Ida Tarbell Page #7

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IDA (V.O.)

If we can present the facts correctly, the

reader will supply his own outrage. But we

must present our story plainly, simply.

Tell nothing that cannot be proven.

B) STATE COURTHOUSE IN CLEVELAND:

Siddal is shown into a massive vault of ancient looking files

by a Court Clerk, he looks around, bewildered.

IDA (V.O.)

Begin with State Congressional hearings in

Cleveland. I want transcripts of all

investigations. They are public record.

Siddal digs and digs through mountains of transcripts...

C) 26 BROADWAY, STANDARD OIL LIBRARY:

Ida works in the library at 26 Broadway, carefully supervised

by Miss Harrison. She appears to looking over a photographic

periodical. Inside, we see another file labeled “Interstate

Commerce Commission.”

35.

IDA:

Find out who the presiding judges were. I

want names, dates and addresses. Pay close

attention to testimony by Henry Rogers and

John Rockefeller, where it appears.

D) A PUBLIC PARK IN CLEVELAND:

Retired Judge Martin Knapp (78), is out walking his dog when

young Siddal approaches. Asks him a question.

IDA (V.O.)

Let’s look at banking records. We should

also contact Martin Knapp, former Chairman

of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Find

out what he knows. Is he even alive..?

Frightened, the old man hurries off.

E) THE WIDOW BACKUS’ HOUSE:

Siddal knocks on a shanty house. The Widow Backus (68) opens

the door, listens to his pitch. She nods. Letting him inside.

IDA (V.O.)

Can we locate the Widow Backus, corroborate

her story with the Henry Lloyd version?

F) IDA’S APARTMENT:

The walls are now covered with A CHART OF STANDARD OIL

OPERATIONS. A history, a timeline, an investigation...

IDA (V.O.)

Questions we want answered: 1) How and when

did Standard Oil acquire the charter to the

South Improvement Company?

(another note)

2) If they did, then why is Mr. Rockefeller

not listed among its board of directors?

(another note)

3) If the companies acquired by the scheme

are not owned by Standard, then why were

they issued stock in Standard Oil?

Ida takes a step back, gazing up at her shrine.

IDA:

Well, Mr. Rockefeller, care to comment?

DR. BIGGAR (V.O.)

God damn and blast it!

SMASH CUT TO:

36.

EXT. KYKUIT - PRIVATE GOLF COURSE - DAY

DR. BIGGAR (65), a portly and ruddy-faced gentleman, has just

shanked his golf ball into the woods.

ROCKEFELLER:

You’re pivoting your left foot again! You

must keep it nailed firmly to the ground.

Or I shall have to nail it there for you.

Welcome to Kykuit, the Rockefeller country estate located in

beautiful Hudson Valley, upstate New York.

Set upon 3000 acres of pristine wilderness with sweeping

views of the Catskills and the Hudson River, this is one of

the most magnificent landscapes in North America.

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER is 61 years old, and cuts a lean athletic

figure in a knickerbocker suit and straw hat. Ruthless and

efficient in everything he does, he is one of the greatest

tycoons of the 20th Century; the unrivaled titan of American

industry, and also its very first billionaire.

Rockefeller lines up his shot. Swings. It sails straight up

the middle of the fairway. He watches it land, pleased.

The doctor pulls out a small hip flask, takes a quick nip of

brandy from it. Rockefeller frowns with disapproval.

ROCKEFELLER:

I have only three rules on my golf course,

Dr. Biggar. One, no business discussion.

Two, no drinking allowed. And three, no

taking of the Lord’s name in vain.

(beat)

One more strike and you’re out.

Rockefeller strides briskly after his ball, handing off his

club to an eager young CADDY (22).

ROCKEFELLER:

Which one are you again?

CADDY:

I’m Tucker, sir.

ROCKEFELLER:

How long have you worked here, Tucker?

CADDY:

About 3 months.

ROCKEFELLER:

Not a drinker are you?

CADDY:

No, sir.

37.

ROCKEFELLER:

Stay that way. Alcohol only dulls the wits,

weakens the will. Can you believe that he’s

the doctor and I’m the patient?

Rockefeller arrives at his ball. Lines up another shot.

Swings. It lands just on the edge of the green.

He turns to look back at Dr. Biggar, hacking away. Divots

flying. Curses streaming.

ROCKEFELLER:

He’s been playing golf all his life. I

taught myself how to play in only six

months. Do you know how I did it?

CADDY:

No, sir.

ROCKEFELLER:

With discipline, focus and practice. With

those three things you can accomplish

anything. If you remember nothing else from

your time here, remember that young man.

The doctor catches up to them, red-faced and puffing.

DR. BIGGAR

Hope we’re not keeping score. It’s my

damned sciatica, playing havoc with my

swing.

ROCKEFELLER:

Of course we’re keeping score, Dr. Biggar!

You should know me well enough by now - I

only play to win. Why else play the game?

(to the caddy)

Get him some water before he passes out.

Rockefeller locates his ball near the green. And when he

thinks nobody is looking, he gently kicks his ball onto the

green. A small cheat, but a cheat nonetheless.

ROCKEFELLER:

The bible says you must look after your

body, Dr. Biggar. It is our religious duty,

for which the good lord rewards us in

health.

He lines up and putts. It rolls sweetly into the hole.

ROCKEFELLER:

What do you think about that, doctor?

DR. BIGGAR

I think he’s rewarded you very well.

38.

The doctor takes his putt. Misses.

ROCKEFELLER:

(delighted)

Noble effort. Call that one in, shall we?

Sound of a spoon tinkling a glass takes us to...

INT. KYKUIT - DINING ROOM - EVENING

A long candlelit table, exquisitely set. Twenty or so well-

dressed dinner guests. Dr. Biggar introducing their host...

DR. BIGGAR (V.O.)

...he has given so much to our city, our

country and our beloved hospital that we

may never fully repay his generosity.

All that we can do is bask in his reflected

glory, and say “Thank You” Mr. Carnegie - I

mean Mr. Rockefeller...

Raucous laughter. Rockefeller stands to address his guests, a

man confident in his years and elevated social position.

ROCKEFELLER:

Thank you, doctor. Nothing ruins a good

speech like a great introduction..

Sitting beside Rockefeller is his wife, CETTIE (60). Though

petite in stature, she is a fearsome woman.

ROCKEFELLER:

We are gathered today in celebration of

Thanksgiving, and we have much to be

thankful for. For my own retirement which

has brought my wife so much pleasure. She

now has double the husband and half the

income.

Polite laughter. Cettie smiles dutifully.

ROCKEFELLER:

And of course, the wonderful news of our

son’s engagement to the lovely Abigail

Greene, which he has just shared with us.

ANGLE ON:
JOHN ROCKEFELLER “JUNIOR” (24), son and heir to the

Rockefeller family fortune. He is a serious and sensitive

young man. At his side, his pretty fianc.e, ABBY (25).

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