BY
GARY ROSS
FADE IN:
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - AERIAL SHOT - DAY
It sits like a jewel off in the distance -- all glittering
and white. The deep blue of the Potomac stands out against
the monuments as the sound of a HELICOPTER plays O.s..
SMASH CUT
TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS - DAY
The most famous helicopter in the world lumbers toward the
most famous house. Scores of reporters are camped out on the
lawn while the huge machine descends like a hurricane...
CLOSER - HELICOPTER
It touches down as the Marine Corps color guard snaps to
attention. The hatch POPS open and a staircase emerges...
FULL SHOT - DOORWAY
After a moment, PRESIDENT WILLIAM HARRISON MITCHELL appears,
accompanied by his wife ELLEN and loyal dog Cupcakes. They
smile from the landing and wave to the world -- a postcard of
themselves.
TRACKING SHOT - FIRST FAMILY
"HAIL TO THE CHIEF" RINGS OUT across the grounds. For-
midably handsome Bill Mitchell is fit and in his early forties.
His wife Ellen, still in her early thirties, is considered a
classical beauty with a wide "friendly" smile that in certain
photographs seems just on the edge of wistful. The dog frolics
around them as they wave to the press and smile for the world.
Ozzie and Harriet for the Nineties with a bow to FDR and some
Camelot thrown in.
MOVING WITH them...
They stride arm in arm beneath the portico that leads to the
West Wing. The band is still playing as they head under the
archway, disappearing from public view. Then, instantly,
as a handler rushes up and grabs the dog, the smiles vanish.
Bill lets go of Ellen and Ellen lets go of Bill. He turns
to his right and she turns to her left. Off they go in their
separate directions.
CUT TO:
INT. WEST WING HALLWAY - DAY
The President strides down the long marble hallway flanked by
his two senior advisors, BOB ALEXANDER, the White House Chief
of Staff and ALAN REED, the White House Media Advisor.
MITCHELL
Is everybody in there?
BOB
They're waiting for you. And they're
very nervous.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - ROOSEVELT ROOM - DAY
It is the seat of power. There is a dark oak conference table
with a crystal chandelier above it. Alan Reed is reading
from a notebook full of polling data while the President glares
at a group of congressional leaders. Bob glares at them,
too, while they cower behind their water glasses.
REED
(reading from his
notebook)
I wish I had better news... Our
compassion index is off seven
points from the last sample and
that's down eighteen on the year. The
`Cares About People Like Me' numbers
are really in the toilet. We're off
twenty points from March and that was
right after we raised interest rates...
MITCHELL
Dammit...
(beat)
I told them no mayo.
(looking up)
See - - I could veto this Simpson Garner
thing, but I really don't want to do
that...
A couple of the legislators flinch, still staring straight
ahead.
MITCHELL
(circling)
Do you know why I don't want to do it?
DAVE - Rev. 8/7/92 3.
They all look over at him for a moment. Mitchell leans out
over the table like some great, predatory beast.
MITCHELL
(strangled whisper)
... Because it's got homeless
shelters... and Head Start centers ...
and... and...
BOB
(whispering)
Hot lunches.
The President looks back at him for an instant then turns
back toward the table.
MITCHELL
(building)
... And hot lunches for little
(thundering suddenly)
And if I kill it... I'll look like a
prick.
They all flinch slightly.
MITCHELL
And I don't want to look like a prick!
(beat)
I want YOU to look like pricks!!!
DIFFERENT ANGLE
SPEAKER
Sir, we tried to kill it twice...
MITCHELL
(whisper again)
I don't think so, Howard. If you had
killed it -- it would be dead.
(looking him in the eye)
When I kill something - - it always
dies. Doesn't it, flob?
BOB
(steely)
Always dead.
MAJ. LEADER
Mr. President, with all the work your
wife has done with the homeless...
The President turns and stares daggers at him. The man starts
to flumph as Mitchell cuts him off.
MITCHELL
Norman, I don't want you to do this
cause you're forced to...
(beat)
I want you to do this because you want
to. I want you to do it because you
think it's the right thing to do. I
want you to do it because you're acting
in the best interests of our country...
They stare back at him stupefied.
BOB
(upbeat)
Well -- I think that's it.
CUT TO:
INT. WEST WING HALLWAY - LATER
He moves down the corridor toward the Oval Office with Bob
and Reed at his side.
A long line of secretaries flanks the entrance.
BOB
... You've got that radio address to
go over and the American Bar Association
at the Monroe tomorrow night...
The President pauses at one of the desks and fixes a stare.at
one of the secretaries, (RANDI). She looks up from behind a
pdir of clear-pane glasses, and blushes at him effectively.
MITCHELL
(smiling at Randi)
The Monroe?
REED
Uh, yes, sir. The Monroe Hotel...
Randi smiles back at him.
MITCHELL
(whispering to Reed)
Did you get someone to double for me
there, out front?
REED
We're working on it.
MITCHELL
(still under his breath)
Try to find someone who looks like me
this time. That last guy was a joke.
REED
We're doing our best, sir.
He nods and winks at Randi again before heading inside the
Oval Office. The President starts humming "Hail to the Chief"
quietly to himself...
CUT TO:
EXT. DURENBURGER'S CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH - DAY
Red, white and blue flags fly above the used
cars to announce Durenberger's grand opening. A SCRATCHY
RENDITION of "HAIL TO THE CHIEF" PLAYS from a makeshift P.A.
SYSTEM and a little stage has been erected in front of the
cars. DURENBURGER himself stands alone at the mike.
DURENBURGER
This is a real special moment here at
Durenburger's Chrysler Plymouth...
Ladies an' gentlemen, I wantcha to
give a real warm welcome to...
(pause)
The President of the United
WIDER
A dead-ringer for the President appears,
perched on the back of a four hundred
pound pig. He is DAVE KOVIC, our
hero. Dave enters from "stage right"
wearing an Uncle Sam hat and waving
triumphantly to the crowd. A teenage
*boy pulls the pig forward by a rope.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
He makes the victory sign with both hands and dismounts the
PIG who lets out a SNORT. Dave bounds up to the small
platform where he is greeted warmly by Durenburger. Dave
hands him a small stack of 3x5 filing cards while "HAIL TO
THE CHIEF" CONCLUDES its final strains. Dave salutes the
crowd.
DAVE
(doing a decent Bill
Mitchell)
Thank you, Don. Thank you for that
warm introduction.
(pause)
You know it's wonderful to be here
today amongst so many smiling faces.
REVERSE ANGLE - CROWD
Eight to ten people stand stonefaced amongst the Plymouth
Horizons.
ON DAVE
DAVE
And, Don, let me assure you from one
chief executive to another, that there
fl no Chrysler Plymouth like
Durenburger's Chrysler Plymouth.
A few employees applaud. Dave nudges Durenburger who takes
out one of the cards.
DURENBURGER
(reading/monotone)
Thank you, Mr. President. It certainly
is nice of you to be with us here today
considering your busy schedule and
all.
DAVE
Well, Don -- it's true that I have a
busy schedule. But I've got a feeling
that when folks find out about your
five hundred dollar cash rebate on all
`93 LeBaron and LeBaron convertibles
you're gonna be even busier than I am.
Dave looks toward the crowd for another reaction but nothing
comes back. An eight-year-old GIRL tugs at the bottom of
ther MOTHER's dress.
GIRL
Mommy, is that the President?
MOTHER
(shaking her head)
I sure hope not.
ANGLE - DAVE
He leans closer to Durenburger
continuing with the routine.
DAVE
You know, Don, it's not easy being
President. Why just the other day, I
was riding on Air Force One...
The PIG lets out a HUGE SNORT causing everyone to jump with a
start. A six-year-old KID starts to CRY while Dave glances
down toward the front row.
ANGLE-DAVE
He stops the routine and squints out
toward the crowd while the WAILING
CONTINUES. His parents try to comfort
the BOY but it doesn't do any good.
DAVE
Hey, hey... What's the matter...
DIFFERENT ANGLE - DAVE
He dismounts the stage and stumbles on one of the steps.
Dave puts on the glasses that he normally wears and squats
face to face with the six-year-old.
DAVE
(gently)
Hi...
(beat)
What's your name?
The child doesn't respond at first. Dave moves a little
closer to the boy.
DAVE
Don't you have a name?
CHILD (KID)
(sniffling)
... Sam.
DAVE
(soothingly)
Hi, Sam... You want a riddle?
The Kid thinks for a second then nods. He wipes some stuff
off his nose.
DAVE
Okay. What can run all day without
getting tired?
The Kid ponders it for a moment.
DAVE
(leaning closer)
Well come on, Sam. It's not your
jar...
Dave touches the Kid's ear as his eyes suddenly light up.
SAM (KID)
My nose?
DAVE
Right. !!!
Dave reaches up and "magically" produces a quarter from the
side of the child's nose. He beams with delight as Dave hands
him the coin.
CUT TO:
EXT. BALTINORE STREET - DAY
Dave hurries down the busy sidewalk clutching a beat-un
briefcase and his Uncle Sam hat. In civilian clothes, with
his tousled hair, no one even notices that he looks like the
President. Dave ducks into a small storefront office with a
simple sign above it:
"KOVIC TEMPS"
"Like we've been there forever"
INT. DAVE'S OFFICE
The place is small and cluttered and very well lived in.
Dave's secretary and ex-wife, ALICE, is kissing her boyfriend
JERRY goodbye.
JERRY
Six-thirty?
ALICE
Perfect.
JERRY
Great, I'll see you then.
He blows her another kiss and turns to the door just as Dave
bounds into the room.
JERRY
Hi, Dave.
DAVE
(buoyant)
Hi, .....
He hangs up his coat and turns to Alice as Jerry leaves the
room.
DAVE
(hanging up his coat)
It went great, Alice. I killed em
down there.
ALICE
Yeah? Why don't you see what you *)
can do in here.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
Dave turns around to see three women
stacked up in his waiting area.
DAVE
(renewed energy)
No problem. What `ve we got?
ALICE
(rattling it off)
Mabel says it's too far on the bus.
Jennifer's boss tried to hit on her
again and Lola's been crying in your
office for an hour.
Dave sticks his head inside his office where a Hispanic WOMAN
of about fifty is crying into a tiny lace handkerchief.
INT. DAVE'S OFFICE
DAVE
(entering)
Lola. What happened?
LOLA (WOMAN)
(turning)
Oh, Meester Kobic... Is no my fault...
I learn on de I.B.M okay? Then they
make me work on de Wang...
(crying again)
No puedo comprendar esta machina...
DAVE
It's airight. We'll find you something
else.
ANGLE - OUTER OFFICE
He darts back out.
DAVE
I'll get her something right now.
(beat)
Alice... Have you seen my checkbook?
ALICE
Dave, I'm your ex-wife. As in Ex
E -- X...
He nods earnestly accepting it for what must be the hundredth
time. Alice sighs and motions toward his desk.
ALICE
Bottom drawer next to your baseball
glove.
DAVE
(flashing a smile)
Thanks. You're the best.
CUT TO:
INT. ACCOUNTANCY OFFICE OF "MURRAY BLUM, CPA" - DAY
Dave's best friend MURRAY stands in front of Dave and Lola.
In the b.g. sit four or five women without much to do in
particular.
MURRAY
Dave, I can't hire anybody else.
He turns toward his desk. Dave follows him down the aisle.
DAVE
("CONFIDENTIALLY")
This woman's amazing, Murray. She
flies on an I.B.M...
MURRAY
I don't have enough work for the people
you gave me already.
DAVE
(lowering his voice)
She's got three kids and the husband's
a diabetic...
(turning to her)
Diabetic?
LOLA
Si. Diabetico.
She starts to whimper all over again while Dave looks
plaintively at Murray.
DAVE
Short-term thing. Straight temp job.
Murray looks at him and sighs.
MURRAY
(beat)
I'll see what I can do.
Dave flashes him a big smile and breathes a sigh of relief.
DAVE
So you want to go swimming?
MURRAY
(incredulous)
Dave -- I'm working.
DAVE
(nodding quickly)
Oh yeah... Me, too.
(beat)
You want to get dinner later?
MURRAY
I was gonna do something with Joan.
DAVE
Oh. Okay. I'll catch ya tomorrow then.
Murray nods as Dave turns humming into the hallway.
EXT. DAVE'S HOUSE - DAY
All It is dark and a little clutt.ered. A low GUTTURAL NOTE
starts to build as it ECHOES up the stairwell.
DAVE (0.5.)
(singing)
'Oooooooooooooooooo...'
DIFFERENT ANGLE - LANDING
DAVE
'... klahoma, where the wind comes
sweeping down the plain...'
Dave bounds onto the landing and fishes around for his keys...
CUT TO:
INT. DAVE'S APARTMENT - DAY
The door swings open as Dave enters the room, still singing.
DAVE
`Where the wavin' wheat, can sure smell
sweet...'
He sets down his keys, crosses to the kitchen. Dave yanks
open the fridge, pulls out a beer, pops open the top, hits a
twenty foot hook shot with the bottle cap, then crosses to
the living room...
DAVE
'and the wind comes right behind the -
...'
He looks across the room and suddenly freezes.
DAVE'S POV
Three large men are seated on his living room couch.
The black one in the middle (DUANE STEVENSEN) speaks first.
DUANE
Mr. Kovic?
BACK TO SCENE
Dave freezes and shakes his head.
DUANE
I'm Duane Stavensen with the United
States Secret Service.
Dave's eyes go a little wider.
DUANE
We're with the federal government.
He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a gleaming silver
badge. Dave looks at it. Terrified.
DAVE
Oh my God... I thought it was a
legitimate deduction, I swear to God.
See... I need a piano for my work
sometimes...
DUANE
Mr. Kovic. We're not here about your
taxes.
DAVE
You're not?
DUANE
No.
Dave's stopped and just stares at him. Duane leans forward
on the couch.
DUANE
Your government needs your help.
DAVE
(beat)
What?
DUANE
On occasion for security purposes, to
double for the President at the Secret
Service hires someone public functions
and exposed situations.
CLOSEUP-DAVE
He looks at Duane for a moment when his eyes light up...
DAVE
Really?
DUANE
We'd like to hire you.
DAVE
Really?
CUT TO:
EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT
Police barricades ring the outside of the hotel. There are
the standard number of flashing red lights and sharp shooters
stationed on all the balconies. An assortment of various
demonstrators press up against the police line and a literal
army of press are staked out by the entrance. It is the modern
equivalent of Napoleon's camp.
INT. HOTEL ROOM
Dave is sitting on the edge of the bed, getting his hair
trimmed by JOHNNY, the Presidential makeup man and traveling
barber. He removes the apron and stands back to admire his
handiwork.
JOHNNY
(proudly; to himself)
Johnny, you did it again!
DAVE
You really cut his this short?
JOHNNY
It's a perfect match.
DAVE
Hunh. 'Cause I always thought it
came over the ears a little...
At that moment the door swings open and Bob Alexander. the
Chief of Staff powers into the room. He crosses over toward
the bed where Dave is sitting.
BOB
You understand what you'll be doing?
DAVE
(beat; intimidated)
Yeah... You just want me to wave, right?
BOB
(gruffly)
Wave from the door... go down the
stairs... get into the limo...
DAVE
(pause)
`Cause you know I can do other stuff.
I mean, if you wanted me to talk or...
BOB
(curtly)
Don't say a .
DAVE
(nodding)
Right.
Dave flashes him a smile to lighten the moment when Bob turns
and starts for the door...
DAVE
(calling after him)
Uh --Mr. Alexander?
BOB
(turning)
What?
DAVE
(beat)
Is this dangerous or anything?
BOB
No more than the usual.
DAVE
The usual...
He turns and shuts the door behind him.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - NIGHT
It's the only time it has lived up to its name. The living
room is huge and occupied by several Secret Servicemen. Alan
Reed, the President's media advisor, stands just outside the
bathroom door with a clipboard in his hand.
REED
(into the bathroom)
We're all set, sir.
MITCHELL (O.S.)
(from in the bathroom)
What about the intro?
REED
It'll be on the teleprompter with the
rest of the speech.
MITCHELL (O.S.)
It better be. Last time you had me
introduce a dead guy.
The sound of a TOILET FLUSHING comes from just beyond the
door. The President emerges in a tuxedo, zipping up his
fly.
MITCHELL
Who's this priest I'm thanking?
REED
Father Mclntire. He blessed you at
the inauguration.
MITCHELL
Oh yeah.
(beat; lowering his
voice)
Did you take care of later on?
REED
All set.
MITCHELL
(beaming)
Fabulous.
CUT TO:
INT. BALTIMORE HILTON - GRAND BALLROOM - NIGHT
Five hundred people have gathered at a thousand dollars a
plate. Bill Mitchell stands at a dark blue podium with the
seal of the President in front.
MITCHELL
You know as I was coming in here tonight
I ran into Jordan Blankfort who I hadn't
seen for years...
The President smiles down at Jordan while the CAMERA begins a
LONG, SLOW DOLLY AROUND the back of the podium.
MITCHELL
And I couldn'thelp remembering back to
the time when Jordan and I were in law
school together.
(beat)
... Now Jordan and I were pretty wild
back then and like most college
students, we liked to enjoy a few beers
on occasion...
The CAMERA CONTINUES its DOLLY REVEALING the clear glass panel
of the teleprompter. AS the President continues with his
"spontaneous reminiscence," the words "LIKED TO ENJOY A FEW
BEERS ON OCCASION..." are clearly printed in front of him.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Dave stands alone, trying to put on his tuxedo while he stares
at a television monitor. He squints at himself for a second,
then lifts the arm of the tuxedo in a "Presidential" wave.
He immediately lowers it and tries it with the other one,
duplicating the President's movements exactly. The door
opens behind him.
DUANE
Get readY.
Dave turns and nods emphatically. He glances back at the
TV monitor where President Mitchell is receiving a standing
ovation.
MITCHELL (V.0.)
God bless you... God bless America...
Duane holds open the door to:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Dave stares at the opulent room for a moment - - this is the
big time...
CUT TO:
INT. BALLROOM
The audience has risen to its feet. Bill Mitchell stands at
the podium waving out to the crowd like a conquering hero.
He turns and salutes a crimson-robed cleric who is standing
by his side. The priest salutes the President and lifts his
arms like a prizefighter. The applause is still going strong
as Mitchell leaves the stage.
INT. HALLWAY
MOVING WITH him. They head away from the ballroom. Bob
stands on one side and Reed on the other as they move down
the hallway in a phalanx of Secret Service.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Dave is waiting nervously in the middle of the room. Duane
stands poised by the side of the door.
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR
The Presidential entourage steps out of the elevator and moves'
rapidly down phe hall. It looks like a solid wall of business
suits with three tuxedos in front. They reach the door of
the suite together...
INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
The door to the suite swings suddenly open. Three Secret
Service enter the room, followed by the President a moment
later. Dave snaps to attention with his arms at his sides
when the President looks up and suddenly stops:
MITCHELL
(beat)
Jesus Christ.
PRESIDENT'S POV - REVERSE ANGLE
Dave stands in front of him with slicked back hair and a crisp
new tuxedo. It is a mirror image of the President himself.
Dave stands frozen for a moment then breaks into a nervous
smile...
WIDER ANGLE
The President stares at him carefully.
MITCHELL
You are a very handsome man.
DAVE
(nervous)
Thank you, Mr. President.
MITCHELL
(to Dave)
Just get rid of that grin. You look
like a schmuck.
Dave immediately wipes off the smile as the President moves
past him and disappears into another room.
ANGLE - DAVE
He stares in wonder at the President's wake. The rest of
the crowd moves out of the living room as Duane clears his
throat and motions to the door. It's show time.
CUT TO:
EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT
A large crowd is anxious with anticipation. A palpable
BUZZ fills the air as the photographers jockey near the front
for the best possible angle.
INT. FOYER
The entourage has grown to a Presidential level as Dave emerges
`from the elevator and heads toward the door. He pauses for
a moment to catch his breath while the Secret Service race
ahead toward the entrance.
EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE
A large cheer erupts from the crowd as Dave appears at the
top of the steps. There is a virtual explosion of shutters
and a bank of TV lights glares in his face. Dave freezes for
a moment then remembers and lifts his arm in "The Presidential
Wave." A louder cheer goes up from the crowd as Duane races
ahead to the limo beyond.
CLOSER ON DAVE
He starts to smile and heads down the steps as the crowd
presses up to the limit of the barricades.
ANGLE - LIMOUSINE
Duane stands at the open door when Dave stops again and waves
once more. A LOUDER CHEER goes up this time. The FANS keep
SCREAMING and Dave can no longer control him- self. Suddenly
and without warning, he hops up on the running board of the
car.
DAVE
(waving to the crowd)
Hello America! God Bless you!
A huge CHEER goes up from the throng as he dismounts. Duane
grabs him by the collar and pulls him into the limo...
DIFFERENT ANGLE
The car speeds away from the curb with
the motorcade behind it.
INT. LIMO
He turns around to see Duane, sitting stone-faced across
from him.
DAVE
(clearly thrilled)
Sorry, I couldn't help it. I just got
carried away...
(finally letting it out)
... I was really good though, hunh?
Duane keeps staring at him. Dave shakes his head.
DAVE
(cluing Duane in)
So I guess there must be something
pretty important going on for the
President to go through all of this...
Duane just looks at him...
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - NIGHT
A discarded tuxedo lies tossed across a chair along with a
woman's bra and pantyhose.
The CAMERA PANS THROUGH DARKNESS SLOWLY TOWARD the bed while
the sound of a MAN and WOMAN MAKING LOVE plays O.S.
MAN (O.S.)
Oh...
WOMAN (0.S.)
Ah!
MAN (O.S.)
Oh...
WOMAN (0.S.)
Ah!
Beat.
WOMAN (0.S.)
Ahhh!
Silence.
WOMAN (0.S.)
Ahhhhh!
Pause.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Bill?
The CAMERA ARRIVES AT the bed as the torso of Randi, the
Oval Office secretary, pops INTO FRAME.
RANDI (WOMAN)
Mr. President?
Longer pause...
RANDI
(frightened)
Oh; shit...
CUT TO:
EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT
A red and white ambulance sits parked at the service entrance
to the hotel with its red light flashing.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER
The President is loaded onto a gurney bed with an array of
tubes and catheters. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Bob and
Reed, Sitting in a corner, while the medical drama unfolds
before them.
REED
(softly)
It doesn't look very good.
Bob looks up at him.
REED
(a little softer)
They say it hit both sides of his
brain... Even if he makes it he's gonna
be a vegetable.
BOB
I can't believe he'd do this.
REED
I know.
Bob stares straight ahead clutching onto his drink.
BOB
Where's the girl?
REED
She's a little hysterical right now.
We've got her upstairs in a laundry
room.
BOB
(shaking his head)
Nightmare...
REED
(leaning closer)
Look... at some point we're going to
have to call the Vice President...
BOB
(suddenly)
Don't call the Vice President!
REED
... What?
BOB
(grabbing his lapels)
Just don't call him, Alan!
REED
(treading softly)
The guy's in a coma, Bob.
BOB
I don't give a shit.
REED
Bob...
BOB
This is mine, Al -- all mine ...
I made him. I built him. And no
cocksucker is gonna come in here and
take it away from me just because he
to be Vice President of the United
States!
CLOSEUP - BOB
He looks at Reed for a moment...
CUT TO:
INT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT
Dave sits in the back seat with Duane. He has his small
canvas bag opened beside him on the seat. He finishes getting
dressed in his own clothes.
DAVE
(jacked)
You know if you guys want to do
something for his birthday, I could
come down to Washington. I have some
great birthday stuff...
Duane smiles at him tightly.
DAVE
I do this thing with the first lady --
my friends love it -- it's the two of
them going away to Club Med...
Duane just looks at him when the TELEPHONE RINGS beside him.
He reaches next to him, picking it up.
DUANE
Yeah...
(PAUSE)
What?.. Are you sure? What?
DAVE
(innocently)
What?
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
The famous building is lit up like a picture postcard while
Bob's voice plays 0.S...
BOB (V.0.)
It's a temporary solution.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - SUBTERRANEAN HALLWAY - NIGHT
A doctor and two nurses wheel a gurney in front of them while
Bob and Reed trail behind.
REED
Till what?
BOB
TilT we figure something out.
REED
Bob, the guy had a stroke!
Reed looks at him like he's nuts as they turn a corner in the
hallway.
BOB
Look, everything can be handled. We'll
just find a way to handle it.
REED
(stopping)
Like how?
BOB
(big smile)
Well, start by going on television
and saying that he's had a mild
stroke...
REED
Mild stroke?
BOB
Yes - - and that he ought to be up
and around sometime soon.
REED
Up and around? Soon?
BOB
Soon.
CUT TO:
RESUME - EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - AERIAL SHOT - NIGHT
A lone black limousine heads down Connecticut Avenue toward
the mall.
DAVE (V.0.)
You know, I think I've been real
cooperative up until now but...
It bears right on Pennsylvania Avenue, angling south.
DAVE
Just tell me where we're going.
The car turns right into the driveway of the White House.
DAVE
Holy shit.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT
Dave sits frozen in an armchair across from the President's
desk. There are twenty-foot windows that lead out to the
Rose Garden and two huge flags on either side of the desk.
Alan Reed leans nonchalantly on one of the chairs. Bob
stands nearby.
REED
(all schmooz)
Dave, my name is Alan Reed. I'm the
White House Communications Director.
This is Bob Alexander, our Chief of
Staff.
(smiling)
We met you earlier tonight at the hotel,
remember?
Dave nods, frozen in his chair.
REED
Can I get you something to drink?
He shakes his head.
REED
You sure? A Coke or a Perrier or
something?
DAVE
(still frozen)
Oh yeah... 1'm fine...
Reed flashes him a smile and glances over at Bob.
REED
(moving toward him)
Now, Dave, something has come up and I
think we need to talk about it...
DAVE
(blurting it out)
Look, I'm sorry. I know you said not
to talk, but when I saw the crowd I
just got excited...
REED
We're not upset with you, Dave. We
think you did a terrific job.
(to Bob)
Don't we?
BOB
(all tension)
Terrific.
Reed smiles at Dave, who musters a little smile in return.
REED
In fact, we think you did such a good
job, we'd like to extend things a little
bit.
DAVE
Extend things?
REED
(nodding)
Extend them.
(beat)
C'mere for a second.
He places a hand on Dave's shoulder and motions toward the
desk. Dave hesitates, then follows him over.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
Reed pulls out the President's chair and motions to it.
REED
Try it out.
Dave looks down at the chair in wonder.
REED
Go ahead.
Dave pauses for a moment then sinks down into the soft brown
leather. He stares out in awe across the Oval Office.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
Reed looks over at Bob, who nods at
him. He takes a deep breath.
REED
Dave, something has happened to the
President.
DAVE
(whirling)
Oh my God...
REED
(soothing him)
I know... I know...
(pause)
It's difficult for all of us. But
sometimes we have to put our personal
feelings aside and focus on the gQod
of the country.
DAVE
(beat)
What happened?
REED
Well, it's... It's sort of an... an
`incident' really...
BOB
(nodding)
A condition...
REED
Exactly. A condition.
Dave nods but still doesn't understand. Reed hesitates when
Bob glares at him again.
REED
It's actually kind of serious, Dave.
I'm afraid the President's not in very
good shape.
DAVE
(actually shaken)
Oh my gosh...
He sits there, stunned for a moment.
DAVE
Will he be alright?
REED
Oh, yeah... probably...
BOB
We think so.
REED
Yes.
DAVE
(beat)
Oh.
Reed moves closer.
REED
Dave, we need our friends and even our
enemies to feel safe and secure... We
need them to feel like they can go to
bed at night knowing President Mitchell
is fully in control... We need them to
feel like he's sitting right here in
this chair...
Bob and Reed just stare at him. Dave nods, then suddenly
jumps out of the chair.
DAVE
Hey - - wait a second...
He stares at them for a beat...
DAVE
What about the Vice President?
RTED
(panicked)
Vice Presidant?
BOB
Well... We didn't want to have to get
into this but...
(deadly serious)
... The Vice President is mentally
unbalanced.
Reed's eyes go wide. Bob stares straight ahead.
DAVE
(stunned)
No.
REED
(catching on)
I'm afraid so.
DAVE
Really? Crazy?
BOB
Certifiable.
Dave looks at them amazed. Bob moves closer to the desk.
BOB
How much do you usually get paid?
DAVE
(lost...)
Uh -- I don't know. Sometimes it's
just like a barter thing... Is this
legal?
Reed stops and looks at Bob for a moment. He turns back to
Dave.
REED
(evenly)
Dave - - have you ever driven through
a red light?
Dave stares at him.
REED
You know, on an empty road where you
know it's safe and nobody's around...
DAVE
I'm not sure... I might have.
REED
Well, let's say your mother was in
the car and you had to get her to a
hospital. You'd do it then for sure
wouldn't you?
DAVE
Well... I gues I would... Yeah.
REED
(beat)
Now, let's say the whole country.
Was in that car. The entire United
States of America.
DAVE
In the car?
REED
(nodding)
In the car.
DAVE
I see what you mean.
Reed smiles at him and rests a gentle hand on his shoulder.
REED
Dave, the country is sick. And we're
gonna get it to a hospital.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He stares at them for a moment then
smiles slightly...
CUT TO:
INT. THIRD FLOOR RESIDENCE - NIGHT
A pair of gilt-edged doors swing open to reveal a massive
bedroom beyond. It is fifty-feet long and twenty-feet wide.
Brocaded draperies hang from the windows and a four-poster
bed stretches to the ceiling.
BOB
These are the living quarters.
The President's bedroom is on
this side and the First Lady's is over
there.
WIDER
Dave walks forward in awe.
DAVE
(concerned)
First Lady...
BOB
Don't worry. You won't even see her.
Dave looks at him, puzzled. Bob glances back.
BOB
(cluing him in)
They barely talk anymore.
DAVE
You're kidding?
BOB
It happens. This is where you'll be
sleeping.
Bob flings open the door. Dave enters the room and looks
around.
DAVE
(gawking)
Holy cow.
BOB
We'll be back for you first thing
tomorrow and if you need me for
anything, Duane will be right outside
the door.
DAVE
(still stunned)
Oh... Okay.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He breaks out into a "Presidential"
grin...
CUT TO:
INT. "THE CBS MORNING NEWS" STUDIO - FULL SHOT - KATHLEEN
SULLIVAN
She stares straight INTO the CAMERA with "The Morning Show"
set behind her.
KATHLEEN SULLIVAN
... The White House now classifies the
President's condition as a `slight
circulatory problem of the head.'
CLOSEUP - TV SET
KATHLEEN SULLIVAN (V.0.)
Although technically a stroke, spokesmen
say the President's condition is far
from serious and he ought to be up and
around sometime soon.
The CAMERA WIDENS OUT to reveal that the TV is in:
INT. BOB'S OFFICE - DAWN
The first rays of sunrise are breaking through the window.
Reed Sits on the couch holding a large rubber ice bag while
Bob paces across the rug.
REED
Do you know how many different kinds
of laws we've broken?
BOB
(turning)
It's simple, Alan. We send the Vice-
President to Africa or something, dig
up some dirt on him, force him to resign
and get our `President' to nominate a
new one. The whole thing takes a few
weeks tops.
DAVE - Rev. 7/22/92 31.
REED
(smiling)
You mean we get `Dave' to nominate you
as Vice President.
BOB
I was a senator, you know.
REED
(innocently)
Oh, I know. And then when our poor
President gets another stroke - - of
course much more serious this time - -
the newly appointed V.P. becomes the
Pres...
BOB
(cutting him off)
What about containment, Alan?
Reed heaves a sigh and looks at his notes.
REED
I got the nurses for fifty grand
a piece and the doctors for a hundred.
The older one wanted head of the CDC.
BOB
(turning)
Is that everybody?
REED
Duane's guys, but he's got them under
control.
BOB
What about her.
REED
Her?... Oh -- the First Lady...
(beat)
She was giving that commencement speech
up in Bryn Mawr. I managed to catch
her before she left the hotel.
BOB
And...
REED
(evenly)
I told her his blood pressure went up
after a little incident at `the hotel.'
She seems to hate him more than ever.
BOB
Fine.
REED
(tossing down his legal
pad)
Everybody else is buying the minor
stroke' story...
BOB
(nodding)
I just hope this yutz can pull it off.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE INFIRMARY - DAY
Dave sits up on the examining table with his shirt off. Bob,
Reed and three other vascular specialists watch attentively
while the President's personal physician puts a stethoscope
to his chest.
DOCTOR
(lowering it)
Well, I must say, Mr. President, even
for a man with a mild stroke you seem
to have made a remarkable recovery.
DAVE
(happy as a clam)
Thanks. I'm feeling much better.
Reed smiles like a proud father.
DOCTOR
(glancing at his chart)
No signs of paralysis, no circulatory
changes. Your E.M.G. is completely
normal and your blood pressure has
even gone down.
(beat)
Have you been exercising recently?
DAVE
(shrugging)
Just the usual.. Watching the diet --
A little weight lifting...
Some power talking...
Bob shoots him a look.
DOCTOR
(nodding with the other
physicians)
Well, judging from these tests, I
don't see any reason why you couldn't
start back to work within a couple of
days.
Dave looks at them and smiles.
CUT TO:
INT. PRESIDENT'S OUTER OFFICE - LITTLE LATER
Dave moves through the outer office flanked by Bob and Reed.
He wears a blue Presidential jogging suit with a little gold
seal embroidered on the chest. Dave approaches a line of
SECRETARIES standing behind their desks.
BOB
(under his breath)
Now, remember -- keep it simple.
DAVE
Don't worry.
He bangs into the side of a credenza. Bob and Reed freeze as
Dave gathers himself then keeps going.
DAVE
(walking up to the first
one)
Good morning, Clara...
CLARA (SECRETARY)
Good morning, Mr. President.
DAVE
(to second one...)
Good morning, Diane...
DIANE (SECRETARY)
Good morning, sir.
DAVE
Good morning, Randi...
DIFFERENT ANGLE
She leans forward, grasping his hand,
desperately.
RANDI
(welling with tears)
Oh, good morning, Mr. President.
I'm so relieved that you're alright.
You really had me scared.
Dave smiles and nods as she continues to clutch onto his hand.
Bob and Reed take him by the shoulders and move him inside...
INT. OVAL OFFICE
He is still staring at the doorway as they close the door to
the office.
DAVE
What's with her?
BOB
(still pulling him)
Don't worry about it.
Dave glances back toward the door.
REED
She's just a little emotional --
she feels kind of attached to the
President.
Dave nods as they deposit him in the President's chair. Reed
slides the phone in front of him.
BOB
Okay, let's go over it again. You met
a girl, you fell in love...
DAVE
And we're going away for a holiday.
BOB
(handing him the receiver)
For a month.
DAVE
A month.
BOB
Right and don't embellish.
DAVE
(shaking his head)
I promise. I won't.
Bob slides the phone closer as he begins to dial the number.
INT. KOVIC TEMPS - DAY
Alice is sitting at her desk staring at a large rock on her
finger. She talks into the telephone, extending her hand in
the manner of all newly-engaged women.
ALICE
I couldn't believe it. As soon as we
sit down he pulls out this ring...
(beaming)
... Oh I know - -I just got so
emotional. The waiter had to bring
me another napkin.
42 CONTINUED: (AL)
RING. A light indicating the second line starts blinking.
ALICE
Hang on.
(switching lines)
Kovic Temps
(beat)
Dave! Where are you?
(pause)
You met who?.., You're going where?
(beat)
Cancun.
There is a longer pause.
ALICE
No, that's fine... No, I think it's
great.., Sure, I understand I will...
Okay... 'Bye.
She pauses for a moment then hits the first line all
over again,
ALICE
He's in love Thank God!
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Sander Vanocur stands just outside the white House gates,
filing his nightly report.
SANDER VANOCUR
The President continued his
convalescence, resting in the white
House for the second straight day.
His personal physician pronounced him
in perfectly good health...
FULL SHOT - PRESIDENT'S PHYSICIAN - (SOUND BITE)
PRESIDENT' S PHYSICIAN
I've examined him thoroughly and I
must say, I don't think I've ever seen
the President in better shape.
INT. WHITE HOUSE BARBER
Dave's initial rinse is replaced with a professional dye job.
INT. DAVE'S ROOM
Newly coiffed, Dave tries on a series of hand-tailored suits
hanging on a rack in the middle of his room.
INT. BATHROOM
Reed watches while Dave struggles vainly in the mirror with
his first set of contact lenses
SANDER VANOCUR (V.0.)
The President was able to attend to
Some official business on Wednesday,
and continues to be briefed on all
areas of national concern...
INT. OVAL OFFICE
Reed stands in front of the desk Pointing to a large
organizational chart of government
YOU
THE CONGRESS---------------------THE JUDICIARY.
HOUSE-----SENATE SUPREME COURT
JOINT CHIEFS-----THE CABINET-----N.S.C.
INT. CABINET ROOM
He sits at the President's spot in the middle of the cabinet
table. Propped up in all the other chairs, are Poster-sized
photographs of the various cabinet members. Bob points to
one as Dave thinks for a moment, then guesses...
INT. STATE DINING ROOM
He stares in wonder at a full, formal place-setting. There
are five forks, three knives and a countless number of spoons.
Dave looks at it all, baffled for a moment, while Reed guides
his hand toward the fish knife...
SANDER VANOCUR
So confident was the white House in
the President's recovery, that they
have just sent the Vice President on a
twelve nation African goodwill tour...
This is
Sander Vanocur at the white House.
INT. WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
Dave enters from the back of the room, flanked by Bob and
Reed on either side. They make their way down the aisle toward
a large wooden podium with the "Seal of the President" on the
front.
BOB
First thing we're gonna work on is the
mannerisms. Alan has put together
sort of a training program
DAVE
Great.
They lead him through the empty press chairs toward the front
of the room. Reed climbs up the short Steps that lead to
the podium.
REED
Now some of this may feel a bit Strange
at first. You gotta remember that
even a professional Politician has
Some trouble getting used to...
DAVE
(stopping)
A teleprompter.
REED
What?
Dave wanders forward staring in wonder at the clear glass
panels.
DAVE
The teleprompter. Is it hooked up?
REED
I don't think so.
DAVE
(disappointed)
Oh.
He folds his arms in front of him turning to Bob and Reed.
REED
(beat)
As I was saying, no one expects you to
be Bill Mitchell overnight.
The important thing to remember is his general presence.
DAVE
(nodding)
Presence.
REED
Right. Now whenever he stands at a
Podium, the President always puts one
hand in the pocket of his coat...
DAVE
(nodding)
At a press conference.
REED
What?
DAVE
That's at a press conference.
Otherwise he just puts `em right out
there.
They look at each other for a moment.
BOB
I'm not certain about...
DAVE
Oh, sure. Remember the convention
speech?
Dave puts his hands on either side of the podium.
DAVE
(in a perfect Bill
Mitchell)
'An America stronger than the one we
were given. An America prouder than
the one we found.'
(turning to them)
He has 'em right there on the side.
They stare at him in amazement.
REED
(first time he's heard
the voice)
You know that's very good.
... while Dave turns to them with a smile.
DAVE
Oh, I loved that speech.
Dave brings his hand to his forehead, scanning an imaginary
horizon.
REED
Thanks, I wrote it.
DAVE
(drippingly dramatic)
... Somewhere there is a distant light,
guiding us through this rocky shoal...'
REED
Dave...
DAVE
(clutching his "breast")
'America isn't in what we say here
tonight -- it's in the faces and the
smiles of a Sunday afternoon...'
(aside)
Hand on the heart...
BOB
Dave...
DAVE
(swept up in it)
It's in the little leaguer who may
strike out but knows in his heart that
at least swung...
(aside)
Hands to the side...
REED
(louder)
Dave!
DAVE
(not hearing them)
'... It's in the gentle kindness of
the family kitchen as we gather together
when the sun goes down...'
He exhales deeply and lowers his head almost tearfully. Bob
and Reed look at him stunned as he comes out of the reverie
and turns to face them.
DAVE
(upbeat)
So when do we start?
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - CLOSEUP - ANDREA MITCHELL -
She continues with her report speaking directly INTO the
CAMERA:
ANDREA MITCHELL
Tom, virtually every reporter in
Washington is camped out here awaiting
the President's first appearance since
his Stroke...
WIDENING OUT:
Andrea Mitchell stands camped on the White House lawn amidst
a small army of minicams, trucks and reporters.
They all seemed focused on the Truman Balcony.
ANDREA MITCHELL
Even though some may find his recovery
amazing, White House officials claim
they never expected less from a man
who always expects so much from himself.
INT. YELLOW OVAL ROOM - DAY
Dave stands, in his new blue suit, peeking out the window at
the circus below.
DAVE
(turning back)
I thought you said I wasn't going to
see her.
REED
It's just five minutes. She comes in.
You wave to the press.
She leaves.
DAVE
Yeah, but the First Lady...
Couldn't we start with a cousin or
something?
REED
She hardly ever sees him and it'll be
so fast, she won't have a chance to
tell.
BOB
Be a professional. If you can
convince her - - you can convince
anybody.
DAVE
(reluctantly)
... Alright.
BOB
Now when she comes in, we'll move you
right out to the balcony. All you
have to say is `thanks for doing this,
Ellen.'
DAVE
`Thanks for doing this, Ellen.'
REED
Exactly.
(lowering his voice)
She doesn't always like this stuff and
it might soften her up.
Dave continues practicing "Thanks..."
BOB
(hitting the intercom)
We're ready.
Bob rises from the couch and crosses to the doorway at the
far corner of the room. Reed leads Dave to the large double
doors that open onto the balcony itself.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He jiggles nervously for a moment. Dave takes a large wad
of gum from his mouth and sticks it quickly under the mantel
piece...
WOMAN (O.S.)
Why can't you die from a stroke like
everybody else?
DAVE'S POV - DOOR
He turns to see Ellen Mitchell, glaring at him from the
doorway. Everyone in the room freezes.
ANGLE - DAVE
He is stunned by her beauty. Dave just stares at her as she
crosses the room.
ELLEN
(to Dave)
What are you staring at?
DAVE
(too stunned to talk)
Uh...
REED
(jumping in)
We're Gonna do it right out here.
She Stops just before the window, then turns back to look
Dave in the eye.
ELLEN
Who was it, Bill? A Secretary?
He has nothing to say and just stares at her. Reed nudges
him a little.
DAVE
Thanks for doing this, Ellen.
ELLEN
Go tuck yourself, Bill.
BOB
Well, perhaps we can get started now.
She moves directly onto the balcony, leaving Dave behind. He
stands there dumbfounded, as Reed takes him by the arm, and
gently pushes him out after her.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - TRUMAN BALCONY - DAY
Dave stumbles out and finds Ellen, already poised at the rail
waving to the crowd.
CLOSER.
ELLEN
(in a whisper)
And you can tell those two pit vipers
this is the last one of these I'll be
doing for a while.
She takes his hand, displaying it publicly. Dave looks down
at his hand in hers. The heat of her skin goes right to his
brain.
REED (O.S.)
(loud whisper)
Smile!
Dave smiles.
REED (O.S.)
(louder whisper)
Wave!
Dave waves.
WIDER. INCLUDING reporters.
REPORTER #1
How do you feel, Mr. President?
YELLOW ROOM
Bob and Reed are huddled beside the
window.
REED
(stage whisper)
Fine.
BALCONY
DAVE
Fine.
REPORTER #2
Ready to go back to work?
YELLOW ROOM
REED
(louder whisper)
You bet.
BALCONY
DAVE
You bet.
ELLEN
I'm outta here.
She drops his hand, turns and goes back through the door
leaving Dave alone on the balcony. He stands there for a
moment, then turns and follows her inside.
INT. YELLOW OVAL ROOM - DAY
She is halfway across the room when Ellen suddenly stops and
does a one-eighty in the middle of the carpet.
ELLEN
Don't you have anything to say to me?
DAVE
(thinks)
Thanks for doing this, Ellen?
ELLEN
You don't change, do you, Bill?
She turns and moves through the door, slamming it behind her.
DAVE
(stunned)
She hates me.
BOB & REED
(throwing their arms
around each other)
Yes!!!
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
All the reporters have gone home and the only remnants are
scattered pieces of trash that blow across the lawn.
INT. WRITE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Duane sits poised in his chair, just outside Dave's door. He
sleeps soundly, when the door opens a crack behind him.
DAVE
(softly)
Duane?
His eyes bolt open as he turns around slowly.
DAVE
... Can I get a bite? I'm kinda hungry.
INT. WHITE HOUSE KITCHEN - WALK-IN REFRIGERATOR - NIGHT
It is cavernous and huge -- the size of small garage. Dave
moves delighted down the long row of food stuffs while Duane
shivers slightly behind him.
DAVE
(grinning)
You gotta try this. It's my special
sandwich.
Dave loads up with food and smiles at Duane.
DAVE
Everybody loves this sandwich.
INT. KITCHEN
counter and begins to go to work when Duane appears Dave
emerges with a pile of food. He lays it on the behind him.
(BEAT) DUANE
What's in it?
DAVE
(turning)
Oh, that's a secret.
Duane nods and averts his eyes as Dave begins to apply the
meat.
DAVE
So, how long have they been like that - -
you know, him and the First Lady?
DUANE
I can't say.
DAVE
You mean you don't know or like -- you
can't say.
DUANE
(same inflection)
I can't say.
DAVE
Oh.
Dave pauses, then starts adding the lettuce.
DAVE
So you just protect the President the
whole time? That's your whole job?
DUANE
Yeah.
DAVE
(turning)
You got a gun?
DUANE
Of course.
Dave glances around the kitchen and lowers his voice.
AVE
Can I See it?
DUANE
Well, it's really not policy to...
DAVE
(quickly)
I understand.
Dave turns back to the sandwich while Duane looks at him for
a moment. Duane rolls his eyes and unbuttons the front of
his coat revealing a fifteen round Beretta.
DAVE
(looking at the gun)
You ever use it?
DUANE
No.
DAVE
Huh.
(right back to the
sandwich)
You know what I always wondered the
way they say you guys'd take a bullet
for the President.
DUANE
What about it?
DAVE
Well, is that really true? I mean,
would you really get killed just to
save his life.
DUANE
Certainly.
Dave cuts the sandwich in half turning back to Duane.
DAVE
So that means, now you'd get killed
for me too?
Duane looks at him, stunned by the realization. Dave smiles
and moves forward, extending the sandwich.
DAVE
Here. Try this.
DAVE - Rev. 8/7/92 46.
Duane stares at it for a moment, then lifts the sandwich in a
daze.
EXT. DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY
The CAMERA begins to PUSH IN ON a small elegant restaurant.
REED
Clean.
BOB
What do you mean, he's clean?
INT. DUKE1S RESTAURANT - DAY
It's a Washington mecca for the power lunch. Bob and Reed
Sit in a corner booth with a manilla folder between them.
REED
(agitated)
I mean I've checked everything.
Women. Liquor... Finances. I went
all the way back to his high school
race for student body president.
BOB
No one gets to be Vice President by
being that clean.
REED
The guy's a Boy Scout, Bob. He declared
frequent flyer miles on his income tax
return.
Reed twists in his chair while Bob checks out the dossier.
BOB
What about the wife?
REED
Clean.
BOB
Check his kids.
REED
Clean.
BOB
Nobody's got clean kids.
REED
We've got nothing, Bob. This won't
work.
BOB
If we find nothing, we get creative.
Just make something up. Instead of a
couple weeks it'll be a couple of
months. The whole thing is under
control.
REED
(leaning forward; tense
whisper)
You think we can keep this thing going
for a couple of months!
At that moment, a DISTINGUISHED MAN moves up the table,
clapping a hand on Reed's shoulder.
DISTINGUISHED MAN
(strong Southern accent)
Bob... Alan... Your boy sure looks
great.
(leaning closer)
I think he sounds even better'n he did
before this stroke.
He lets out a rich, throaty laugh, full of booze and
cigarettes. Bob smiles at him.
BOB
Well, thanks very much, Judge. We'll
tell him you sent your best.
DISTINGUISHED MAN
You take care, now.
BOB
Yeah, you, too.
The Man moves on as they look at one another...
CUT TO:
AIR FORCE ONE (STOCK FOOTAGE)
The President's private 747 soars into the wild blue yonder.
EXT. GENERAL MOTORS ASSEMBLY PLANT (DEERBORNE MICHIGAN')
- DAY The huge "GM" sign stands prominently in the f.g. Below
it their motto reads: "Mark of Excellence."
INT. ASSEMBLY LINE - DAY
Dave is escorted through the plant by the GM PRESIDENT and a
large entourage. Bob and Reed hover a couple of steps behind
as Dave listens to the tour.
GM PRESIDENT
Now this man is using a robotic
mechanism for picking up the engine.
The large arms that you
see duplicate all of his arm movements
exactly, so it's as if he's lifting
two thousand pounds.
They pause in front of a large assembly area.' One of the
workers stands at a machine with his arms stuck in two long
rubber sleeves. Above him, a pair of mechanical arms hoists
an engine high into the air.
DAVE
(beat)
Can I try it?
GM PRESIDENT
Huh? Uh, well...
BOB
Mr. President...
DAVE
I mean, if it's a problem...
GM PRESIDENT
No, no. It's really quite simple.
Just come on over here.
The GM Executive leads Dave toward the huge machine. He smiles
as an army of cameras press in closer.
GM PRESIDENT
Now, you slip your hands into these
sleeves here...
Dave nods and does as he is told. All at once the two 12-
foot arms shoot straight up into the air. He smiles with
delight as the massive robot comes alive in his hands. Dave
lifts his arms over his head and the huge claws point straight
toward the ceiling. He sticks them out to the side and the
robot does the same.
DAVE
I once caught a fish this big.
Dave sticks his arms out to his sides and the huge claws
indicate a 40-foot fish. A roar goes up from the crowd as a
slight smile starts to spread across Reed's face...
REED
(almost in awe)
He's a soundbite machine...
Bob glances over at him...
CUT TO:
OMITTED
GERGEN AND SHIELDS (MACNEIL LEHRER NEWSHOUR) - FULL SHOT
Two of the most famous pundits in America sit side by side on
the PBS set.
GERGEN
I don't know about you, Mark, but
I don't think I've ever seen the
President as relaxed or comfortable
with himself as he is right now.
SHIELDS
Oh, I agree, David. I don't know who
gave him happy pills but this is a
pretty unbelievable transformation.
GERGEN
Well, I think it's a kind of 'rebirth'
really. This is a man who's stared
death in the face and it's obviously
had a profound effect on him.
SHIELDS
Look, if that's what a stroke'll do
for ya, I'll take a couple of dozen.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP-REED
He stares OUT OF FRAME expectantly with the grin of an excited
child... The CAMERA WIDENS OUT to reveal:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - DAY
Dave romps on all fours with the cocker spaniel (Cupcakes)
that used to serve as the President's prop. He holds one
end of a towel in his mouth while the dog tugs feverishly at
the other.
WIDER
A hundred SHUTTERS CLICK at once while the White House press
corps strains on their barricade...
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - UPWARD ANGLE
Ellen watches the spectacle from a second floor window.
ELLEN
What a jerk.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - DAY
Dave stands, in the Presidential jogging suit, next to Arnold
Schwarzenegger. They are surrounded by twenty or thirty
fourth graders, all there to demonstrate their physical
fitness. Arnold hits the deck in a flurry of push-ups --
urging the President to follow suit. Dave hits the deck as
well, matching the superstar rep for rep. The cameras explode
in a LOUD VOLLEY OF SHUTTER FIRE. Reed grins all over again...
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTH LAWN - DAY
Dave stands face to face with the Japanese Prime Minister in
a full diplomatic ceremony. He listens to his interpreter
for a moment, then bows stiffly from the waist.
The Prime Minister bows in return.
Dave bows again.
The Prime Minister bows again.
Dave bows again. The Prime Minister bows again.
CLOSER
LOSER
Dave head-fakes but the Prime Minister bows anyway. Dave
lets out an ear to ear grin as the SHUTTERS FIRE once more...
CUT TO:
JAY LENO (THE TONIGHT SHOW) - FULL SHOT
He stands in front of those famous curtains doing his nightly
monologue.
LENO
How 'bout the President these days
huh? One minute he has a stroke the
next he's doing push-ups. Must make
it a lot easier on the Secret Service
when all they have to worry about is
Kryptonite.
The audience claps in approval...
CUT TO:
INT. EAST WING - DAY
Dave moves through the East Wing with an entourage of
Presidential aides.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
Dave glances to his right and hesitates for a moment. There,
in her own suite of offices, is Ellen Mitchell with her back
to Dave, talking on the phone.
ANGLE - DAVE
He's drawn momentarily to her presence, but is forced to
continue down the hallway with his entourage...
CUT TO:
INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY
He sits at the center of the long cabinet table, surrounded
by the 14 members. Dave clutches a stack of 3x5 cards, as he
glances around the room.
DAVE - Rev. 7/27/92 51A.
DAVE
(reading from the first
card)
Okay -- first we're gonna hear from
Ted on the land management
legislation...
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He glances back toward Bob and Reed with a proud look on his
face...
CUT TO:
OMITTED
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT
He stands by the President's bureau, looking through the
drawers. Dave pulls out some socks and an old used hair net.
He discards it quickly and moves onto the next. Dave opens
the bottom drawer and glances down at the contents. He pauses
for a moment, drawn by what he sees.
CLOSER
Dave reaches down and pulls a framed picture from the
President's bottom drawer.
INSERT - PICTURE FRAME
A young, happy Bill Mitchell stands next to his bride. He
wears a morning-coat and top hat with the biggest smile in
the world. Of course, a young Bill Mitchell could just as
easily be a young Dave Kovic...
ANGLE - DAVE
He stares at the photograph of "him"
and Ellen, reliving a history that he
never experienced.
CUT TO:
OMITTED
INT. FIRST LADY'S OFFICE - DAY
It is more functional than ornamental. The Chippendale
furniture is covered up with papers and boxes and large stacks
of newsclippings. Several aides move in and out of the room
while a MUTED TV set plays in the b.g.
ELLEN
(into phone)
You're misinterpreting it, Nathan --
that's not what the study said. It
said if the mother got less than 1100
calories the child would risk
a low birthrate...
As an aide comes up to her with a small stack of papers, Ellen
notices the TV.
ELLEN
Nathan?... Hang on a second.
(to the aide)
Will you turn that thing up?
CLOSEUP - TELEVISION SET (THE McLAUGHLIN GROUP)
McLAUGHLIN GROUP - DAY
Part wrestling match, part news analysis, part Roman circus:
the most famous political talk show in America is well
underway:
MCLAUGHLIN
Issue One: 'The New Bill Mitchell.'
Two weeks after his brush with death
the President is suddenly bounding
around the country with the energy of
a high school track star. Is this
merely overcompensation or the
indefatigable greatness of a truly
great man.
(turning to Kondracke)
Mor-ton...
MORT KONDRACKE
Well, he looks pretty great to me. I
think the President is showing the
same strength of character he did when
he first got elected.
ELEANOR CLIFT
You know, Mort, every time this guy has
a blip in the polls you start
genuflecting...
MORT KONDRACKE
(defensive)
Hey -- I think he looks great.
CHRIS MATHEWS
(cutting in)
Yeah, he looks great 'cause they're
makin' him look great. This puppet
show at the auto plant was the most
manipulative piece of political theater
I've ever seen.
FRED BARNES
Oh, come on, Chris. You're just steamed
'cause he's doing well.
CHRIS MATHEWS
I am not...
FRED BARNES
Is he doing well?
CHRIS MATHEWS
Well... Yeah... He's doing well...
MCLAUGHLIN
(the final word)
Answer: He's doing very well. We'll
get to predictions right after this.
The THEME MUSIC COMES UP as they go to commercial.
INT. FIRST LADY'S OFFICE - CLOSEUP - ELLEN - DAY
She stares at the set, skeptically...
CUT TO:
EXT. BALTIMORE MEMORIAL STADIUM - NIGHT
Dave stands at the edge of the grass in an Oriole's jacket
with "PREZ" on the back. The manager of the team hands him a
baseball while forty thousand fans stand cheering at their
seats.
PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER (V.0.)
Ladies and gentlemen, throwing out the
ceremonial first pitch...
(pause)
The President of the United States.
Dave hops over the little railing that separates his box from
the field. The catcher stands a few feet away giving him a
target with the glove, but Dave shakes his head and waves him
over to the mound.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
The catcher looks a little baffled as Dave strides across the
foul line with a grin on his face. The forty thousand fans
start to go wild as he climbs up on the mound, tucking the
ball behind his back.
REVERSE ANGLE - CATCHER
He stands at the plate sticking out his glove to give Dave a
bigger target. The President looks at him for a second,
then motions him into a crouch.
ANGLE - DAVE
He spits on the mound and spreads his fingers in a fork- ball
grip. The catcher sinks into a crouch as Dave goes into a
wind-up and busts off a perfect curve-ball. The catcher looks
at it astonished as it "breaks" into his mitt. The crowd
goes nuts...
CUT TO:
OMITTED
"LARRY KING LIVE" - DAY A75
Larry sits at his desk with his famous stand-up mike in front
of him.
LARRY KING
We're back with Oliver Stone, talking
about what seems like a pretty far-
fetched theory...
WIDER
Oliver Stone sits across the desk.
OLIVER STONE
There's something going on here, Larry,
and no one is telling us the truth.
LARRY KING
Oliver, the guy had a little stroke.
He's enjoying life a little...
OLIVER STONE
(leaning forward; half
whisper)
If you look at a photograph of Bill
Mitchell before the stroke, and another
one right after...
LARRY KING
Aren't you being a little paranoid?
OLIVER STONE
Have you compared the photographs?
Larry King looks at him and shakes his head...
CUT TO:
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT
He lies on his bed, with the remote control in his hand, doing
a split-second tour of the channels. Dave looks toward the
French doors that lead to the fourth floor balcony.
EXT. BALUSTRADE - NIGHT
Dave tosses open the door and steps outside. He stretches
out his limbs, staring at the magnificent view of the city.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
He looks off toward the other side of the White House; Ellen's
side. A single curtain billows out of an open window. Dave
can't help himself. He starts across the terrace.
FOLLOWING DAVE
Dave reaches the open doorway and slides
quickly against the wall. Slowly,
carefully he bends his head and peeks
into the room.
INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM - DAVE1S POV
She sits on her bed, surrounded by some work papers. In the
warm light of the room, through the billowing curtains, Ellen's
skin seems to glow. She stops reading for a moment and
brushes aside a loose strand of hair.
EXT. BALUSTRADE - WIDER
Dave stares at her, transfixed. Suddenly, a light comes on
in a nearby room causing Dave to jump back with a start. He
sneaks a final peek and hurries toward his room...
CUT TO:
INT. REED'S OFFICE - DAY
He sits at his white marble Italian desk, talking on the phone
when Bob comes storming into the room.
REED
(checking his schedule)
Okay, let's see... you can have him on
Tuesday the 25th...
BOB (O.S.)
Are you out of your mind?
WIDER
He bangs down a copy of the week's schedule, looking Reed in
the eye.
REED
Uh, let me get back to you...
BOB
You scheduled a whole day with the
First Lady?
REED
(hanging up)
It's a homeless shelter.
BOB
Oh. Excuse me.
REED
It's gonna be great. 'Caring about
his wife.' 'Spending time on her
favorite issue...'
BOB
I don't want him caring about his wife!
What about the Vice President!
REED
Remember that First Liberty stuff we
almost got nailed on?
BOB
Yeah...
REED
I just dumped it on him instead.
Bob looks at him stunned.
BOB
When does it break?
REED
(shrugging)
Couple of days.
(showing him a folder)
Anyhow, look at these tracking polls,
they'll burn up in your hands: seventy-
three percent with seniors, eighty-
four with working mothers...
BOB
(a little uneasy)
Alan, we still have to control this
guy...
REED
(ignoring him)
And look at this. Russell came around
on the trade bill.
BOB
(stunned)
You're kidding.
REED
How long have you been waiting to pass
that thing?
BOB
Three years.
REED
I'm telling you, Bob, it's a gift.
When you got a Ferrari you don't leave
it in the garage.
CUT TO:
PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE - AERIAL SHOT - DAY 80
The long line of black limousines and police motorcycles makes
its way through downtown Washington.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE
Dave sits next to the First Lady in the back seat of the limo.
Both of them stare straight ahead. Finally, after several
seconds of silence, Ellen turns to Dave.
ELLEN
Why are you doing this, Bill?
He looks over at her, startled.
DAVE
What?
ELLEN
(irritated)
Since when do you care about the
homeless?
Dave thinks for a moment.
DAVE
(beat)
I care about the homeless.
ELLEN
Yeah. I'm sure it's keeping you up
nights.
She turns away from him, twisting in the seat. The bottom of
Ellen's skirt hikes up her thigh, exposing the top part of
her leg. Dave looks down at it, drawn to the sight of naked
flesh. Sensing something, Ellen glances back and catches him
looking.
CLOSER
Their eyes lock for a moment. Dave
smiles quickly and glances out the
window. Ellen looks down at her own
leg a little puzzled.
EXT. HELPING HAND SHELTER - DAY
The sidewalk is teeming with press. The shelter itself is
painted a bright shade of blue - - a cheery little island in
a sea of graffiti. A small group of community leaders waits
by the front door while the Presidential limousine pulls up
to the curb.
CLOSER
The door pops open as Ellen and Dave step out. He turns and
waves to the crowd while she stares straight ahead. Reed
hurries up to them.
REED
(under his breath)
Okay, it's straight klick and smile
but there's a great visual in the
kitchen so make sure you stop at the
soup.
She shoots him a glare as they reach the top of the stairs.
Dave nods and they move forward to greet the community leaders.
INT. SHELTER
He takes a couple of steps inside, then suddenly stops. The
smile fades as his eyes go wide.
DAVE'S POV
It is more a nursery school than a homeless shelter. Twenty
to thirty children, most of them black, stand formally
assembled in front of the President.
ELLEN
(good at this)
One of the things they're trying to do
here at Helping Hand, is keep verbal
skills alive. The first thing that
goes with these kids is their ability
to communicate and they need to get to
them before this happens.
She glances over her shoulder. Dave has wandered forward to
the edge of the large rubber mat. Everyone stares, stunned,
as he looks at the kids for a moment, then sinks suddenly to
his knees.
DAVE
(quietly)
Hi there.
ANGLE - PRESS CORPS
The cameras surge forward to the side of the play area. The
SHUTTERS FIRE WILDLY as Dave glances up at the cardboard cut-
outs.
DAVE
(quietly)
You like cartoons?
The kids don't respond. They stare at the crush of reporters
and glancing TV lights.
DAVE
(turning toward the
cameras)
Could you just stop that for a second.
Everyone freezes. The camera crews back up a step as Dave
turns back toward the kids.
DAVE
(softer)
You like Tweety Bird?
A few of them nod.
CLOSEUP - ELLEN
She stares in disbelief as her husband sits cross-legged in
the middle of the mat. He leans forward, into the children,
talking like a kindergarten teacher.
ANGLE - PLAY AREA
DAVE
So, which one do you like?
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD tugs gently at his sleeve. He wears donated
overalls and a N.Y. Mets T-shirt.
KID (FOUR-YEAR-OLD)
(in a lisp)
Sylvester.
DAVE
(smiling)
Sylvester?
The boy nods.
DAVE
But he's a cat.
ANGLE - REED
He beams from ear to ear as the photo-op materializes in front
of his eyes. Dave glances over at him, cupping his hand in a
whisper.
DAVE
(side of his mouth)
Gimme a quarter.
REED
(confused)
What?
DAVE
Quick. Gimme a quarter.
WIDER
Reed fishes through his pockets and comes up with a coin. He
moves to the mat, slipping it to Dave.
ANGLE - DAVE
DAVE
(leaning forward)
Okay - - what can run all day without
getting tired.
The kid looks at him, baffled. Dave reaches out slowly and
taps the side of his nose. DAVE
(GENTLY)
Well, it's not your ear.
KID
(lighting up)
My nose?
ANGLE - ELLEN
She watches in amazement as her husband reaches out and
"magically" produces a quarter from the side of the child's
nose. Dave looks up at her with a smile, and their eyes lock
as a hundred shutters fire at once...
CUT TO:
INT. "NIGHTLINE" - FULL SHOT - TED KOPPEL - NIGHT
KOPPEL
What makes a man rise to a particular
moment in history? What makes a man
in the thicket of middle age, suddenly
rediscover himself with the wonder of
a child.
CLOSER (SWITCHING CAMERAS)
KOPPEL
Later on tonight, we'll talk with Dr.
Henry Mueller who is an expert in the
psychological effects of a mid-life
health crisis... and to Gail Sheehy,
who has just co-authored a book on
male menopause.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
The sound of a MAN HUMMING "Hail to the Chief" plays O.S.
DAVE - Rev. 7/22/92 63.
INT. PRESIDENT'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Steam billows up in the shower while Dave scrubs shampoo into
his hair. He massages it vigorously into his scalp while the
humming continues.
DAVE
`Bum, bum da dum...'
He rinses it out and reaches for the soap. It's a small
soap on a rope" designed to look like the Presidential seal...
WOMAN
I can't believe you'd do something
like that. Not even you.
WIDER
The door to the shower swings open as
Ellen materializes. No queen of England
ever looked more regal than Ellen
Mitchell in her cloud of steam.
DIFFERENT ANGLE
ELLEN
How could you?
Dave jumps with a start, then turns away from her quickly,
bashfully facing the tile. He looks back at Ellen over his
shoulder.
DAVE
... How could I what?
ELLEN
Oh, come on, Bill. Don't patronize
me. I'm not one of your little...
(beat)
Turn around. I'm talking to you!...
Turnaround!
Dave steels himself then turns slowly around to face her. He
strikes a "stoic" pose.
ELLEN
(trembling slightly)
... You know, if you want to be the
same old bastard, that's fine. I can
handle it. But don't pull
this 'man of the people' bullshit and
then do something like this.
DAVE
(frozen; feeling - very
exposed)
I don't understand.
ELLEN
(exasperated)
That's not just a works bill you vetoed --
that would have given these kids
homes...
(losing it a little)
... When I think about that little
spectacle you pulled with those muppets
and that magic trick...
DAVE
What's wrong with a magic trick?
ELLEN
You made their funding disappear!
Dave recoils a little.
DAVE
Look. If there was some mistake...
ELLEN
(in a rage)
There's no mistake, Bill. If you
veto their funding, it's not a mistake.
If you hurt someone intentionally,
it's not a mistake.
She turns and leaves through the steam disappearing as suddenly
as she came. Dave hesitates for an instant, then starts right
after her.
INT. HALLWAY
Duane is seated at his regular post when Ellen comes stalking
out of Dave's suite. He looks up in amazement as Dave runs
out a moment later. He's dripping wet and clutching a bath
towel around his waist.
DAVE
(turning to Duane)
Call Bob and Reed. Tell them I need
them immediately.
DUANE
But it's ten-thirty at night.
Dave turns and gives him a "Presidential" glare.
DUANE
(backing off)
Yeah, sure. You got it.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT
Dave is seated at his desk, hair still wet, dressed in the
Presidential jogging suit. The door bursts open. It's Bob
and Reed.
BOB
What the hell is this?
DAVE
What the hell is this ?
Bob and Reed cross over toward the desk as Dave slams down a
copy of rolled up newspaper.
BOB
(looking at it)
The Washington Post.
DAVE
(pounding his finger on
the front page)
No...
Bob glances at the paper then hands it to Reed.
REED
(looking at it; shrugging)
President vetoes works bill?
DAVE
We vetoed that?
BOB
(a slow boil)
No!... WE didn't anything...
REED
(interceding)
Dave, these things get awfully
complicated sometimes...
DAVE
That shelter was in this bill.
BOB
(losing it)
Alan
DAVE
Lots of shelters were in this bill.
BOB
(moving toward him))
Listen, you little...
REED
(cutting in)
Dave, the budget's a very complicated
thing. Even I don't understand it
sometimes. Now occasionally we have
to make some cuts and...
DAVE
But we went there. We saw those kids.
BOB
Yeah. And if you can find a way to cut
THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS
from the federal budget, then you can
keep your lousy shelters, okay.
Dave just looks at him for a moment.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY
A small Ford Escort with a Thrifty rent-a-car sticker pulls
up to the East Gate of the White House. It stops just short
of the guard station, then rolls forward a few feet and stops
again.
ANGLE - MURRAY
He leans out of the window, squinting into the sun. Murray
holds a mangled map of Washington in his hand.
MURRAY
(terrified)
I'm here to see... the President?
The guard looks at him without responding.
MURRAY
He asked me to come.
The guard reaches for the phone and dials a few numbers.
Murray jiggles nervously in his seat.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT
He sits in the exact same chair that Dave occupied on his
arrival. Murray stares across the Oval Office with a terrified
look on his face.
MURRAY
(urgent whisper)
I'm serious, Dave -- you could get in
a lot of trouble for something like
this.
DAVE
It's fine.
MURRAY
They could put you in jail.
DAVE
Why would they do that. They hired
me.
Murray just stares at him.
DAVE
It's kind of a national emergency thing.
I can't really talk about it...
(confidentially)
Paying me big money too. C'mere.
He leads Murray from the chair to the other side of the desk.
Dave reaches down opening the bottom drawer.
DAVE
See.
INSERT - DESK DRAWER
It is full of money. Neat little stacks of hundred dollar
bills.
ANGLE - MURRAY
He looks at it wide-eyed, frozen by
what he sees.
MURRAY
(whispering; indicating
the walls)
Are we being taped?
DAVE
I don't think so
MURRAY
This is undeclared income.
DAVE
And who's gonna find out?
MURRAY
The government
DAVE
I am the government.
Murray turns and looks at his best friend, speechless. He
stares at Dave for a couple of seconds when a strange look of
wonder crosses his face.
DAVE
I know -- kind of wild, huh?
(beat)
Let's get to work.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
A light is burning in the second floor residence.
INT. PRESIDENTIAL DINING ROOM - LATER
It is a large oak-lined room in the private residence.
Dave and Murray sit on either side of a huge dining table
with papers strewn all around them. In front of Murray sits
a large, leather bound volume of the federal budget.
MURRAY
I gotta tell ya, Dave. I've been going
over this a bunch of times and a lot
of this stuff just doesn't add up.
(beat)
Who does these books?
DAVE