John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! 1965

U-2 crash over Fawzia

A U-2 spy plane piloted by John 'Wrong-Way' Goldfarb malfunctions and crashes in the mythical Arab kingdom of Fawzia. The incident riffs on the real May 1960 U-2 shootdown that sparked a Cold War diplomatic crisis. Goldfarb survives but is immediately swept into a political game of leverage.

King's ultimatum to Goldfarb

The ruler of Fawzia uses Goldfarb's capture as leverage, demanding he coach the king's football team or face extradition to the Soviets. The threat places Goldfarb under pressure far beyond athletics. He must decide between escape, resistance, or collaboration.

Goldfarb agrees to coach Fawz University

To win the king's favor and stay out of Soviet hands, Goldfarb accepts the coaching job for the Fawz University team. He leaves his flight suit behind to don a whistle and playbooks. The job also pulls him into palace politics and national pride.

Jenny Ericson goes undercover in the harem

Jenny returns as the journalist who once profiled Goldfarb and infiltrates the king's inner circle by joining the harem. She aims to uncover the king's romantic plans and verify his intentions toward his wives. Her undercover work situates her at the center of palace intrigue.

Jenny learns the King remains romantically active

Jenny discovers that the King continues to pursue romance with his wives, contrary to her earlier assumptions. This revelation complicates her assignment and raises questions about the royal household. It also fuels her resolve to seek outside help.

Jenny seeks Goldfarb's help

Recognizing the dangers and the stakes, Jenny reaches out to Goldfarb for guidance and support. They form an uneasy alliance as they prepare for the upcoming exhibition game. Their collaboration blends journalism, sport, and political theater.

King blackmails the U.S. into an exhibition game

The King exploits his leverage to coerce the U.S. Department of State into organizing a high-profile football spectacle. The move turns a national pastime into international drama and propaganda. Goldfarb and Jenny must navigate competing pressures from both sides.

Notre Dame vs Fawz University announced

An exhibition clash is arranged between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the King’s Fawz University squad. The game becomes a cheeky stand-off of Cold War egos more than a simple match. Goldfarb trains his players for an event that is part sport, part diplomacy.

Jenny becomes a cheerleader

Jenny joins the cheering squad for the Fawz University team, adding a performative layer to the mission. Her role allows her to influence crowd energy and gather further information. The act blurs lines between journalist, participant, and pawn in royal politics.

Jenny takes the quarterback role and scores the winner

In a surprising turn, Jenny leads the team on the field as quarterback and throws the final touchdown to secure victory. Her triumph alters perceptions about gender, power, and loyalty within the palace spectacle. The crowd erupts as national pride swells.

Game ends, diplomacy shifts

The outcome of the game intertwines with the larger Cold War theater, prompting responses from the U.S., the Soviets, and the Fawz regime. The comic victory deflates some tensions while igniting others, leaving the international stage watching closely. Goldfarb and Jenny reassess their positions in the new political order.

Flashback to Goldfarb's wrong-way run

Intermittent flashbacks reveal Goldfarb's infamous 95-yard wrong-way run from his college days. The memory informs how he is perceived and how he approaches leadership again. It adds a personal dimension to the overarching satire.