Reagan Page #6

31.

PEGGY:

This is the United Nations, so I’d

like to keep the President’s

language firm but respectful. They

probably told you to tell me to kick

Russia in the ass a little, right?

Frank sees a small opportunity to quietly make a difference.

FRANK:

Actually, they suggested we soften

the rhetoric on Russia a bit. The

President always talks about ‘Peace

Through Strength.’ The whole first

term was mostly just the latter. To

quote the prophet John Lennon,

let’s give peace a chance.

PEGGY:

They want to soften the rhetoric?

(off his nod)

What’s your position again?

FRANK:

I’m a media consultant. I help the

President...be Presidential.

Peggy studies Frank for a second. Then:

PEGGY:

Okay. But we can’t say ‘Lennon’;

he’ll think we mean ‘Vladimir.’

FRANK:

I have a suspicion that he won’t,

but better safe than sorry.

(then)

Hey, can I ask you a question?

She looks at him, which causes Frank to change his inquiry.

FRANK (CONT’D)

How is ‘Peggy’ short for ‘Margaret’?

There’s no P in Margaret.

Peggy holds steely eye contact. She knows what he’s asking.

PEGGY:

There’s no B in ‘William’ but I

know plenty of ‘Bills’.

Frank smiles. He might have met the only sane person in DC.

His attention turns to his list. Wedged between FOREIGN

POLICY and ECONOMY is the phrase, ‘THE ENTERPRISE.’

32.

FRANK:

‘The Enterprise.’ What’s the

Enterprise?

PEGGY:

No idea. Ask Don.

INT. HALLWAY - MINUTES LATER

Don is conferring with multiple STAFFERS as Frank approaches.

FRANK:

Mr. Regan, do you have a moment?

DON:

Is the speech ready?

FRANK:

It’s actually about the speech.

DON:

Just get it done.

Frank has to look elsewhere for an answer.

INT. POINDEXTER’S OFFICE - MINUTES LATER - DAY

Frank catches Poindexter talking with colleagues outside.

FRANK:

Mr. Poindexter. I have a quick-POINDEXTER

It had better not be a question.

FRANK:

No it’s...I’m gonna go.

He crawls away.

INT. OUTSIDE CASPAR’S OFFICE - LATER

Frank goes to knock on Caspar’s door. He pauses. Reconsiders.

INT. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Bud is carefully working on something. Frank pops in.

33.

FRANK:

Mr. McFarlane? Can I ask you a

question?

BUD:

Make it fast. I’m translating this

thank you note I got from the

Sultan of Brunei. I’d have my

secretary do it, but it’s

classified.

FRANK:

Understood. So I was going over the

meeting notes with the speechwriter.

There was an item we didn’t

understand:
the Enterprise?

Bud freezes. Catatonically stares at Frank for a long...beat.

FRANK (CONT’D)

Sir? Are you okay?

BUD:

(suddenly)

Fine! I’m fine. Um...The

Enterprise...that’s nothing.

FRANK:

It was on the list of talking points.

BUD:

Typo. Shouldn’t have even been on

there. Old project. Pork barrels.

Barrels...of pork.

(calling out)

Wilma!

Bud’s assistant, WILMA HALL (50s, stocky and kindly) enters.

WILMA:

Yes, Mr. McFarlane?

BUD:

What did I tell you about the

agendas? Please send them back to

me so I can double-check them.

WILMA:

Oh, I thought you did check them.

BUD:

Well then let me check them after I

check them! Is that so complicated?

34.

Bud looks at Frank as if Wilma is the weird one.

WILMA:

Yes sir. Sorry sir.

BUD:

Don’t let it happen again.

(to Frank)

So that’s fixed. Anything else?

INT. HALLWAY - SECONDS LATER

Frank exits the office to spot Wilma’s desk.

FRANK:

Hey, I’m sorry he yelled at you. It

wasn’t a big deal.

WILMA:

I’m used to it.

He turns to leave. But Wilma stops him.

WILMA (CONT’D)

Oh, Mr. Corden? I know this is a

little awkward to ask, but my

daughter is looking for an

internship. Do you have anyone

working for you at the moment?

The thought had never occurred to Frank. Until now.

FRANK:

Working for me? No, I don’t.

WILMA:

Would you mind reading her resume?

She’s very...nice.

FRANK:

Sure, have it sent to my office.

(catching himself)

Don’s office. I’m outside his

office. My desk is. My own desk.

WILMA:

Oh, thank you, Mr. Corden!

FRANK:

My pleasure, Wilma.

He strides down the hall, standing a little taller than

usual. He likes the sound of ‘Mister’.

35.

INT. UNITED NATIONS - GENERAL ASSEMBLY - OCTOBER 24, 1985

Reagan finishes addressing the delegation.

REAGAN:

Everything we work to achieve must

seek that end so that some day our

preservation of prime ministers, our

premiers, our presidents, and

general secretaries will not talk of

war and peace, but only of peace.

Let us not waste one more moment to

give back to the world all that we

can in return for this miracle of

life. Thank you. God bless you all.

The place erupts in applause.

In the wings, Frank claps ferociously. Peggy does not.

FRANK:

Nailed it. He nailed it!

PEGGY:

Not yet he didn’t.

She watches the SOVIET AMBASSADOR, who sits with his arms

folded. We lose sight of him as the applause turns into a

standing ovation.

Frank and Peggy hold their breaths...

...Until the Soviet Ambassador stands and joins in the

applause. Peggy starts clapping too.

PEGGY (CONT’D)

Now he nailed it.

INT. UNITED NATIONS - HALLWAY - LATER

Frank leans outside an office as his assistant FAWN HALL (26,

gorgeous, all blonde hair and shoulder-pads) scurries to him.

FAWN:

Mr. Corden! Mr. Corden!

FRANK:

What’s up, Fawn?

FAWN:

I got a note from the assistant to

the assistant to the Soviet

Ambassador. Russian guy.

36.

She hands him the note, written on a napkin.

FAWN (CONT’D)

Why are you in the hallway?

FRANK:

Oh, they don’t need me for this

meeting. They’ll brief me. Later.

In the briefing.

FAWN:

Thank you so much for the job, Mr.

Corden. This is by far the nicest

United Nations I’ve ever been in.

Frank reads the napkin. His jaw drops open.

MOMENTS LATER. Ambassadors and staffers hustle from the room.

Frank catches Bud as he exits.

FRANK:

Mr. McFarlane! The Soviet

Ambassador gave me this note. The

Russians want to schedule a summit!

A meeting between Reagan and the

Premier! Face to face!

Bud snatches the napkin from Frank.

BUD:

Why did they bring this to you?

This napkin is classified.

FRANK:

Well, I have an intern now.

Although technically she’s Mr.

Regan’s intern, but she thinks-

Bud reads the note. His jaw drops as well.

BUD:

My god. The Russians want to

schedule a summit!

FRANK:

Yes! Yes, that’s what

I...nevermind. Maybe you could tell

Don that I brought this to you-

Before he can finish, Bud skips away from him. We hear:

BUD (O.S.)

Don! The Soviet Ambassador gave me

this note!

37.

Frank nods to himself: the wrong Hill for credit indeed.

EXT. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - NOVEMBER 19, 1985

AIR FORCE ONE touches down at Cointrin Airport.

EXT. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - DAY

The SWISS GUARD escort a series of STRETCH LIMOS bearing

American flags.

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