The Distinguished Gentleman Page #9

them... and their support will help

you in your next campaign, which I

remind you is already less than two

years away.

66 INT./EXT. ADIRONDACKS - LARGE DOORS - NIGHT 66

In b.g., the Capitol dome. As Tommy and Loretta leave,

they pass Dick Dodge, who is saying goodnight to guests.

He stops them.

DODGE:

You know, Mr. Johnson, it's

customary for new Members to pay a

courtesy call on the old fogies in

the leadership. Especially from

their HOME STATE.

TOMMY:

Well, I would have, but I just got

to town. It's an honor to meet you,

sir. A real privilege. This is

Miss Loretta.

LORETTA:

Public liaison.

She pronounces the word so carefully, it sounds lewd.

DODGE:

How do you do?

(to Tommy)

You could make up for it by having

a nightcap with me.

(to Loretta)

May I have my car take you home?

67 EXT. CAPITOL HILL - NIGHT 67

Tommy and Dodge walk up steps toward the Capitol.

68 INT. HALLWAY - CAPITOL - NIGHT 68

A darkened hallway. A hand-lettered sign by a door readsCOMMITTEE ON POWER AND INDUSTRY. THE CHAIRMAN. MR.

DODGE. Tommy and Dodge approach. As Dodge unlocks thedoor:

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 45.

68 CONTINUED:
68

TOMMY:

Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, but this

ain't no homo sh*t we up to, is it?

DODGE:

No. No, it's not. But -

(amused)

Good thinking, Johnson. I'm

impressed by your instincts.

69 INT. DODGE'S OFFICE - CAPITOL - NIGHT 69

A single table lamp lights Dick Dodge's office, reflectingoff the velvet drapes, sculpted ceiling, and crystalchandeliers. Tommy and Dodge are in leather armchairs,

ties undone. On the table between them, a bottle of Jim

Beam. Dodge casts a cool eye on Tommy.

DODGE:

Tell me, Johnson. Why did you cometo Washington?

TOMMY:

Well... of course... it's a chance

to do something for my country. I

mean, there's the topsoil thing, andacid rain is killing the cattle -

DODGE:

Cut the bullshit, Johnson. I saw how

you got elected. Flukes like you areeither nutcases or troublemakers.

I just want to know which one I haveon my hands. Who sent you here?

TOMMY:

No one sent me.

DODGE:

You pulled off that upset on yourown?

TOMMY:

(acknowledging modestly)

Kid's got his talents.

DODGE:

I'm impressed, Johnson, I am. But

why did you run for Congress?

TOMMY:

No bullshit?

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 46.

69 CONTINUED:
69

DODGE:

No bullshit.

TOMMY:

Opportunity knocks. This town is

the f***in' Yukon.

A stunned silence from Dodge -- then deep and generouslaughter.

DODGE:

What a refreshing answer.

He laughs again, richly amused. Tommy joins in thelaughter.

70 EXT. CANNON - DAY 70

Shining in the bright sun.

71 INT. TOMMY'S OFFICE - DAY - ON TOMMY'S DESK 71

Hundreds of business cards. An expert riffle, a one-

handed cut, and Tommy deals lightning fast, a perfectdiamond formation with two cards in the middle. He turns

them over one at a time.

TOMMY:

Food... drinks.

LORETTA:

(reads card)

Ken Korngold, National DistilledSpirits Association. Bob Rafferty...Wisconsin Cheese Board.

(to Tommy)

What do you want me to do?

TOMMY:

You're on cheese. I'll handle

booze.

He reaches for the phone...

72 EXT. DISTILLER'S BUILDING - DAY 72

Pan from Capitol Hill to gleaming glass office building.

TOMMY (V.O.)

(taking the phone)

Ken! Ken Korngold! Tommy Johnsonhere... Right -- last night. How's

it going, big guy?

KORNGOLD (V.O.)

Congressman!

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 47.

73 INT. KORNGOLD'S OFFICE - DAY 73

Expensive furniture, rugs, and art.

KORNGOLD:

How are you on this helluva fineday! I'm looking forward to yourreception.

INTERCUT TOMMY AND KORNGOLD

TOMMY:

Actually, that's why I'm calling,

Ken. You said if I needed some

help -KORNGOLD

You name it, congressman. Issue

papers, testimony, floor speeches -TOMMY

Tell you what I have in mind. I

was just thinking, wouldn't it bea plus for old Ken Korngold if Iwas to -- how should I put this -showcase

some of his distillers'

products at my reception? You know,

like they put Reese's pieces inE.T.? It's called "productplacement." People come in, theyhave a tremendous time, they seeyour products, they think well ofyou -- and they think well of me,

too. It's good for both of us,

Ken. What do you say?

KORNGOLD:

Well, it's a new one on me, but

hey, sure, I think we can help you

out. Say, while I have you on theline, there was one thing...

74 INT. HOUSE CHAMBER - DAY 74

The SPEAKER administers the oath of office to the

assembled House.

SPEAKER:

Do you solemnly swear that youwill support and defend theConstitution of the United States...

ON GRANDMA next to Tommy, eyes welling with pride. It's

the one day a year that non-Members (meaning families)

can be on the floor.

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 48.

74 CONTINUED:
74

SPEAKER:

... against all enemies, foreign and

domestic; that you will bear true

faith and allegiance to the same...

75 INT. TOMMY'S OFFICE - DAY - VIDEO - WIDE SHOT OF HOUSE 75

The 435 Members (with family) taking the oath, watchedon C-span by Loretta, Armando, Van Dyke, and Reinhardt.

SPEAKER (V.O.)

... that you take this obligation

freely, without any mental

reservation or purpose of evasion...

76 INT. HOUSE CHAMBER - DAY 76

ON IOWA taking the oath, his toddler in his arms. PAN

along faces of other Members... to Tommy.

SPEAKER (V.O.)

... and that you will well and

faithfully discharge the duties

of the office on which you are

about to enter. So help you God?

TOMMY (AND MEMBERS)

I do.

SPEAKER (V.O.)

Congratulations. You are now

Members of Congress.

Sustained APPLAUSE. Tommy kisses Grandma.

INTERCUT Tommy's cronies APPLAUDING.

ON THE FLOOR Tommy dries Grandma's tears with a finger.

GRANDMA:

It's just that -- I'm so happy you

straightened out.

Tommy smiles ambiguously. As APPLAUSE continues, his

eyes roam the room and make contact with Dick Dodge,

standing at one of the leadership tables. Tommy winksconspiratorially at him. There's such diabolical glee init, it even takes Dodge aback.

77 INT. CANNON TOP FLOOR - DAY 77

A beautiful black woman, 20s, walks briskly down thebusy Cannon corridors. CELIA. There's intelligence inher eyes, and fire.

(CONTINUED)

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - Rev. 4/3/92 49.

77 CONTINUED:
77

She makes her way down the corridor,

exchanging AD LIB greetings, glancing in at the sedate

receptions, and drawing closer to the source of the

REGGAE (O.S.) -- Tommy's office. She looks in.

78 INT. TOMMY'S RECEPTION AREA - DAY 78

It's packed, mainly with men. Everyone has drinks andtalks noisily. It looks like a fraternity smoker forlobbyists. MUSIC comes from a boom box. The bar -- a

tablecloth over some desks -- is lavishly stocked. So are

the bookcases, which now look like liquor store shelves.

ANGLE ON LORETTA, in a cocktail dress and a HELLO MY NAME

IS MISS LORETTA badge, staffing a little table, handingCelia a name-tag.

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