Chappaquiddick Page #22

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109.

GARGAN:

Take it off, now!

TED:

(strained)

They're gonna write about how I'm atwo time survivor. People willthink I'm one of the victims.

GARGAN:

You're not a f***ing victim!

Gargan rips the neck brace away from Ted and throws it on theground. Not taking the assault lightly anymore, Ted pushesGargan off of him.

They stand up. Catch their breath. Barely making eye contact.

Ted stumbles over and picks the neck brace up off the floor.

He shoots a glare over his shoulder.

TED:

I'm going to ask Dad what he thinks.

Ted stomps out of the room. Gargan tucks his shirt back inand tries to regain his composure.

TED (O.S.) (CONT’D)

What do you all think of me wearingthis to the funeral? We might be ableto gain some sympathy.

BRAIN TRUST (O.S.)

It looks phony. / You look like aputz! / Jack would never want to bephotographed in his crutches! / Nowit looks like you have three chins,

you fat S.O.B.!

Alarmed, Gargan creeps down the hallway towards the voices.

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND - JOSEPH KENNEDY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Gargan arrives at the open doorway to find the entire braintrust in a semicircle around Joseph Kennedy in bed. Tedstands in front, caught off guard by their verbal attack.

MCNAMARA:

You’re going to seem weak in frontof the Russians!

Gargan furrows his brow. His jaw hangs loose, stunned.

TED:

AH, TO HELL WITH YOU GUYS! IT'S MYLIFE! I'M DOING IT!

110.

Ted clips Gargan’s shoulder as he walks out.

INT. TOWN CAR - DAY

A shadow engulfs Ted, who rides in the backseat of aluxurious white town car. His wife, JOAN KENNEDY, 32, sits asfar away as possible.

Ted’s collar is undone. His tie is loose. He's wearing thedamn neck brace.

He reads from his New York Times.

The date reads:
"TUESDAY, JULY 22ND, 1969".

The cover is filled with moon landing related stories. Thereis no mention of Kennedy or Chappaquiddick.

Ted sets down his paper and turns to his wife. She lookselegant, dressed in a white, mod peacoat but more prominentlywearing a seething scowl.

TED:

Thanks for doing this, Joany.

JOAN:

Go f*** yourself, Teddy.

INT. ST. VINCENT'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - CONTINUOUS

Organ music quietly echoes through the large sanctuary. Gwenand Joseph Kopechne tend to a somber line of people offeringtheir condolences. David Burke ushers the queue along.

The Boiler Room Girls squeeze into the cramped pews, filledwith MOURNERS and WELL WISHERS paying their respects.

David Burke walks the last person in line to their seat,

leaving the Kopechnes alone. Gargan then steps up to thegrieving couple, hat in hand.

GARGAN:

Mr. and Mrs. Kopechne. I’m Joe

Gargan.

The Kopechnes react puzzled.

GARGAN (CONT’D)

You may not know me. I was a goodfriend of your daughter.

MR. KOPECHNE

I'm glad. We're grateful to see howmany lives she touched.

111.

GARGAN:

I don't know how to say what I wantto say...I feel for you both very

deeply. I lost my family...myparents...when I was young. I can

only imagine how much worse this is.

(beat)

I need to tell you...I needed totell you both...I did everything I

could for her.

Gwen Kopechne offers little more than a glossy, hazed look.

Joseph Kopechne puts a concluding hand on Gargan's shoulder.

MR. KOPECHNE

She appreciated all her friends verymuch. She was a very grateful girl.

GARGAN:

I tried to save her, Mr. Kopechne.

I did everything I could.

MR. KOPECHNE

(not paying attention)

What did you say your name was again?

The front doors of the church swing open. Ted enters hand inhand with Joan. The tumult of the reporters behind themreverberates throughout the holy place.

Mrs. Kopechne tugs on her husband’s jacket.

MRS. KOPECHNE

Dear, the Senator has arrived.

MR. KOPECHNE

Excuse us, son.

Mary Jo’s parents push past Gargan and beeline towards Ted.

MR. KOPECHNE (CONT’D)

Senator. Thank you so much. Thank youfor trying to save our daughter.

TED:

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Mrs. Kopechne shakes Ted’s hand with great reverence. Garganstands yards away but still overhears, dismayed.

MRS. KOPECHNE

Your family meant so much to her.

Ted hugs the tearful Mrs. Kopechne. This stings Gargan.

TED:

Sorry for your loss. I can't imagine.

112.

MRS. KOPECHNE

If anyone understands tragedy, it'syou Senator.

MR. KOPECHNE

We both deeply appreciate thatyou're here. We know how much youmust have sacrificed.

TED:

Thank you. Again, I’m sorry foryour loss.

Ted notices Gargan standing in earshot, arms crossed.

Ted turns back and clasps both of the Kopechnes’ hands in onefinal show of support. He then grabs Joan and they make abreak towards the pews, blowing past Gargan.

INT. ST. VINCENT'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - LATER

Behind the altar, a PRIEST holds up the communion host. Infront, Mary Jo’s body rests in an open casket wearing a bluepeignoir.

Ted squirms in his second row seat. His eyes locked on thefull view of Mary Jo, her body unsettling yet peaceful.

PRIEST:

This is the Lamb of God, who takesaway the sins of the world.

Ted turns his neck as far he can to look at the congregationbehind him. Everyone chokes back their emotions.

The Boiler Room Girls can’t mask their sadness any longer andstart to sob. But not Esther. She’s not crying. She holds acold gaze on the casket.

Ted turns back to Mary Jo. He and Esther stay silent as -

ALL:

Lord, I am not worthy to receiveyou, but only say the word and Ishall be healed.

Ted remains silent. Fixed on Mary Jo.

A CANTOR plays the piano. The dulcet tones of her voice fillthe church with “Ave Maria”.

The front and second rows stand up to receive communion. Tedremains seated, lost in a trance. Joan grows impatient,

forcing Ted to snap back. He stands and follows the crowd.

113.

Behind Ted, Gargan wipes tears from his eyes as they approachthe priest handing out the host.

Ted steps up to receive communion.

PRIEST:

The body of Christ.

TED:

Amen.

The priest puts the wafer in the Senator’s mouth. Ted stepsaside and does the sign of the cross as he kneels in front ofMary Jo’s casket.

He stays kneeled. Looking up at the altar. At Mary Jo. Herhands clasped around a crystal rosary.

PRIEST:

(to Gargan)

The body of Christ.

The SOUND NEARLY DROPS OUT. Ted’s fixation on Mary Jointensifies as the priest’s voice becomes muffled -

Ted remains motionless. He looks completely blank as hestudies Mary Jo’s face. The corner of her lips has a crack inher makeup. The skin underneath is a deathly purple.

ESTHER (O.S.)

(nearly inaudible)

Ted. Ted. Ted...

EXT. ST. VINCENT'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - COURTYARD - LATER

Ted walks out a side exit of the church into a lush

courtyard, reporters behind the church gates clamor to beratehim. The Kopechnes stand to the side, surrounded by well-

wishers who are again being handled by David Burke.

ESTHER (O.S.)

(muffled)

Ted.

The SOUND COMES BACK INTO FOCUS as Ted glances back to seeEsther sidling up next to him.

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