Dave Page #4

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DAVE:

(beat)

Is this dangerous or anything?

BOB:

No more than the usual.

DAVE:

The usual...

He turns and shuts the door behind him.

CUT TO:

INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - NIGHT

It's the only time it has lived up to its name. The living

room is huge and occupied by several Secret Servicemen. Alan

Reed, the President's media advisor, stands just outside the

bathroom door with a clipboard in his hand.

REED:

(into the bathroom)

We're all set, sir.

MITCHELL (O.S.)

(from in the bathroom)

What about the intro?

REED:

It'll be on the teleprompter with the

rest of the speech.

MITCHELL (O.S.)

It better be. Last time you had me

introduce a dead guy.

The sound of a TOILET FLUSHING comes from just beyond the

door. The President emerges in a tuxedo, zipping up his

fly.

MITCHELL:

Who's this priest I'm thanking?

REED:

Father Mclntire. He blessed you at

the inauguration.

MITCHELL:

Oh yeah.

(beat; lowering his

voice)

Did you take care of later on?

REED:

All set.

MITCHELL:

(beaming)

Fabulous.

CUT TO:

INT. BALTIMORE HILTON - GRAND BALLROOM - NIGHT

Five hundred people have gathered at a thousand dollars a

plate. Bill Mitchell stands at a dark blue podium with the

seal of the President in front.

MITCHELL:

You know as I was coming in here tonight

I ran into Jordan Blankfort who I hadn't

seen for years...

The President smiles down at Jordan while the CAMERA begins a

LONG, SLOW DOLLY AROUND the back of the podium.

MITCHELL:

And I couldn'thelp remembering back to

the time when Jordan and I were in law

school together.

(beat)

... Now Jordan and I were pretty wild

back then and like most college

students, we liked to enjoy a few beers

on occasion...

The CAMERA CONTINUES its DOLLY REVEALING the clear glass panel

of the teleprompter. AS the President continues with his

"spontaneous reminiscence," the words "LIKED TO ENJOY A FEW

BEERS ON OCCASION..." are clearly printed in front of him.

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Dave stands alone, trying to put on his tuxedo while he stares

at a television monitor. He squints at himself for a second,

then lifts the arm of the tuxedo in a "Presidential" wave.

He immediately lowers it and tries it with the other one,

duplicating the President's movements exactly. The door

opens behind him.

DUANE:

Get readY.

Dave turns and nods emphatically. He glances back at the

TV monitor where President Mitchell is receiving a standing

ovation.

MITCHELL (V.0.)

God bless you... God bless America...

Duane holds open the door to:

INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Dave stares at the opulent room for a moment - - this is the

big time...

CUT TO:

INT. BALLROOM

The audience has risen to its feet. Bill Mitchell stands at

the podium waving out to the crowd like a conquering hero.

He turns and salutes a crimson-robed cleric who is standing

by his side. The priest salutes the President and lifts his

arms like a prizefighter. The applause is still going strong

as Mitchell leaves the stage.

INT. HALLWAY

MOVING WITH him. They head away from the ballroom. Bob

stands on one side and Reed on the other as they move down

the hallway in a phalanx of Secret Service.

INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Dave is waiting nervously in the middle of the room. Duane

stands poised by the side of the door.

INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR

The Presidential entourage steps out of the elevator and moves'

rapidly down phe hall. It looks like a solid wall of business

suits with three tuxedos in front. They reach the door of

the suite together...

INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

The door to the suite swings suddenly open. Three Secret

Service enter the room, followed by the President a moment

later. Dave snaps to attention with his arms at his sides

when the President looks up and suddenly stops:

MITCHELL:

(beat)

Jesus Christ.

PRESIDENT'S POV - REVERSE ANGLE

Dave stands in front of him with slicked back hair and a crisp

new tuxedo. It is a mirror image of the President himself.

Dave stands frozen for a moment then breaks into a nervous

smile...

WIDER ANGLE:

The President stares at him carefully.

MITCHELL:

You are a very handsome man.

DAVE:

(nervous)

Thank you, Mr. President.

MITCHELL:

(to Dave)

Just get rid of that grin. You look

like a schmuck.

Dave immediately wipes off the smile as the President moves

past him and disappears into another room.

ANGLE - DAVE

He stares in wonder at the President's wake. The rest of

the crowd moves out of the living room as Duane clears his

throat and motions to the door. It's show time.

CUT TO:

EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT

A large crowd is anxious with anticipation. A palpable

BUZZ fills the air as the photographers jockey near the front

for the best possible angle.

INT. FOYER

The entourage has grown to a Presidential level as Dave emerges

`from the elevator and heads toward the door. He pauses for

a moment to catch his breath while the Secret Service race

ahead toward the entrance.

EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE

A large cheer erupts from the crowd as Dave appears at the

top of the steps. There is a virtual explosion of shutters

and a bank of TV lights glares in his face. Dave freezes for

a moment then remembers and lifts his arm in "The Presidential

Wave." A louder cheer goes up from the crowd as Duane races

ahead to the limo beyond.

CLOSER ON DAVE:

He starts to smile and heads down the steps as the crowd

presses up to the limit of the barricades.

ANGLE - LIMOUSINE

Duane stands at the open door when Dave stops again and waves

once more. A LOUDER CHEER goes up this time. The FANS keep

SCREAMING and Dave can no longer control him- self. Suddenly

and without warning, he hops up on the running board of the

car.

DAVE:

(waving to the crowd)

Hello America! God Bless you!

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