Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #43

A SENATOR:

Wait a minute. Three days ago this

bill was read in detail before the

body. Why didn't you object then?

JEFFERSON:

I wasn't *in* the Senate that day.

SENATOR:

Where were you?

JEFFERSON:

To--to a reception--uh--for a princess--

I forget her name--

After an instant's pause, a quick look passes between the

Chairman and the Committee.

CHAIRMAN:

And you say you never signed this

contract with Mr. Allen?

JEFFERSON:

I did not--

CHAIRMAN:

You've never *seen* this contract.

JEFFERSON:

Never.

CHAIRMAN:

But you did *talk* to Mr. Allen about

that and--?

JEFFERSON:

I--I discussed it with him--yes--

because I--you see, I've always had

this camp in mind--but I made no

contract with him!

CHAIRMAN:

(shoving contract at

Jeff)

Then--this is *not* you signature,

Senator?

JEFFERSON:

Looks like it, but--

CHAIRMAN:

But it *isn't*?

JEFFERSON:

It couldn't be.

CHAIRMAN:

You are saying, in effect, that this

is a forgery?

JEFFERSON:

I'm saying I didn't sign it!

We see JEFFERSON'S HAND writing his name--the eighth signature

in a row. Then a MAN on the stand is comparing papers in his

hands.

MAN:

In my professional opinion as an

expert on handwriting, I'd say that

the name of Jefferson Smith on this

contract has been forged--

Then ANOTHER MAN stands before a large screen, with Jeff's

signature blown up on it.

SECOND MAN:

--after a long study of this signature

it is my professional opinion that

it is definitely in Jefferson Smith's

own handwriting--!

Then a THIRD MAN is on the stand--with papers spread before

him--comparing as he talks.

THIRD MAN:

It is extremely difficult to tell a

clever forgery from the real thing.

You can always get divided opinions

from experts. But I would stake my

whole twenty-year professional career

on the fact that this is not a

forgery, but is Mr. Smith's own

signature--

The scene dissolves to TAYLOR'S HOTEL SUITE, at night, Taylor

eagerly on the phone--McGann excitedly standing by--Paine

standing in the background thoughtfully. Hubert ("Happy")

Hopper is also there and looks nervous.

TAYLOR:

(excitedly)

Hello! I said *Sam Hendricks*--the

editor! Can't you hear? This is Jim

Taylor--in Washington. Put him on!

(A slight wait)

Hendricks! Jim. It's all over. Smith's

hearing's closed--Joe's canvassed

the committee--privately. First thing

tomorrow in the Senate, they'll bring

in a resolution to *expel* him--to

throw him out!

MCGANN:

(exultantly)

A dead goose!

TAYLOR:

(into the phone)

It'll be voted unanimously! Get our

papers ready--smear it all over. And

the second he's out--the Deficiency

Bill passes the Senate--and we're

home! Stick close to the office,

Hendricks--I'll be calling!

He hangs up. McGann is out of his mind with joy.

MCGANN:

(to Hopper)

Your Ranger's on the garbage pile,

Happy! He's done for!

PAINE:

(breaking out wildly

at McGann)

Shut up! You've *got* the man

pilloried! Do you have to dance around

him like a cannibal--!

TAYLOR:

(to Hopper)

By the skin of your teeth you got

out of this one, Happy--by the skin

of your--!

Paine is going for the door.

TAYLOR:

Hey--Joe! Where you going? We've got

to celebrate tonight!

PAINE:

No--I--I'll take a walk--

(He continues out)

The scene dissolves to SAUNDERS' ROOM at night where Saunders

is standing at her window, looking out absently as Diz walks

around furiously.

DIZ:

He's cooked! They'll drum the poor

lug out of that chamber tomorrow as

sure as I'm--! And now they're all

down on him. Yeah--my press pals,

too--he's a bad egg--still water

running deep. Boloney! It's the frame

of all time! When I see a phoney

like this--my journalist blood boils--

I wanna *fight*!

(Then)

Look, kid--rack your brains, will

you? Haven't you got any confidential

stuff on that mob? I'll write my arm

off--I'll blow Taylor and his--

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