Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #7

JEFFERSON:

(on edge)

Gosh! You see sir--I was fixing some

plaster for a cast on Amos' leg--

he's always chewing 'em off. I'll

only be a minute--if you'll excuse

me, sir--

HUBERT:

By all means--by all means.

Jeff exits hurriedly.

MA:

Maybe you'd like to come along and

watch, Governor? Jefferson's done a

wonderful job with that leg.

HUBERT:

Why, of course.

Ma starts out after Jeff--Hubert follows. He descends the

few steps after her.

The PET SHOP, which Ma and Hubert enter, is a crudely built

room, another addition to the house proper. The instant they

set foot inside, the damnedest furore breaks loose--dogs

bark--parrots scream, until Hubert is about to lose his mind.

Jeff is placing his plaster on the center table and is

stepping to one of the cages.

JEFFERSON:

(calling)

Jerry! Blackie! Queenie! Let's have

it quiet, fellows!

MA:

(calling)

Now, now, now!

(To Hubert)

It's all right, Governor.

She moves toward the table--Hubert following.

HUBERT:

A pet shop?

MA:

Well, it sort of got to be--from

Jeff just pullin' splinters and things--

Jeff pulls down from a cage Amos, a Siamese monkey, and sets

him on the TABLE. Amos is fighting fiercely. The cast on his

leg hangs down in shreds. Hubert, approaching, is amazed and

startled. Jefferson starts to pull the old cast from Amos'

leg.

JEFFERSON:

(to Ma)

Here, Skinny, give me a hand. Hold

Amos' tail down so he can't get it

around my waist.

Ma holds the monkey's tail as directed--or tries to.

JEFFERSON:

(to Amos)

Now, now, now--that isn't going to

get you any place. Get a firm grip,

Ma!

MA:

Satan's in this little fella tonight!

JEFFERSON:

(at work)

Sorry about this, Governor. But it

won't take a minute. You were saying

something in the other room, sir--

HUBERT:

Well--yes--I was saying--the State

should reward you--

JEFFERSON:

Aw--

HUBERT:

--And it is in my power to confer a

very signal honor upon you. In my

official capacity, therefore, I--

JEFFERSON:

Ma! Hold him!

MA:

I just can't, son--not the head and

tail both!

HUBERT:

Uh--could--could I help--?

JEFFERSON:

Thanks, Governor--*yes*! Do you mind?

His head--Ma'll take the tail.

HUBERT:

The--head?

JEFFERSON:

Just get one hand against each ear

there--keep his face straight up.

Hubert timidly does as directed. Amos yells--Hubert almost

lets go.

JEFFERSON:

Amos!

(To Governor)

Hold 'im, Governor. That's right.

Cinch him down. Fine--fine--

Jeff starts to put the plaster on.

JEFFERSON:

What were you saying, Governor? Sorry.

HUBERT:

(determinedly--once

and for all)

I said, sir--in my official capacity--

as an honorary gesture--I appoint

you to the United States Senate!

It does not penetrate to Jeff that instant.

JEFFERSON:

Now, Amos, now--

(Then, as Hubert's

words hit)

What?

MA:

What?

At this instant, Amos wriggles his head and sinks his teeth

into the soft, white thumb of Governor Hopper.

HUBERT:

(yelling)

Ow! He bit me!

He lets go of Amos, who wriggles and is nearly off the table.

Jeff and Ma make a dive for him.

JEFFERSON:

(yelling)

Amos! Amos!

And, added to everything else, the pet shop goes up in a

roar.

The scene dissolves to NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, a flaring, eight-

column head reads:

GOVERNOR HOPPER IN SURPRISE APPOINTMENT

And another headline (with picture of Jefferson Smith):

HERO JEFFERSON SMITH

IS GOVERNOR'S SENATE CHOICE

The scene dissolves to the GOVERNOR'S LIBRARY, in the morning.

Taylor, McGann, Hubert and Paine are present.

TAYLOR:

(pounding a newspaper

in his hand, yelling

at Happy)

--a *boy ranger* a squirrel chaser--

to the United States Senate!

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