Dave Page #8

---

Dave glances back toward the door.

REED:

She's just a little emotional --

she feels kind of attached to the

President.

Dave nods as they deposit him in the President's chair. Reed

slides the phone in front of him.

BOB:

Okay, let's go over it again. You met

a girl, you fell in love...

DAVE:

And we're going away for a holiday.

BOB:

(handing him the receiver)

For a month.

DAVE:

A month.

BOB:

Right and don't embellish.

DAVE:

(shaking his head)

I promise. I won't.

Bob slides the phone closer as he begins to dial the number.

INT. KOVIC TEMPS - DAY

Alice is sitting at her desk staring at a large rock on her

finger. She talks into the telephone, extending her hand in

the manner of all newly-engaged women.

ALICE:

I couldn't believe it. As soon as we

sit down he pulls out this ring...

(beaming)

... Oh I know - -I just got so

emotional. The waiter had to bring

me another napkin.

42 CONTINUED: (AL)

RING. A light indicating the second line starts blinking.

ALICE:

Hang on.

(switching lines)

Kovic Temps

(beat)

Dave! Where are you?

(pause)

You met who?.., You're going where?

(beat)

Cancun.

There is a longer pause.

ALICE:

No, that's fine... No, I think it's

great.., Sure, I understand I will...

Okay... 'Bye.

She pauses for a moment then hits the first line all

over again,

ALICE:

He's in love Thank God!

CUT TO:

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY

Sander Vanocur stands just outside the white House gates,

filing his nightly report.

SANDER VANOCUR:

The President continued his

convalescence, resting in the white

House for the second straight day.

His personal physician pronounced him

in perfectly good health...

FULL SHOT - PRESIDENT'S PHYSICIAN - (SOUND BITE)

PRESIDENT' S PHYSICIAN

I've examined him thoroughly and I

must say, I don't think I've ever seen

the President in better shape.

INT. WHITE HOUSE BARBER

Dave's initial rinse is replaced with a professional dye job.

INT. DAVE'S ROOM

Newly coiffed, Dave tries on a series of hand-tailored suits

hanging on a rack in the middle of his room.

INT. BATHROOM

Reed watches while Dave struggles vainly in the mirror with

his first set of contact lenses

SANDER VANOCUR (V.0.)

The President was able to attend to

Some official business on Wednesday,

and continues to be briefed on all

areas of national concern...

INT. OVAL OFFICE

Reed stands in front of the desk Pointing to a large

organizational chart of government

YOU:

THE CONGRESS---------------------THE JUDICIARY.

HOUSE-----SENATE SUPREME COURT

JOINT CHIEFS-----THE CABINET-----N.S.C.

INT. CABINET ROOM

He sits at the President's spot in the middle of the cabinet

table. Propped up in all the other chairs, are Poster-sized

photographs of the various cabinet members. Bob points to

one as Dave thinks for a moment, then guesses...

INT. STATE DINING ROOM

He stares in wonder at a full, formal place-setting. There

are five forks, three knives and a countless number of spoons.

Dave looks at it all, baffled for a moment, while Reed guides

his hand toward the fish knife...

SANDER VANOCUR:

So confident was the white House in

the President's recovery, that they

have just sent the Vice President on a

twelve nation African goodwill tour...

This is

Sander Vanocur at the white House.

INT. WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY

Dave enters from the back of the room, flanked by Bob and

Reed on either side. They make their way down the aisle toward

a large wooden podium with the "Seal of the President" on the

front.

BOB:

First thing we're gonna work on is the

mannerisms. Alan has put together

sort of a training program

DAVE:

Great.

They lead him through the empty press chairs toward the front

of the room. Reed climbs up the short Steps that lead to

the podium.

REED:

Now some of this may feel a bit Strange

at first. You gotta remember that

even a professional Politician has

Some trouble getting used to...

DAVE:

(stopping)

A teleprompter.

REED:

What?

Dave wanders forward staring in wonder at the clear glass

panels.

DAVE:

The teleprompter. Is it hooked up?

REED:

I don't think so.

DAVE:

(disappointed)

Oh.

He folds his arms in front of him turning to Bob and Reed.

REED:

(beat)

As I was saying, no one expects you to

be Bill Mitchell overnight.

The important thing to remember is his general presence.

DAVE:

(nodding)

Presence.

REED:

Right. Now whenever he stands at a

Podium, the President always puts one

hand in the pocket of his coat...

DAVE:

(nodding)

At a press conference.

REED:

What?

DAVE:

That's at a press conference.

Otherwise he just puts `em right out

there.

They look at each other for a moment.

BOB:

I'm not certain about...

DAVE:

Oh, sure. Remember the convention

speech?

Dave puts his hands on either side of the podium.

DAVE:

(in a perfect Bill

Mitchell)

'An America stronger than the one we

were given. An America prouder than

the one we found.'

(turning to them)

He has 'em right there on the side.

They stare at him in amazement.

REED:

(first time he's heard

the voice)

You know that's very good.

... while Dave turns to them with a smile.

DAVE:

Oh, I loved that speech.

Dave brings his hand to his forehead, scanning an imaginary

horizon.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote