FADE IN:

               INT. A TV STUDIO - EVENING

               Two ANCHORS sit at a desk looking at sheets of paper.  They
               raise their heads and look toward the camera as a graphic
               reading "CHANNEL 6 ACTION NEWS" flashes on the screen.  The
               CHANNEL 6 ANNOUNCER begins speaking as the shot zooms in on
               the desk.  Intense background music plays throughout the
               scene.

                                   CHANNEL 6 ANNOUNCER
                         Tonight, on Channel 6 Action News:
                         Is your tap water really safe?

               The picture switches to a shot of a glass filling with tap
               water.  A computer-generated question mark appears over it.

                                   CHANNEL 6 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         Find out why you could be in
                         danger.  Then, our Action Weather
                         Team will help you prepare for the
                         work week with your seven day
                         forecast.

               A quick montage of various weather conditions accompanies the
               ANNOUNCER.

                                   CHANNEL 6 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         And our top story: The battle for
                         City Hall.  Who will be the next
                         mayor of Homestead?  See the latest
                         polls and watch live interviews
                         with the candidates.  

               The picture shows various city government buildings and brief
               shots from campaign events.

                                   CHANNEL 6 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         All this and more tonight on
                         Channel 6 Action News!

               The shot switches back to the studio, and the ANCHORS smile
               at the camera.  The picture suddenly goes black.

                                                                CUT TO:

               INT. LEACH'S OFFICE - EVENING

               GREGORY LEACH, 56, manager of Channel 4 and head producer of
               the news, sits at his desk with a remote control in his 
               hand. 
               He is a balding, slightly heavyset man with a consistently
               grim demeanor.  He turns away from the television and faces a
               table behind him where four of his ASSISTANTS are seated. 

                                   LEACH
                         Gentlemen...how long has Channel 4
                         had the top news show in town?

                                   ASSISTANT #1
                         Eight years.

                                   LEACH
                         Eight years.  Right.  And how long
                         has Channel 6 had a news program?

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         About three months.

                                   LEACH
                         Exactly.  So tell me...if we've
                         been here so much longer, then why
                         are we suddenly number two in
                         ratings?

               The ASSISTANTS sit and stare at LEACH for a few seconds.

                                   LEACH (CONT'D)
                         Well?

                                   ASSISTANT #3
                         Greg, if I can-

                                   LEACH
                         Hey!  What did I tell you?

                                   ASSISTANT #3
                             (embarrassed)
                         Sorry, Mr. Leach...sir.

                                   LEACH
                         Go on.

                                   ASSISTANT #3
                         Well...people like new things,
                         right?  They're just trying
                         something different.  Give them a
                         few weeks, and they'll come back to
                         us. 

                                   LEACH
                         A few weeks?  We're losing viewers
                         every day!  

                                   ASSISTANT #4
                         Maybe the election will-

               LEACH stands up.

                                   LEACH
                         The election won't matter if
                         nobody's watching our show!

               ASSISTANT #2 stands up.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Can I say something?

               LEACH signals that he can.

                                   ASSISTANT #2 (CONT'D)
                         Look at Channel 6's style.  That's
                         obviously what people like, right?

               Everyone slowly nods in agreement.

                                   ASSISTANT #2 (CONT'D)
                         Maybe it's time for us to make some
                         changes.    

                                   LEACH
                         Keep talking.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         I was thinking that-

               The DIRECTOR opens the door and cuts him off.

                                   DIRECTOR
                         Hey, Greg, are we doing a show
                         tonight or not?

                                   LEACH
                         We'll continue this conversation
                         later.

               LEACH gets up and follows the DIRECTOR.

                                                           DISSOLVE TO:

               EXT. A RURAL ROAD - EVENING

               JUSTIN LOWERY, a 25 year-old reporter with a clean-cut
               appearance, stands in front of a camera holding a microphone. 
               Two parked cars sit in the middle of the road behind him. 
               He straightens his tie and looks toward the camera as SMITTY,
               a 34 year-old cameraman with disheveled hair and a weight
               problem, fiddles with the controls.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Smitty, how much longer?

                                   SMITTY
                             (still looking down)
                         You're on in 20 seconds.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Everything looking good?

               SMITTY pushes a few buttons, then looks up.

                                   SMITTY
                         It is now.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Great.

               SMITTY begins a countdown with his fingers.

                                   SMITTY
                         In five...four...three...

               He signals the last two silently, and JUSTIN looks toward the
               camera.  A graphic on the bottom of the screen identifies
               him.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Thanks.  I'm here at the scene of
                         an accident that took place a few
                         minutes ago.  Both drivers appear
                         to be unharmed, but traffic could
                         be backed up in this area tonight. 

               Behind him, one car pulls away, followed by the other.

                                   JUSTIN (CONT'D)
                         I'm going to talk to the drivers
                         now and-

               He turns around and sees that the cars are gone, then turns
               back to the camera.

                                   JUSTIN (CONT'D)
                         ...Oh.  Uh...back to you.

               SMITTY looks down and shakes his head.

                                                                CUT TO:

               INT. A NEWS VAN - NIGHT

               JUSTIN and SMITTY sit in the back of the van as it pulls into
               the road.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Smitty...do you remember why you
                         got into this business?

                                   SMITTY
                         Money.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Yeah, but...didn't you want to show
                         people the world and keep them
                         informed?

                                   SMITTY
                         No, it was mostly the money.

                                   JUSTIN
                         That's it?  That's really all this
                         job is to you?

                                   SMITTY
                         Man, you take this stuff way too
                         seriously.  You need to relax.

                                   JUSTIN
                         I guess you're right...but I
                         thought there would be more to the
                         news than this.  I just want to
                         tell people the truth.

                                   SMITTY
                         Welcome to the real world, Lowery.

               JUSTIN stares out the window.

                                                           DISSOLVE TO:

               EXT. THE CHANNEL 4 PARKING LOT - NIGHT

               The van pulls into the lot.  JUSTIN and SMITTY get out and
               walk toward the building.

                                                                CUT TO:

               INT. THE CHANNEL 4 NEWSROOM - NIGHT

               JUSTIN enters the room through the main door and sees most of
               the Channel 4 staff gathered inside.  He taps a FEMALE
               REPORTER on the shoulder, and she turns around.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Hey, what's going on?

                                   FEMALE REPORTER #1
                         Leach wants to say something.

               Two MALE REPORTERS join them.

                                   MALE REPORTER #1
                         I bet he'll fire everyone.  He's
                         been acting strange.

                                   MALE REPORTER #2
                         Don't be stupid.  He's probably
                         just going to do his motivational
                         speaker routine again.  

                                   JUSTIN
                         What's that?

                                   MALE REPORTER #1
                         You haven't seen it yet?  It's
                         hilarious!

                                   JUSTIN
                         Well, I've only been here for a
                         month, so-

                                   MALE REPORTER #2
                             (sarcastic)
                         By the way, Lowery, that was a
                         great report you did on that car
                         crash.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Thanks, it was...

               The others laugh, and JUSTIN looks down as the insult
               registers.  The laughter stops as LEACH leaves his office and
               stands at the front of the room, followed by his ASSISTANTS. 
               He has a very serious expression on his face.

                                   LEACH
                         Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

                                   ALL
                             (monotone)
                         Good evening, Mr. Leach.

                                   LEACH
                         As you know, Channel 6 has taken
                         the lead in ratings.  My assistants
                         and I feel that we need to change
                         our approach to the news in order
                         to remain competitive.

               ASSISTANT #2 steps forward.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         You've all seen the Channel 6 News,
                         right?

               Most of the staff nods.

                                   ASSISTANT #2 (CONT'D)
                         What do they have that we don't?

                                   MALE REPORTER #2
                         A budget?

               A few people laugh.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         ...No.  What they have is energy. 
                         When you watch Channel 6, it makes
                         you excited about current events.

               ASSISTANT #4 steps forward.

                                   ASSISTANT #4
                         That's why people don't watch our
                         show anymore.  Let's face
                         it...we're boring.

               ASSISTANT #1 steps forward.

                                   ASSISTANT #1
                         But we can fix that.  From now on,
                         you guys need to treat every story
                         like it's the most important thing
                         that ever happened.  

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Grab people's attention, and never
                         let go!

               ASSISTANT #3 slowly steps forward.

                                   ASSISTANT #3
                         Um...this may be hard for some of
                         you...but it's only for a little
                         while, and then-

               LEACH pushes him aside.

                                   LEACH
                         Actually, no.  It's a completely
                         new attitude.  

                                   ASSISTANT #1
                         Exactly.  Learn it, live it, and
                         love it.

                                   LEACH
                         Our future depends on it.

               REPORTER #2 tries to hold back laughter.  LEACH points at
               him.

                                   LEACH (CONT'D)
                         Is there a problem?

                                   REPORTER #2
                             (still laughing)
                         No, sir.

                                   LEACH
                         Any questions?

               JUSTIN raises his hand.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Over there, the new guy.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Yes.  I was thinking...isn't this a
                         little dishonest?  

                                   LEACH
                         In what way?

                                   JUSTIN
                         What if a story isn't that
                         important?  Won't the audience get
                         suspicious?

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Look, people don't care about
                         honesty, okay?  They want to be
                         entertained.

                                   ASSISTANT #4
                         And we're giving them what they
                         want.

                                   ASSISTANT #1
                         It's a public service!

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Besides, it's not like we're making
                         things up.  We're just giving our
                         coverage an edge.  Get it?

                                   JUSTIN
                         ...I guess...

                                   LEACH
                         Good.  Any more questions?

               Nobody says anything.

                                   LEACH (CONT'D)
                         In that case, you can all go home. 
                         Remember our new strategy when you
                         prepare your reports tomorrow.  

               People begin leaving the room.  JUSTIN stands in the same
               place and stares at the wall for a few seconds before joining
               them.

                                                                CUT TO:

               EXT. THE CITY OF HOMESTEAD - DAY

               The sun sets on the city.  A graphic reading "CHANNEL 4
               EYEWITNESS NEWS" appears on the screen, and the CHANNEL 4
               ANNOUNCER introduces the program. 

                                   CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCER 
                         You're watching Channel 4
                         Eyewitness News: The most intense
                         half hour of the day!  

               The shot switches to an image of trees blowing in the wind,
               accompanied by heavy rain.

                                   CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         Our top story: The unpredictable
                         weather continues as powerful
                         storms pummel Homestead.  We'll
                         give you an eyewitness view of the
                         damage.

               The shot switches to an image of a cash register, followed by
               a sequence of other money-related scenes.

                                   CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         Then, is your money safe?  Find out
                         how a simple computer error could
                         cost you everything.

               The shot switches to a video of the MAYOR giving a speech.

                                   CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         And in election news, we examine
                         Mayor McAllister's record.  How
                         many of the city's problems are
                         really his fault?  Keep watching
                         Channel 4 Eyewitness News for the
                         answer.

                                                                CUT TO:

               INT. THE CHANNEL 4 STUDIO - EVENING

               The Channel 4 anchors, ED HUGHES and SHARON BALDWIN, sit at
               the desk holding sheets of paper.  Both are young and were
               obviously selected for their looks.

                                   CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
                         And now, your new Eyewitness
                         anchors, Ed Hughes and Sharon
                         Baldwin.

               The anchors look toward the camera.

                                   ED
                         Good evening.  The weather turned
                         violent last night as a
                         thunderstorm swept through the
                         area.  

                                   SHARON
                         That's right, Ed, and now, some
                         residents have no electricity. 
                         We'll have live coverage in a few
                         minutes.  But first...

                                                                CUT TO:

               EXT. THE STANFORD RESIDENCE - EVENING

               JUSTIN stands in the front yard of a suburban house that
               clearly has no electricity. 
               An elderly couple, EARL and HARRIET, sits on the porch. 
               SMITTY adjusts various settings on the camera.

                                   JUSTIN
                         ...I can't do this.  It's
                         ridiculous.

                                   SMITTY
                         If you don't like it, quit.  

                                   JUSTIN
                         You know I can't do that.

                                   SMITTY
                         Then stop complaining.  This is
                         your big chance, right?  You're
                         doing the lead story.

                                   JUSTIN
                         That's true.

                                   SMITTY
                         Of course it is.  Now get over
                         there.  You're on in less than 30
                         seconds.

               JUSTIN walks over to the porch, and SMITTY follows with the
               camera.

                                                                CUT TO:

               INT. THE CHANNEL 4 STUDIO - EVENING

               ED and SHARON sit at the desk, and a graphic reading "POWER
               FAILURE" appears behind them.

                                   ED
                         And now, for a closer look at the
                         effects of the storm, here's
                         Eyewitness reporter Justin Lowery. 
                         Justin? 

                                                                CUT TO:

               EXT. THE STANFORD RESIDENCE - EVENING 

               JUSTIN stands in front of the elderly couple.

                                   JUSTIN
                         Thanks, Ed.  I'm here with Earl and
                         Harriet Stanford, who have gone
                         without power for almost 24 hours. 
                         Did either of you think something
                         like this was possible?

               JUSTIN holds the microphone in front of them.

                                   EARL
                         What do you mean?

                                   JUSTIN
                             (melodramatic)
                         Did you ever expect to lose all
                         your modern conveniences like this? 
                         It must have been a shock.

                                   EARL
                         No, it happens all the time. 
                         Happened last week, in fact.

                                   HARRIET
                         I like it better this way.  It
                         makes you appreciate the simpler
                         things in life.

               JUSTIN appears to be at a loss for words.

                                   JUSTIN
                         But...um...let's see...did
                         you...was there ever a time...when
                         you felt like you couldn't go on?

                                   HARRIET
                         Well, there was that time in '82...

                                   EARL
                         Harriet, don't talk about that!

                                   JUSTIN
                         I...I meant today.

                                   HARRIET
                         Oh.  No, we're fine.

                                   JUSTIN
                         ...And there you have it.

                                   EARL (O.S.)
                         Nice talking to you, young man.

                                   JUSTIN
                         It looks like the storm wasn't so
                         bad after all.  Ed?

                                                                CUT TO:

               INT. THE CHANNEL 4 STUDIO - EVENING 

               ED looks somewhat confused.

                                   ED
                         ...Thanks.  For another perspective
                         on the storm...

                                                                CUT TO:

               EXT. THE STANFORD RESIDENCE - EVENING 

               SMITTY turns off the camera as JUSTIN begins walking toward
               the van.

                                   SMITTY
                         What happened, man?  You blew it!

                                   JUSTIN
                         How did I blow it?  I think it went
                         well.

                                   SMITTY
                         You think it...

               SMITTY shakes his head and mumbles to himself.

                                   JUSTIN
                         What?

                                   SMITTY
                         Lowery, listen to me.  You just
                         have to do what they tell you, all
                         right?  

                                   JUSTIN
                         Smitty, they told me to report on
                         the power failure, and that's what
                         I did.

                                   SMITTY
                         You know what I mean.  

                                   JUSTIN
                         Yeah...I do.  I said this was
                         ridiculous, didn't I?  Why
                         shouldn't I be able to tell it like
                         it is?

                                   SMITTY
                         Because that's not what people
                         want.  

                                   JUSTIN
                         It's what I want...

                                   SMITTY
                         Tough.  Now come on.  Let's go see
                         if you still have a job.

               SMITTY and JUSTIN get in the van, and it drives off.

                                                           DISSOLVE TO:

               INT. LEACH'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

               LEACH sits at his desk watching a tape of a Channel 6 News
               broadcast. 

                                   CHANNEL 6 ANNOUNCER
                         Our top story tonight: A new study
                         says tap water could be good for
                         your health...  

               A knock at the door covers up the end of the sentence, and
               LEACH turns off the TV.

                                   LEACH
                         Come in.

               ASSISTANT #2 enters.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Afternoon, Greg.

                                   LEACH
                         What do you want?

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         The new ratings are in.

                                   LEACH
                         Did our plan work?

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         It's hard to tell in only three
                         weeks, but...as of now, we're even
                         further behind Channel 6 than we
                         were before.

               LEACH stands up.

                                   LEACH
                         What?

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         I don't understand it either, so
                         let's not-

                                   LEACH
                         You said that exaggerating our
                         coverage was the answer!  

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Relax.  I have another idea.  Maybe
                         we're looking at this the wrong
                         way.

                                   LEACH
                         I think we've established that.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Are you going to keep insulting me,
                         or can I tell you my new plan?

                                   LEACH
                         Make it quick.

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Right.  I've noticed that a lot of
                         people in this town are...a little
                         slow.  Know what I mean?

                                   LEACH
                         You're saying the viewers are
                         idiots?

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Not necessarily...but I do think
                         our coverage is on a higher level
                         than the average person wants to
                         deal with.  

                                   LEACH
                         I see.  So if we dumb down our
                         reports...

                                   ASSISTANT #2
                         Exactly.  It may seem strange to
                         us, but that's because we're more
                         intelligent than most people.

                                   LEACH
                         ...I'll think about it.