Ida Tarbell Page #8

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Opposite them sit Abby’s parents. Stiff and uncomfortable.

ROCKEFELLER:

John, having you as my son has been one of

my life’s greatest joys.

39.

ROCKEFELLER (CONT'D)

And today, that joy is doubled, as we

welcome Abigail to our extended family. Her

parents’ loss will be our gain, and I for

one, am delighted.

OTHER VOICES:

Just so! Hear hear! Bravo!

ROCKEFELLER:

Remember son, all good decisions are the

result of proper discussion between you and

your wife. You would do well to listen to

her. Of course, a fine pair of handcuffs

and leg-irons may also come in handy.

Some guffaws from the men. Abby’s parents look slightly

alarmed. Cettie grins with great forbearance.

ROCKEFELLER:

Here’s to your joy, and ours, from this day

forward. Please raise your glasses now...

(toasting)

...to John and Abigail!

ALL:

John & Abigail.

Sound of knocking on a door, as we CUT TO -

INT. IDA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The knocking becomes more insistent. Ida rises from bed,

pulling on a cardigan. Open the door to reveal -

SIDDAL:

I think I may have found something.

INT. IDA’S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - LATER

Siddal flips through his notes, excited to share the findings

of his recent field trip to Cleveland...

SIDDAL:

Listen to this. Testimony of James

Alexander before State Congressional

investigators. When asked if he had sold

his refinery to the South Improvement

Company, he replies: “To one of its

members, Peter Watson. He is a director of

that company. But it was sold in name to

Standard Oil, with my understanding that it

was to be put into the scheme...”

IDA:

That’s on the record?

40.

SIDDAL:

On the record. Right here. He makes no

distinction between the two companies.

IDA:

Can we talk to him?

SIDDAL:

Small problem there. He’s dead.

IDA:

What about the company charter, do we know

where that came from?

INT. AUCTION HOUSE - DAY - (FLASHBACK)

A well-dressed MAN (obscured) places a silent bid at an

estate auction.

SIDDAL (V.O.)

I checked with the mayor’s office, and the

charter to the South Improvement Company

was purchased for 25 dollars at an estate

sale in 1871. Sold to one Peter Watson.

AUCTIONEER:

I have twenty-five dollars, do I hear

thirty? Going once, going twice, sold! To

the gentleman at the back.

SIDDAL (V.O.)

It granted Watson exclusive rights to drill

in the state of Pennsylvania, own any

drilling lease or transfer any property.

INT. IDA’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

IDA:

But the State legislature would surely have

a record of that. All businesses must be

registered.

SIDDAL:

Yes, but here’s where it gets interesting.

INT. PRIVATE MEETING ROOM - NIGHT -(FLASHBACK)

Ten men are gathered around a conference table. A clandestine

meeting of early oil prospectors. We don’t see their faces.

SIDDAL (V.O.)

The Pennsylvania legislature never

published the charter, never disclosed who

proposed it, or who recorded its vote.

41.

CHAIRMAN:

All those in favor, raise your right hand.

Ten hands go up.

SIDDAL (V.O.)

It’s as if overnight, the company simply

appeared.

INT. LAW OFFICES - DAY -(FLASHBACK)

A JUDGE signs and seals the charter into law, presided over

by two BUSINESSMEN (faces obscured).

SIDDAL (V.O.)

The charter was signed into law by newly

minted 35 year-old Judge, Martin Knapp.

IDA (V.O.)

Wonder how he became Chairman of the ICC?

Handshakes and smiles all round. Very discreetly, Judge Knapp

takes delivery of a large bag of cash.

INT. IDA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

IDA:

What about banking records?

SIDDAL:

None available. But curiously, six months

after the charter was signed into law, the

National Bank of Pennsylvania was sold.

Guess who bought it? A new company calling

itself the Standard Oil Company of Ohio.

IDA:

That’s some coincidence.

SIDDAL:

I thought so.

INT. BANK - DAY -(FLASHBACK)

The door opens. Polished shoes walk up to the counter.

BANK TELLER:

May I help you?

Tilt up to reveal: a young John D. Rockefeller.

ROCKEFELLER:

Yes. My name is Peter Watson. I’d like to

see about opening up an account.

42.

BANK TELLER:

Certainly, sir. I’ll just need you fill out

some paperwork.

SIDDAL (V.O.)

But wait - it gets even better.

INT. IDA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

SIDDAL:

According to the Oil City Derrick, the very

same Peter Watson, “director of the South

Improvement Company” was killed in a mining

accident in 1872, three months before he

somehow managed to open up a bank account.

IDA:

So. A company worth 25 dollars, owned by a

dead man, that only exists on paper -

somehow managed to acquire 90% of all the

oil refineries in the United States?

(beat)

That’s some trick, wouldn’t you say?

SIDDAL:

Magic.

IDA:

Good work, John. I’ll see you tomorrow.

The clatter of an old typewriter takes us to...

INT. OFFICE OF MCCLURE’S MAGAZINE - DAY

Ida’s fingers flying over the keys of an old Underwood. These

words appearing:
“The History of the Standard Oil Company.”

This is the beginning of what will become her landmark work.

Sam McClure stops by her desk, holding a manuscript.

SAM MCCLURE:

Miss Tarbell, a word please?

INT. SAM’S OFFICE - FOLLOWING

Ida and Siddal watch nervously as McClure finishes reading

her manuscript. John Phillips is also present.

SAM MCCLURE:

(reading aloud)

“It was to be the most gigantic and daring

conspiracy a free country has ever seen,

wrought by the long shadow of one man...”

43.

McClure sets down the last page. Looks at Ida.

IDA:

Too much?

SAM MCCLURE:

How much of this is actually true?

IDA:

Every single word.

SIDDAL:

(helpfully)

Alexander’s testimony was given under oath

to congressional investigators.

McClure looks to Phillips, who nods.

PHILLIPS:

We have an independent witness

authenticating the court transcripts.

IDA:

I have a theory on Standard Oil-

SAM MCCLURE:

I’m not interested in theory, Miss Tarbell.

I’m interested in what we know.

IDA:

The Standard Oil company is founded upon a

lie. The lie that it is any different from

the South Improvement Scheme. It’s not.

PHILLIPS:

This isn’t exactly new ground. Henry Lloyd

was hinting at this for years.

SAM MCCLURE:

This is different. You’re going after the

man himself. You want me to publicly accuse

the world’s greatest tycoon of being the

linchpin of an illegal ring, whose tactics

he has secretly transferred to the Standard

Oil Company?

IDA:

He’s also a liar and a tax cheat, but I’d

need more time for that.

A beat.

SAM MCCLURE:

Is there more?

IDA:

Tons. This is only the beginning.

44.

PHILLIPS:

(nervously)

You’re talking about one very big gorilla

here. One that doesn’t like publicity very

much.

IDA:

My story is accurate. Whether he “likes” it

or not.

Silence. The clock ticks by. McClure, slowly:

SAM MCCLURE:

(to Phillips)

Let’s hold our cover story on Madame Curie

for next month. I think some of our readers

might be interested in this.

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