Chappaquiddick Page #6

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This time, far from the intersection, the car turns left ontoa dirt path leading into a secluded wooded field.

INT. LAWRENCE COTTAGE - NIGHT

The raucous party remains in full swing as “Sweet CherryWine” by Tommy James and the Shondells blares on the radio.

All the girls dance sensually with their partners.

Gargan pours a drink at the wet bar. He sees CRICKET KEOUGH,

23, in a corner by herself, nursing an empty glass.

He takes a deep breath, fixes his comb over, and walks asconfidently as he can over to her. Hands her the drink.

GARGAN:

Thought you looked a little thirsty.

CRICKET:

Thanks.

Cricket takes a sip. His confidence bolstered, Gargan goeswith a more direct approach and puts his arm around her side.

GARGAN:

So...is this your first time in

Martha’s Vineyard?

Cricket gives a polite, uncertain smile to the oldergentleman she knows mostly as “the host of the party”.

CRICKET:

Yeah, I’ve always dreamt of cominghere. What about you? Is this yourfirst time here too?

Gargan can’t hide his befuddlement at this absurd question.

GARGAN:

No...actually, I’ve been sailing in

the race with Teddy for years.

CRICKET:

Oh, wow. Did you know Bobby too?

27.

GARGAN:

Uh. Yes. He’s actually the one whotaught me and Teddy how to sail.

Her eyes widen not recognizing Gargan’s patronizing tone.

CRICKET:

Wow. I’ll bet he was a great sailor.

GARGAN:

You know, he actually wasn’t a

great sailor.

CRICKET:

(incredulous)

Really?

GARGAN:

It’s okay, I can say that kind ofthing. We were brothers.

Cricket rolls her eyes.

CRICKET:

Nice try.

He slouches, crestfallen.

GARGAN:

...I’m adopted.

CRICKET:

Guess that explains why you don’thave that trademark Kennedy charm?

EXT. CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND - FIELD - NIGHT

Mary Jo’s naked body writhes into frame. She runs her handsdown Ted’s chest and up along her own as the sensations riseto a climax.

She rolls off Ted, and they stare up at the sky. Rollingblack clouds block whatever stars there might be beyond thetrees surrounding them.

MARY JO:

Should we go back to the party now?

TED:

Not just yet.

EXT. CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND - FIELD - LATER

From the roadway, the car blocks the view of Ted and Mary Jo.

28.

The moment now passed, Mary Jo fastens her light blue bra.

Ted refastens his back brace.

MARY JO:

Do you know how long you’ll have towear that for?

TED:

It might be for my whole life. Idon’t really know.

MARY JO:

That seems like a long time.

TED:

Well, for surviving a plane crash,

I’d call it a fair trade-off.

Ted slips his arm through his shirt. Mary Jo slips into herblouse but pauses. She gazes at Ted, who buttons up, unaware.

MARY JO:

You know that I think you’re funny.

TED:

Good.

MARY JO:

I don’t know if you do...but I want

you to know that you don’t have tofeel like you need to make a jokeout of everything with me.

TED:

Well, I appreciate the option.

MARY JO:

Why do you?

TED:

“Why do I” what?

MARY JO:

Make a joke out of everything.

Ted reaches his top button and looks Mary Jo in the eye.

TED:

I lead a serious life. I don't want

everything in my life to be serious.

MARY JO:

That's not a choice most peoplefeel like they have to make.

Ted turns his back as he stuffs himself into his blazer.

29.

TED:

My dad told me..."You can have aserious life or a non-serious life,

Teddy. I’ll still love you whicheverchoice you make. But if you decideto have a non-serious life, I won’thave much time for you."

MARY JO:

Sorry. I can't believe he'd say that.

TED:

It's okay.

(beat)

I was just a kid.

Mary Jo looks at him stunned, trying not to seem horrified.

Ted misses this completely as he turns toward her. With ahuge grin, he runs his hands down both her sides, making hisway to her uncovered lower half. Unamused, she rolls away.

TED (CONT’D)

Are you getting what you want outof this?

MARY JO:

Yes, actually, I am.

TED:

And what is that exactly?

MARY JO:

I get to see things you don't wantme to see.

Ted raises an eyebrow, concerned.

MARY JO (CONT’D)

Plus, you know, I'm the envy of allmy girlfriends ever since I toldthem I've been sleeping with one ofthe Kennedys.

Ted clinches his jaw to contain his rage.

MARY JO (CONT’D)

What? You're the only one who canmake a joke, Teddy?

Ted grins even wider. He grabs her by the waist and runs hishands towards the sides of her chest. Mary Jo laughs.

TED:

(smiling)

Well, what kind of a joke is that?

30.

MARY JO:

Well, what kind of a question is,

"Are you getting what you want outof this?"

Mary Jo playfully pushes him away.

TED:

A serious one! You told me to be

serious!

MARY JO:

Well, I seriously enjoy spendingtime with you, Senator. I don'tthink that should be any mystery.

Practically, the whole countryloves you.

TED:

They love the name.

MARY JO:

Maybe.

TED:

(hurt)

Thanks.

MARY JO:

No, seriously. You might be right.

TED:

I heard you the first time.

MARY JO:

You asked me if I was getting whatI want out of this.

TED:

And you said some sh*t about seeingthings you're not supposed to!

MARY JO:

And that's what I like about you.

You're more than just a name.

You're a man...you're willing to

show me that the life you've chosenisn't easy.

TED:

The path that you’re on isn’talways the path that you choose.

MARY JO:

What's stopping you from choosingfor yourself?

31.

Ted gives this question some hard thought. He stands up andgrabs a beer from the backseat. Cracks it open. Takes a sip.

TED:

Did you know I went to Harvard?

MARY JO:

(sarcastic)

No.

TED:

Did you know I got expelled?

MARY JO:

No!

Ted sits back down, elbows on his knees, facing Mary Jo.

TED:

Yeah. Well, I did. I had thisSpanish exam. And, you know...Idon't speak Spanish. But my buddyWarren O'Donnell, his roommatespoke Spanish real well. So Itossed him a few bucks and had him

take the test for me.

MARY JO:

And you got caught?

TED:

No. He got caught!

Mary Jo smiles but tries not to encourage Ted further.

TED (CONT’D)

Either way, we both get called downto the dean’s office, and before Ieven had a chance to get myself outof it...we were both expelled.

MARY JO:

So what did you do?

TED:

Well, that’s the whole choice thingwe were talking about.

MARY JO:

Right.

TED:

So, then I went to my father. And Itell him, “Dad, I’ve screwed up.

(MORE)

32.

TED (CONT'D)

But I’ve already come up with thesolution.” And I tell him I’m goingto Notre Dame, and I’ll be able tokeep playing football and Joey’sthere, and he’ll keep me on thestraight and narrow.

Mary Jo’s face goes sullen, knowing where this may be headed.

TED (CONT’D)

He doesn’t respond to any of this.

He doesn’t look at me. The first

words out of his mouth are: “The

dean called about an hour ago. Thenext call I had was with Fort Dix.

You’re in the army, son. They’reexpecting you tomorrow at oh eighthundred.”

Ted laughs.

MARY JO:

That’s not funny. That’s cruel.

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