The Distinguished Gentleman Page #7

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 33.

47 CONTINUED:
47

REINHARDT:

Arthur Reinhardt. You remember me

-- I Fed-Exed that material to youin Key West?

TOMMY:

Reinhardt, my man! Of course!

You look just like I pictured you.

Nice wing tips.

REINHARDT:

Thank you. Congressman, I hope youdon't think I'm out of line for

meeting you here -- I thought youmight want some help with logistics,

settling in at your hotel -(

indicating thebriefcases)

Since you didn't make it to theHarvard seminar, I put together aset of their papers for you.

TOMMY:

I like your initiative, Reinhardt,

but to tell you the truth, I'venever been much of a student. Maybeyou can brief my staff sometime.

Reinhardt looks Tommy's cronies over.

Hill types.

Not your classic

TOMMY:

But thank you, I will take you up onthose logistics. Hey! Entourage!

What hotel we at?

They look at one another, puzzled.

TOMMY:

Reinhardt, it appears that thestaff has neglected to nail downsome details.

REINHARDT:

Oh, Jesus, the IMF's in town.

are we going to find a room?

Where

Four rooms.

TOMMY:

48 OMITTED 48

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 34.

49 INT. AIRPORT BAR - DAY 49

The entourage is enjoying a round of libations.

Reinhardt runs up.

REINHARDT:

I got lucky at the Madison. Thank

god there's been a coup inUruguay. Their delegation justchecked out.

TOMMY:

You're a wizard, Reinhardt. I

knew you could handle it.

50 EXT. AIRPORT TAXI RANK - DAY 50

Tommy's entourage and their luggage are being packed intoa cab. Tommy turns to Reinhardt.

TOMMY:

So when does the House open forbusiness?

Reinhardt hasn't heard it put quite that way before.

Reinhardt gets his courage up.

REINHARDT:

Say, Congressman, you got myresume, didn't you?

TOMMY:

(hasn't a clue)

I'm sure I did.

REINHARDT:

There's something I wanted to ask you.

I know it's a big step, but -- I'dlike you to consider me to be your AA.

TOMMY:

That's quite an offer, Reinhardt,

very decent of you, but I'm just asocial drinker.

REINHARDT:

No. AA. Your Administrative

Assistant. I worked for

Congressman Johnson. I'd like to

work for you, Congressman Johnson.

TOMMY:

Really.

Tommy looks at his own troops, then back to Reinhardt.

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 35.

50 CONTINUED:
50

TOMMY:

You mean like an affirmative

action thing?

Tommy opens the cab door.

TOMMY:

Tell you what -- I'll think aboutit, okay?

Tommy gets in and closes the door.

TOMMY:

(through the openwindow)

Thanks for getting us settled,

really appreciate it.

(to driver)

Madison Hotel.

51 OMITTED 51

52 EXT. MEMORIAL BRIDGE - MAGIC HOUR 52

The bridge over the Potomac has a classic view of theLincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Their

taxi drives by.

53

&

54

OMITTED 53

&

54

55 EXT. CANNON BUILDING - DAY 55

Morning. Tommy and cronies get out of a cab and bound upthe grand flight of stairs. In b.g., the Capitol dome.

56 INT. CANNON GROUND FLOOR CORRIDOR/ELEVATOR - DAY 56

They walk the superb ground floor corridor of Cannon,

salivating. Marble columns... chandeliers... grandoffices. Real class.

AT AN ELEVATOR with a sign above it -- MEMBERS ONLY -they

stop. Tommy presses the button. The door opens.

The seated ATTENDANT gets a load of this group.

Especially Loretta.

ATTENDANT:

Sorry, folks, this elevator'sfor Members only.

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 36.

56 CONTINUED:
56

TOMMY:

That's okay, they're with me.

Sixth floor please. Cannon 609.

I'm going to my office.

ATTENDANT:

I said Members only.

TOMMY:

I am a Member. Now take us to six

before I haul your ass in front of

the committee on disrespectful

behavior.

ATTENDANT:

Elevator don't go to six. You

have to get off at five and walk.

57 INT. CANNON STAIRWELL - DAY 57

Looking puzzled, they make their way up a drab stairwell.

58 INT. CANNON TOP FLOOR - DAY 58

Not classy. On one side of the hallway, the windows giveout on a brutally ugly courtyard. On the other side of

the hall are cages: windowless storage bins behind metalfences crammed with junk -- and an occasional xeroxmachine, Mr. Coffee, and pitiful staffer at a tiny desk.

Tommy opens the door to 609.

59 INT. TOMMY'S RECEPTION AREA - DAY 59

Tommy's office is a small, dark garret, with dirty carpeting,

bare shelves, and a pile of bulging canvas U.S.

Mail bags.

TOMMY:

Wait here.

He heads further into the office.

60 INT. TOMMY'S OFFICE - DAY 60

Equally unattractive. Perched on the desk: Reinhardt.

TOMMY:

You again!

REINHARDT:

Good morning, congressman.

TOMMY:

What is this shithole?

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 37.

60 CONTINUED:
60

Excuse me?

REINHARDT:

This.

TOMMY:

(gesturing, peeved)

REINHARDT:

(casual)

Oh -- you missed the freshman lotteryfor offices. They assign them bydraw. You didn't show for the draw,

so you got the worst office in Congress.

TOMMY:

I missed what lottery?

REINHARDT:

It was all in the briefing books Imailed you.

TOMMY:

What else did I miss, Reinhardt?

REINHARDT:

Are you hiring me, congressman?

Tommy gives Reinhardt a good once-over, seeing him anew.

TOMMY:

You're shaking me down, aren't you?

Tommy laughs, then clasps Reinhardt's shoulders.

TOMMY:

This is fantastic, Reinhardt. I

haven't been here five minutes,

and you're shaking me down. God,

I'm gonna love this town. You're

hired, man. Just tell me what to

do next. I don't want to miss out

on any of the good sh*t.

REINHARDT:

The dinner for new Members is

tonight, at Union Station. Do youhave black tie?

BEGIN elegant, spirited classical MUSIC.

61 INT. UNION STATION - MAIN HALL - NIGHT 61

With its hundred-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling and grandwindows, the magnificent Beaux-Arts station has beenbeautifully restored.

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 38.

61 CONTINUED:
61

A big crowd slowly makes its way along a red carpet tothe party.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes