Dave Page #20

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DAVE:

Just getting some air.

GUARD:

Certainly, sir... How did...

Ellen leans across him toward the window.

ELLEN:

(confidentially)

The President wanted some ice cream.

The Guard snaps off a crisp salute as Dave casually returns

it. The gate raises in front of them as he steps on the gas.

CUT TO:

INT. WHITE HOUSE LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT

Dave and Ellen stand at the top of the long staircase that

leads to the living quarters. Ellen looks up at him for a

moment, then smiles.

ELLEN:

(softly)

... You make a nice President, Dave

Kovic.. . go for it.

Ellen looks him in the eye for a moment, then turns and heads

off toward her suite. Dave stands there watching her recede

down the hall...

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY

A lone gardener rides his lawn mower across the lawn...

WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY

It is jammed full of the White House Press Corps. A hundred

or so REPORTERS mill about while they wait for the start of a

press conference.

REPORTER #1

Bet it's that Fidelity thing.

REPORTER #2

Think they're gonna ditch the Veep?

The first guy nods.

REPORTER #1

(confident)

He's finished.

REPORTER #3

Toast.

They all nod together.

INT. HALLWAY

Bob moves down the corridor with his briefcase in his C hand.

He glances up and notices action from the briefing room.

BOB:

(to himself)

What the hell...

INT. EAST ROOM

The sound of a man desperately containing a SCREAM ECHOES

THROUGH the public rooms on the first floor. Bob comes

sprinting into the large open receiving room, taking out one

of the little rope stanchions that guide the visiting tourists

through. He keeps on running...

INT. REED'S OFFICE

Reed glances up from his desk as Bob charges into the room.

REED:

(quickly)

I didn't call it. He called it

himself... I swear to God.

Bob just looks at him, then turns and bolts into the hallway.

INT. GREAT HALL

A small group of tourists stands in the large marble entry.

They stare up at the staircase while their TOUR GUIDE describes

some of the artwork.

GUIDE:

... Jackson is the figure that you see

represented in the lower left hand...

(beat; awed)

Why there's Bob Alexander our White

House Chief of Staff...

ANGLE - BOB

He comes careening into the foyer,

skittering across the polished marble.

GUIDE:

... My, he seems to be in quite a

hurry...

CUT TO:

INT. OVAL OFFICE

Dave sits on the couch, jotting some notes on a legal pad.

The door swings open behind him.

BOB:

What do you think you're doing?!

DAVE:

(innocently)

You mean the press conference?

(beat)

I have a couple of ideas I wanted to

share with the country.

BOB:

Share...

WIDER:

Dave rises from the couch as Bob moves

over to him with his eyes blazing.

BOB:

You don't call a press conference. I

call a press conference!

Dave just stares.

BOB:

You're nothing. Do you understand me!

You're NOBODY...

DAVE:

(slowly)

I'm... not... nobody...

BOB:

You're lint! You're a flea! You're a

blip!

DAVE:

Well, maybe I am. But you're fired.

Bob backs up a step and stares at him.

BOB:

... what?

DAVE:

I said you're fired. Go on --

get outta here.

Bob just looks at him, stunned.

BOB:

Oh... I'm fired?

DAVE:

Yeah.

He stops and stares at Dave.

BOB:

You're fired.

DAVE:

(fine)

Fine...

He stares at him again.

BOB:

(beat)

Fine?

DAVE:

Fine.

He crosses to the door of the Oval Office and flings it open

wide.

DAVE:

You got the whole Press Corps out there.

Why don't you just go tell 'em.

Bob's eyes narrow a little.

DAVE:

Go on. Be my guest.

CLOSER:

They stare at each other for a long

moment. Neither man moves as they

stand toe to toe in the center of the

carpet. For a second, it isn't clear

who's going to win, until...

WOMAN (O.S.)

Darling...

Ellen comes over and takes his arm.

ELLEN:

(Audrey Hepburn)

Darling, they're all waiting for you

in the Press Room - - you've really

got to get going...

(as if seeing him for

the first time)

Oh, Bob...

(back to Dave)

I'm sorry, darling. I thought

you were alone - -

Ellen turns toward Bob with a sudden grin. His expression

falls visibly as the weight of their alliance becomes clear.

DAVE:

I'd like your resignation on my desk

by the time I get back.

CLOSEUP - BOB

He looks at them stunned and defeated...

CUT TO:

INT. PRESS ROOM - LATER

It is packed to capacity. Dave stands alone at the podium

while the press corps crowds every inch of the Briefing Room.

He stares squarely into the cameras.

DAVE:

Thanks for coming on such short notice.

WIDER:

Reed stands off to the side with an

almost mesmerized look on his face.

DAVE:

First, I'd like to announce something

that might come as a surprise to many

of you.

(beat)

I've asked Bob Alexander to resign as

White House Chief of Staff.

A murmur goes through the Press Room. Dave looks straight

ahead.

DAVE:

Sometimes, two people just change and

it's better for everybody if they go

their Own way.

(beat)

Over the last few months! Bob and I

have come to believe in different

things. He thinks this country is

fine and we should go about doing

business as usual.

(beat)

I just don't feel that way. Not

anymore.

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