Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #28

JEFFERSON:

And something else, too, Miss Saunders--

the spirit of it--the idea--the--

In his walk, he has come to the window. He points out

suddenly.

JEFFERSON:

That's what's got to be in it.

She looks in that direction, and sees the lighted CAPITOL

DOME, as seen through the window--with JEFFERSON in the

foreground.

JEFFERSON:

(pointing)

That.

SAUNDERS indicates that she sees the Dome, her eyebrows

lifting a little.

SAUNDERS:

(quietly--with only a

touch of sarcasm)

On paper?

JEFFERSON:

(still looking out of

the window, not

conscious of her

cynical question)

I want to make that come to life--

yes, and lighted up like that, too--

for every boy in the land. Boys forget

what their country means--just reading

"land of the free" in history books.

And they get to be men--and forget

even more. Liberty is too precious

to get buried in books, Miss Saunders.

Men ought to hold it up in front of

them--every day of their lives and

say:
"I am free--to think--to speak.

My ancestors couldn't. I can. My

children will."

And we see SAUNDERS looking at Jefferson with a new expression--

listening rather raptly--then starting to make rapid notes.

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

The boys ought to grow up

*remembering* that.

He breaks off--turns from the window--collecting himself out

of a daze--and a little embarrassed.

JEFFERSON:

Well--gosh--that--that isn't

"particulars," is it?

SAUNDERS:

But you've just taken care of the

spirit all right.

JEFFERSON:

Well, anyway, it's *something* like

that--

(Then--impulsively)

And it *is* important. That--that

Steering Committee has *got* to see

it that way. And I'm sure Senator

Paine will do all he can--

(Breaking off)

He's a fine man, Miss Saunders, isn't

he? He knew my father, you know.

SAUNDERS:

He did?

JEFFERSON:

We need a lot like him--his kind of

character--ideals.

SAUNDERS:

(dropping her head to

the paper)

Uh--getting back to this, Senator--

JEFFERSON:

Yes, yes--

SAUNDERS:

Now, this camp is going to be out in

your state, of course--

JEFFERSON:

(with enthusiasm)

About two hundred of the most

beautiful acres that ever were!

Mountains, prairie land, trees,

streams! A paradise for boys who

live in stuffy cities--

(Breaking off)

You don't know that country out there,

do you, Miss Saunders?

SAUNDERS:

No.

JEFFERSON:

I've been over every foot of it. You

couldn't have any idea. You'd have

to see for yourself--

(gazing off, enraptured)

--the prairies--the wind leaning on

the tall grass--

SAUNDERS is seen again, raptly watching him.

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

--lazy streams down in the meadows--

and angry little midgets of water up

in the mountains--

(again seen, together

with SAUNDERS)

--cattle moving down a slope against

the sun--camp-fires--snowdrifts...

(Breaking off)

Everybody ought to have *some* of

that--*some* time in his life. My

father taught me to see those things.

He grew up with our state--an' he

used to say to me, "Son, don't miss

the wonders that surround you. Every

tree, every sunset, every ant-hill

and star is filled with the wonders

of nature." He used to say, "Haven't

you ever noticed how grateful you

are to see daylight again after going

through a dark tunnel?" "Well," he'd

say, "open your eyes and always see

life around you as if you'd just

come out of a long tunnel."

(Then)

Where did *you* come from. Miss

Saunders?

SAUNDERS:

(quietly)

Well--I guess I've been in that tunnel

all my life.

JEFFERSON:

You mean--here?

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