JFK Page #33

LIZ:

(surprised)

But Jim, we're going to Antoine's

with the kids - like we do every

year.

JIM:

No. I told you I was going to talk

to Shaw.

LIZ:

But why in the Lord's name would you

do it in the middle of Easter Sunday

when you knew we were...

JIM:

(annoyed with her

look)

Because when I scheduled it I didn't

realize it was a holiday. You were

there, why didn't you say something?

LIZ:

Look at the calendar, for Christ's

sake. You said a Sunday, not Easter

Sunday.

JIM:

I'm sorry, but it's important. Clay

Shaw is important. I'm sorry.

LIZ:

You're missing most of your life,

Jim, and you don't even know it.

The kids are missing out too.

(harder)

It's not just you making the sacrifice

here, honey.

JIM:

Look, I'll rush and be there by two,

I promise. Go ahead without me.

As he leaves, the camera holds on Liz.

GARRISON OFFICE - (1967)

Clay Shaw ("Bertrand"), in an elegant white summer suit, is

shown in. Indeed, there is a slight limp to his gait which

Jim notices right away.

He shares a look with Bill. Susie is also in the room.

Shaw's rich bassoon voice drips with dialect. Imperiously

smoking a Gaulois, Shaw has about him an air of authority

matched only by Jim's.

CLAY SHAW:

Mr. Garrison - what can I do for you

on Easter Sunday?

JIM:

I'm sorry, Mr. Shaw, to interrupt

this holiday, but I feel this is a

conversation we might better have

out of the everyday bustle in this

office...

SHAW:

(sitting)

I'm not sure I understand.

JIM:

(bringing some papers

forward)

Well... in an investigation we're

conducting your name has come up a

number of times.

SHAW:

I wouldn't imagine where.

JIM:

We recently talked to a number of

men who claim to know you. Are you

acquainted with a David Logan?

SHAW:

No. Never heard of him.

JIM:

A Perry Russo?

SHAW:

No.

JIM:

A Willie O'Keefe?

SHAW:

No, I don't believe I know anyone by

that name.

JIM:

Mr. O'Keefe told us he met you at

the Masquerade Bar down in the Quarter

and several evenings later you had

him over for dinner at your apartment

on Dauphine Street. Do you recall

that?

FLASHBACK TO Clay's Dauphine Street residence, in the Quarter,

at night in 1962. The butler opens the door and O'Keefe is

admitted to the townhouse. Shaw appears behind the butler.

SHAW (V.O.)

(in present)

Of course not. I don't know this

man. Obviously then, I wouldn't

have him to dinner. Incidentally, I

do not live in an apartment. It's

an 1860's house built by Gallier.

I've restored it faithfully. You

know I am quite an advocate of

restoration.

At Shaw's house, dinner is served at a long table by the

black butler. The table is decorated by a sumptuous setting

of silver and candelabra.

Shaw uses a bell to summon the butler.

JIM (V.O.)

Perhaps a few more details about the

evening will refresh your memory.

Mr. O'Keefe told us dinner was served

by a uniformed waiter - a colored

man. He particularly remembers that

you sat at one end and he at the

other - which he found rather unusual

because the table was so long. Does

that bring back memories of Willie

O'Keefe?

SHAW:

(in present)

Not at all. But on the other hand,

I do have a lovely Chippendale dining

table and I often have a friend over

sitting at one end while I sit at

the other. That is precisely the

point of a long dining table. The

splendor of the meal adds to the

enjoyment of it.

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