Dave Page #24

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CUT TO:

EXT. WEST WING - DUSK

Dave walks alone down the long pergola that flanks the Rose

Garden. He moves slowly, lost in thought, when he glances up

and suddenly, stops.

WIDER:

All the roses are shimmering in the late afternoon light.

Dave looks at them for a second...

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING QUARTERS - MAIN HALLWAY - NIGHT

The CAMERA MOVES WITH Dave as he heads down the long corridor

toward Ellen's side of the living quarters. He holds a large

yellow rose in his hand. Dave pauses in front of her door,

knocks and waits for a moment.

DIFFERENT ANGLE:

Dave steps inside the room.

DAVE:

Hello?

HIS POV:

It's a lively room, especially for the White House. Across

the room one of the French doors is open wide. The curtains

billow out to the terrace beyond.

EXT. TERRACE

Dave steps outside, and looks around. It's a beautiful, warm

night. The Washington Monument soars in the distance with the

Jefferson Memorial just a speck beyond. Dave hears SOMETHING

in the distance.

DIFFERENT ANGLE:

He rounds the corner to find Ellen standing all alone by the

edge of the balustrade. He moves quietly up toward the railing

as she turns and looks at him. He extends the rose, holding

it out.

DAVE:

I brought you something.

ELLEN:

(reserved)

... Thanks.

CLOSER ANGLE:

It's only half a smile. He moves closer and pauses.

DAVE:

(softly)

What's wrong?

ELLEN:

(after a pause)

Looks like we're not going to get a

chance to get much done.

Dave thinks about it and nods.

ELLEN:

(softer)

They're crucifying you out there.

DAVE:

Yeah, but we got a little bit done.

And if you do a little and I do a

little... then maybe the next

guy'll do a little...

ELLEN:

You really believe that?

DAVE:

Yeah.

(pauses, quieter)

And it's better than not believing it

Their faces are inches apart.

ELLEN:

(softly)

I sure fall for some weird guys.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, they come together in a kiss.

It's soft and tender at first -- then builds in passion and

need.

A lone CHURCH BELL from the National Cathedral starts CHIMING

at midnight.

DIFFERENT ANGLE:

Dave and Ellen part, drawn by the sound. After a moment,

Dave looks slowly back at her.

DAVE:

(beat)

Nance is a good man, isn't he?

She just looks at him. It's a strange expression -- part

sadness, part fear, part intrigue...

ELLEN:

(swallowing)

Yeah. He's a good man.

DAVE:

(off her look)

What?

She shakes her head. He touches the side of her face.

ELLEN:

I'm just getting to know you -- I don't

want to lose you.

They come together and kiss again. Even with everything left

unsaid, there's a sadness in the air.

WIDENING OUT...

Two small figures cling onto each other by the third floor

balustrade of the White House...

SLOWLY:

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CAPITOL DOME - DAY

It gleams in the sunshine.

FULL SHOT - SANDER VANOCUR 142

She stands in front of the Great Rotunda, doing a live intro

for "NBC News"...

SANDER VANOCUR:

The President has requested this rare

joint session of Congress so that he

could personally answer the allegations

raised by Bob Alexander, his former

Chief of Staff...

INT. HOUSE CHAMBER

It is packed to capacity with the House members on one side

and the Senate on the other. There is great tension on both

sides of the aisle.

EXT. BROWNSTONE (GEORGETOWN) - DAY

Several long black limos deposit occupants in front of Bob

Alexander's townhouse.

INT. LIVING ROOM (GEORGETOWN) - DAY

Bob stands in a cardigan sweater holding a tumbler full of

bourbon while his cocktail party is going full swing. Several

inside the beltway fat cats mill about the living room while

Vanocur continues on the TV:

SANDER VANOCUR (V.0.)

Speculation on the President's response

has run the gamut from a full-fledged

denial right up to the possibility

that he might resign.

There are hoots and hollers in the room. One of the GUESTS

raises a glass in salute.

GUEST #1

(to Bob)

Here's to you, Mr. President.

Another guest holds up a bumper sticker with "ALEXANDER FOR

PRESIDENT" printed in large block letters.

GUEST #2

(displaying it)

What do you think?

BOB:

Let's wait for the speech first.

(false humility)

Don't want to get ahead of ourselves.

INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM

she sits tensely in front of her television...

INT. HOUSE CHAMBER

The tension in the room builds as everyone awaits the arrival

of the President.

INT. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - CLOAK ROOM

THROUGH a crack in the doorway, most of the House Chamber is

visible. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal: Dave and Reed,

standing alone in the small ante-room. There is a plain,

black briefcase sitting between them.

DAVE:

Is everything clear with Duane?

Reed nods and hands him the briefcase.

DAVE:

And this is all of it?

He nods again.

DAVE:

Well -- here we go.

Dave tries to take briefcase but Reed keeps holding onto it

out of reflex and self-preservation. Dave smiles at him and

gently starts to unpry Reed's fingers.

DAVE:

Relax, Alan... Enjoy the moment.

Reed looks at him and tries to nod...

INT. HOUSE CHAMBER

Everyone stands at their seats when the SERGEANT AT ARMS walks

down the aisle, pounding a six-foot staff three times on the

House floor.

SERGEANT AT ARMS

Mr. Speaker... The President of the

United States.

WIDER ANGLE:

The response is more of a murmur than

the usual applause. Dave appears at

the back of the Chamber carrying the

black briefcase. He makes his way up

the aisle and mounts the five steps

that lead to the podium.

SHOT - DAVE

He reaches the lectern and glances

behind him. Dave locks eyes with Vice

President Nance for a moment, flashing

him a smile.

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