Chappaquiddick Page #25

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TED:

Joey. I need you.

Gargan SNAPS a suitcase shut. He moves on to the next one.

GARGAN:

If it's about that statement, Ted,

I want nothing to do with it.

TED:

It's the opposite.

Gargan turns away from his luggage and looks Ted in the eye.

TED (CONT’D)

I need you to write me a resignation.

Gargan reacts stunned. He chokes out his next words.

GARGAN:

I'll take care of it.

125.

TED:

Thank you. This’ll be the last time.

Ted offers a handshake. Gargan accepts, sealing the promise.

GARGAN:

I'm proud of you.

Ted breaks away. He walks back over to the open door.

TED:

Thanks. Just don't tell anyone elsehow proud you are.

Ted slams the door behind him.

INT. TOWN CAR - DAY

A shadow engulfs Ted, who sits in the backseat, as reportersswarm around him.

A New York Times newspaper rests on the seat next to him.

The date reads:
"FRIDAY, JULY 25TH, 1969".

The headlines read:

-"ASTRONAUTS BACK FROM MOON; BEGIN 18 DAYS IN QUARANTINE"

-"KENNEDY TO ENTER COURT PLEA TODAY”

INT. EDGARTOWN DISTRICT COURT - DAY

Ted sits in a nearly empty courtroom. JUDGE BOYLE eyes himover. He looks from the defense where Ted sits with a LEGAL

TEAM of about eight men, over to the prosecution which isjust James Steele. Chief Arena stands on the ready.

JUDGE BOYLE:

How does the defendant plead?

TED:

Guilty.

STEELE:

The prosecution recommends theminimum sentence be offered.

JUDGE BOYLE:

Proceed.

KENNEDY LAWYER:

We ask that any sentence that thecourt imposes be suspended.

126.

STEELE:

The ends of justice would best beserved were the defendant given asuspended sentence.

JUDGE BOYLE:

The sentence is suspended.

Judge Boyle SLAMS his gavel down.

EXT. EDGARTOWN DISTRICT COURT - DAY

Ted stands at a podium with a microphone on the court steps.

A throng of reporters hurl questions, while a crowd of localscontribute a cacophonous mix of CHEERS and BOOS.

TED:

I have made my plea. I have requestedtime on the networks tonight to speakto the people of Massachusetts andthe nation. Your questions will allbe answered then...

EXT. HYANNIS PORT - KENNEDY COMPOUND GATE - DUSK

The black sedan passes through the wrought iron gate wherenews vans park along the driveway. Cables run all the way upthe steps and through the doors of the sprawling compound.

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND - ENTRYWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Ted follows the path of the cables with his eyes. They leadpast the staircase to a closed set of double doors. Tedswings them both open.

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND - STUDY - CONTINUOUS

A flurry of activity. Staffers and NEWS CREW hustle about theKennedy family study, which has been converted into the setfor tonight’s live broadcast.

Ted brushes past David Burke as he steps into the light. Tedspins around to catch a glance of all the people and equipment.

DAVID BURKE:

Let me run through the blocking

we’ve come up with.

TED:

Did you run this all by Sorensen?

127.

David Burke leads him over to the center of the desk where

the lights have all been positioned. Ted sits on top of thedesk facing away from two heavy duty broadcast cameras.

DAVID BURKE:

This whole thing is Sorensen’sbaby. I think we’ve got a realwinner here.

TED:

If you say so.

Burke hands Ted a small stack of papers.

DAVID BURKE:

Do you want a few minutes to reviewthis draft?

TED:

I can read fine, David. Just tellme what to do for the cameras.

David Burke steps away from the desk and waves his arms.

DAVID BURKE:

Alright, folks! I know you have somework still left to do. But the

Senator needs a moment. If I could

have all the crew just wait outside.

The crew shuffles out the door, in no hurry. Gifford moseysup to Ted and David Burke, ready for a meeting of the minds.

DAVID BURKE (CONT’D)

Dun. Wait outside the door. We’ll

tell you when to bring them back in.

Gifford deflates and slinks out of the room. He shuts the

door behind him, leaving the room in a calm silence.

DAVID BURKE (CONT’D)

So, for the first half of the speech,

we felt it would seem more stately...

more proper for you to be reading.

David Burke points from the camera at the center of the roomto the one near the entrance.

DAVID BURKE (CONT’D)

Camera One here is our wide. Camera

Two is our close-up. Here inparagraph three when you start in onthe accident. That’s where we felt

you should turn, and we’ll cut forthe close-up.

128.

TED:

Why’s that?

DAVID BURKE:

More sympathy. More power. Gives theviewer a sense you’re in control.

Ted nods. He looks down at his feet as David Burke continues.

DAVID BURKE (CONT’D)

Then halfway through, we have youmake a direct appeal to the voters.

(beat)

And we think to get them to reallywant to write in, mail letters, andshow their support for you and thefamily...you should look straight

into camera, set the papers down,

and just talk from the heart.

TED:

David, I’m not off book on this

thing.

DAVID BURKE:

No, no...we’ll have cue cards.

They’re being done right now.

Ted nods. Staring down at his shoes. A pair of fine leathershoes. He slips them off. They both land on the hardwoodfloor with a THUD.

TED:

Okay. I’m ready.

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS

Gifford stands guard in front of the study. The door behindhim opens just a crack and David Burke peeks out.

DAVID BURKE:

We’re ready.

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND - STUDY - CONTINUOUS

The news crew and staffers trudge back in. They scurry aboutmaking last minute adjustments CALLED OUT by a FLOOR PRODUCER.

Ted sits at the desk focused on reviewing Sorensen’s speech.

Gargan enters. He pushes through the confusion and headstowards Ted. As he approaches, he notices Ted’s shoes strewnabout the floor. He steps over them to lean in close.

129.

GARGAN:

Ted. I’ve got it. I’ve got it,

right here.

TED:

Oh. Thanks, Joey. I really

appreciate that.

Gargan pulls the resignation out from his sport coat pocket.

He smooths out the crease down the middle. Sets it right ontop of Sorensen’s speech. Ted keeps his eyes fixed on Gargan.

GARGAN:

Well...you wanna look it over?

TED:

I’ve been thinking...

Gargan looks over his glasses back at Ted.

TED (CONT’D)

Joey. Do we both not have flaws?

GARGAN:

Of course we do. We all do.

TED:

Right. I thought that myself -

GARGAN:

What’s right is what’s here in

front of you.

TED:

I don’t know what’s right anymore.

GARGAN:

Ted. I didn’t tell you before...butI agree...the Kennedys do have a

true compass. And, it’s because youfollowed yours that we’re here inthe first place.

(beat)

You told the police you weredriving. You told the truth. Youhad me write this resignation.

TED:

Sorensen's speech -

GARGAN:

It’s a lie! I was there. He made it

up. Every word. All the thoughtsand emotions. I was there.

(beat)

I’ve been there, with you...thewhole time.

130.

TED:

It may give me a chance...for a new

beginning.

GARGAN:

Bullshit, Ted.

Ted takes a deep breath. He considers his next words carefully.

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