Prologue #

Fans at Rogers Skydome erupt into cheers as Canadian baseball rookie Elliott Turner steps up to the plate at the 2025 World Series, Toronto Sky Falcons vs New York Liberties. 

Canadian Sports Entertainment Broadcast

CLARK JENNINGS (two-time World Series Champion, Toronto Sky Falcons): It’s the bottom of the ninth and the Falcons are down by one run, but if there’s one player we can count on to lead us to a victory tonight, it’s Elliott Turner. 

TARA MILANO (former Olympic Gold Medalist): That’s right, Clark. It’s only his first year in the league, but he is having one hell of a season with his hometown team. The Falcons took a chance on this power hitter, and man, has it paid off.

JENNINGS: He’s batting 0.324 and has scored four home runs in the playoffs alone. 

MILANO: At this point, the only thing standing in the way of a win for New York is Elliott Turner, and it looks like they know it, too.

The New York Liberties call a time-out as their pitching coach walks up to the mound. The megatron pans to various Canadian celebrities in the crowd, first pausing on a man with sleeve tattoos, his face painted in the Sky Falcons' signature forest green.

JENNINGS: There’s local chef Harry Hannigan sitting with his twin girls. Gotta love his commitment and team spirit. 

MILANO: Aren’t they the most adorable family? That’s what’s been so great about this series. No matter who you are or what you do, if you’re from Toronto, you’re rooting for this win. 

The game resumes, and the first pitch is thrown. Elliott hits a ground ball, dashing to first base, and then sliding into second right before the ball is caught. The crowd erupts in cheers.

JENNINGS: What did I tell you, Tara! This guy has got it.

MILANO: It won’t get him a run, but it’s enough to keep us in the game. With Luis Ramirez up next, we still have a chance. If this guy is known for one thing, it’s his inability to flinch.

JENNINGS: You’ve got to give it up for Coach Nadeau. He found the magic recipe on this team, and it’s this dynamic duo. 

Luis Ramirez takes his spot at home plate. He’s stocky and dark-haired, his face covered with scruff. He wraps his hands firmly around the bat, winding in circular motions as he rocks from side to side in his stance.

MILANO: Ramirez is a vet. Just look at the way he’s ready to attack. I swear, nerves are afraid of him.

The pitcher throws the first ball, and Luis swings at it aggressively, striking out at the surprise changeup.

JENNINGS: Even I didn’t see that curveball coming. Will he make the second hit?

MILANO: His odds are as high as the chants from the fans. He almost always makes it on base.

Luis hits a foul ball on his next swing, leaving him with one last shot to keep the Sky Falcons in the game. He winds up as the pitcher throws a fastball, catching it just in time as he hits it head-on, sending the ball flying towards the stands.

JENNINGS: LOOK AT THAT DEEP DRIVE! THE CROWD IS ON THEIR FEET! 

MILANO: He just missed the fence, but this still could be the game-winning move we’ve been waiting for. I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now!

JENNINGS: Elliott Turner makes it to third and is ready to tie this game–

Elliott’s sprint comes to a sudden halt as his eyes shift to the stands. The stadium chants deviate from united cheers into a mix of screams and stunned silence. 

MILANO: What is going on? Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

JENNINGS: YES, AND WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING? We are ten seconds away from winning the World Series!

The camera zooms in on Elliott and then to the stands where his gaze is locked. An older man is seen embracing a girl with long dark hair, just inside one of the entryways to the stadium. Luis passes first base, sprinting for his life as he shouts at Elliott to book it. 

JENNINGS: Are they for real? This is not the time for a kiss cam.

MILANO: Oh. My. God.

JENNINGS: Please tell me you know what’s going on. 

MILANO: I’m pretty sure that’s Elliott Turner’s fiancée.

JENNINGS: This is exactly why people say this city is cursed. It's the WORLD-FUCKING-SERIES, not Love Island Canada!

Coach Nadeau is shown yelling at Elliott from the dugout. Elliott is visibly shaking, one hand on his chest, the other perched upon his leg. Luis has caught up to him, just as the ball is whipped by one of the New York Liberties towards the catcher. 

JENNINGS: I think he might be having some sort of panic attack. 

MILANO: As someone who’s experienced those firsthand, I can confirm that seems to be the case.

JENNINGS: But Ramirez has got him. They’re moving!

Luis ushers Elliott forward as he slowly snaps back to reality, panic spreading across his face. They run for their lives towards home plate, Luis staying cautiously behind Elliott. 

MILANO: They’re making a run for it!

The crowd screams as Luis and Elliott attempt to beat the ball to home. It flies past them, getting them out by seconds as the two men tumble to the ground.

JENNINGS: But it’s not enough, Tara. At the hands of Elliott Turner, the Toronto Sky Falcons have officially lost the World Series.

MILANO: You’ve got to feel for him right now. Lord knows I’d be packing up my bags and moving to the Yukon after that kind of public humiliation. 

JENNINGS: It looks like New York didn’t need a time-out after all. No strategy can beat catching your fiancée cheating on you during the most important game of your life.

Elliott dashes off the field, booking it down the corridor that leads to the locker rooms, Luis following closely behind him. Waterfalls of sighs echo amongst a heartbroken crowd as the New York Liberties run to gather in the middle of the field and celebrate their winning title.

JENNINGS: You can hear it in the stadium, Tara. To say Toronto fans are crushed by this loss would be the understatement of the century. It was a miracle they even made it this far, and lord knows if or when the Falcons will ever get a chance like this again. 

MILANO: It’s a tough time to be a fan, but a tougher time to be Elliott Turner. I do not see him coming back from this. 

JENNINGS: That we can agree on, Tara. He’s technically tied to the team for another two years, but after a mistake like this, he’ll be lucky not to be traded, let alone step foot on a baseball field next season. 

MILANO: When they talk about career-sabotaging mistakes, you can be sure this one is going down in history.