why I’m investing in golf! The golf courses are packed these days! All those telecommuters looking to squeeze in a round between Zoom calls.
The interviewer raises an eyebrow, unsure whether to take Steve seriously or not. Steve’s attempt to deflect the conversation with humor leaves an awkward silence hanging in the air.
INT. NEW YORK CITY STREET – DAY
Elaine strolls down a bustling New York City street, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Suddenly, she spots a familiar face ahead.
ELAINE: (muttering to herself) Pete ? What’s he doing here?
As she gets closer, Elaine notices something unusual about Pete’s behavior. He’s standing on the sidewalk, holding a sign that reads “Free Hugs!” and enthusiastically beckoning passersby.
ELAINE: (raising an eyebrow) Free hugs? What’s gotten into him?
Curious, Elaine approaches Pete, who flashes her a bright smile.
PETE : Hey there! Free hugs for everyone!
Elaine eyes the sign skeptically, then glances around at the puzzled expressions of the people passing by.
INT. TV STUDIO – DAY
INTERVIEWER: So, Steve, let’s talk about your role in the Mets’ baseball decisions. Some fans are wondering how involved you are in those choices.
Steve leans back slightly, adjusting his posture as he considers his response.
STEVE: You know, people think that I’m making – I’m not making the decisions. My baseball people are making the decisions. My job is to, you know, when they – they need me to support their decision, you know, they come to me and say, this is what I want to do. I’ve never said “no” to anything. And so – I mean we have discussions and we talk about it, but I’m not – I’m not making – you know, those ideas are not coming from me.
INTERVIEWER: So, it wasn’t your idea not to sign Ohtani?
Steve shifts in his seat, a slight unease creeping into his demeanor.
STEVE: You have to understand, he didn’t call.
The interviewer’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
INTERVIEWER: He didn’t call?
Steve nods emphatically, a hint of frustration in his voice.
STEVE: That’s right. I don’t call free agents, they call me.
The interviewer scribbles notes furiously, processing Steve’s revelation.
INTERVIEWER:: Does money buy winning?
STEVE: Well, clearly – clearly not. If you’re trying to build a team through free agency, that’s such a tough place to be because you’re – you’re fighting the aging curve. You’re buying players based on their previous history, but they’re getting older. As they get older, performance over time declines. And so it’s a tough place to be.
INTERVIEWER: And yet the last few years you tried to build through free agency.
STEVE: Ah yes, well that was the old General Manager. Again, I don’t make the decisions, I just hire the people that make the decisions.
INTERVIEWER:: And then they make the poor decisions. Famously. If things are not going well, you cut your losses. Can you do that in baseball?
STEVE: Well, I kind of did it last year, right?
INTERVIEWER: Right. You kind of did.
STEVE: Kind of did. Kind of did.
INTERVIEWER: Right. You did.
STEVE: Kind of did. Kind of did.
INTERVIEWER: Let me ask you this though. One of the pieces or component parts is the future of betting in the business. Real estate. One of the things that is in play with Citi Field – Is this idea that you might be able to build a 50-acre, both park and mall and all sorts of things. And a –
STEVE: Not a mall. Not a mall. Not a mall.
INTERVIEWER: And a casino.
STEVE: OK.
INTERVIEWER: And a casino.
STEVE: OK.
INTERVIEWER: Well, it’s a casino, isn’t it? On parkland.
STEVE: We call it an entertainment complex. Music, gaming, 1,500 hotel rooms, a 25-acre park. We’re going to build a separate area where fans can go and go to restaurants. Yes.
INTERVIEWER: And a casino. On parkland.
STEVE: Well, you can’t spend $8 billion and have a bunch of restaurants. That’s not going to work, OK? So, you need – you need an economic engine.
INTERVIEWER: Like a casino. On parkland.
STEVE: OK.
INTERVIEWER: How do you feel about betting as it relates to sports?
STEVE: Yes.
INTERVIEWER: I mean the reason I ask is Ohtani’s in the news, right?
STEVE: Yes.
INTERVIEWER: I’m curious what you think happened there, but –
STEVE: I – I have no idea, but I’m going to trust him.
INTERVIEWER: You’re going to trust him?
STEVE: I’m going to trust him.
INTERVIEWER: You’re going to trust him?
STEVE:: I’m going to trust him.
INTERVIEWER: Because?
STEVE: I trust him.
INTERVIEWER: But you’ve never spoken to him, because he didn’t call.
STEVE: No, but I trust him!
INTERVIEWER: Steve, we want to thank you for being here. It’s been – it’s been great to have this conversation.
STEVE: It was good – good to be here.
INTERVIEWER: We hope to do this again in the future.
STEVE: OK. Sure. I’m available next week.
INTERVIEWER: You’re available next week?
STEVE: Yes. Anytime you want Stevie boy to come by, you just ask.
