True Colors Page #5

your witch-hunt has scared up,

it is not justice when

a Sandy Wagstaff goes to prison.

The Department of Justice, the FBI,

Dade County prosecutors, a jury

and some of your own staff

would disagree with you.

If you have a problem, take it up

with them. I'm only here for the beer.

Excuse me.

Did you have to?

- Should I apologise?

- He's a senator.

He's a crook. We could've

indicted him and got orders not to.

You're right and

we go back to the lousy seats.

- I'm kidding.

- It's hard to tell sometimes.

Will you look into something for me?

New Hampton Development.

It's similar to Wagstaff,

bribes from federally-funded projects.

It's on authority.

I told a constituent I'd speak to you.

- What did she say?

- Her father's tests came back.

- An early stage of Alzheimer's.

- Oh, my God!

Jesus, I'm sorry.

Yeah. Me, too.

- I never told you, OK?

- Yeah, yeah.

- He won't even tell his staff.

- How's Diana taking it?

You know, bad.

I mean,

the girl never left home anyway.

- Now it'll get worse.

- Don't look at it like that.

Since we married, I've been living

by this yardstick, James B Stiles.

- She married me.

- He's been nothing but good to you.

As long as I was a kid

hustling floor votes or money for him.

It's different since I married

his daughter. It is.

It's nothing overt, but I feel it.

I'm not one of them.

You're crazy.

They don't think like that.

But, Tim, it's true.

It is.

A knock. That's better.

Clean draft on the Armed Services

report. You're welcome.

Wait a minute. Shut the door.

I'm going to be leaving in a couple

of weeks. Taking some time off.

I'm looking into running

for a seat in the fourth CD.

- Tinker isn't vacating.

- I'm anticipating it.

- Is Stiles backing you?

- I'm just exploring things.

The point is, the senator's going

to want me to realign the office staff,

and I'm going to recommend

against you taking over.

- I'm shocked.

- You think it's personal, but it isn't.

I think you're very good as an expediter.

Very valuable.

I'm not confident you'll focus on the real

business of this office. I'm sorry.

Don't be sorry, John. I'll be OK.

Thanks for the tip.

Oh, yes!

- You hit the sh*t out of that ball.

- You'd better stick to politics.

OK. Tinker's vacating a seat

in the fourth district.

- I want to run.

- Seriously?

- I'd like to run with your support.

- Did you talk to Lawry?

- He's a manager, not a leader.

- He's got a terrific legislative mind.

- He deserves a chance to prove himself.

- Nobody'll vote for him.

I can do the job.

I need you on staff,

especially with John leaving.

- I'd be more use to you in the House.

- Leave that to me.

- Next term, we'll set you an agenda.

- I've got an agenda, sir.

I want to run in the next election.

A couple of terms

with you as my mentor,

and I hope to fill your seat

when you retire.

- Who said anything about retiring?

- Well...

I assumed with your illness...

Well, don't assume. They've assured me

the progression can take years.

That's great news!

Then, let's look at it long range.

An across-the-board ally

in the House for your final term.

And, more importantly,

someone to carry on your work.

I want to be that man, Senator.

What if I say no, Peter?

Then I have to seek support elsewhere.

Wouldn't that look strange?

Bringing his ammo into another camp.

People hear Alzheimer's, they worry.

- I don't want to think about that choice.

- Don't f*** with me!

I've been playing hardball

since before you were born.

I don't mind playing hardball.

I do mind being taken for a fool.

- Does Diana know?

- She's knows I'm seeking your support.

Which is all I'm doing.

What's your hurry, Peter?

- Got a new cure for this country's ills?

- No, not like that.

Only issue I saw you catch fire over

was where to eat

with those Gucci-assed lobbyists

you're so fond of.

So, what is it, boy? The money sucks.

Food tastes the same.

You still get a year older every birthday.

The future, Senator.

I want to contribute.

I feel my time is now.

You do, huh?

I'm not going to stand in your way.

My last term's too important to me

to take any chances with the election.

But let me tell you something.

You may win an election or two.

You may be able to live with yourself.

But God help you when the people

find out. They always do.

The time is now, John.

Tinker's not running for re-election.

The seat's open.

- Stiles'll back you?

- Yes.

You'll need funding.

Organisation. More funding.

- It's a lot of orchestrating.

- What could I do to expedite things?

Give a couple of tugs. Deadline for

the Bridgeport project's coming up.

If we got that contract 'cause of you,

my friends would be very impressed.

My friend at Justice has been looking

into it, but he's coming up empty.

He's sharp. He's not missing anything.

There's nothing there.

Yeah.

That's possible.

You knew there was nothing

when you had me tip him.

You're letting your line slack.

Look out. Give me that.

I wanted you in a position to help us.

How?

There's a Justice Department

investigation.

Reveal that, New Hampton's

out of the running. It's a big favour.

- He's a friend. I can't set him up.

- He'd never know.

What could happen? A little hot water.

Isn't that worth it?

I can't do it.

- Come on.

- I got it.

Say I'm the Ghost of Christmas Future.

There you are. Diana, kids, nice fire.

You're counting blessings.

What's making you runny inside?

Your achievements?

A card from what's-his-name?

"Warmest holiday wishes. We must

get together. It's been too long."

I think I know the answer.

I just hope you do the right thing.

This is Sam Minot, New Haven

Sentinel. Is this Mr Garrity?

Yeah.

I'm doing a story on your investigation

of the New Hampton Development.

- This is just a threshold investigation.

- It's an investigation, isn't it?

Well, yes, but...

Who are your sources?

- What's so funny?

- Oh, it's just a little ray of sunshine.

- What were you thinking of?

- He called my direct line.

I assumed he'd been cleared.

You're a US attorney!

You don't assume anything!

- No, sir.

- You were ambushed. Any idea why?

No. My tip-off was

from an aide to Senator Stiles.

He's coming up empty, too.

- What's his name?

- Peter Burton. He's my best friend.

Someone's got an agenda here,

and we're going to find out who.

I'll have to offer you up.

I'm sorry, but you're suspended

until further notice.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

- Hello, handsome.

- Hello, beautiful.

- Am I the first one here?

- You're the only one coming.

- What the?

- Peter wanted us duded up.

- Thought you wouldn't do it.

- He's right. Where is he?

On the phone. A drink?

- Scotch.

- No ice.

No ice.

The family crest.

- Are you all right?

- No.

- All my laundry's clean, though.

- They must know it's not your fault.

How long are they

keeping you suspended?

Until they can pin it

on somebody else.

- You look good.

- You look good, too.

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