The Distinguished Gentleman Page #23

DODGE:

A common grifter!

(consulting paper)

He's wanted in three counties for

bunco! He's a convicted swindler!

Some BOOS. REINHARDT emerges from his hole, encouraged.

DODGE (O.S.)

A fugitive from justice for cardsharping, bookmaking, confidence

games -

ON DODGE AND TOMMY

DODGE:

-- and other charges the FBI hasonly begun to investigate! I dare

you to respond!

A hush in the room.

TOMMY:

You know what? He's right! But

let me tell you something -- allthat's nothing, compared to what Ipulled here in Washington... andthis sh*t's all legit!

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 119.

162 CONTINUED:
(3) 162

LAUGHTER and APPLAUSE. Dodge BANGS the gavel repeatedly.

DODGE:

The gentleman is out of order! The

gentleman is out of order! This

committee is adjourned!

GRANDMA leaps to her feet.

GRANDMA:

Stop banging! Stop banging! That

man has something to say!

Massive APPLAUSE. Dodge is stunned by the enormity ofthe sentiment against him.

TOMMY:

Adjourned? Fine. Leave.

(indicating cameras)

Turn your backs on the whole

country. That what you want to

do, gentlemen?

The Members remain in place, paralyzed.

TOMMY:

(to the room)

I'm a con man. A small-time con

man. Do you know what it was like

for me to come to Congress? It

was for like dying and going to

heaven. If I did back home the

kind of scams I've run in Congress,

my ass would be in Sing Sing. But

no, I'm not a crook -- up here,

I'm a distinguished gentleman!

163 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 163

Eli, watching on television.

TOMMY (ON TV)

Now don't get me wrong. They're

not all bums. But boy, do the

rotten fish stink up the barrel.

Marshall APPLAUDS. The Man in the next bed joins in.

164 INT. POWER AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE - DAY 164

TOMMY:

Now tell me, people -- while theseguys are buying and selling eachother, who's standing up for you?

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 120.

164 CONTINUED:
164

TOMMY (CONT'D)

I'll tell you who. Nobody! Nobodygets five hundred bucks an hour tolobby for the average Joe! There's

no Shnook PAC! There's no National

Association for Ordinary A**holes!

Sure, everyone's against cancer, but"everyone" doesn't have an officeon K Street!

(to committee Members)

Don't you folks get it? We're

supposed to be the people's lobbyists.

Congress is supposed to be America'spolitical action committee.

APPLAUSE and SHOUTS of support. Several Members on the

dais join the applause, seeing a winning issue.

CELIA shakes her head in wonder.

Tommy goes to Mickey and stands her up on a chair.

TOMMY:

She's right. Throw the bums out -starting

with me! I'm gonna found

me a new party. The Don't Vote For

Me Party. Any of y'all want tojoin up?

APPLAUSE and CALLS of enthusiasm.

TOMMY:

Well, come on, then! C'mon, getup, we got work to do!

The room erupts, electrified, chanting.

VOICES:

Throw the bums out! Throw the bums

out!

Tommy is engulfed by people and lights.

Dodge, Andersen, and O'Connor -- desperate, snarling -are

pinned to the wall by the SHOUTING Press Corps.

Loretta AND GRANDMA watch Tommy bask in his newnotoriety.

LORETTA:

That Miss Oprah's gonna love his

ass.

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 121-124.

164 CONTINUED:
(2) 164

CELIA arrives where Tommy is standing. She looks at him

a beat. Then a big smile. They kiss.

CELIA:

Tommy Johnson. Kamikaze congressman.

165 EXT. CAPITOL STEPS - DAY 165

Tommy and Celia walk down the steps, arm in arm.

CELIA:

I can't wait to see that tape youmade.

Tommy pulls it from his pocket, glances at it, and tossesit away.

TOMMY:

Why? I bought it this morning.

It's blank.

As they continue down the steps, CAMERA CRANES UP to WIDESHOT of the Capitol and the town beyond.

FADE OUT.

THE END:

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