Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #24

JEFFERSON:

(downcast, turning

away)

Well, then--I--I don't feel I can

stay, sir.

PAINE:

Jeff, look--didn't you say something

to the papers about wanting to create

a National Boys' camp? Were you in

earnest about that?

JEFFERSON:

Yes, I was--

PAINE:

Well, why not do it? There's a job

for you. Get a Bill started to

accomplish it--present it to Congress--

it would be a great experience--

JEFFERSON:

Senator Paine, if I could do just

that one thing while I'm here, I--

I'd feel that I--

PAINE:

What's to stop you? Saunders will

help you with it--

JEFFERSON:

(elatedly)

I will, sir! I will!

(Taking Paine's hand)

I--I don't know how to thank you. I

knew, if any man could help me--

PAINE:

Nonsense, Jeff.

JEFFERSON:

Thank you, sir. Thank you for your

time.

PAINE:

Here--where are you running off to?

JEFFERSON:

Well, I'm sort of anxious to get

back to the office--

Susan, looking quite ravishing, appears suddenly.

SUSAN:

Father--oh.

PAINE:

Jefferson dropped in for a minute,

Susan.

SUSAN:

(with a distinct lack

of emotion)

How nice. How do you do, Senator?

JEFFERSON:

(dry-mouthed; his

eyes fastened on the

lovely creature)

How--how do you do, Miss Paine?

(With reference to

his clothes)

I--I apologize for looking like this--

I--I have to be going now--

SUSAN:

How are the pigeons?

JEFFERSON:

Fine--they're fine.

(Then suddenly)

Oh, Miss Paine, I--I want to apologize--

what the papers said I said about

you--that wasn't true. I--I would

never say a thing like that.

SUSAN:

(with tongue in cheek)

Did you hear, Father? He didn't mean

it when he said I was beautiful.

JEFFERSON:

Oh--you are!

SUSAN:

Then you *did* say it.

JEFFERSON:

No--I mean--yes--that is--

In a great perspiring fuss, he drops the subject like a hot

coal, comes to Paine quickly and seizes his hand.

JEFFERSON:

Well, goodbye, sir--and thank you

again.

(Starting to back

toward the foyer as

he speaks to Susan)

Well--it--it was nice seeing you,

Miss Paine--

SUSAN:

Goodnight, Senator--

Jeff is still backing.

JEFFERSON:

Goo-goodnight, Miss Paine.

(To Paine again)

Goodnight, sir--goodnight.

And at this point he backs right into a delicate side-table

with a lamp on it. Table and lamp go down with a crash.

JEFFERSON:

Gosh! Darn!

He scrambles to pick up the table and lamp. There's been no

damage.

JEFFERSON:

(as he picks things

up)

I'm sorry! Gee! I hope--

PAINE:

That's all right, my boy--don't bother--

JEFFERSON:

Gosh!

(Straightens lamp on

table)

Well--looks good as new. If there

*is* any damage, I'll--

PAINE:

(laughing)

Good as new! It's quite all right--

Jeff starts backing into the foyer again.

JEFFERSON:

Well--goodnight.

PAINE:

Goodnight, Jeff.

JEFFERSON:

Goodnight, Miss Paine.

SUSAN:

*Goodnight*!

Jeff turns like a rabbit and heads for the hall door. We

hear it slam. Susan laughs loudly. Paine looks toward the

foyer thoughtfully.

PAINE:

(reflectively)

Well, at the expense of some of the

furniture, Susan--you've made another

conquest.

SUSAN:

What! Not Ol' Honest Abe!

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