Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #2

In HOPPER'S BEDROOM:

HUBERT:

(into the phone)

Y-yes, Jim--Yes--

And now flashing on the screen are NEWSPAPER HEADLINES of

the following morning--announcing Foley's death--and finally

such headlines as:

SUCCESSOR TO FOLEY

TO BE NAMED BY GOVERNOR

APPOINTEE WILL FILL OUT

UNEXPIRED TERM OF TWO MONTHS

HOPPER'S CHOICE

FOR VACANT SENATE CHAIR

EAGERLY AWAITED:

The scene dissolves into the GOVERNOR'S OUTER OFFICE, in the

morning. The office is full of people--newspapermen--dignified

citizens--women--all waiting to see the Governor. A group is

collected around the male secretary's desk. Two other desks

are seen with secretaries at them. There is an undertone of

talk.

REPORTER:

If His Excellency's statement is

going to make the noon edition--

SECRETARY:

Governor Hopper said you would have

it any minute--

An austere gent named Edwards pushes toward the desk.

EDWARDS:

(firmly)

Will you please remind the Governor

again--

SECRETARY:

He know your committee is waiting,

Mr. Edwards.

(Raising his voice

over the room)

The Governor will see *all* committees

at the first opportunity.

In the GOVERNOR'S PRIVATE OFFICE we see Hubert Hopper and

McGann, the former on the dictagraph, while McGann lounges

in a chair.

HUBERT:

(into the dictagraph)

Yes, yes--tell them I'll see them

immediately--immediately!

(Snapping up the

dictagraph, turning

wildly on McGann)

I can't hold them off! They want

something to say about this

appointment. Ten to one they've got

a man.

MCGANN:

Relax, Happy. Jim said to wait.

HUBERT:

I *can't* wait, McGann! You go into

that room and tell Jim Taylor and

Joe Paine that I give them *one more

minute*--

MCGANN:

(quietly)

*You* tell Jim Taylor.

HUBERT:

(walking--fuming)

Washington! Always discussing the

problems of Washington. Nobody ever

thinks of the State--and my problems!

(With sudden

determination)

I *will* tell Jim Taylor. It's high

*time* I told him a thing or two!

(He pushes the door

to a small ante room)

In the ANTE-ROOM, Joe Paine and Jim Taylor are on their feet,

as Happy insert his head.

HUBERT:

(angrily)

Look here, Jim--if you and Joe are

going to gab about this appointment

*any* longer, I'm going ahead and

see those committees!

TAYLOR:

(sharply)

You'll see those committees when

we're finished!

HUBERT:

(meekly)

Yes, Jim.

Hubert retires, closing the door. Jim Taylor turns back to

Paine.

TAYLOR:

That Happy Hopper is tougher to handle

than a prima-donna.

PAINE:

--in other words, Jim--with this

Willet Creek Dam on the fire--the

man who goes to the Senate now in

Sam Foley's place can't ask any

questions or talk out of turn. We

must be absolutely sure of him.

TAYLOR:

That's why I say Miller--Horace

Miller. He jumped through hoops for

the machine before we moved him up

to the bench. He'll take orders.

PAINE:

Jim--suppose we didn't try to go

through with this Willet Creek Dam--

suppose we postpone it until the

next session of Congress--or drop it

altogether--

TAYLOR:

That'd be a crime--after all this

work--getting it buried in this

Deficiency Bill as nice as you please--

approved--all ready to roll--

PAINE:

How much does the Willet Dam mean to

you, Jim?

TAYLOR:

Joe--I've got a lot of people to

take care of in this State.

PAINE:

I know, but is it worth the risk of

a scandal now that a new man is going

to the Senate?

TAYLOR:

Joe--what's the matter with you--

where you're concerned, I wouldn't

take the slightest risk--'specially

now after the great reputation you've

made in the Senate. Why, look at

this campaign I've started for you

in all my papers. You're the logical

man from the West on the National

ticket--at the convention, anything

can happen--

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