Hyde Park on Hudson

Back then,

this is years ago,

I couldnt afford secrets.

I just had chores.

As a child,

growing up,

we had been rich.

And then...

well...

we werent.

And like most people

during the Depression,

I now lived each day

as it came,

no longer expecting anything.

Waiting --

for nothing.

And then...

Hello?

Yes.

What??

Sh-sh!!

Be quiet.

Sinus?

Somebody die?

No. No one Mom...

Good Morning Miss Dayse.

I wasnt the first relative

his Mother called that day.

Maybe not even the tenth.

But I was around.

His Mother said he needed someone

to take his mind off his work.

Why she thought I could do that,

I had no idea.

I suppose hes related

to half of everybody up here.

Were fifth --

or sixth cousins.

Depends on how you count...

Cigarette?

No. No, I dont.

I figured Id spend the afternoon there,

and after having thoroughly

bored him to death,

go back

to my quiet life.

taking care

of my act

But was not what happened

He's not been feeling well.

Sinuses.

Seems to happen every time,

the second he comes home.

Mr. President?

Daisy.

What a rare treat.

I hope my mother

didn't force this on you.

She said everyone else

was away.

Did she?

She shouldnt have said that.

How nice to see you.

How long has it been?

Oh, years.

The Dows wedding, sir.

In Rhinebeck?

Oh, were you there?

Where would you like me to sit?

Theres tea...

I think theres still tea.

Will you..?

I can do this because

my mother's not here.

She doesnt believe

in sinus medicine...

Do you collect stamps,

Daisy?

I - don't.

Come and look at these...

I suppose youve met

pretty much

everyone of these...

Not every one.

Not yet.

Excuse me,

I should have knocked.

I actually wrote this?

My cross, Daisy,

is that I am too nice.

But --

we need the Senators vote.

Dont we?

Why cant politicians

just be honest?

My cousin.

Those are from Africa.

They say that's the highest

waterfall in the world.

Would you like me to go?

No. Please.

I wouldnt.

This ones pretty.

Id like to go there.

Where is that?

Well.

To be honest,

Id like to go almost

anywhere.

In Europe there would certainly be

another war,

one we would be dragged into,

whether we liked it or not.

Here at home,

the country is still

in a depression

people out of work

Hungry

needing help

the President

spent an awful lot

of time that spring

in Hyde Park On Hudson.

Fellows, one of you

please tell Mother --

that this is radio?

He said --

I helped him forget --.

-- the weight of world.

thirty seconds

look at me...

I think that means you,

Mother.

His Mother said hed run the whole

country from here if he could.

But he couldnt.

Not with how things were --

Everyone knew someone

who couldn't find a job

the first duty of government

Everyone scared.

is to protect the economic welfare

of all the people

and in all groups...

I said...

if private enterprises

does not provide jobs this spring

government will take up

the flag

we have all learned the lesson

that government cannot afford

to wait

until it is lost the power to act.

therefore I've sent a message

of reaching a prop to the congress

And everyone looking to him.

They all wanted something from him.

The local labor union,

the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce,

the German-American Friendship Band.

And all he wanted --

was to relax.

Each time he came home,

hed telephone and ask:

Daisy where would you like

to go today?

And I would always answer --

anywhere.

His wife, he said,

didnt like to take drives.

I learned the names of birds and trees

Id seen my whole life.

We drove along country roads,

up hills,

through woods,

through fields.

we drove down roads

I never knew the existence.

Roads later...

I couldn't find by my own.

Hed had the car built

so it could be driven

with just the hands.

In some ways it's smoother

than the regular car

Do you like to drive?

I believe I helped him

to forget the world

As we just

run away

And then,

one day...

Wheres the police car going?

Oh, they don't follow all the time.

Sometimes they have to go

and catch a crook or something,

I suppose.

We've not been here before?

No.

I've been saving this.

I like this song.

Im sorry.

Im sorry.

Im--

Im the one who should apologize...

I knew,

that we were now --

not just fifth cousins --

but very good friends.

As soon as I can get away.

time passed.

Time measured now

in Franklins visits to hyde park.

Who was that?

The President wishes to see me.

And hes the President.

He wishes to show me a new stamp.

Where are we going?

I don't know.

I had it built.

It's where Ill retire.

Ill write those detective books

I'm always talking about.

go, take a look...

go on...

There's no better place

to smell it

Its heaven!!

I have been thinking, Daisy...

What?

What have you been thinking?

Id like to--.

To share

with you --

this.

When I go away...

You know I

have to go ...

away.

Should you ever miss me...?

Do you ever miss me?

I always do.

Always.

A place to come.

And be alone.

And miss me...

Oh!

I am sorry!

Sorry.

That's all right!

By now everyone was used to me.

I was the cousin

whos always visiting.

No one ever even asked me

why that was.

Has he read this?

I believe he has.

"If one could choose,

from all possible

British personalities,

the two who might make

the best impression upon Americans --

King George

and Queen Elizabeth

would not even

make the short list."

How dare they talk

about Royalty like this!

No King of England

had ever visited America before.

But now he was coming --

to Hyde Park on Hudson.

and the only quiet place

left to work was outside

What are those for?

He has a headache.

You do?

His sinuses again.

Happens this time every year.

I know that.

You didnt say anything

about a headache.

He's not going to trouble you

with everything, Missy.

You have enough on your plate.

What does that mean?

It means --

you take very good care of me.

It means that you do too.

Mrs Roosevelt,

we appear not to have enough plates.

What?

We don't have enough plates.

Someone miscounted.

You tell me this now?

Mrs Astor has called again.

Franklin warned us,

Mrs Astor will have plates.

We'll borrow hers.

today,

stay out of Mothers way.

On second thought --

we shall call for cook.

Mrs Astor is so rich,

she doesnt know what she has.

Franklin's wife,

Eleanor.

Im just doing what Im told.

So much for your little secret...

- Good morning, Mother.

- Good Morning. Eleanor.

We are not going to serve

the King of England -

a cocktail!!

Your Mother has now told me

for the tenth time --

not to call her Royal Highness --

Elizabeth.

Shes told me that too.

I mean, please --

what century is this?

Daisy?

Daisy?

Oh yes.

She told me the same thing.

I told her

who did she think I was?

I think she knows.

Daisy?

Hello!

Youre just staring.

Im not.

I wasnt.

What do you want?

Eleanors just brought out fresh coffee.

She was asking if youd like any.

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