Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #31

PRESIDENT:

(with a smile)

The chair recognizes the rather strong-

lunged junior Senator, Mr. Smith.

JEFFERSON:

(almost in a whisper)

I--I'm sorry, sir. I--I have a bill--

PRESIDENT'S VOICE

You may speak a little louder,

Senator, but not too loud.

JEFFERSON:

I have a bill to propose, sir.

PRESIDENT:

Order, gentlemen. Our junior Senator

is about to make a speech. You may

proceed, Senator.

With trembling, fumbling hands, Jefferson gets his paper up

before him.

JEFFERSON:

(reading)

"Be it enacted by the Senate and the

House of Representatives that there

be appointed as a loan--"

In the PRESS GALLERY, Saunders nudges Diz to watch McGann

and Paine.

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

"--a sum sufficient to create a

National Boys' Camp--"

JEFFERSON:

(again visible)

"--to be paid back to the United

States Treasury by contributions

from the boys of America. This Camp

to be situated on the land at and

adjacent to the head waters of the

stream known as Willet Creek in Terry

Canyon--

PAINE is seen to be hit by lightning, and his eyes go

startledly to McGann in the gallery.

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

"--for the purpose of bringing greater

education, mutual understanding--"

MCGANN rises in the GALLERY, signals to Paine, and starts to

go out.

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

"--and the healthful life to the

boys of this great and beautiful

land!"

As Jeff finishes applause breaks out in the gallery. It is

caught up and grows. PAINE is seen hurriedly leaving the

chamber, while the applause continues.

PRESIDENT:

Our young Senator will make a good

orator when his voice stops changing.

In the PRESS GALLERY, Saunders is nudging Diz.

SAUNDERS:

Did you like the first act?

DIZ:

Yeah. What about the second act?

SAUNDERS:

That's taking place outside now.

We hear the gavel rapping for order.

In the CAPITOL VESTIBULE, Paine and McGann come together

quickly. They talk in undertones.

MCGANN:

(in a controlled lather)

Did I hear right? Did he say *Willet

Creek*?

PAINE:

Let's get away from here.

(He starts to pull

McGann along)

MCGANN:

That's dynamite, Joe!

The scene dissolves to PAINE'S AUTOMOBILE.

PAINE:

--amazing coincidence! Of all places

in the world--to choose Willet Creek

for his boys' camp!

MCGANN:

Joe--I'm getting leery of this guy.

We keep calling him dumb--and he

keeps winding up in our hair! I'm

telling you--when he finds out there's

a dam going up where he wants his

camp, he's gonna start asking

questions six ways from Sunday--

PAINE:

Be quiet, Chick--I'm trying to think--

(Then)

This Deficiency Bill is going to be

read in the Senate tomorrow.

MCGANN:

Tomorrow! Joe--he'll hear the section

on Willet Dam. He can't be there!

PAINE:

I know that.

MCGANN:

Listen--tomorrow I take him to see

monuments--if I have to hit him over

the head with a couple!

PAINE:

That won't work, Chick. This boy's

honest, not stupid.

MCGANN:

Susan!

PAINE:

My daughter isn't here to carry out

assignments like that for *anybody*.

MCGANN:

Well, then--this is too much for

*my* lame brain. I'm calling Jim

Taylor.

PAINE:

Jim's methods won't do in Washington.

MCGANN:

Joe--listen--all Susan has to do is

turn those big eyes on him--he'll

fall all over himself--just keep him

out of there *one afternoon*--while

they read that bill--

The scene dissolves to the SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, in the

late afternoon, and JEFFERSON is seen marching along down

the corridor, in high spirits--whistling "Dixie." He turns

into his OUTER OFFICE, which is full of people. As he strides

in, the people leap up and make a dive for him.

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