J. Edgar: The Most Powerful Man in the World Page #3

---

So agents of the Bureau,

alongside local police...

began raiding gathering places

of known communist radicals...

all across this country.

These people are armed and violent.

They're prepared to kill to avoid capture.

Take one. Go on.

- Are we allowed to use these, sir?

- These are gifts.

There is no law that prevents us

from using our own weapons.

Gentlemen, grab your guns.

Gentlemen, quickly.

Let's move.

Police! This is a raid!

He's going for the window, stop him!

That's enough!

The leaflets matched exactly.

We'd solved the bombings.

And, in the end, we arrested nearly

and deported over 500 of them.

Lt was accomplished against great odds

and at great personal peril.

They found the counterfeiting press,

five pistols, two automatics.

And in Trenton, they found gunpowder,

copper, brass wire, and batteries.

- A bomb factory.

- Yes.

One hundred and twenty arrests in Detroit,

But everyone in the Bureau involved

lost their job, correct?

Even Palmer himself?

Some did, and there's the lesson.

You see, the bombs stopped,

and peace came.

The American people had forgotten

there ever was a threat.

So when political adversaries

attacked Palmer...

for trying to protect this nation

from communism...

our countrymen allowed it to happen.

Because like today, they've forgotten

the bombs, the blood, the fear.

But why Palmer and not you,

if you orchestrated the raids?

I was 24 years old, Agent Smith.

I was just following orders.

I understand, sir.

And if we hadn't, you may very well

have been born into a communist state...

rather than the country you love today.

- Am I right?

- Of course, sir.

Hmm.

Edgar?

Ignore him.

Edgar?

I am in a meeting, Mr. Tolson.

I'll be out in a moment.

Don't forget about your appointment

with the Attorney General, Edgar.

Files are not yet completed, Mr. Tolson.

Please go away.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir. I apologize.

I'll finish this chapter tonight.

Very well, Agent Smith.

In the Academy, do they tell the story

of how I got here?

Yes, sir. Uh, you were called into

the new Attorney General's office...

- Harlan Fiske Stone.

- Yes, sir, Attorney General Stone.

He called you into his office

and told you to sit down, sir.

Sir, there are over a dozen vacancies

in Chicago.

And with the robbery rates rising,

it would profit the Bureau...

to start filling vacancies

and make recoveries.

I have files on potential suspects,

and with a congressional hearing...

Lower the treble, son. You didn't call

this meeting, I did. Sit down.

Yes, sir.

Everyone you've worked with here is gone.

And there's a reason for that.

This Bureau is of exceedingly bad odor.

Would you agree?

Yes, sir.

And, no offense,

you seem to have no social life.

No wife, no girlfriend.

As far as I can tell, no pals at all.

That is accurate, sir.

And you're shamelessly distracted

by this hodgepodge fingerprinting affair.

Sir, it wouldn't be hodgepodge if we could

centralize the prints here, I assure you.

Lt's a speculative science at best.

Yes, sir.

And why do they call you Speed?

Who calls me that?

They all do, behind your back, evidently.

I gained a reputation for delivering

groceries when I was 10 years old.

I was the fastest in the neighborhood.

Lt was just a nickname.

You sure it's not for the way you talk?

Perhaps, sir.

Young man, I want you to be acting

director of the Bureau of Investigation.

I will take the job, Mr. Stone,

but only on certain conditions.

What are they?

The Bureau must be divorced from politics

and not be a catchall for political hacks.

Recruits must be college-educated.

Appointments must be based on merit.

Promotions will be made on proven ability.

And, well, the Bureau will be

responsible only to you, sir...

the Attorney General.

I wouldn't give you the job

under any other conditions.

That's all. Good day.

Well, thank you, sir.

I am determined to summarily dismiss

from this Bureau...

any employee whom I find

indulging in the use of intoxicants.

Lt is my belief that when a man

becomes a part of this Bureau...

he must so conduct himself,

both officially and unofficially...

as to eliminate even

the slightest possibility of criticism...

as to his conduct.

- And what is your name, sir?

- Agent Williams, sir.

- Pleasure to meet you, Agent Williams.

- You too, sir.

And your name?

Agent Caffrey, sir.

- Your assignment?

- I'm headed to Kansas City...

to aid in the search

for bank robber Frank Nash, sir.

Mm, that is dangerous work,

and when you return...

you will be rewarded for your service.

You still fancy facial hair, Agent Stokes?

- The ladies appreciate it.

- Hmm.

And I suppose the ladies' opinions

are more important than the Bureau's?

No.

Sir.

Perhaps you are better suited

for the police force...

than the Bureau of Investigations.

I've been with the Department and

the Bureau for seven years.

Almost as long as you.

No.

You were with the old Bureau seven years,

and that Bureau is now gone, sir.

And so are you.

I quickly dismissed all agents

Education, physical fitness...

but, above all, loyalty.

I've had two made.

Same cut, different pattern.

And two suits for you.

They'll be delivered on Friday.

Thank you, Mother.

Lt's platinum...

six diamonds and a star sapphire.

- Heh.

- Lt's absolutely beautiful, Mother.

Thank you.

I've told the whole neighborhood

about you. They all know.

No, I shouldn't,

I've been gaining weight, Mother.

Lt's solid weight. There's nothing wrong

with solid weight on a man.

- All right.

- I'm so incredibly proud of you, Edgar.

I'm starting an album for you.

I'm gonna put everything in it.

This is just the beginning.

"Johnny Hoover appointed acting director

of the Bureau of Investigations."

Can you read that?

You proud of your uncle?

Gentlemen.

I want to introduce you. Come with me.

Edgar, good to see you.

Good to see you, Lawrence.

I'd like to introduce you

to Mr. Clyde Tolson.

Graduated from George Washington

University tonight with a law degree.

Hmm.

Congratulations, Mr. Tolson.

Thank you, Mr. Hoover. I believe you are

one of our most distinguished alumni.

I did, yes. I, uh, do have a degree

from the school, yes.

I was admiring your suit, Mr. Tolson.

You should take a lesson, Lawrence.

Thank you, sir. lt's a custom cut,

from Garfinkel's department store.

Ah.

Do you have a card, Mr. Tolson?

I do, yes, of course.

Here you go.

Good to see you, Lawrence.

Thank you, sir.

"Well-educated, highly recommended,

willing to guarantee five years service.

Has a family in New York

and a new baby."

No interview.

The family in New York or the baby?

Miss Gandy, five years is not enough.

We need men willing to dedicate their lives.

How many is that so far?

- That's 320 denied and 21 interviews.

- Hmm.

Did we receive an application

from a Mr. Tolson?

Yes.

Yes, his report states

he has confidence, poise...

his diction is excellent.

Rate this script:2.5 / 2 votes