Being There Page #16

PRESIDENT:

...I know that Ben said keep it

small and quiet... No eulogies,

no fanfares... And I don't want

to go against Ben's wishes. But

I thought it would be good, while

our close friends carry Ben to

his last resting place, to read

from his quotes, which I'm sure

will have special meaning to all

of us who are gathered here today.

With this, the Pallbearers pick up the casket and begin

the chore of taking it to the mausoleum. It is hard

work.

PRESIDENT:

(reading quotes)

... 'I have no use for those on

welfare, no patience whatsoever...

But if I am to be honest with

myself, I must admit that they

have no use for me, either.'

... 'I do not regret having

political differences with men

that I respect; I do regret,

however, that our philosophies

kept us apart.'

... 'I was born into a position

of extreme wealth, but I have

spent many sleeples nights

thinking about extreme poverty.'

As the President speaks, Chance turns and walks away. Eve

and Allenby watch as he goes toward the trees surrounding

the area.

PRESIDENT:

(continues reading)

... 'When I was a boy, I was told

that the Lord fashioned us from

his own image. That's when I

decided to manufacture mirrors.'

... 'Life is a state of mind.'

The Pallbearers are enroute, they are all breathing

heavily. JAMES DUDLEY, a powerful industrialist, speaks.

DUDLEY:

Yes, I agree, Maxwell would be an

excellent man for the job - but

he's boring, he would never take

an election.

SEWELL NELSON, a corporation Chairman, speaks.

NELSON:

Correct, the people of this

country need to be awakened.

PETER CALDWELL, another executive:

CALDWELL:

What about Lawson? He's

charismatic, exciting...

DUDLEY:

A bit too exciting, I'm afriad...

Once they start bringing things

up about his background.

WEBB, Railroad money:

WEBB:

Well, gentlemen. Time is running

out, we must come to a decision.

122EXT. WOODS - DAY

Chance, his umbrella under his arm, walks through the woods.

He stops by a tree, brushes some snow from a branch, moves on.

123EXT. RAND ESTATE - DAY

The President is still reading Rand's quotes.

PRESIDENT:

(reading)

'The world parts with Rand, and

Rand parts with the world: A

fair trade, don't you agree?

Security, tranquility, a well-

deserved rest:
All the aims I

have pursued will soon be

realized.'

Eve is concerned about Chance, she turns to Allenby.

EVE:

(quietly)

I've got to find Chauncey.

She leaves the funeral, heads toward the trees.

PRESIDENT:

(reading)

...'I do not know the feelings

of being poor, and that is not

to know the feelings of the

majority of people in this

world. For a man in my position,

that is inexcusable.

The Pallbearers near the mausoleum, they are struggling.

DUDLEY:

But what do we know of the man?

Nothing! We have no inkling of

his past!

NELSON:

Correct, and that is an asset.

A man's past can cripple him,

his background turns into a

swamp and invites scrutiny.

CALDWELL:

...Up to this time, he hasn't

said anything that could be used

against him.

NELSON:

The response from his appearance

on the 'Burns Show' was over-

whelming; mail and telephone

response was the highest they

ever had, and it was ninety-five

percent pro!

CHARLIE BOB BENNET, a Texas oil millionaire;

BENNET:

Well, I'm certainly open to the

thought - it would be sheer

lunacy to support the President

for another term.

LYMAN MURRAY, a banker;

MURRAY:

Exactly. That is why I agree

with Ben's final wishes, and

I firmly believe, gentlemen,

if we want to retain the

Presidency, that our one and

onlt chance is Chauncey Gardiner!

124EXT. WOODS - DAY

Chance happens on a tree with a cracked limb, hanging to

the ground. He stops, inspects the break, runs his fingers

along the split of the bark. He looks to the ground, notices

that an end of the limb has fallen on a seedling, bending it

double. Chance pulls the limb away, then kneels beside the

seedling. He removes an expensive pair of suede gloves, and,

with gentle fingers, brushes the dirt and snow away from the

seedling. Chance glances up to the remaining limbs of the

larger tree which could fall and threaten the emerging tree.

He unflods his umbrella, places it over the seedling in a way

to give it protection, yet still allow it to receive light

from the winter sun. Chance stands, and is putting his gloves

on when Eve appears, running towards him.

EVE:

(breathless)

Chauncey! Chauncey!

CHANCE:

(looks)

Hello, Eve.

EVE:

(holds him)

Oh, Chauncey, darling. Where were

you? I've been looking for you.

I was scared.

CHANCE:

Yes. I've been looking for you

too, Eve.

She hugs him one more time, then leads him back from whence she

came. The President can still be heard reading quotes.

PRESIDENT'S VOICE

(in the distance)

I've lived a lot, trembled a lot,

was surrounded by little men who

forgot that we enter naked and

exit naked and that no accountant

can audit life in our favor.

THE END:

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