Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #29

SAUNDERS:

Baltimore. Pure city-dweller.

JEFFERSON:

But you've had beautiful country all

around you. You've just had to life

up your eyes!

SAUNDERS:

City-dwellers never do that--for

fear of what might drop *in* 'em.

JEFFERSON:

(observing her a second)

Have you always had to--work?

SAUNDERS:

Since sixteen or so.

JEFFERSON:

I take it your--your parents couldn't--

uh--

SAUNDERS:

No, they couldn't. Father was a

doctor. The kind who placed ethics

above collections. That speaks well

for Father but it always left us

kind of--

(Then)

Could we get on with this, Senator?

JEFFERSON:

It hasn't been easy, has it?

SAUNDERS:

No complaints.

JEFFERSON:

But--I mean--for a woman--And--you've

done awfully well--

SAUNDERS:

Have I?

JEFFERSON:

I never met anyone more--more

intelligent--or capable. I--I don't

know where I'd be on this bill of

mine without your help--

SAUNDERS:

I don't see where we are *with* it.

JEFFERSON:

(jumping)

No! Gosh! I better get moving here,

Miss Saunders--

(Suddenly)

Everybody else calls you just plain

"Saunders." Why can't I?

SAUNDERS:

Go right ahead.

JEFFERSON:

Saunders. That's better.

(Practicing)

Good morning, Saunders. Hello,

Saunders. How's the bill coming,

Saunders--?

SAUNDERS:

(permitting herself a

laugh)

Terrible, thank you.

JEFFERSON:

Yeah. Yeah. Well, anyway, we've got

"Saunders" settled. Maybe that was

my trouble all along.

(Rubbing his hands)

YEs, *sir*. I'm all ready to go now--

(Then--suddenly)

What's your *first* name?

SAUNDERS:

Why?

JEFFERSON:

Well--nobody calls you anything but

Saunders.

SAUNDERS:

I also answer to whistles.

JEFFERSON:

You--you've *got* a first name,

haven't you?

SAUNDERS:

Look--I think we ought to skip it.

JEFFERSON:

All right. Sure. Just curious. The

picture popped into my mind all of a

sudden of a pump without a handle--

or something--

SAUNDERS:

Well, if it's all the same to you--

JEFFERSON:

(kidding her)

I know. It's--Violet.

SAUNDERS:

It *is* not!

JEFFERSON:

Abigail.

SAUNDERS:

No!

JEFFERSON:

Letitia.

SAUNDERS:

No!

JEFFERSON:

Lena.

SAUNDERS:

(laughing)

No! Stop it!

JEFFERSON:

I've got more. You better tell me.

SAUNDERS:

You win. It's--Clarissa.

JEFFERSON:

(dashed down a little)

Clarissa. Oh. Uh-huh.

(Then)

Well, Saunders--let's go--

SAUNDERS:

Now, *Susan*--that's really a *pretty*

name--

JEFFERSON:

(rising to the bait)

Susan! Susan Paine--that's beautiful--

SAUNDERS:

And a beautiful woman, too--don't

you think?

JEFFERSON:

Yes. The most beautiful I think I

ever--gee--

(Catching himself--

leaping into action)

Say--we're *never* going to finish

this thing! Now, here we go, Saunders.

I'm going to talk faster'n you can

write--

Jefferson walks around rapidly. He is off at great speed

now.

JEFFERSON:

The location of the camp. About two

hundred acres situated in Ambrose

County--Terry Canyon--

SAUNDERS is seen busily writing down the facts.

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

--running about a quarter of a mile

on either side of Willet Creek--

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