Broadcast News Page #8

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EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Walking. Buddy in step with him.

BUDDY:

Sir?

Tom turns. Buddy talks rather quickly -- He cares very much

about leaving Tom with the right impression. The last words

of his speech he hadn't expected to say.

BUDDY (cont'd)

Thank you for not shunning me and

all.

(more)

I really did have all that information

but I thought I might just be being

vindictive to get a little hunk of

the ol' spotlight. I know, horrible --

but I didn't do it, so okay? And

thanks again and would you like to

have a drink -- at a regular bar?

TOM:

Oh, sure. Okay.

His heart racing, Buddy attempts casual matter-of-factness.

BUDDY:

Is there a regular bar around here?

INT./ENT. REGULAR BAR - NIGHT

Tom and Buddy on adjoining stools. For Tom, the last weeks have

been humbling, antagonistic. He's enjoying Buddy who listens

attentively and wholeheartedly endorses every word Tom speaks.

TOM:

I've been doing some morning show

stuff, but mostly radio -- that doesn't

bother me. I'm in no rush for

anything. It's just the snotty

attitude, even if I have it coming,

it's still...

BUDDY:

Bad manners.

TOM:

Yes. That's right.

BUDDY:

I know...I mean you didn't do anything

special for me tonight. You just had

what I think are good manners, decency.

And it really makes me want to be nice

back and it has nothing to do with any

homosexual thing.

(looks right at him)

Honestly.

(then away)

Because I don't know if you've

homosexual or not and -- you're not,

are you?

TOM:

No...no.

BUDDY:

One's enough.

Tom signals for the check.

BUDDY (cont'd)

I wasn't doing anything.

TOM:

I really have to go.

BUDDY:

Okay. At least let me show my

appreciation. The Secretary of Labor

is going to be indicted on Wednesday.

For the graft thing he supposedly did

before he was appointed.

TOM:

What?

BUDDY:

Yes, it's true. They're going to

make it public Wednesday but isn't

it a big deal for you to have it a

day and a half early?

TOM:

Yes. How do you know?

BUDDY:

(shrugs)

My roommate's very social -- somebody

from Justice was over and...I always

hear things before they happen. Hey,

and from now on, so do you.

INT. ERNIE'S OFFICE - DAY

George Weln, the black correspondent and Tom are seated in the

office with Ernie -- they are in mid-meeting.

GEORGE:

I'm virtually certain it's not true.

He may be indicted eventually, but I

don't think it will be this month.

ERNIE:

(to Tom)

You want to be alone with me --

tell me your source?

TOM:

If I told you I'm not sure it would

totally convince you, but I totally

believe the guy.

GEORGE:

(insufferable)

Labor is my Department -- I can't

conform it and my contacts go very

deep.

TOM:

So if it's true -- I'm terrific,

right?

ERNIE:

It's not even a close call. Of

course we can't go with it.

INT. EDITING ROOM - FOLLOWING DAY

Jane is working with Bobbie the editor... Snatches of the tape

make it obvious that the Labor Secretary has been indicted --

George Weln stands behind Jane, who is dialing a number.

BOBBIE:

Do you want him all the way to the

car?

JANE:

No stop where he's all besieged.

BOBBIE:

Because...

JANE:

(to Bobbie)

Right there, Bobbie.

Tom enters.

TOM:

So he was indicted?

JANE:

Yes.

GEORGE:

We were right not to go with it.

TOM:

But I was right -- just somebody give

it to me. I had a good story.

JANE:

(to George)

Give it to him -- so we can concentrate.

TOM:

Ah, I don't want any credit. Bobbie

and I serve anonymously.

He pats Bobbie on the back... and exits.

BOBBIE:

(pausing in his work)

You know, I like Tom, because hi...

JANE:

Bobbie, please.

INT. METRO BUS - DAY

Crowded rush hour... Buddy and Tom stand next to each other.

BUDDY:

...and the White House is hoping to

keep a lid on it for a few days till

they figure out what to do.

TOM:

Thanks a lot, Buddy.

BUDDY:

(brushing it off)

Oh, please. So they were really

impressed with you at work.

TOM:

Not impressed exactly -- but a break

in the clouds.

BUDDY:

I see the change in you -- I see it.

INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM - DAY

The 10 A.M. briefing just breaking up -- Jennifer leaves her

network seat in the front row, only to be grabbed by Tom who

steers her outside.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE EAST WING - DAY

In the near distance a circular driveway and a silent armed

MARINE GUARD, standing at attention.

TOM:

(to Jennifer)

So he bought this Peugeot sedan at

a greatly reduced price while he was

there in charge of the White House

Advance Team.

JENNIFER:

How come you're not chasing it down

yourself?

TOM:

Look, I'm junior man -- and it's

your beat.

JENNIFER:

Boy, that's nice...I wish we could

all deal with each other like this.

I'll check it. Anything I can do

for you?

TOM:

This is my first time at the White House.

Is there any chance to look at where

he works and the rest of it?

JENNIFER:

I didn't have the guts to ask when

I first came up. I'll get you a

great tour.

INT. BAR - EARLY EVENING

Buddy and Tom watching the Evening News as Jennifer finishes

her story.

JENNIFER:

(voice over; on TV set)

The President says it's not a violation

but nonetheless White House sources

say the full price will be paid for the

Peugeot and new rules will put future

bargain hunting off limits for

Presidential Aides. This is Jennifer Mack

at the White House.

Tom and Buddy smile at each other... energized -- up.

BUDDY:

Forgive me, but it really is intoxicating

being a news source.

TOM:

Nobody else had it.

BUDDY:

I wish it were you giving the story.

TOM:

That's okay.

BUDDY:

What if we just don't tell them

anything anymore unless they let

you do the story?

TOM:

No. Really...don't worry about it.

BUDDY:

Okay. And look, in the future I can

call you when I have news for you.

Don't feel you have to spend time

with me just to get the information.

(a breath; then

to himself)

Well, that wasn't as hard to say as

you thought, was it, Buddy?

TOM:

What do you mean? You're one of the

few people in this town I can talk

to.

Buddy puts his hand to his heart and makes a LOUD SOUND OF

RAPTURE.

BUDDY:

Hoooo.

The BARTENDER and some nearby patrons turn and look. Tom shifts

with discomfort.

TOM:

Hey, Buddy, don't do that anymore.

BUDDY:

(simply)

Okay.

INT. WASHINGTON BUREAU - NIGHT

Jane waiting for an elevator... It comes and she steps on just

as Tom clearly excited comes around the bend from Ernie's office

calling for her. He goes to the stairs.

INT. WALKWAY - NIGHT

He runs out and sees Jane in the lobby below, then takes off

after her.

INT. LOBBY - NIGHT

As he enters and runs outside, looking in both directions then

running off to the right. A BEAT -- REVEALING Jane has stopped

to talk with Blair -- now she exits.

EXT. WASHINGTON STREET - NIGHT

Tom on the street, ahead of her, thinking he's behind her...

He runs another half a block and stops dejected... Turns to walk

back to the office. He keeps looking back to see if he missed

her, so that his head is turned as Jane reaches him, says a

fairly social:

JANE:

Hi, how are you?

She keeps moving -- Tom spinning after her.

TOM:

Wait -- I need you.

She stops.

TOM:

I've got another story.

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