The Distinguished Gentleman Page #11

TOMMY:

So... this is very good news.

DODGE:

Most members would give their rightnut for it.

TOMMY:

So what do you want from me, Dick?

DODGE:

Congressman... I just want you tosmile for the cameras.

84 INT. POWER AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE - DAY 84

The committee members -- all white males, except Tommy -mill

around, awaiting the start of the hearings. As the

TV cameras whir, Dodge shakes Tommy's hand warmly. Bigsmiles and an explosion of flashbulbs.

Dodge breaks off and Tommy drifts over to Reinhardt.

REINHARDT:

(indicating dais)

So, Congressman, welcome to thehoney pot. You should be one

happy freshman.

TOMMY:

Yeah? Well, I'm not. I'm suspicious.

One thing I've learned is, whensomebody gives you something fornothing, the nothing ain't nothing.

It's something. What is it? Whyme?

Reinhardt puts his hand on Tommy's shoulders.

(CONTINUED)

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REINHARDT:

Congressman, I don't want you to

take this the wrong way, but...

you're black. And I mean that in

the nicest possible way.

TOMMY:

Keep talking.

REINHARDT:

Dodge wants to run for Speaker.

And he ain't gonna make it without

votes from the black caucus.

Suddenly, Dodge reappears. He throws his arm around

Tommy's shoulders.

DODGE:

Tommy, someone I want you to meet...

Dodge steers TJ to a preppy-looking man at the witnesstable -- BARCLAY "SKEETER" WARBURTON.

DODGE:

Skeeter, do you know Tommy Johnson?

Meet the new member of the committee.

Tommy, this is Barclay Warburton.

TOMMY:

Pleased to meet you, Barclay.

WARBURTON'S voice is aristocratic, a la George Plimpton.

WARBURTON:

Skeeter. Please. Been called

that since boarding school.

TOMMY:

Skeeter.

WARBURTON:

Damned fine to meet you.

As Dodge and Tommy head for the dais, Tommy imitatesWarburton's lockjaw.

TOMMY:

"Tommy. Please. Been called

that since reform school."

Dodge chuckles, shakes his head in mock rebuke. Tommytakes his seat at the lower dais, smiles at the Members

on his left and right.

(CONTINUED)

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ON THE UPPER DAIS, Dodge gavels...

DODGE:

This EPA oversight hearing of the

Committee on Power and Industry

will come to order. I'd like to

welcome our first witness, the

distinguished Administrator of the

Environmental Protection Agency...

(Warburton nods)

... but before I do, I note that

a new Member is joining us today,

the distinguished gentleman from

Florida.

THE BIGGEST EXPLOSION OF FLASHES YET... and as the motor

drives whir, Tommy flashes his biggest smile yet.

85 INT. TOMMY'S RECEPTION AREA - DAY 85

Tommy's office walls are now richly hung with plaques,

awards, and framed photos. We see he has been named the

PESTICIDE COALITION'S Man of the Month. The winner of

the NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION'S Achievement Award. The

MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA'S Outstanding YoungLegislator. Etc. The liquor is gone.

Loretta is at the receptionist's desk. A LOBBYIST

enters.

FIFTH LOBBYIST:

Morning. Ron Yaeger. Snack-PAC -

Snack Foods Political Action

Committee. I have a ten o'clock.

LORETTA:

Please have a seat. The congressman

is running just a little bit late.

He sits and opens his briefcase. Van Dyke approaches himwith the dignity of a superb butler.

VAN DYKE:

Would you care for some herring?

86 INT. CAPITOL FUNCTION ROOM - DAY 86

Tommy rises to speak at a breakfast meeting. The podiumbears the seal of the American Poultry Association.

(CONTINUED)

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TOMMY:

Let me start with a confession. I

don't know much about poultry.

But I do know something about

people. And let me tell you: I

like you people. So when you have

something to say about poultry,

I listen. Thank you very much.

He sits down to generous APPLAUSE. ON Armando, in

attendance, CLAPPING, marveling at the response TJ gets.

87 INT. CATACOMBS - MOVING - DAY 87

Capitol Hill is actually two worlds: the abovegroundbuildings that visitors and television cameras see, andthe catacombs, the busy tunnels and corridors connectingthe congressional office buildings and the Capitol.

They're surprisingly unglamorous -- exposed pipes, whitewashed

brick walls, dumpsters, pizza carry-outs -- andthrough them move the legislators and their staffs.

And here is Tommy, whistling ZIPPEDY DOO DAH. He loves

this place. Passing a snack bar, he greets the Cashier.

TOMMY:

My man.

He blows a kiss to a pretty Teller in the credit union.

Passing the barber shop, he calls out to the ShoeshineGuy. He passes a black TELEPHONE MAN at an open panel ofwires.

TELEPHONE MAN:

Tommy! What's up, man?

TOMMY:

(whispering)

Sweet Sue. Third race at Santa Anita.

88 INT. TOMMY'S RECEPTION AREA - DAY 88

Several lobbyists are now awaiting Tommy balancing platesof herring on their knees. Some are enjoying it morethan others. Tommy breezes in.

TOMMY:

Hey, how you folks doin', good to see

you, Van Dyke making you comfortable?

Tommy hits a button on a tape deck, turning on some EASYLISTENING.

(CONTINUED)

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TOMMY:

Be with y'all shortly.

BEHIND THE DIVIDER, outside Tommy's office door, Tommy hasa word with Reinhardt. Tommy indicates his office.

TOMMY:

She in there?

Reinhardt nods. Tommy gives himself a couple of squirts ofBinaca.

TOMMY:

Stick around for this, Reinhardt.

I've finally figured something outabout the women in this town.

89 INT. TOMMY'S OFFICE - DAY 89

Tommy and Reinhardt meeting with Celia and an elfin guyin corduroy.

CELIA:

Thank you for seeing us, congressman,

we won't take up much of your time.

This is Ira Schecter, our research

director.

TJ:

Hi, good to meet you, you folks knowReinhardt, don't you? Don't rush, Miss

Kirby, we can take as long as we want.

CELIA:

But you have people waiting, and -

TOMMY:

That's all right. They can wait.

CELIA:

Well.

She pulls documents from her briefcase and hands them toTommy.

CELIA:

These are issue papers. This

session we're targeting autoinsurance premiums, child safety,

and food additives. As votes come

up, we know you'll be hearing plentyfrom the other side. We'd just likea clean shot at making our case, too.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

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CELIA (CONT'D)

(rising)

So, we'll follow up with your staffin the next week or...

TOMMY:

Wait a minute, you just got here. I

clean my calendar, and you're outthe door. Let's back up, give thisstuff the attention it deserves.

Car insurance... Ira, what do youpay?

IRA:

Oh, I've got an '85 Plymouth, aboutsix-fifty a year...

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