분야
hwpBY
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
Theyre waiting for you. And theyre
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
thats down eighteen on the year. The
`Cares About People Like Me numbers
are really in the toilet. Were 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 dont want to do
that...
A couple of the legislators flinch, still staring straight
ahead.
MITCHELL
(circling)
Do you know why I dont 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 its 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... Ill look like a
prick.
They all flinch slightly.
MITCHELL
And I dont 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 dont think so, Howard. If you had
killed it -- it would be dead.
(looking him in the eye)
When I kill something - - it always
dies. Doesnt 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 dont want you to do this
cause youre forced to...
(beat)
I want you to do this because you want
to. I want you to do it because you
think its the right thing to do. I
want you to do it because youre acting
in the best interests of our country...
They stare back at him stupefied.
BOB
(upbeat)
Well -- I think thats 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
... Youve 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
Were working on it.
MITCHELL
(still under his breath)
Try to find som
