Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #22

The SENATOR is seen gesturing with a newspaper.

SENATOR:

I refer to his astounding and

shameless performance for the

newspapers this morning.

PAINE is seen wincing (he knew this was coming) as he listens.

SENATOR'S VOICE

A *versatile* performance, I grant

you--

There are titters from all over the house. The PRESIDENT

brings the gavel down, and looks up at the gallery.

PRESIDENT:

Order in the chamber.

SENATOR:

(while the entire

chamber is visible)

--but one that brings his rank down

to the level of a side-show

entertainer--and reflects on the

sincerity, if not the *sanity*, of

the highest body of lawmakers in the

land!

(Waving the paper)

I seek to learn if this is the

gentleman's conception of the nature

of his office!

JEFF turns impulsively to the PRESIDENT.

JEFFERSON:

I don't understand, sir! I don't

know what the gentleman--

PRESIDENT:

(banging gavel)

The Senator has no voice in this

chamber until the oath of office has

been administered!

PAINE:

Mr. President! I will answer the

gentleman! My colleague was innocent

in the matter referred to. He was

completely misquoted. I *know*

Jefferson Smith--and I will *vouch*

for it--he has the greatest possible

respect for his office and for these

gentlemen.

A SENATOR'S VOICE

Mr. President!

PRESIDENT:

(eyes on Jefferson

with sympathy; bangs

gavel)

The swearing in of the Senator-

designate is the order of business!

(He rises. The chamber

is in full view)

The gentleman will raise his right

hand and repeat after me the following

oath--

Jefferson does as bid. The President recites the oath, and

Jefferson repeats after him:

PRESIDENT:

"I do solemnly swear--that I will

support and defend the Constitution

of the United States--against all

enemies, foreign and domestic--that

I will bear true faith and allegiance

to the same--that I take this

obligation freely--without and mental

reservation and purpose of evasion--

and that I will well and faithfully

discharge the duties of the office

on which I am about to enter. So

help me God."

JEFFERSON:

(finishing)

"So help me God."

PRESIDENT:

Senator, you can talk all you want

to, now.

The President shakes hands with Jefferson. Paine shakes his

hand, then, guides him down one step to the clerk where

Jefferson, dazed, understands that he is to sign the register.

Then Jefferson and Paine start back up the center aisle, all

eyes following them, and ripples of laughter breaking out

from all over the Chamber.

JEFFERSON is seen making his way back up the aisle. Suddenly

he snatches up a paper from a desk he passes, and his eyes

fasten on the headlines. He continues to walk, reading--his

jaw muscles tightening--then he looks up into the Press

gallery.

The scene now dissolves to a MONTAGE, first the headlines

appearing over Jeff's incredulous expression as he reads. He

starts walking--hands clenched, murder in his eye--he meets

a reporter of the night before, grabs him, socks him and

marches on. He meets another one in a different place--socko

again! Finally he smacks Nosey--and marches on--. Next we

see a pair of DOORS, on which is printed "Press Club," and

when these doors are pushed aside violently the PRESS CLUB

BAR is visible as Jeff stands glaring. Newspaper men are at

the bar and at tables ranged along the wall. Conversation--

smoke. Sweeney, Farrell, Flood, Summers and Diz are there--

and Nosey.

NOSEY appears with Diz and Sweeney, at one of the tables.

NOSEY:

He's on a rampage. The streets aren't

safe. I came up here to--

(Looking toward door

suddenly)

Oh-oh. Tarzan!

Heads turn in that direction, as Jeff starts toward Nosey.

When he gets within five steps, he suddenly lunges forward

and grabs him. He draws his right hand back to hit--the boys

leap in--and a free-for-all is on. Chairs and tables go over.

Finally, Jeff is swarmed under--down on his back on the long

seat against the wall while Nosey is under a table.

VOICES:

Whoa, now...

Wait a minute...

Take it easy, Senator...

We don't go in for slugging around

here...

If you can behave yourself now...

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