Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #47

In the PRESS GALLERY SWEENEY and FARRELL are looking at Jeff's

empty seat.

SWEENEY:

Well, that's good. Never *could*

stand executions--

In the SENATE CHAMBER, the CLERK reads a few names, then:

CLERK:

Jefferson Smith!

JEFFERSON'S VOICE

(ringing out)

Here!

JEFFERSON enters the Chamber with a brisk step, his head

held high. The only thing peculiar about him is the bumpy

appearance of his jacket pockets. In his hands are books and

papers. Everywhere there are reactions to his appearance. At

the ROSTRUM, the Clerk, in amazement, has stopped reading,

and watches Jeff's progress to his desk. The SAUNDERS AND

DIZ enter the PRESS GALLERY, she carrying a Senate Manual,

and JEFF takes his seat in the CHAMBER.

Then a hum grows over the packed chamber seen in full view.

PRESIDENT:

(banging)

The Clerk will proceed with the roll!

The startled Clerk, proceeds, as JEFF smiles around at the

chamber, and then looks up at the Gallery, where Saunders is

waving to him--smiling.

The scene dissolves into the SENATE CHAMBER.

PRESIDENT:

--proceeding now to the order of

business--

SENATOR'S VOICE

Mr. President!

The Senator, who was chairman of the Committee on Privileges

(Dearborn) is on his feet.

DEARBORN:

In pursuance of the notice I gave

yesterday, I desire to call up the

report of the Committee on Privileges

and Elections on the expulsion of

Jefferson Smith.

We see JEFFERSON, smiling a shade sickly, looking up at

Saunders.

PRESIDENT'S VOICE

The Clerk will read the report.

The Clerk rises. Senator Dearborn remains standing as the

report is read, while in the PRESS GALLERY, SAUNDERS is seen

indicating "sit tight" to Jeff.

CLERK:

(reading)

The Committee on Privileges and

Elections report: that it appears to

the satisfaction of the Committee,

after hearing a number of witnesses,

that justice to the Senate requires

that Jefferson Smith no longer

continue a member of this Body.

There is dead silence in the chamber.

CLERK'S VOICE

(as we see JEFF smiling

courageously)

They therefore respectfully report

this resoultion with the unanimous

recommendation that the same do pass.

CLERK:

(seen in the full

chamber)

Resolved:
That Jefferson Smith be

expelled from his seat in the Senate.

There is continued dead silence in the chamber, then a Senator

rises.

SENATOR:

Mr. President, I move for the

immediate adoption of the Resolution.

In the PRESS GALLERY, SAUNDERS is now signaling frantically

to Jeff, and then Jefferson and another Senator leap to their

feet--calling out almost simultaneously:

JEFFERSON:

Mr. President!

SENATOR:

Mr. President!

JEFFERSON:

I addressed the Chair first, sir!

SENATOR:

I am about to ask for a roll call on

the passage of the Resolution--without

further delay. The Senator can have

nothing to say at this time that

would not be either in bad grace or--

PRESIDENT:

However, Senator Smith is still a

member of this Body and as such has

equal claim on the attention of the

Chair--

JEFFERSON:

You were about to recognize me, sir--

PRESIDENT:

That is merely your *impression*,

Senator. The Chair has yet to settle

the question to its own satisfaction!

In the PRESS GALLERY, on a nudge from Saunders, Diz applauds

and yells:

DIZ:

Let him speak!

SWEENEY AND FLOOD also applaud Diz's cry.

In the VISITOR'S GALLERY, the Old Lady and Old Man are leaning

forward interestedly--eyes bright. This is fireworks. They

applaud, too, and immediately the sound grows all around

them from people in the gallery.

In the SENATE CHAMBER, the PRESIDENT bangs his gavel and

looks up at the gallery.

PRESIDENT:

(sharply)

Before proceeding, I should like to

remind visitors that they are here

as our guests--and ought to behave

as such. I might add that their

sentiment will certainly in no wise

affect the judgment of this Chair.

He pauses and glares out over the Senate.

JEFFERSON is seen waiting for the chair's ruling--holding

his breath. There is a dead pause, during which Jeff and the

contending Senator are on their feet. Suddenly, the President

whips his gavel up and out, like a referee saying "In that

corner--!"

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