Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #32

PEOPLE:

Can I see you, Senator--?

I'm from Jackson City--

Senator, just one minute of your

time--

I'm from the old home state, Senator--

Saunders, who has been sitting at her desk, leaps up and

comes to the rescue as the people begin to claw and pull

Jeff.

SAUNDERS:

Whoa! Here--here--just a minute!

Keep your seats.

(Taking Jeff's arm)

This way, Senator--

She leads the dazed Jeff into his PRIVATE OFFICE.

JEFFERSON:

(entering with Saunders)

What do they--? Who are all those--?

SAUNDERS:

One of the plagues on members of

Congress--office-seekers, cranks,

people with pet bills. Get my son

into West Point--or *outta* West

Point. I've got a scheme to put people

to work. How do I get rid of

cockroaches? Some woman's composed a

hymn to replace the Star Spangled

Banner. Want to hear it?

JEFFERSON:

(laughing)

No--not today! Boy, I feel like a

house afire! Saunders--how did I do?

SAUNDERS:

Great.

JEFFERSON:

I--I don't know how I got it out. My

heart was right up here all the time--

(Then--excitedly)

I wonder what Senator Paine thought

of it?

SAUNDERS:

Must have been tickled pink.

JEFFERSON:

Gee--I hope so. What's all this?

SAUNDERS:

Contributions from boys who read

about your camp.

JEFFERSON:

Already? All these letters?

SAUNDERS:

Oh, those are only local. Wait'll

they start pouring in from all over

the country.

JEFFERSON:

Do you mean all--look--look we'd

better open them up--see what they

say here--look at the money--what

does it say--"Dear Senator Smith, I

would like to come to your boy's

camp and I shine shoes at the station

and here's nine cents." Oh, isn't

that wonderful. Look and he signs

it. "Yours truly, Stinky Moore."

Isn't that marvelous?

(Breaking off--looking

in desk drawer)

Say--have I got some paper here?

SAUNDERS:

Second drawer.

JEFFERSON:

Good! I'm going to be pretty busy

tonight--

SAUNDERS:

Not another bill?

JEFFERSON:

No! Letters. I've got to write to

the Rangers and Ma--and--I'm bustin'

with news! Why, I've introduced a

bill! Me--Jeff Smith. I got up and

talked in the Senate!

(He sits down excitedly

at his desk)

SAUNDERS:

Do you want to dictate them?

JEFFERSON:

The letters? Gosh--no. I couldn't

talk letters. I've gotta scratch 'em

out. And say--I'm going to tell Ma

all about you. If I tell it right--

the first thing you know you're going

to get the best jar of preserves you

ever tasted.

SAUNDERS:

(starting for the

door)

Thanks a lot.

JEFFERSON:

Oh--*Saunders*!

He comes leaping around from behind the desk--grabbing her

hand.

JEFFERSON:

I--I--gee whiz--I didn't thank you!

SAUNDERS:

Don't mention it--

JEFFERSON:

I mean it. I--without you, I

could't've--

The phone rings. Saunders takes a step to the desk to get

the phone. Jefferson goes back behind his desk.

SAUNDERS:

Hello.

(Rather startled)

Who? Who?

In the PAINE LIVING ROOM:

SUSAN:

(on the phone)

Susan Paine.

In JEFFERSON'S PRIVATE OFFICE, Jeff sits at his desk, prepared

to write--indifferent to Saunder's conversation. Saunders

casts a quick look at Jeff.

SAUNDERS:

(into phone)

How do you do?... Yes, go ahead.

In the PAINE LIVING ROOM:

SUSAN:

I'm sorry to bother you, Saunders--

but you've got to help me. I'm elected

to snatch Mr. Jefferson Smith from

the Senate tomorrow--

In JEFFERSON'S PRIVATE OFFICE, while Jeff is still busy over

his papers:

SAUNDERS:

You're--what?

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