inthetwilight
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
IN THE TWILIGHT
THERE IS A RISING ROAR OF A CROWD AS WE FADE IN ON...
Grainy 1970s film stock. We find HAROLD and ROXANNE DEPEW,
waving from the lawn of the White House. A newscaster begins
talking.
NEWSCASTER:
The scene today is triumphant.
After thirty-eight years in
politics, former president Harold
DePew hands power over to our new
president, Caleb Carr, in this new
year of 1975. Mr. and Mrs. DePew
will enter the motorcade for the
last time and be escorted to
Airforce Two for the first time.
Here we see the former president
and the new shaking hands. Another
peaceful transition of power almost
200 years after the Declaration of
Independence. How about it, Steve?
Does it get any better than this
for those that believe in
Democracy?
STEVE:
I think as DePew and his wife enter
that limousine motorcade, they are
going to reflect on the good and
the bad parts of their residency
here in the White House. We saw
DePew come in, fairly young for the
office, just 49 years old, and now
he leaves six days shy of his 58th
birthday. A decade in the public
eye like this can be devastating.
But DePew, and I think he would
agree with me on this, has always
gained tremendous strength from the
attention lavished on him. He
loved it, wouldn't you say, Bob?
NEWSCASTER:
Absolutely, Steve. Looking back
over his two terms in office, what
do you think he will be remembered
for the most?
STEVE:
That's a tough question, Bob. I
think, without a doubt, his
initiative in attempting to forge a
lasting peace in the Middle East
will be a legacy that is continued
by the new president. But it came
at a cost. The suicide bombing of
our embassy in Jordan awakened the
nation to the vitriol of radical
Islam. It was that attack that led
DePew to ask Congress for
authorization to stage the Dream
Crest offensive, a gouging war with
enemies that were ill-defined and
nationless. But DePew, I think
much to his dismay, found his war
policies at odds with a majority of
the country. This was not helped
by a steady tide of casualties
throughout the engagement. This
was, perhaps, the first televised
war the nation ever experienced and
it was a bloody one.
NEWSCASTER:
I'd have to agree, Steve. To this
day, people brag that they did not
vote for DePew a second time
because of that war. But I would
also point out, in his favor, his
shrewd economic policy, driven not
by an arms build up but by an
investment in making education a
lifetime goal for many workers. It
was like a new Apollo project, with
billions in taxpayer funds going to
pay for tuition for millions of
American citizens that led to
higher tech, higher paying jobs.
STEVE:
That's true, Bob, but then you must
also look at what he did in this so
called Cold War. By directly
engaging the Soviet Union in joint
talks with China and North Korea,
as well as several Soviet
satellites in eastern Europe, DePew
began the thaw we've been seeing in
the last five years. This
culminated, of course, in the first
US/Soviet space flight.
It's hard to say, Bob. This was a
president that did so much good and
expanded the fortune and standard
of living of so many of our
citizens, as well as foreigners,
that his reputation could only grow
from this point. If he can be
forgiven by his dissenters for what
was, in retrospect, a daring
military campaign, I think history
will look back on him as kindly as
Franklin Roosevelt.
The picture suddenly stops. It winds backwards and begins
again.
STEVE:
...as well as foreigners, that his
reputation could only grow from
this point. If he can be forgiven
by his dissenters for what was, in
retrospect, a daring military
campaign, I think history will look
back on him as kindly as Franklin
Roosevelt.
CUT TO:
INT.
The media room at the DEPEW home Same time
HAROLD DEPEW, now 88, is watching this tape. He has tears in
his eyes.
CUT TO:
INT.
The kitchen of the DEPEW home Same time
ROXANNE is on the phone with their daughter, JULIETTE.
ROXANNE:
Well you know what he always said.
"If I had known I would live this
long, I'd have taken better care of
myself."
(beat, she laughs)
His knees ache too bad for golf
anymore.
I keep telling him, and Dr.
Steadman agrees with me, that his
knee wouldn't bother him so much if
he would lose a few pounds. But
you know your father. The whole
Secret Service couldn't come
between him and his morning
sausage.
(beat)
I know. I tell him that. I tell
him every day how lucky he is to
have so many people that care for
him. And I'm not talking about the
security detail. I think he's
coming up, did you want to say hi?
HAROLD enters the kitchen.
ROXANNE:
(holding out the phone)
It's Juliette. She wants to say
hi.
HAROLD takes the phone.
HAROLD:
When are you coming to see us
again?
(beat)
Well that's no problem. I could
fly you up just for a day or two.
(beat)
Because we miss you. We want to
see our daughter.
(beat)
Give my love to Scotty and London.
He hands the phone back to ROXANNE.
ROXANNE:
(covering the mouthpiece)
She can't drop everything in her
life just to come see us, dear.
HAROLD begins walking away as if he hasn't heard.
ROXANNE:
(still covering the phone)
And stop sulking. You lock
yourself down in that room, I've
got no one to talk to.
CUT TO:
EXT.
The back door of the DEPEW home Day
It is cloudy and breezy. HAROLD steps out of the door and is
met by a STAN, a Secret Service agent.
STAN:
Are you going for a walk, sir?
HAROLD:
Yeah, round the grounds a little
bit.
STAN:
Dr. Steadman insists you take an
umbrella if there's more than 50%
chance of precipitation.
HAROLD:
I don't need your head up my ass
too, Stan.
STAN:
Doctor's orders, sir.
HAROLD:
I can't hold the damn thing.
CUT TO:
EXT.
The manicured grounds of the DEPEW home Later
Although there is no rain, STAN walks beside HAROLD with an
umbrella covering him.
STAN:
How is your knee, sir?
HAROLD:
Mmmmmm.
They continue walking.
FADE TO:
INT.
The White House
We are tight on a folder marked TOP SECRET. We pull back to
show a young man in uniform carrying it to the Oval Office.
He enters and finds the younger HAROLD standing at his desk,
tie loosened, no jacket, sleeves rolled up. MCMARTIN, the
Deputy of National Security, and JANUS, the Chief of Staff,
are seated on a couch. HAROLD takes the folder and opens it.
The soldier salutes him and exits. HAROLD looks the folder
over.
HAROLD:
(very calmly)
Our embassy in Jordan has been
bombed.
MCMARTIN:
When?
HAROLD:
Twenty minutes ago.
JANUS:
Let's get you to the situation
room.
CUT TO:
INT.
The White House Situation Room
Military men fill one side of the table, HAROLD'S security
advisors make up the other half. HAROLD sits at the head of
the table.
GENERAL:
Our initial response is a three day
air campaign. We take out their
radar sites and air defense posts
on the first round. Next wave,
second day, we begin to pound troop
bases and ammo depots. Third day,
we take out their intelligence and
high command.
HAROLD:
And that's the measured strategic
response?
GENERAL:
Yes, sir. That is the proportional
response.
HAROLD:
And what is the point of a
proportional response?
GENERAL:
Excuse me?
MCMARTIN:
I think what he means is-
HAROLD:
No, what I really mean is what is
the merit of a proportional
response? They blow up our
embassy, so we cripple their
national defenses. Akins, did the
CIA have any whiff of this in the
air?
AKINS:
Sir, the CIA is dealing with the
Soviet Union and Cuba. The Middle
East is a...non-player.
HAROLD:
We don't even know if this was a
state-sponsored act. If we go and
smash this nation's air defenses-
GENERAL:
Then we could easily move in ground
troops, sir.
HAROLD:
A proportional response is
unacceptable to me.
MCMARTIN:
Sir, a proportional response is
standard operating procedure since-
HAROLD:
I don't give a damn. You know the
Spartans, Ray?
MCMARTIN stares back at him.
HAROLD:
The Spartans were raised from
birth, carefully selected even as
infants, to be the vanguard of
elite soldiers. It was said that a
Greek citizen could walk to any
point on the known earth with the
confidence of the world's most
powerful military force behind
them. That if a Greek citizen was
injured by some roving tribe of
warriors, the Spartans would march
to their home and kill everyone
there and then salt the earth so
that nothing would grow there
again. That is the power we have.
And, non-player or not, I will not
have Americans afraid to enter any
city on this planet. That is how
far my arms reach. What is a non
proportional response, General?
GENERAL:
(hesitantly)
I would have to check with the
other Chiefs...
HAROLD:
Between you and me. Imagine that
was your son in that building.
What would you do?
GENERAL:
I would do our initial plan and
then destroy their international
airport, bridges, and highways. I
would insert thirty thousand troops
within two weeks and stage a
military takeover of the
government. And any leader left
standing, I'd have him tried as a
war criminal. That's if my son was
killed in that explosion. My son
wasn't and it's not something I
would recommend.
JANUS:
This will hit the wire any minute
now. We should call Snow and get
him prepped with our response.
(beat)
Sir. What is our response?
HAROLD:
(after a very long pause)
That any nation that harbors,
funds, or encourages terrorism is a
rogue state and liable to be
treated as the terrorists
themselves. We will hunt down
everyone that planned or
participated in this bombing and
bring them to justice.
(standing)
That's all, gentlemen. I want a
new target package in hand within
two hours. How close are our
carriers in the Red Sea, the Gulf,
and the Mediterranean?
CUT TO:
INT.
The DEPEW home Evening
HAROLD and ROXANNE sit on a couch facing the windows that
display the sunset. HAROLD has one arm around ROXANNE'S
shoulders while he scribbles on a little notepad with his
other arm.
ROXANNE:
Remember the sunset in the
Seychelles?
HAROLD:
Mmmmm.
ROXANNE:
It was like a little piece of
heaven brought down just for us. I
had faith in God before that
sunset. After it, I believe it a
proven fact.
(beat)
What are you writing?
HAROLD:
I'm taking notes.
ROXANNE:
On what?
HAROLD:
For my book.
ROXANNE:
What book?
HAROLD:
My autobiography.
ROXANNE laughs.
ROXANNE:
Harold. Why would anyone want to
read that?
(beat)
Did you just write that down?
HAROLD:
Mmhmm.
ROXANNE:
Oh, you're awful, Harold, awful.
(looking out at the sunset
again)
Why didn't we ever go to the
Seychelles again?
HAROLD:
Because they had a coup and a
socialist took over.
ROXANNE:
I thought you were the world's
great uniteer. You could have
reasoned with him, surely?
HAROLD:
I was burned in effigy there. I
refuse to visit places that burn
me.
ROXANNE:
Stay out of Alabama then.
HAROLD:
Mmmmm.
FADE TO:
INT.
The White House reception room Night
The younger ROXANNE stands at the top of the stairs in an
elegant black dress and a diamond necklace. She is looking
around impatiently. She approaches one of the Marine guards.
ROXANNE:
I know you're not supposed to speak
to me but do you have any idea
where my husband is?
The Marine continues staring straight ahead.
ROXANNE:
(laughing a bit drunkenly)
I mean, I'm always waiting for him.
It's like I'm my own lady-in
waiting.
HAROLD begins descending the upper staircase.
ROXANNE:
Oh, here he is. The bastard knight
in spit-shined armor.
HAROLD grabs her arm and pulls her away from the soldiers.
ROXANNE:
You're hurting me.
HAROLD:
What did I tell you about wandering
around here soused?
ROXANNE:
What, I can't have a little drink
with my dinner?
HAROLD:
Oh, so dinner started at noon then,
did it?
ROXANNE:
I tried to talk to your man over
there-
(indicating the Marine)
-but I didn't know the secret
handshake.
HAROLD:
Can you do me a favor and not talk
tonight?
ROXANNE:
That's not all I won't be doing
tonight.
HAROLD:
Annie, please. A lot of people
died today and more will die by
tomorrow morning. You're the First
Lady. Show some class.
A trumpet sounds and a man announces the arrival of the
president and First Lady. HAROLD guides ROXANNE down the
stairs, steadying her uneven footsteps. But she is beaming
throughout, showing a carefully polished public smile.
ROXANNE:
(still smiling)
Who are we dining with tonight?
HAROLD:
The heads of the League of Latin
American Nations.
ROXANNE:
(still smiling)
I don't speak Spanish.
They descend the stairs throughout.
FADE TO:
EXT.
A fast food restaurant Day
HAROLD stands in front of a group of photographers, poised to
cut the ribbon on this new eatery. After he cuts it, cameras
flash and he is shaking hands with men in suits.
CUT TO:
I/E.
ROXANNE sits in the limo, smoking a cigarette through a long
filter. DAVID, a Secret Service agent, stands just outside
the car door. He leans toward the half-open window.
DAVID:
Mrs. DePew, you're blowing that
smoke right in my face.
ROXANNE:
Switch with one of the other
agents. You can stand next to
Harold and have him blow it up your
ass.
DAVID:
I keep myself physically fit. My
job demands it.
ROXANNE rolls the window fully down and tosses out her
cigarette.
ROXANNE:
(motioning him to come
close)
Do you really think there's someone
out there that wants to hurt me?
DAVID:
(straightening)
That's the assumption I'm under
every minute I'm on duty.
ROXANNE:
Does your job drive you to drink?
DAVID:
No, ma'am, it does not.
ROXANNE:
How could it? Oh, those dreadful
photographers are headed this way
and I don't have my face on. Break
their necks or whatever it is that
you do.
DAVID steps out and intercepts the two photographers and
ushers them away from the car. ROXANNE rolls up the window.
FADE TO:
INT.
The White House Situation Room Late night
The same group is assembled around the table.
GENERAL:
Okay, target package B: First wave
to cripple radar and air defense
sites as well as the two air bases.
Second wave will hit two hours
later and destroy the command and
communication network. The third
wave strikes at dawn their time,
taking out the international
airport and the highways out of the
country.
HAROLD:
Very good.
GENERAL:
Sir, if I may be blunt, this is an
overwhelming use of force. And,
for a rookie president, it will be
seen as a catastrophic
overreaction. These aren't just
military targets we're talking
about, the third wave is purely
civilian. We will be condemned by
the United Nations and the Soviets,
the god damn Soviets, will be on a
moral high horse.
There is a tense pause. HAROLD looks around the room.
HAROLD:
I understand that, General
Limlitzer. And if anyone else has
anything to say, speak up now. I
will hold no grudge.
ADMIRAL:
Sir, the Navy won't let you down.
But I have to agree with the
General here. You have a choice
right now to respond as a cold
blooded killer or as a commander in
chief.
JANUS:
He's right, Harold. This is the
defining moment of your presidency.
Do you want to take revenge to the
next level or do you want to be,
umm, presidential?
HAROLD considers. Another of his security advisors speaks
up.
GRAVELL:
Sir, I think you know what we're
facing.
You taught a course in Mideast
culture at Stanford so you probably
know better than anyone. And I
think you should do what your gut
is telling you.
HAROLD ponders some more. Everyone waits impatiently.
Finally, he speaks.
HAROLD:
Okay, scratch that. Do the first
two waves. And then I want boots
on the ground within a week.
GENERAL:
We'll have to scramble most of the
troops from Berlin.
HAROLD:
I'm guessing the Soviets won't
invade tomorrow. We can rotate out
pretty fast.
(he looks up at them for
the first time)
I want to bring the fury of God
himself down on their heads. And
we're going to work on remaking the
Middle East as a model of
democracy.
AKINS:
Sir...what are you suggesting?
HAROLD:
Coups and insurgencies. That's
CIA's business since its creation.
We'll give you cover with military
forces but you have to do the heavy
lifting. I want the Agency to know
that now the Middle East is a
player. And it's your top
priority.
FADE TO:
EXT.
The DEPEW home grounds Day
ROXANNE is on a small paddle-boat in the lake. She is not
pedaling, merely soaking in the sun.
HAROLD stands in the foreground, carefully practicing his
putting with the single hole dug into the lawn. He misses
over and over. He finally tosses the putter into the air and
swears.
ROXANNE:
Harold! Language!
HAROLD:
(mocking)
There's no one to hear me, Annie!
ROXANNE:
There's Stan.
HAROLD turns to STAN.
HAROLD:
Stan, does my swearing bother you?
STAN:
I don't find it very becoming of a
former president, sir.
HAROLD:
You can kiss my ass, then.
(he points at him)
You know what this is?
STAN:
That would be your finger, sir.
HAROLD:
That's the finger that could have
pushed the button. And I didn't.
So if I want to swear-
STAN:
Yes, sir. Absolutely, sir.
HAROLD:
See, Annie? He doesn't mind.
ROXANNE:
(nonchalant)
He's humoring you, dear.
HAROLD:
Why would he do that?
ROXANNE:
(in fake creepy voice)
Because that's the finger that
could have pushed the button...
HAROLD:
Oh, to hell with both of you.
He walks back to the house and STAN opens the door for him.
STAN closes the door and turns back to watch ROXANNE.
ROXANNE:
He misses it, you know.
STAN:
How's that, ma'am?
ROXANNE:
Having the finger that could push
the button. I miss it, too.
STAN:
I think you like pushing his
buttons, ma'am.
ROXANNE:
Stan. Was that a joke?
STAN:
Yes, ma'am, it was.
ROXANNE laughs once.
ROXANNE:
(leaning back on the boat)
I've always said we needed agents
with a sense of humor. Someone
must have finally listened.
The sprinkler system suddenly activates, soaking STAN.
ROXANNE gives another of those single, barking laughs.
ROXANNE:
Guess his finger can still press
that button.
FADE TO:
INT.
The Oval Office Evening
HAROLD sits behind his desk, looking over his speech as an
ASSISTANT applies make up to his face and primps his hair.
She scoots away and the camera goes live.
HAROLD:
My fellow Americans. Last night,
our embassy in Amman, Jordan, was
the target of a suicide bomb. It
claimed the lives of over 100
Americans and an equal number of
native workers. This cowardly act
of terrorism was designed to test
our resolve and chase us out of the
Middle East region. I will say
this clearly so that there can be
no mistake: These terrorists were
dead wrong in their intended
effect. This country has never
sought to fight with other
countries. And it has never backed
away from a fight, no matter who
the enemy is. These terrorists
believe that because they do not
wear the uniform of a nation, they
are free of the fighting that
nation would have to do. So I am
declaring now that any country,
ally or foe, that harbors
terrorists, assists terrorists, or
in any way enables the activities
of terrorists, will be considered a
terrorist sponsor and will be
targeted for their complicity in
terrorist action. Harry S. Truman
said of this office that the "buck
stops here." Well, I now say to
the world that terrorism stops
here. We will hunt them down, we
will dismantle their command
structure, and we will bring every
terrorist to justice. And there
will be no safe haven for
terrorists anywhere in this world.
We did not start this fight but
they will soon discover, as a
Japanese officer said in the second
World War, that they have awakened
a sleeping giant. So, in response
to this attack, and with
intelligence we have gathered, I
have initiated an assault on the
air defense and command center
of...
CUT TO:
INT.
The White House Situation Room Later
The staff is sitting at the table while HAROLD stands in the
doorway, his arms stretched up to its frame. His head is
down.
GENERAL:
Iran has put their air force on
high alert. Troops are massing on
the Syrian border. This is about
to become a regional conflict, sir.
CLOSE UP:
HAROLD'S ashen face with his eyes closed. They open. He
sees ROXANNE pass by with a reporter behind her.
ROXANNE:
I know the route is inconvenient,
but you're only allowed to go in
some areas of the building. There
are places even I can't get into-
She catches HAROLD'S eye as she passes and gives him a smile.
HAROLD turns back to his staff and begins talking.
HAROLD:
The Soviets have Afghanistan and
inclinations towards Iran. If we
ask them to keep Iran in check-
ADMIRAL:
Sir, with all due respect, I do not
believe that we can trust our enemy
to aid us. Furthermore, our ships
in the Gulf are sitting ducks for
Iran's surface-to-surface missiles.
They've got at least three
submarines and-
HAROLD:
Thank you, Admiral, that's enough.
I've talked to Kimov.
There is a stunned silence in the room. The men look at each
other.
HAROLD:
Okay, so I threw that out there. I
talked to Kimov. I don't think our
practice of stone-facing the
Soviets has done much for world
peace. If we combine as one, there
is no superpower rivalry. Their
interests in the region coincide
with-
GENERAL:
Mr. President, I think you have
made a massive mistake. The
Soviets are aggressors. They do
not use diplomacy, they only
understand force. And to appease an
aggressor is to give away the only
weapon you have at your disposal:
Your resistance. I am sixteen
years your senior and I have been
fighting the Soviets since you were
in high school. I know the Soviets
and I know what showing a weakness
does to their mindset.
HAROLD:
You knew Stalin and Kruschev. I
know Kimov. We have a shared
interest in this region. They
can't occupy Afghanistan and Iran.
They can't take over the Middle
East. But a lot of oil comes from
those countries and both of our
economies are dependent on it. Why
do you think I'm approving these
invasion orders? We're not going
to occupy, we're going to sweep and
clear. From Jordan to Lebanon to
Iraq and onward. And the Soviets
will come from the other angle.
It's a pincers move and it will,
for the first time since 1945,
actually unite us with the Soviets.
GENERAL:
(fuming)
You're going to bring ruin down
upon this country! You're going to
subjugate every single-
CUT TO:
INT.
The China Room Same time
ROXANNE sits in front of a camera, the same reporter asking
her questions.
REPORTER:
What is it like being the First
Lady?
ROXANNE:
Why, it's like waking up on prom
day every day.
REPORTER:
I understand you personally select
every outfit you wear from hundreds
of choices. Is that true?
ROXANNE:
Well, I guess most designers think
it is in their interest to be seen
in the White House. So, yes, I do
get to pick from many outfits every
week.
REPORTER:
Because you're a role model?
ROXANNE:
I'm a simple southern girl that
married the right man. I don't
think that makes me a role model.
REPORTER:
Millions of women across the
country would disagree. But you've
also done a lot of your own work
while in the White House. What do
you think is the most important
work you've done?
ROXANNE:
Oh, without a doubt, it is my work
for adult literacy. To see the
smile on a person's face when they
can actually get through a book for
the first time...oh, it's magical.
REPORTER:
And very commendable. May I ask:
You are southern and quite
beautiful. Why did you not ever
attempt to be a beauty queen?
ROXANNE:
(with a coy smile)
My mother told me if I went down
that road, I might end up a role
model.
REPORTER:
That's great. That was really
great. Thank you so much for
inviting us into your home during
such a trying time for our country.
One last question: Will you
continue your personal projects
after you've left the White House?
ROXANNE:
(reserved)
I think any of my predecessors
would tell you: You don't leave the
White House. You may not be First
Lady of the nation anymore, but you
are always First Lady of any room
you enter.
FADE TO:
INT.
The DEPEW home, HAROLD'S office Day
The room is filled with boxes of paperwork from HAROLD'S
presidency. He is picking through a box, holding up official
correspondence and directives. He finds one and pauses. He
studies it and his eyes well up with tears. ROXANNE has
quietly crept into the room.
ROXANNE:
Harold, what is it, darling?
HAROLD turns away, trying to hide his tears. ROXANNE takes
the paper from his hands and reads aloud, rough and
businesslike at first, and then with deep sadness.
ROXANNE:
(reading)
From the office of the president,
Dear Mrs. Ella Hoover. I was
shocked and saddened when advised
your son, Airman Carmen Hoover, was
lost in combat operations. No
matter how right our cause, no
matter how noble our intentions, no
matter how virtuous our actions, no
words can assuage the anguish of
losing a loved one. If we are to
enjoy any success fully, we must
always be reminded of the cost of
that freedom.
(stops reading)
Oh, Harold. Why do you do this to
yourself?
HAROLD:
(recovering himself)
That was the first one I ever
wrote. December 12th, 1969. It
snowed that day, snowed harder than
Washington had seen in forty years.
ROXANNE:
Put this in a library. Why don't
you have a presidential library?
Everyone else seems to have one
these days.
HAROLD:
I don't want that until I die. I'm
older than you, Annie, you'll
outlive me. I want you to lay me
to rest in a quiet meadow and build
a library that is near transparent.
I don't want anymore lies.
ROXANNE:
What lies, Harold? When did you
ever tell more than a white lie to
get elected?
HAROLD stares out the window.
HAROLD:
There was a time when I couldn't go
out on the street without getting
mobbed. Now people just watch from
a distance.
Like I'm a magician and I'm about
to pull something out of my hat.
ROXANNE:
You don't wear hats, Harold. Your
head's too big for them.
(beat)
Is this all for your silly book
again? Is that what this is?
HAROLD:
I want to be completely honest in
it. I want to give the people the
truth, no matter how it makes me
look.
ROXANNE:
Why would it change how you look?
You're the magician across the
street.
HAROLD:
The world's gotten very cold,
Annie. I feel like, maybe, I've
been left in the cold.
CUT TO:
INT.
The Presidential Bedroom Night
HAROLD is sitting in a chair by the fire. It is utterly
silent save for the crackling of the logs. The door swings
open and a Secret Service Agent helps ROXANNE into the room.
HAROLD:
Jesus, Roxanne. Do I have to start
locking the damn liquor cabinet?
ROXANNE:
I'm the First Lady. I can unwind
at the end of the day. Why do you
think the liquor cabinet is there?
HAROLD:
Because Taft had to get girls
drunk. Thank you, Barney, I'll
take it from here.
BARNEY:
(leaning in close to
HAROLD)
We found her down in the medical
lab. I think she may have gotten
into the pills.
HAROLD nods. BARNEY lets go and ROXANNE collapses into
HAROLD'S arms.
HAROLD:
You want to ruin that dress by
puking on it?
ROXANNE:
This dress cost six hundred
dollars. I would never-
HAROLD is dragging her to the bed.
ROXANNE:
Hey, let me go. I don't want to do
that tonight.
HAROLD:
Do what?
ROXANNE:
You know what.
HAROLD:
No, I don't know what.
ROXANNE:
I usually like it. Especially on a
night like this.
(she laughs)
You're the president and you just
had us bomb the shit out of another
country.
HAROLD lays her on the bed. He begins to take off her shoes.
ROXANNE:
How does it feel? How does it feel
to be the most powerful man on
earth?
HAROLD:
You're drunk and you're stoned.
There's a good role model for all
the little girls out there.
ROXANNE grabs his tie and drags his face towards hers.
ROXANNE:
How does it feel to bomb someone?
I'll bet you're just now feeling
like the president for the first
time.
HAROLD:
Annie, I ordered a coordinated
military strike against a nation so
weak that they couldn't take half
of Baltimore. Scores of men will
never go home to their families
again. What I did tonight was the
least presidential thing I have
done in office.
ROXANNE is passed out. From outside, there is the sudden
burst of RAPID-FIRE POPPING. Secret Service raid the room,
usher HAROLD away from the windows and out of the room. They
are unable to wake ROXANNE.
INT.
Hallway outside the bedroom Same time
HAROLD is enraged. He rips his tie off.
HAROLD:
What the hell is it? Why does the
whole world hate democracy and
peace?!
BARNEY:
(listening to his
earpiece)
It's okay, sir. Just calm down.
It was a couple of teenagers with
firecrackers. They're in custody.
HAROLD'S rage instantly vanishes.
HAROLD:
Oh my god. Annie. I just left her
in there. I just-
BARNEY:
It wasn't your choice, sir. She's
fine, it was just some kids.
(leans his head inside the
bedroom door)
CLEAR!
Two agents step out and walk down the hall.
HAROLD:
Barney...when are you off-duty?
BARNEY:
About twenty minutes ago, sir.
HAROLD:
What are you still doing here?
A pause.
BARNEY:
I wanted to make sure that the
First Lady was taken care of.
HAROLD:
Can I buy you a drink?
CUT TO:
INT.
A lounge in the White House Soon after
HAROLD and BARNEY sit on a couch, each with a drink in his
hand.
HAROLD:
I'm not much of a drinker.
BARNEY:
I think after what's happened
today, you could use one.
HAROLD:
What do your parents think of what
you do?
BARNEY:
Oh, they're proud. They're proud
of all their sons. Except Tyrone,
but he found Jesus so he don't know
any better.
HAROLD:
They don't mind that you might have
to take a bullet for me?
BARNEY:
My father is a Korean vet. My
brother Wayne, he's an Army Ranger
stationed in Japan. And my brother
Mark is an AWACS pilot up Alaska.
My whole family is just about ready
to take a bullet for you.
(beat)
But you have bigger problems than I
do.
HAROLD:
Don't you worry about your
brothers. We've got the best
military strategists and the most
advanced weaponry in the history of
warfare.
BARNEY shakes his drink, making the ice CLINK against the
side.
BARNEY:
I was referring to the First Lady.
And I hope you'll excuse me if
that's out of line, sir.
HAROLD:
No, you're right. When I lost my
first Senate race, she made me
promise I'd never run for office
again. I went back to teaching. I
have a Bachelor's in economics and
a Master's in cultural studies. I
minored in political science. And
then old Harlan Waymore had that
stroke and the governor appointed
me as his replacement. I thought I
wasn't breaking any rules
but...Annie saw it differently. I
thought, you know, if I get us
here, I get us in the White House,
everything is going to be fine.
She can blossom here. Really show
the country what a special lady she
is. But she's just grown bitter.
Sour. That's the word. She's
sour.
DECAMP, HAROLD'S personal aide, enters and whispers into
HAROLD'S ear. HAROLD nods and DECAMP exits.
HAROLD:
You'll have to excuse me. Egypt
just launched an invasion of
Israel.
HAROLD stands and walks out.
FADE TO:
The grainy 70s film stock again
It is the Republican National Convention of 1970. HAROLD
stands on a podium, surrounded by his cabinet and friends.
Red, white and blue balloons are streaming up and down the
stage.
HAROLD:
And I was able to begin a detente
with the Soviet Union. A lot of
people didn't want this to happen
because arming yourself for a war
is a good way to get rich. But I
think our military is more fluid
and maneuverable than brute
strength. I think the standard of
mutually assured destruction is
enough to keep this country secure.
And I think, in the end, that the
Soviets are people like us. They
have jobs to go to, they have
literature to be read, and they
value and cherish their children's
future. I believe the Soviets are
our brothers, not our enemies. And
I have ended the silent dogma of no
negotiation because I think open
dialogue is how you win friends and
a closed door is how you keep
enemies.
(he pauses for the
thunderous applause)
My opposition wants to paint me as
a president of surrender to the Red
Army. But we have never
surrendered. I have made moves
towards uniting our two nations
based on these common traits and
desires and loves. They say that I
have a lot of crazy ideas about
peace and brotherhood, ideas that
are too radical in the face of such
a staunch rival.
I say there is no rival unless we
continue to see them as a rival.
(applause again)
My opposing candidate points to a
career in the Congress where he
voted to limit funding to socialist
countries. He points to a record
of blindly stamping any defense
bill that comes his way. He points
to two terms of continuing to deny
the equality of women in the
workplace. And they say that I'm
the one that's not to be trusted
with your future.
(applause)
Well I will point to my own record.
For the first time, India has had a
free election that saw the
participation of any citizen of
voting age. For the first time,
the Israelis and the Palestinians
are working on a deal for a
permanent homeland for the
Palestinians. South Korea and
Japan are emerging economies based
on free trade capitalism with a
democratic government. And Taiwan
continues to be an autonomous
Republic. And, my proudest legacy,
there has never been a smaller gap
between the wealthy and the less
affluent and my wife has made the
literacy of this country a top
priority for millions of Americans
that were stumbling in the dark
without a ray of hope.
(the applause is
thunderous, overwhelming)
The tape stops.
CLOSE UP:
HAROLD standing in a bathrobe, hair unkempt and stubble
showing.
HAROLD:
And I thank you for your support.
The tape plays again, the applause monstrous.
CUT TO:
INT.
The living room of the DEPEW home Same time
The LOW MURMUR of the television downstairs makes its way
through the walls. ROXANNE is holding a great-grandchild in
her arms and talking to her grandson SCOTTY.
ROXANNE:
Oh, he's getting so big, isn't he?
SCOTTY:
Seems the same to me.
ROXANNE:
That's because you see him every
day, silly. How is Susan?
SCOTTY:
The cerebral palsy has her fairly
immobilized. And I'm so busy with
the campaign, there are so many
districts to cover.
ROXANNE:
Your grandfather would be proud of
you for that.
Pause.
SCOTTY:
How is he doing?
ROXANNE:
He has good days and bad. He
misses the spotlight.
SCOTTY:
Really?
ROXANNE:
He spent the middle part of his
life in politics and now he's just
a citizen. There are no more
mountains to climb. And his joints
are so bad he can barely swing a
golf club anymore. He hasn't been
to the country club in months.
SCOTTY:
Why don't you cancel?
ROXANNE:
I like to use the pool. And they
let me sign for my bill.
SCOTTY:
What does he do down there all day?
ROXANNE:
(in baby talk)
I want to know why my great
grandson has only visited me once,
that's what I want to know.
SCOTTY:
It's hard. Susan requires so much
attention and I'm working overtime
on the campaign.
(beat)
Do you think he'll come up?
ROXANNE:
Oh, I don't try anymore.
SCOTTY:
You don't think he's...you know.
ROXANNE:
What?
SCOTTY:
Going senile? Or getting
Alzheimer's?
ROXANNE:
No. I'm sure of it. He just
misses the crowds. That's why he's
opening Wal-Marts and speaking at
the Elks.
(beat)
Did I ever tell you he can play
guitar?
SCOTTY:
Really?
ROXANNE:
He loved that Johnny Cash. He used
to serenade me with Leadbelly
songs. He changed the lyric to
"Goodnight, Roxanne." He was a
charmer.
SCOTTY:
Well, yeah. He was president.
ROXANNE:
Yes he was. Quite the charmer.
CUT TO:
INT.
The presidential bedroom Night
HAROLD is dressed in a tuxedo while ROXANNE wears a white
slip and is tossing handfuls of her expensive wardrobe around
the room as she shouts at him.
ROXANNE:
It's not your choice to make! This
is my life!
HAROLD:
Annie, this is our life.
ROXANNE:
It's mine! Mine! I can do what I
want!
HAROLD:
It's not even just ours. It's the
American people's now.
ROXANNE:
Bullshit!
HAROLD:
I just want you to visit southern
California for a couple weeks.
There's a treatment facility there
that will be completely discreet.
If you don't like it-
ROXANNE:
I hate it!
HAROLD:
I meant the facility.
ROXANNE:
Fuck your facility and fuck your
title!
You may be president to everyone
out there but to me, you're just
the guy that makes me sleep in the
wet spot!
She grabs another handful of clothes and heaves them at him.
HAROLD picks up a pink skirt with jacket.
HAROLD:
This is nice. This would look good
on you.
ROXANNE:
You don't own me, Harold. I'll
leave you. You want to be in the
record books? You can be the first
president to get divorced while in
office!
HAROLD:
That's not my Annie talking.
That's the addict. And I forgive
you for it.
ROXANNE:
Oh, Jesus Christ, now you're
talking like one of those damn
hippies in San Francisco. The
revolution is over, Harold. The
bums lost.
HAROLD is retrieving the clothes strewn around him.
HAROLD:
I want you to wear something nice
tonight. It's your last night in
the White House until you're clean.
And I've specifically ordered the
waiters to give you only two
glasses of wine.
She stands there, seething.
CUT TO:
INT.
The banquet hall Later
The tables are lavishly beset with all manner of food and
there is a buffet table at one end of the room. ROXANNE is
wearing a rather hideous lime green one piece dress. There
is a large flower pinned over the left breast.
She knocks back the last of a glass of white wine and puts it
down on the table next to an empty glass. She immediately
turns to the man next to her.
ROXANNE:
Did that wine taste funny to you?
Kind of a chemical taste?
He shakes his head no.
ROXANNE:
Do you mind?
She reaches out and takes his glass and downs it all.
ROXANNE:
Yes, it's definitely a bit off.
Was it the whole bottle? Carley,
give me your glass.
CARLEY hands over the glass and ROXANNE again downs it with
one long gulp.
ROXANNE:
That one was fairly decent. But I
think I should test at least one
more.
She reaches to her right and HAROLD grabs her hand. He has a
steely resolve in his eyes.
ROXANNE:
(leaning in and
whispering)
Unless you want me to throw a fit
in front of the Prime Minister of
Canada and the forty photographers
over there, you will let me have
that glass of wine.
HAROLD releases his hand but snatches the glass before she
can. He holds it up to his nose and sniffs it. He turns to
a waiter behind him.
HAROLD:
She's right. This wine does have a
strange taste and smell to it.
Could you just remove all the
alcohol from the table? I don't
want anyone to get sick.
The waiter snaps his fingers and the other waiters each pull
the wine off the table. HAROLD motions to the string quartet
across the room. They begin playing very loudly.
This dampens ROXANNE'S loud, angry words. HAROLD turns away
from her, ignoring her diatribe. He stands and offers his
hand to CATHERINE, the Prime Minister's wife. She takes it,
smiling, and they begin to dance. ROXANNE becomes even more
irate and then instantly calms. She stands and walks out of
the hall, photographers snapping pictures as she exits,
trying to hide her tears. When she gets to the staircase,
separated from the banquet hall by a short hallway, she
breaks down into sobs. The four soldiers continue to stand
at attention on the stairs. They do not look at her. She
cries and cries.
[
top
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.