DAVE BY GARY ROSS FADE IN: EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - AERIAL SHOT - DAY It sits like a jewel off in the distance -- all glittering and white. The deep blue of the Potomac stands out against the monuments as the sound of a HELICOPTER plays O.s.. SMASH CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS - DAY The most famous helicopter in the world lumbers toward the most famous house. Scores of reporters are camped out on the lawn while the huge machine descends like a hurricane... CLOSER - HELICOPTER It touches down as the Marine Corps color guard snaps to attention. The hatch POPS open and a staircase emerges... FULL SHOT - DOORWAY After a moment, PRESIDENT WILLIAM HARRISON MITCHELL appears, accompanied by his wife ELLEN and loyal dog Cupcakes. They smile from the landing and wave to the world -- a postcard of themselves. TRACKING SHOT - FIRST FAMILY "HAIL TO THE CHIEF" RINGS OUT across the grounds. For- midably handsome Bill Mitchell is fit and in his early forties. His wife Ellen, still in her early thirties, is considered a classical beauty with a wide "friendly" smile that in certain photographs seems just on the edge of wistful. The dog frolics around them as they wave to the press and smile for the world. Ozzie and Harriet for the Nineties with a bow to FDR and some Camelot thrown in. MOVING WITH them... They stride arm in arm beneath the portico that leads to the West Wing. The band is still playing as they head under the archway, disappearing from public view. Then, instantly, as a handler rushes up and grabs the dog, the smiles vanish. Bill lets go of Ellen and Ellen lets go of Bill. He turns to his right and she turns to her left. Off they go in their separate directions. CUT TO: INT. WEST WING HALLWAY - DAY The President strides down the long marble hallway flanked by his two senior advisors, BOB ALEXANDER, the White House Chief of Staff and ALAN REED, the White House Media Advisor. MITCHELL Is everybody in there? BOB They're waiting for you. And they're very nervous. CUT TO: INT. WHITE HOUSE - ROOSEVELT ROOM - DAY It is the seat of power. There is a dark oak conference table with a crystal chandelier above it. Alan Reed is reading from a notebook full of polling data while the President glares at a group of congressional leaders. Bob glares at them, too, while they cower behind their water glasses. REED (reading from his notebook) I wish I had better news... Our compassion index is off seven points from the last sample and that's down eighteen on the year. The `Cares About People Like Me' numbers are really in the toilet. We're off twenty points from March and that was right after we raised interest rates... MITCHELL Dammit... (beat) I told them no mayo. (looking up) See - - I could veto this Simpson Garner thing, but I really don't want to do that... A couple of the legislators flinch, still staring straight ahead. MITCHELL (circling) Do you know why I don't want to do it? DAVE - Rev. 8/7/92 3. They all look over at him for a moment. Mitchell leans out over the table like some great, predatory beast. MITCHELL (strangled whisper) ... Because it's got homeless shelters... and Head Start centers ... and... and... BOB (whispering) Hot lunches. The President looks back at him for an instant then turns back toward the table. MITCHELL (building) ... And hot lunches for little (thundering suddenly) And if I kill it... I'll look like a prick. They all flinch slightly. MITCHELL And I don't want to look like a prick! (beat) I want YOU to look like pricks!!! DIFFERENT ANGLE SPEAKER Sir, we tried to kill it twice... MITCHELL (whisper again) I don't think so, Howard. If you had killed it -- it would be dead. (looking him in the eye) When I kill something - - it always dies. Doesn't it, flob? BOB (steely) Always dead. MAJ. LEADER Mr. President, with all the work your wife has done with the homeless... The President turns and stares daggers at him. The man starts to flumph as Mitchell cuts him off. MITCHELL Norman, I don't want you to do this cause you're forced to... (beat) I want you to do this because you want to. I want you to do it because you think it's the right thing to do. I want you to do it because you're acting in the best interests of our country... They stare back at him stupefied. BOB (upbeat) Well -- I think that's it. CUT TO: INT. WEST WING HALLWAY - LATER He moves down the corridor toward the Oval Office with Bob and Reed at his side. A long line of secretaries flanks the entrance. BOB ... You've got that radio address to go over and the American Bar Association at the Monroe tomorrow night... The President pauses at one of the desks and fixes a stare.at one of the secretaries, (RANDI). She looks up from behind a pdir of clear-pane glasses, and blushes at him effectively. MITCHELL (smiling at Randi) The Monroe? REED Uh, yes, sir. The Monroe Hotel... Randi smiles back at him. MITCHELL (whispering to Reed) Did you get someone to double for me there, out front? REED We're working on it. MITCHELL (still under his breath) Try to find someone who looks like me this time. That last guy was a joke. REED We're doing our best, sir. He nods and winks at Randi again before heading inside the Oval Office. The President starts humming "Hail to the Chief" quietly to himself... CUT TO: EXT. DURENBURGER'S CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH - DAY Red, white and blue flags fly above the used cars to announce Durenberger's grand opening. A SCRATCHY RENDITION of "HAIL TO THE CHIEF" PLAYS from a makeshift P.A. SYSTEM and a little stage has been erected in front of the cars. DURENBURGER himself stands alone at the mike. DURENBURGER This is a real special moment here at Durenburger's Chrysler Plymouth... Ladies an' gentlemen, I wantcha to give a real warm welcome to... (pause) The President of the United WIDER A dead-ringer for the President appears, perched on the back of a four hundred pound pig. He is DAVE KOVIC, our hero. Dave enters from "stage right" wearing an Uncle Sam hat and waving triumphantly to the crowd. A teenage *boy pulls the pig forward by a rope. DIFFERENT ANGLE He makes the victory sign with both hands and dismounts the PIG who lets out a SNORT. Dave bounds up to the small platform where he is greeted warmly by Durenburger. Dave hands him a small stack of 3x5 filing cards while "HAIL TO THE CHIEF" CONCLUDES its final strains. Dave salutes the crowd. DAVE (doing a decent Bill Mitchell) Thank you, Don. Thank you for that warm introduction. (pause) You know it's wonderful to be here today amongst so many smiling faces. REVERSE ANGLE - CROWD Eight to ten people stand stonefaced amongst the Plymouth Horizons. ON DAVE DAVE And, Don, let me assure you from one chief executive to another, that there fl no Chrysler Plymouth like Durenburger's Chrysler Plymouth. A few employees applaud. Dave nudges Durenburger who takes out one of the cards. DURENBURGER (reading/monotone) Thank you, Mr. President. It certainly is nice of you to be with us here today considering your busy schedule and all. DAVE Well, Don -- it's true that I have a busy schedule. But I've got a feeling that when folks find out about your five hundred dollar cash rebate on all `93 LeBaron and LeBaron convertibles you're gonna be even busier than I am. Dave looks toward the crowd for another reaction but nothing comes back. An eight-year-old GIRL tugs at the bottom of ther MOTHER's dress. GIRL Mommy, is that the President? MOTHER (shaking her head) I sure hope not. ANGLE - DAVE He leans closer to Durenburger continuing with the routine. DAVE You know, Don, it's not easy being President. Why just the other day, I was riding on Air Force One... The PIG lets out a HUGE SNORT causing everyone to jump with a start. A six-year-old KID starts to CRY while Dave glances down toward the front row. ANGLE-DAVE He stops the routine and squints out toward the crowd while the WAILING CONTINUES. His parents try to comfort the BOY but it doesn't do any good. DAVE Hey, hey... What's the matter... DIFFERENT ANGLE - DAVE He dismounts the stage and stumbles on one of the steps. Dave puts on the glasses that he normally wears and squats face to face with the six-year-old. DAVE (gently) Hi... (beat) What's your name? The child doesn't respond at first. Dave moves a little closer to the boy. DAVE Don't you have a name? CHILD (KID) (sniffling) ... Sam. DAVE (soothingly) Hi, Sam... You want a riddle? The Kid thinks for a second then nods. He wipes some stuff off his nose. DAVE Okay. What can run all day without getting tired? The Kid ponders it for a moment. DAVE (leaning closer) Well come on, Sam. It's not your jar... Dave touches the Kid's ear as his eyes suddenly light up. SAM (KID) My nose? DAVE Right. !!! Dave reaches up and "magically" produces a quarter from the side of the child's nose. He beams with delight as Dave hands him the coin. CUT TO: EXT. BALTINORE STREET - DAY Dave hurries down the busy sidewalk clutching a beat-un briefcase and his Uncle Sam hat. In civilian clothes, with his tousled hair, no one even notices that he looks like the President. Dave ducks into a small storefront office with a simple sign above it: "KOVIC TEMPS" "Like we've been there forever" INT. DAVE'S OFFICE The place is small and cluttered and very well lived in. Dave's secretary and ex-wife, ALICE, is kissing her boyfriend JERRY goodbye. JERRY Six-thirty? ALICE Perfect. JERRY Great, I'll see you then. He blows her another kiss and turns to the door just as Dave bounds into the room. JERRY Hi, Dave. DAVE (buoyant) Hi, ..... He hangs up his coat and turns to Alice as Jerry leaves the room. DAVE (hanging up his coat) It went great, Alice. I killed em down there. ALICE Yeah? Why don't you see what you *) can do in here. DIFFERENT ANGLE Dave turns around to see three women stacked up in his waiting area. DAVE (renewed energy) No problem. What `ve we got? ALICE (rattling it off) Mabel says it's too far on the bus. Jennifer's boss tried to hit on her again and Lola's been crying in your office for an hour. Dave sticks his head inside his office where a Hispanic WOMAN of about fifty is crying into a tiny lace handkerchief. INT. DAVE'S OFFICE DAVE (entering) Lola. What happened? LOLA (WOMAN) (turning) Oh, Meester Kobic... Is no my fault... I learn on de I.B.M okay? Then they make me work on de Wang... (crying again) No puedo comprendar esta machina... DAVE It's airight. We'll find you something else. ANGLE - OUTER OFFICE He darts back out. DAVE I'll get her something right now. (beat) Alice... Have you seen my checkbook? ALICE Dave, I'm your ex-wife. As in Ex E -- X... He nods earnestly accepting it for what must be the hundredth time. Alice sighs and motions toward his desk. ALICE Bottom drawer next to your baseball glove. DAVE (flashing a smile) Thanks. You're the best. CUT TO: INT. ACCOUNTANCY OFFICE OF "MURRAY BLUM, CPA" - DAY Dave's best friend MURRAY stands in front of Dave and Lola. In the b.g. sit four or five women without much to do in particular. MURRAY Dave, I can't hire anybody else. He turns toward his desk. Dave follows him down the aisle. DAVE ("CONFIDENTIALLY") This woman's amazing, Murray. She flies on an I.B.M... MURRAY I don't have enough work for the people you gave me already. DAVE (lowering his voice) She's got three kids and the husband's a diabetic... (turning to her) Diabetic? LOLA Si. Diabetico. She starts to whimper all over again while Dave looks plaintively at Murray. DAVE Short-term thing. Straight temp job. Murray looks at him and sighs. MURRAY (beat) I'll see what I can do. Dave flashes him a big smile and breathes a sigh of relief. DAVE So you want to go swimming? MURRAY (incredulous) Dave -- I'm working. DAVE (nodding quickly) Oh yeah... Me, too. (beat) You want to get dinner later? MURRAY I was gonna do something with Joan. DAVE Oh. Okay. I'll catch ya tomorrow then. Murray nods as Dave turns humming into the hallway. EXT. DAVE'S HOUSE - DAY All It is dark and a little clutt.ered. A low GUTTURAL NOTE starts to build as it ECHOES up the stairwell. DAVE (0.5.) (singing) 'Oooooooooooooooooo...' DIFFERENT ANGLE - LANDING DAVE '... klahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain...' Dave bounds onto the landing and fishes around for his keys... CUT TO: INT. DAVE'S APARTMENT - DAY The door swings open as Dave enters the room, still singing. DAVE `Where the wavin' wheat, can sure smell sweet...' He sets down his keys, crosses to the kitchen. Dave yanks open the fridge, pulls out a beer, pops open the top, hits a twenty foot hook shot with the bottle cap, then crosses to the living room... DAVE 'and the wind comes right behind the - ...' He looks across the room and suddenly freezes. DAVE'S POV Three large men are seated on his living room couch. The black one in the middle (DUANE STEVENSEN) speaks first. DUANE Mr. Kovic? BACK TO SCENE Dave freezes and shakes his head. DUANE I'm Duane Stavensen with the United States Secret Service. Dave's eyes go a little wider. DUANE We're with the federal government. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a gleaming silver badge. Dave looks at it. Terrified. DAVE Oh my God... I thought it was a legitimate deduction, I swear to God. See... I need a piano for my work sometimes... DUANE Mr. Kovic. We're not here about your taxes. DAVE You're not? DUANE No. Dave's stopped and just stares at him. Duane leans forward on the couch. DUANE Your government needs your help. DAVE (beat) What? DUANE On occasion for security purposes, to double for the President at the Secret Service hires someone public functions and exposed situations. CLOSEUP-DAVE He looks at Duane for a moment when his eyes light up... DAVE Really? DUANE We'd like to hire you. DAVE Really? CUT TO: EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT Police barricades ring the outside of the hotel. There are the standard number of flashing red lights and sharp shooters stationed on all the balconies. An assortment of various demonstrators press up against the police line and a literal army of press are staked out by the entrance. It is the modern equivalent of Napoleon's camp. INT. HOTEL ROOM Dave is sitting on the edge of the bed, getting his hair trimmed by JOHNNY, the Presidential makeup man and traveling barber. He removes the apron and stands back to admire his handiwork. JOHNNY (proudly; to himself) Johnny, you did it again! DAVE You really cut his this short? JOHNNY It's a perfect match. DAVE Hunh. 'Cause I always thought it came over the ears a little... At that moment the door swings open and Bob Alexander. the Chief of Staff powers into the room. He crosses over toward the bed where Dave is sitting. BOB You understand what you'll be doing? DAVE (beat; intimidated) Yeah... You just want me to wave, right? BOB (gruffly) Wave from the door... go down the stairs... get into the limo... DAVE (pause) `Cause you know I can do other stuff. I mean, if you wanted me to talk or... BOB (curtly) Don't say a . DAVE (nodding) Right. Dave flashes him a smile to lighten the moment when Bob turns and starts for the door... DAVE (calling after him) Uh --Mr. Alexander? BOB (turning) What? DAVE (beat) Is this dangerous or anything? BOB No more than the usual. DAVE The usual... He turns and shuts the door behind him. CUT TO: INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - NIGHT It's the only time it has lived up to its name. The living room is huge and occupied by several Secret Servicemen. Alan Reed, the President's media advisor, stands just outside the bathroom door with a clipboard in his hand. REED (into the bathroom) We're all set, sir. MITCHELL (O.S.) (from in the bathroom) What about the intro? REED It'll be on the teleprompter with the rest of the speech. MITCHELL (O.S.) It better be. Last time you had me introduce a dead guy. The sound of a TOILET FLUSHING comes from just beyond the door. The President emerges in a tuxedo, zipping up his fly. MITCHELL Who's this priest I'm thanking? REED Father Mclntire. He blessed you at the inauguration. MITCHELL Oh yeah. (beat; lowering his voice) Did you take care of later on? REED All set. MITCHELL (beaming) Fabulous. CUT TO: INT. BALTIMORE HILTON - GRAND BALLROOM - NIGHT Five hundred people have gathered at a thousand dollars a plate. Bill Mitchell stands at a dark blue podium with the seal of the President in front. MITCHELL You know as I was coming in here tonight I ran into Jordan Blankfort who I hadn't seen for years... The President smiles down at Jordan while the CAMERA begins a LONG, SLOW DOLLY AROUND the back of the podium. MITCHELL And I couldn'thelp remembering back to the time when Jordan and I were in law school together. (beat) ... Now Jordan and I were pretty wild back then and like most college students, we liked to enjoy a few beers on occasion... The CAMERA CONTINUES its DOLLY REVEALING the clear glass panel of the teleprompter. AS the President continues with his "spontaneous reminiscence," the words "LIKED TO ENJOY A FEW BEERS ON OCCASION..." are clearly printed in front of him. CUT TO: INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Dave stands alone, trying to put on his tuxedo while he stares at a television monitor. He squints at himself for a second, then lifts the arm of the tuxedo in a "Presidential" wave. He immediately lowers it and tries it with the other one, duplicating the President's movements exactly. The door opens behind him. DUANE Get readY. Dave turns and nods emphatically. He glances back at the TV monitor where President Mitchell is receiving a standing ovation. MITCHELL (V.0.) God bless you... God bless America... Duane holds open the door to: INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Dave stares at the opulent room for a moment - - this is the big time... CUT TO: INT. BALLROOM The audience has risen to its feet. Bill Mitchell stands at the podium waving out to the crowd like a conquering hero. He turns and salutes a crimson-robed cleric who is standing by his side. The priest salutes the President and lifts his arms like a prizefighter. The applause is still going strong as Mitchell leaves the stage. INT. HALLWAY MOVING WITH him. They head away from the ballroom. Bob stands on one side and Reed on the other as they move down the hallway in a phalanx of Secret Service. INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Dave is waiting nervously in the middle of the room. Duane stands poised by the side of the door. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR The Presidential entourage steps out of the elevator and moves' rapidly down phe hall. It looks like a solid wall of business suits with three tuxedos in front. They reach the door of the suite together... INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE The door to the suite swings suddenly open. Three Secret Service enter the room, followed by the President a moment later. Dave snaps to attention with his arms at his sides when the President looks up and suddenly stops: MITCHELL (beat) Jesus Christ. PRESIDENT'S POV - REVERSE ANGLE Dave stands in front of him with slicked back hair and a crisp new tuxedo. It is a mirror image of the President himself. Dave stands frozen for a moment then breaks into a nervous smile... WIDER ANGLE The President stares at him carefully. MITCHELL You are a very handsome man. DAVE (nervous) Thank you, Mr. President. MITCHELL (to Dave) Just get rid of that grin. You look like a schmuck. Dave immediately wipes off the smile as the President moves past him and disappears into another room. ANGLE - DAVE He stares in wonder at the President's wake. The rest of the crowd moves out of the living room as Duane clears his throat and motions to the door. It's show time. CUT TO: EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT A large crowd is anxious with anticipation. A palpable BUZZ fills the air as the photographers jockey near the front for the best possible angle. INT. FOYER The entourage has grown to a Presidential level as Dave emerges `from the elevator and heads toward the door. He pauses for a moment to catch his breath while the Secret Service race ahead toward the entrance. EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE A large cheer erupts from the crowd as Dave appears at the top of the steps. There is a virtual explosion of shutters and a bank of TV lights glares in his face. Dave freezes for a moment then remembers and lifts his arm in "The Presidential Wave." A louder cheer goes up from the crowd as Duane races ahead to the limo beyond. CLOSER ON DAVE He starts to smile and heads down the steps as the crowd presses up to the limit of the barricades. ANGLE - LIMOUSINE Duane stands at the open door when Dave stops again and waves once more. A LOUDER CHEER goes up this time. The FANS keep SCREAMING and Dave can no longer control him- self. Suddenly and without warning, he hops up on the running board of the car. DAVE (waving to the crowd) Hello America! God Bless you! A huge CHEER goes up from the throng as he dismounts. Duane grabs him by the collar and pulls him into the limo... DIFFERENT ANGLE The car speeds away from the curb with the motorcade behind it. INT. LIMO He turns around to see Duane, sitting stone-faced across from him. DAVE (clearly thrilled) Sorry, I couldn't help it. I just got carried away... (finally letting it out) ... I was really good though, hunh? Duane keeps staring at him. Dave shakes his head. DAVE (cluing Duane in) So I guess there must be something pretty important going on for the President to go through all of this... Duane just looks at him... CUT TO: INT. PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - NIGHT A discarded tuxedo lies tossed across a chair along with a woman's bra and pantyhose. The CAMERA PANS THROUGH DARKNESS SLOWLY TOWARD the bed while the sound of a MAN and WOMAN MAKING LOVE plays O.S. MAN (O.S.) Oh... WOMAN (0.S.) Ah! MAN (O.S.) Oh... WOMAN (0.S.) Ah! Beat. WOMAN (0.S.) Ahhh! Silence. WOMAN (0.S.) Ahhhhh! Pause. WOMAN (O.S.) Bill? The CAMERA ARRIVES AT the bed as the torso of Randi, the Oval Office secretary, pops INTO FRAME. RANDI (WOMAN) Mr. President? Longer pause... RANDI (frightened) Oh; shit... CUT TO: EXT. BALTIMORE HILTON - NIGHT A red and white ambulance sits parked at the service entrance to the hotel with its red light flashing. INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER The President is loaded onto a gurney bed with an array of tubes and catheters. The CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Bob and Reed, Sitting in a corner, while the medical drama unfolds before them. REED (softly) It doesn't look very good. Bob looks up at him. REED (a little softer) They say it hit both sides of his brain... Even if he makes it he's gonna be a vegetable. BOB I can't believe he'd do this. REED I know. Bob stares straight ahead clutching onto his drink. BOB Where's the girl? REED She's a little hysterical right now. We've got her upstairs in a laundry room. BOB (shaking his head) Nightmare... REED (leaning closer) Look... at some point we're going to have to call the Vice President... BOB (suddenly) Don't call the Vice President! REED ... What? BOB (grabbing his lapels) Just don't call him, Alan! REED (treading softly) The guy's in a coma, Bob. BOB I don't give a shit. REED Bob... BOB This is mine, Al -- all mine ... I made him. I built him. And no cocksucker is gonna come in here and take it away from me just because he to be Vice President of the United States! CLOSEUP - BOB He looks at Reed for a moment... CUT TO: INT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT Dave sits in the back seat with Duane. He has his small canvas bag opened beside him on the seat. He finishes getting dressed in his own clothes. DAVE (jacked) You know if you guys want to do something for his birthday, I could come down to Washington. I have some great birthday stuff... Duane smiles at him tightly. DAVE I do this thing with the first lady -- my friends love it -- it's the two of them going away to Club Med... Duane just looks at him when the TELEPHONE RINGS beside him. He reaches next to him, picking it up. DUANE Yeah... (PAUSE) What?.. Are you sure? What? DAVE (innocently) What? CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT The famous building is lit up like a picture postcard while Bob's voice plays 0.S... BOB (V.0.) It's a temporary solution. INT. WHITE HOUSE - SUBTERRANEAN HALLWAY - NIGHT A doctor and two nurses wheel a gurney in front of them while Bob and Reed trail behind. REED Till what? BOB TilT we figure something out. REED Bob, the guy had a stroke! Reed looks at him like he's nuts as they turn a corner in the hallway. BOB Look, everything can be handled. We'll just find a way to handle it. REED (stopping) Like how? BOB (big smile) Well, start by going on television and saying that he's had a mild stroke... REED Mild stroke? BOB Yes - - and that he ought to be up and around sometime soon. REED Up and around? Soon? BOB Soon. CUT TO: RESUME - EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - AERIAL SHOT - NIGHT A lone black limousine heads down Connecticut Avenue toward the mall. DAVE (V.0.) You know, I think I've been real cooperative up until now but... It bears right on Pennsylvania Avenue, angling south. DAVE Just tell me where we're going. The car turns right into the driveway of the White House. DAVE Holy shit. INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT Dave sits frozen in an armchair across from the President's desk. There are twenty-foot windows that lead out to the Rose Garden and two huge flags on either side of the desk. Alan Reed leans nonchalantly on one of the chairs. Bob stands nearby. REED (all schmooz) Dave, my name is Alan Reed. I'm the White House Communications Director. This is Bob Alexander, our Chief of Staff. (smiling) We met you earlier tonight at the hotel, remember? Dave nods, frozen in his chair. REED Can I get you something to drink? He shakes his head. REED You sure? A Coke or a Perrier or something? DAVE (still frozen) Oh yeah... 1'm fine... Reed flashes him a smile and glances over at Bob. REED (moving toward him) Now, Dave, something has come up and I think we need to talk about it... DAVE (blurting it out) Look, I'm sorry. I know you said not to talk, but when I saw the crowd I just got excited... REED We're not upset with you, Dave. We think you did a terrific job. (to Bob) Don't we? BOB (all tension) Terrific. Reed smiles at Dave, who musters a little smile in return. REED In fact, we think you did such a good job, we'd like to extend things a little bit. DAVE Extend things? REED (nodding) Extend them. (beat) C'mere for a second. He places a hand on Dave's shoulder and motions toward the desk. Dave hesitates, then follows him over. DIFFERENT ANGLE Reed pulls out the President's chair and motions to it. REED Try it out. Dave looks down at the chair in wonder. REED Go ahead. Dave pauses for a moment then sinks down into the soft brown leather. He stares out in awe across the Oval Office. DIFFERENT ANGLE Reed looks over at Bob, who nods at him. He takes a deep breath. REED Dave, something has happened to the President. DAVE (whirling) Oh my God... REED (soothing him) I know... I know... (pause) It's difficult for all of us. But sometimes we have to put our personal feelings aside and focus on the gQod of the country. DAVE (beat) What happened? REED Well, it's... It's sort of an... an `incident' really... BOB (nodding) A condition... REED Exactly. A condition. Dave nods but still doesn't understand. Reed hesitates when Bob glares at him again. REED It's actually kind of serious, Dave. I'm afraid the President's not in very good shape. DAVE (actually shaken) Oh my gosh... He sits there, stunned for a moment. DAVE Will he be alright? REED Oh, yeah... probably... BOB We think so. REED Yes. DAVE (beat) Oh. Reed moves closer. REED Dave, we need our friends and even our enemies to feel safe and secure... We need them to feel like they can go to bed at night knowing President Mitchell is fully in control... We need them to feel like he's sitting right here in this chair... Bob and Reed just stare at him. Dave nods, then suddenly jumps out of the chair. DAVE Hey - - wait a second... He stares at them for a beat... DAVE What about the Vice President? RTED (panicked) Vice Presidant? BOB Well... We didn't want to have to get into this but... (deadly serious) ... The Vice President is mentally unbalanced. Reed's eyes go wide. Bob stares straight ahead. DAVE (stunned) No. REED (catching on) I'm afraid so. DAVE Really? Crazy? BOB Certifiable. Dave looks at them amazed. Bob moves closer to the desk. BOB How much do you usually get paid? DAVE (lost...) Uh -- I don't know. Sometimes it's just like a barter thing... Is this legal? Reed stops and looks at Bob for a moment. He turns back to Dave. REED (evenly) Dave - - have you ever driven through a red light? Dave stares at him. REED You know, on an empty road where you know it's safe and nobody's around... DAVE I'm not sure... I might have. REED Well, let's say your mother was in the car and you had to get her to a hospital. You'd do it then for sure wouldn't you? DAVE Well... I gues I would... Yeah. REED (beat) Now, let's say the whole country. Was in that car. The entire United States of America. DAVE In the car? REED (nodding) In the car. DAVE I see what you mean. Reed smiles at him and rests a gentle hand on his shoulder. REED Dave, the country is sick. And we're gonna get it to a hospital. CLOSEUP - DAVE He stares at them for a moment then smiles slightly... CUT TO: INT. THIRD FLOOR RESIDENCE - NIGHT A pair of gilt-edged doors swing open to reveal a massive bedroom beyond. It is fifty-feet long and twenty-feet wide. Brocaded draperies hang from the windows and a four-poster bed stretches to the ceiling. BOB These are the living quarters. The President's bedroom is on this side and the First Lady's is over there. WIDER Dave walks forward in awe. DAVE (concerned) First Lady... BOB Don't worry. You won't even see her. Dave looks at him, puzzled. Bob glances back. BOB (cluing him in) They barely talk anymore. DAVE You're kidding? BOB It happens. This is where you'll be sleeping. Bob flings open the door. Dave enters the room and looks around. DAVE (gawking) Holy cow. BOB We'll be back for you first thing tomorrow and if you need me for anything, Duane will be right outside the door. DAVE (still stunned) Oh... Okay. CLOSEUP - DAVE He breaks out into a "Presidential" grin... CUT TO: INT. "THE CBS MORNING NEWS" STUDIO - FULL SHOT - KATHLEEN SULLIVAN She stares straight INTO the CAMERA with "The Morning Show" set behind her. KATHLEEN SULLIVAN ... The White House now classifies the President's condition as a `slight circulatory problem of the head.' CLOSEUP - TV SET KATHLEEN SULLIVAN (V.0.) Although technically a stroke, spokesmen say the President's condition is far from serious and he ought to be up and around sometime soon. The CAMERA WIDENS OUT to reveal that the TV is in: INT. BOB'S OFFICE - DAWN The first rays of sunrise are breaking through the window. Reed Sits on the couch holding a large rubber ice bag while Bob paces across the rug. REED Do you know how many different kinds of laws we've broken? BOB (turning) It's simple, Alan. We send the Vice- President to Africa or something, dig up some dirt on him, force him to resign and get our `President' to nominate a new one. The whole thing takes a few weeks tops. DAVE - Rev. 7/22/92 31. REED (smiling) You mean we get `Dave' to nominate you as Vice President. BOB I was a senator, you know. REED (innocently) Oh, I know. And then when our poor President gets another stroke - - of course much more serious this time - - the newly appointed V.P. becomes the Pres... BOB (cutting him off) What about containment, Alan? Reed heaves a sigh and looks at his notes. REED I got the nurses for fifty grand a piece and the doctors for a hundred. The older one wanted head of the CDC. BOB (turning) Is that everybody? REED Duane's guys, but he's got them under control. BOB What about her. REED Her?... Oh -- the First Lady... (beat) She was giving that commencement speech up in Bryn Mawr. I managed to catch her before she left the hotel. BOB And... REED (evenly) I told her his blood pressure went up after a little incident at `the hotel.' She seems to hate him more than ever. BOB Fine. REED (tossing down his legal pad) Everybody else is buying the minor stroke' story... BOB (nodding) I just hope this yutz can pull it off. CUT TO: INT. WHITE HOUSE INFIRMARY - DAY Dave sits up on the examining table with his shirt off. Bob, Reed and three other vascular specialists watch attentively while the President's personal physician puts a stethoscope to his chest. DOCTOR (lowering it) Well, I must say, Mr. President, even for a man with a mild stroke you seem to have made a remarkable recovery. DAVE (happy as a clam) Thanks. I'm feeling much better. Reed smiles like a proud father. DOCTOR (glancing at his chart) No signs of paralysis, no circulatory changes. Your E.M.G. is completely normal and your blood pressure has even gone down. (beat) Have you been exercising recently? DAVE (shrugging) Just the usual.. Watching the diet -- A little weight lifting... Some power talking... Bob shoots him a look. DOCTOR (nodding with the other physicians) Well, judging from these tests, I don't see any reason why you couldn't start back to work within a couple of days. Dave looks at them and smiles. CUT TO: INT. PRESIDENT'S OUTER OFFICE - LITTLE LATER Dave moves through the outer office flanked by Bob and Reed. He wears a blue Presidential jogging suit with a little gold seal embroidered on the chest. Dave approaches a line of SECRETARIES standing behind their desks. BOB (under his breath) Now, remember -- keep it simple. DAVE Don't worry. He bangs into the side of a credenza. Bob and Reed freeze as Dave gathers himself then keeps going. DAVE (walking up to the first one) Good morning, Clara... CLARA (SECRETARY) Good morning, Mr. President. DAVE (to second one...) Good morning, Diane... DIANE (SECRETARY) Good morning, sir. DAVE Good morning, Randi... DIFFERENT ANGLE She leans forward, grasping his hand, desperately. RANDI (welling with tears) Oh, good morning, Mr. President. I'm so relieved that you're alright. You really had me scared. Dave smiles and nods as she continues to clutch onto his hand. Bob and Reed take him by the shoulders and move him inside... INT. OVAL OFFICE He is still staring at the doorway as they close the door to the office. DAVE What's with her? BOB (still pulling him) Don't worry about it. Dave glances back toward the door. REED She's just a little emotional -- she feels kind of attached to the President. Dave nods as they deposit him in the President's chair. Reed slides the phone in front of him. BOB Okay, let's go over it again. You met a girl, you fell in love... DAVE And we're going away for a holiday. BOB (handing him the receiver) For a month. DAVE A month. BOB Right and don't embellish. DAVE (shaking his head) I promise. I won't. Bob slides the phone closer as he begins to dial the number. INT. KOVIC TEMPS - DAY Alice is sitting at her desk staring at a large rock on her finger. She talks into the telephone, extending her hand in the manner of all newly-engaged women. ALICE I couldn't believe it. As soon as we sit down he pulls out this ring... (beaming) ... Oh I know - -I just got so emotional. The waiter had to bring me another napkin. 42 CONTINUED: (AL) RING. A light indicating the second line starts blinking. ALICE Hang on. (switching lines) Kovic Temps (beat) Dave! Where are you? (pause) You met who?.., You're going where? (beat) Cancun. There is a longer pause. ALICE No, that's fine... No, I think it's great.., Sure, I understand I will... Okay... 'Bye. She pauses for a moment then hits the first line all over again, ALICE He's in love Thank God! CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY Sander Vanocur stands just outside the white House gates, filing his nightly report. SANDER VANOCUR The President continued his convalescence, resting in the white House for the second straight day. His personal physician pronounced him in perfectly good health... FULL SHOT - PRESIDENT'S PHYSICIAN - (SOUND BITE) PRESIDENT' S PHYSICIAN I've examined him thoroughly and I must say, I don't think I've ever seen the President in better shape. INT. WHITE HOUSE BARBER Dave's initial rinse is replaced with a professional dye job. INT. DAVE'S ROOM Newly coiffed, Dave tries on a series of hand-tailored suits hanging on a rack in the middle of his room. INT. BATHROOM Reed watches while Dave struggles vainly in the mirror with his first set of contact lenses SANDER VANOCUR (V.0.) The President was able to attend to Some official business on Wednesday, and continues to be briefed on all areas of national concern... INT. OVAL OFFICE Reed stands in front of the desk Pointing to a large organizational chart of government YOU THE CONGRESS---------------------THE JUDICIARY. HOUSE-----SENATE SUPREME COURT JOINT CHIEFS-----THE CABINET-----N.S.C. INT. CABINET ROOM He sits at the President's spot in the middle of the cabinet table. Propped up in all the other chairs, are Poster-sized photographs of the various cabinet members. Bob points to one as Dave thinks for a moment, then guesses... INT. STATE DINING ROOM He stares in wonder at a full, formal place-setting. There are five forks, three knives and a countless number of spoons. Dave looks at it all, baffled for a moment, while Reed guides his hand toward the fish knife... SANDER VANOCUR So confident was the white House in the President's recovery, that they have just sent the Vice President on a twelve nation African goodwill tour... This is Sander Vanocur at the white House. INT. WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM - DAY Dave enters from the back of the room, flanked by Bob and Reed on either side. They make their way down the aisle toward a large wooden podium with the "Seal of the President" on the front. BOB First thing we're gonna work on is the mannerisms. Alan has put together sort of a training program DAVE Great. They lead him through the empty press chairs toward the front of the room. Reed climbs up the short Steps that lead to the podium. REED Now some of this may feel a bit Strange at first. You gotta remember that even a professional Politician has Some trouble getting used to... DAVE (stopping) A teleprompter. REED What? Dave wanders forward staring in wonder at the clear glass panels. DAVE The teleprompter. Is it hooked up? REED I don't think so. DAVE (disappointed) Oh. He folds his arms in front of him turning to Bob and Reed. REED (beat) As I was saying, no one expects you to be Bill Mitchell overnight. The important thing to remember is his general presence. DAVE (nodding) Presence. REED Right. Now whenever he stands at a Podium, the President always puts one hand in the pocket of his coat... DAVE (nodding) At a press conference. REED What? DAVE That's at a press conference. Otherwise he just puts `em right out there. They look at each other for a moment. BOB I'm not certain about... DAVE Oh, sure. Remember the convention speech? Dave puts his hands on either side of the podium. DAVE (in a perfect Bill Mitchell) 'An America stronger than the one we were given. An America prouder than the one we found.' (turning to them) He has 'em right there on the side. They stare at him in amazement. REED (first time he's heard the voice) You know that's very good. ... while Dave turns to them with a smile. DAVE Oh, I loved that speech. Dave brings his hand to his forehead, scanning an imaginary horizon. REED Thanks, I wrote it. DAVE (drippingly dramatic) ... Somewhere there is a distant light, guiding us through this rocky shoal...' REED Dave... DAVE (clutching his "breast") 'America isn't in what we say here tonight -- it's in the faces and the smiles of a Sunday afternoon...' (aside) Hand on the heart... BOB Dave... DAVE (swept up in it) It's in the little leaguer who may strike out but knows in his heart that at least swung... (aside) Hands to the side... REED (louder) Dave! DAVE (not hearing them) '... It's in the gentle kindness of the family kitchen as we gather together when the sun goes down...' He exhales deeply and lowers his head almost tearfully. Bob and Reed look at him stunned as he comes out of the reverie and turns to face them. DAVE (upbeat) So when do we start? CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - CLOSEUP - ANDREA MITCHELL - She continues with her report speaking directly INTO the CAMERA: ANDREA MITCHELL Tom, virtually every reporter in Washington is camped out here awaiting the President's first appearance since his Stroke... WIDENING OUT: Andrea Mitchell stands camped on the White House lawn amidst a small army of minicams, trucks and reporters. They all seemed focused on the Truman Balcony. ANDREA MITCHELL Even though some may find his recovery amazing, White House officials claim they never expected less from a man who always expects so much from himself. INT. YELLOW OVAL ROOM - DAY Dave stands, in his new blue suit, peeking out the window at the circus below. DAVE (turning back) I thought you said I wasn't going to see her. REED It's just five minutes. She comes in. You wave to the press. She leaves. DAVE Yeah, but the First Lady... Couldn't we start with a cousin or something? REED She hardly ever sees him and it'll be so fast, she won't have a chance to tell. BOB Be a professional. If you can convince her - - you can convince anybody. DAVE (reluctantly) ... Alright. BOB Now when she comes in, we'll move you right out to the balcony. All you have to say is `thanks for doing this, Ellen.' DAVE `Thanks for doing this, Ellen.' REED Exactly. (lowering his voice) She doesn't always like this stuff and it might soften her up. Dave continues practicing "Thanks..." BOB (hitting the intercom) We're ready. Bob rises from the couch and crosses to the doorway at the far corner of the room. Reed leads Dave to the large double doors that open onto the balcony itself. CLOSEUP - DAVE He jiggles nervously for a moment. Dave takes a large wad of gum from his mouth and sticks it quickly under the mantel piece... WOMAN (O.S.) Why can't you die from a stroke like everybody else? DAVE'S POV - DOOR He turns to see Ellen Mitchell, glaring at him from the doorway. Everyone in the room freezes. ANGLE - DAVE He is stunned by her beauty. Dave just stares at her as she crosses the room. ELLEN (to Dave) What are you staring at? DAVE (too stunned to talk) Uh... REED (jumping in) We're Gonna do it right out here. She Stops just before the window, then turns back to look Dave in the eye. ELLEN Who was it, Bill? A Secretary? He has nothing to say and just stares at her. Reed nudges him a little. DAVE Thanks for doing this, Ellen. ELLEN Go tuck yourself, Bill. BOB Well, perhaps we can get started now. She moves directly onto the balcony, leaving Dave behind. He stands there dumbfounded, as Reed takes him by the arm, and gently pushes him out after her. EXT. WHITE HOUSE - TRUMAN BALCONY - DAY Dave stumbles out and finds Ellen, already poised at the rail waving to the crowd. CLOSER. ELLEN (in a whisper) And you can tell those two pit vipers this is the last one of these I'll be doing for a while. She takes his hand, displaying it publicly. Dave looks down at his hand in hers. The heat of her skin goes right to his brain. REED (O.S.) (loud whisper) Smile! Dave smiles. REED (O.S.) (louder whisper) Wave! Dave waves. WIDER. INCLUDING reporters. REPORTER #1 How do you feel, Mr. President? YELLOW ROOM Bob and Reed are huddled beside the window. REED (stage whisper) Fine. BALCONY DAVE Fine. REPORTER #2 Ready to go back to work? YELLOW ROOM REED (louder whisper) You bet. BALCONY DAVE You bet. ELLEN I'm outta here. She drops his hand, turns and goes back through the door leaving Dave alone on the balcony. He stands there for a moment, then turns and follows her inside. INT. YELLOW OVAL ROOM - DAY She is halfway across the room when Ellen suddenly stops and does a one-eighty in the middle of the carpet. ELLEN Don't you have anything to say to me? DAVE (thinks) Thanks for doing this, Ellen? ELLEN You don't change, do you, Bill? She turns and moves through the door, slamming it behind her. DAVE (stunned) She hates me. BOB & REED (throwing their arms around each other) Yes!!! CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT All the reporters have gone home and the only remnants are scattered pieces of trash that blow across the lawn. INT. WRITE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT Duane sits poised in his chair, just outside Dave's door. He sleeps soundly, when the door opens a crack behind him. DAVE (softly) Duane? His eyes bolt open as he turns around slowly. DAVE ... Can I get a bite? I'm kinda hungry. INT. WHITE HOUSE KITCHEN - WALK-IN REFRIGERATOR - NIGHT It is cavernous and huge -- the size of small garage. Dave moves delighted down the long row of food stuffs while Duane shivers slightly behind him. DAVE (grinning) You gotta try this. It's my special sandwich. Dave loads up with food and smiles at Duane. DAVE Everybody loves this sandwich. INT. KITCHEN counter and begins to go to work when Duane appears Dave emerges with a pile of food. He lays it on the behind him. (BEAT) DUANE What's in it? DAVE (turning) Oh, that's a secret. Duane nods and averts his eyes as Dave begins to apply the meat. DAVE So, how long have they been like that - - you know, him and the First Lady? DUANE I can't say. DAVE You mean you don't know or like -- you can't say. DUANE (same inflection) I can't say. DAVE Oh. Dave pauses, then starts adding the lettuce. DAVE So you just protect the President the whole time? That's your whole job? DUANE Yeah. DAVE (turning) You got a gun? DUANE Of course. Dave glances around the kitchen and lowers his voice. AVE Can I See it? DUANE Well, it's really not policy to... DAVE (quickly) I understand. Dave turns back to the sandwich while Duane looks at him for a moment. Duane rolls his eyes and unbuttons the front of his coat revealing a fifteen round Beretta. DAVE (looking at the gun) You ever use it? DUANE No. DAVE Huh. (right back to the sandwich) You know what I always wondered the way they say you guys'd take a bullet for the President. DUANE What about it? DAVE Well, is that really true? I mean, would you really get killed just to save his life. DUANE Certainly. Dave cuts the sandwich in half turning back to Duane. DAVE So that means, now you'd get killed for me too? Duane looks at him, stunned by the realization. Dave smiles and moves forward, extending the sandwich. DAVE Here. Try this. DAVE - Rev. 8/7/92 46. Duane stares at it for a moment, then lifts the sandwich in a daze. EXT. DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY The CAMERA begins to PUSH IN ON a small elegant restaurant. REED Clean. BOB What do you mean, he's clean? INT. DUKE1S RESTAURANT - DAY It's a Washington mecca for the power lunch. Bob and Reed Sit in a corner booth with a manilla folder between them. REED (agitated) I mean I've checked everything. Women. Liquor... Finances. I went all the way back to his high school race for student body president. BOB No one gets to be Vice President by being that clean. REED The guy's a Boy Scout, Bob. He declared frequent flyer miles on his income tax return. Reed twists in his chair while Bob checks out the dossier. BOB What about the wife? REED Clean. BOB Check his kids. REED Clean. BOB Nobody's got clean kids. REED We've got nothing, Bob. This won't work. BOB If we find nothing, we get creative. Just make something up. Instead of a couple weeks it'll be a couple of months. The whole thing is under control. REED (leaning forward; tense whisper) You think we can keep this thing going for a couple of months! At that moment, a DISTINGUISHED MAN moves up the table, clapping a hand on Reed's shoulder. DISTINGUISHED MAN (strong Southern accent) Bob... Alan... Your boy sure looks great. (leaning closer) I think he sounds even better'n he did before this stroke. He lets out a rich, throaty laugh, full of booze and cigarettes. Bob smiles at him. BOB Well, thanks very much, Judge. We'll tell him you sent your best. DISTINGUISHED MAN You take care, now. BOB Yeah, you, too. The Man moves on as they look at one another... CUT TO: AIR FORCE ONE (STOCK FOOTAGE) The President's private 747 soars into the wild blue yonder. EXT. GENERAL MOTORS ASSEMBLY PLANT (DEERBORNE MICHIGAN') - DAY The huge "GM" sign stands prominently in the f.g. Below it their motto reads: "Mark of Excellence." INT. ASSEMBLY LINE - DAY Dave is escorted through the plant by the GM PRESIDENT and a large entourage. Bob and Reed hover a couple of steps behind as Dave listens to the tour. GM PRESIDENT Now this man is using a robotic mechanism for picking up the engine. The large arms that you see duplicate all of his arm movements exactly, so it's as if he's lifting two thousand pounds. They pause in front of a large assembly area.' One of the workers stands at a machine with his arms stuck in two long rubber sleeves. Above him, a pair of mechanical arms hoists an engine high into the air. DAVE (beat) Can I try it? GM PRESIDENT Huh? Uh, well... BOB Mr. President... DAVE I mean, if it's a problem... GM PRESIDENT No, no. It's really quite simple. Just come on over here. The GM Executive leads Dave toward the huge machine. He smiles as an army of cameras press in closer. GM PRESIDENT Now, you slip your hands into these sleeves here... Dave nods and does as he is told. All at once the two 12- foot arms shoot straight up into the air. He smiles with delight as the massive robot comes alive in his hands. Dave lifts his arms over his head and the huge claws point straight toward the ceiling. He sticks them out to the side and the robot does the same. DAVE I once caught a fish this big. Dave sticks his arms out to his sides and the huge claws indicate a 40-foot fish. A roar goes up from the crowd as a slight smile starts to spread across Reed's face... REED (almost in awe) He's a soundbite machine... Bob glances over at him... CUT TO: OMITTED GERGEN AND SHIELDS (MACNEIL LEHRER NEWSHOUR) - FULL SHOT Two of the most famous pundits in America sit side by side on the PBS set. GERGEN I don't know about you, Mark, but I don't think I've ever seen the President as relaxed or comfortable with himself as he is right now. SHIELDS Oh, I agree, David. I don't know who gave him happy pills but this is a pretty unbelievable transformation. GERGEN Well, I think it's a kind of 'rebirth' really. This is a man who's stared death in the face and it's obviously had a profound effect on him. SHIELDS Look, if that's what a stroke'll do for ya, I'll take a couple of dozen. CUT TO: CLOSEUP-REED He stares OUT OF FRAME expectantly with the grin of an excited child... The CAMERA WIDENS OUT to reveal: EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - DAY Dave romps on all fours with the cocker spaniel (Cupcakes) that used to serve as the President's prop. He holds one end of a towel in his mouth while the dog tugs feverishly at the other. WIDER A hundred SHUTTERS CLICK at once while the White House press corps strains on their barricade... CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - UPWARD ANGLE Ellen watches the spectacle from a second floor window. ELLEN What a jerk. CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN - DAY Dave stands, in the Presidential jogging suit, next to Arnold Schwarzenegger. They are surrounded by twenty or thirty fourth graders, all there to demonstrate their physical fitness. Arnold hits the deck in a flurry of push-ups -- urging the President to follow suit. Dave hits the deck as well, matching the superstar rep for rep. The cameras explode in a LOUD VOLLEY OF SHUTTER FIRE. Reed grins all over again... CUT TO: EXT. SOUTH LAWN - DAY Dave stands face to face with the Japanese Prime Minister in a full diplomatic ceremony. He listens to his interpreter for a moment, then bows stiffly from the waist. The Prime Minister bows in return. Dave bows again. The Prime Minister bows again. Dave bows again. The Prime Minister bows again. CLOSER LOSER Dave head-fakes but the Prime Minister bows anyway. Dave lets out an ear to ear grin as the SHUTTERS FIRE once more... CUT TO: JAY LENO (THE TONIGHT SHOW) - FULL SHOT He stands in front of those famous curtains doing his nightly monologue. LENO How 'bout the President these days huh? One minute he has a stroke the next he's doing push-ups. Must make it a lot easier on the Secret Service when all they have to worry about is Kryptonite. The audience claps in approval... CUT TO: INT. EAST WING - DAY Dave moves through the East Wing with an entourage of Presidential aides. DIFFERENT ANGLE Dave glances to his right and hesitates for a moment. There, in her own suite of offices, is Ellen Mitchell with her back to Dave, talking on the phone. ANGLE - DAVE He's drawn momentarily to her presence, but is forced to continue down the hallway with his entourage... CUT TO: INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY He sits at the center of the long cabinet table, surrounded by the 14 members. Dave clutches a stack of 3x5 cards, as he glances around the room. DAVE - Rev. 7/27/92 51A. DAVE (reading from the first card) Okay -- first we're gonna hear from Ted on the land management legislation... CLOSEUP - DAVE He glances back toward Bob and Reed with a proud look on his face... CUT TO: OMITTED INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT He stands by the President's bureau, looking through the drawers. Dave pulls out some socks and an old used hair net. He discards it quickly and moves onto the next. Dave opens the bottom drawer and glances down at the contents. He pauses for a moment, drawn by what he sees. CLOSER Dave reaches down and pulls a framed picture from the President's bottom drawer. INSERT - PICTURE FRAME A young, happy Bill Mitchell stands next to his bride. He wears a morning-coat and top hat with the biggest smile in the world. Of course, a young Bill Mitchell could just as easily be a young Dave Kovic... ANGLE - DAVE He stares at the photograph of "him" and Ellen, reliving a history that he never experienced. CUT TO: OMITTED INT. FIRST LADY'S OFFICE - DAY It is more functional than ornamental. The Chippendale furniture is covered up with papers and boxes and large stacks of newsclippings. Several aides move in and out of the room while a MUTED TV set plays in the b.g. ELLEN (into phone) You're misinterpreting it, Nathan -- that's not what the study said. It said if the mother got less than 1100 calories the child would risk a low birthrate... As an aide comes up to her with a small stack of papers, Ellen notices the TV. ELLEN Nathan?... Hang on a second. (to the aide) Will you turn that thing up? CLOSEUP - TELEVISION SET (THE McLAUGHLIN GROUP) McLAUGHLIN GROUP - DAY Part wrestling match, part news analysis, part Roman circus: the most famous political talk show in America is well underway: MCLAUGHLIN Issue One: 'The New Bill Mitchell.' Two weeks after his brush with death the President is suddenly bounding around the country with the energy of a high school track star. Is this merely overcompensation or the indefatigable greatness of a truly great man. (turning to Kondracke) Mor-ton... MORT KONDRACKE Well, he looks pretty great to me. I think the President is showing the same strength of character he did when he first got elected. ELEANOR CLIFT You know, Mort, every time this guy has a blip in the polls you start genuflecting... MORT KONDRACKE (defensive) Hey -- I think he looks great. CHRIS MATHEWS (cutting in) Yeah, he looks great 'cause they're makin' him look great. This puppet show at the auto plant was the most manipulative piece of political theater I've ever seen. FRED BARNES Oh, come on, Chris. You're just steamed 'cause he's doing well. CHRIS MATHEWS I am not... FRED BARNES Is he doing well? CHRIS MATHEWS Well... Yeah... He's doing well... MCLAUGHLIN (the final word) Answer: He's doing very well. We'll get to predictions right after this. The THEME MUSIC COMES UP as they go to commercial. INT. FIRST LADY'S OFFICE - CLOSEUP - ELLEN - DAY She stares at the set, skeptically... CUT TO: EXT. BALTIMORE MEMORIAL STADIUM - NIGHT Dave stands at the edge of the grass in an Oriole's jacket with "PREZ" on the back. The manager of the team hands him a baseball while forty thousand fans stand cheering at their seats. PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER (V.0.) Ladies and gentlemen, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch... (pause) The President of the United States. Dave hops over the little railing that separates his box from the field. The catcher stands a few feet away giving him a target with the glove, but Dave shakes his head and waves him over to the mound. DIFFERENT ANGLE The catcher looks a little baffled as Dave strides across the foul line with a grin on his face. The forty thousand fans start to go wild as he climbs up on the mound, tucking the ball behind his back. REVERSE ANGLE - CATCHER He stands at the plate sticking out his glove to give Dave a bigger target. The President looks at him for a second, then motions him into a crouch. ANGLE - DAVE He spits on the mound and spreads his fingers in a fork- ball grip. The catcher sinks into a crouch as Dave goes into a wind-up and busts off a perfect curve-ball. The catcher looks at it astonished as it "breaks" into his mitt. The crowd goes nuts... CUT TO: OMITTED "LARRY KING LIVE" - DAY A75 Larry sits at his desk with his famous stand-up mike in front of him. LARRY KING We're back with Oliver Stone, talking about what seems like a pretty far- fetched theory... WIDER Oliver Stone sits across the desk. OLIVER STONE There's something going on here, Larry, and no one is telling us the truth. LARRY KING Oliver, the guy had a little stroke. He's enjoying life a little... OLIVER STONE (leaning forward; half whisper) If you look at a photograph of Bill Mitchell before the stroke, and another one right after... LARRY KING Aren't you being a little paranoid? OLIVER STONE Have you compared the photographs? Larry King looks at him and shakes his head... CUT TO: INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT He lies on his bed, with the remote control in his hand, doing a split-second tour of the channels. Dave looks toward the French doors that lead to the fourth floor balcony. EXT. BALUSTRADE - NIGHT Dave tosses open the door and steps outside. He stretches out his limbs, staring at the magnificent view of the city. DIFFERENT ANGLE He looks off toward the other side of the White House; Ellen's side. A single curtain billows out of an open window. Dave can't help himself. He starts across the terrace. FOLLOWING DAVE Dave reaches the open doorway and slides quickly against the wall. Slowly, carefully he bends his head and peeks into the room. INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM - DAVE1S POV She sits on her bed, surrounded by some work papers. In the warm light of the room, through the billowing curtains, Ellen's skin seems to glow. She stops reading for a moment and brushes aside a loose strand of hair. EXT. BALUSTRADE - WIDER Dave stares at her, transfixed. Suddenly, a light comes on in a nearby room causing Dave to jump back with a start. He sneaks a final peek and hurries toward his room... CUT TO: INT. REED'S OFFICE - DAY He sits at his white marble Italian desk, talking on the phone when Bob comes storming into the room. REED (checking his schedule) Okay, let's see... you can have him on Tuesday the 25th... BOB (O.S.) Are you out of your mind? WIDER He bangs down a copy of the week's schedule, looking Reed in the eye. REED Uh, let me get back to you... BOB You scheduled a whole day with the First Lady? REED (hanging up) It's a homeless shelter. BOB Oh. Excuse me. REED It's gonna be great. 'Caring about his wife.' 'Spending time on her favorite issue...' BOB I don't want him caring about his wife! What about the Vice President! REED Remember that First Liberty stuff we almost got nailed on? BOB Yeah... REED I just dumped it on him instead. Bob looks at him stunned. BOB When does it break? REED (shrugging) Couple of days. (showing him a folder) Anyhow, look at these tracking polls, they'll burn up in your hands: seventy- three percent with seniors, eighty- four with working mothers... BOB (a little uneasy) Alan, we still have to control this guy... REED (ignoring him) And look at this. Russell came around on the trade bill. BOB (stunned) You're kidding. REED How long have you been waiting to pass that thing? BOB Three years. REED I'm telling you, Bob, it's a gift. When you got a Ferrari you don't leave it in the garage. CUT TO: PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE - AERIAL SHOT - DAY 80 The long line of black limousines and police motorcycles makes its way through downtown Washington. INT. PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE Dave sits next to the First Lady in the back seat of the limo. Both of them stare straight ahead. Finally, after several seconds of silence, Ellen turns to Dave. ELLEN Why are you doing this, Bill? He looks over at her, startled. DAVE What? ELLEN (irritated) Since when do you care about the homeless? Dave thinks for a moment. DAVE (beat) I care about the homeless. ELLEN Yeah. I'm sure it's keeping you up nights. She turns away from him, twisting in the seat. The bottom of Ellen's skirt hikes up her thigh, exposing the top part of her leg. Dave looks down at it, drawn to the sight of naked flesh. Sensing something, Ellen glances back and catches him looking. CLOSER Their eyes lock for a moment. Dave smiles quickly and glances out the window. Ellen looks down at her own leg a little puzzled. EXT. HELPING HAND SHELTER - DAY The sidewalk is teeming with press. The shelter itself is painted a bright shade of blue - - a cheery little island in a sea of graffiti. A small group of community leaders waits by the front door while the Presidential limousine pulls up to the curb. CLOSER The door pops open as Ellen and Dave step out. He turns and waves to the crowd while she stares straight ahead. Reed hurries up to them. REED (under his breath) Okay, it's straight klick and smile but there's a great visual in the kitchen so make sure you stop at the soup. She shoots him a glare as they reach the top of the stairs. Dave nods and they move forward to greet the community leaders. INT. SHELTER He takes a couple of steps inside, then suddenly stops. The smile fades as his eyes go wide. DAVE'S POV It is more a nursery school than a homeless shelter. Twenty to thirty children, most of them black, stand formally assembled in front of the President. ELLEN (good at this) One of the things they're trying to do here at Helping Hand, is keep verbal skills alive. The first thing that goes with these kids is their ability to communicate and they need to get to them before this happens. She glances over her shoulder. Dave has wandered forward to the edge of the large rubber mat. Everyone stares, stunned, as he looks at the kids for a moment, then sinks suddenly to his knees. DAVE (quietly) Hi there. ANGLE - PRESS CORPS The cameras surge forward to the side of the play area. The SHUTTERS FIRE WILDLY as Dave glances up at the cardboard cut- outs. DAVE (quietly) You like cartoons? The kids don't respond. They stare at the crush of reporters and glancing TV lights. DAVE (turning toward the cameras) Could you just stop that for a second. Everyone freezes. The camera crews back up a step as Dave turns back toward the kids. DAVE (softer) You like Tweety Bird? A few of them nod. CLOSEUP - ELLEN She stares in disbelief as her husband sits cross-legged in the middle of the mat. He leans forward, into the children, talking like a kindergarten teacher. ANGLE - PLAY AREA DAVE So, which one do you like? A FOUR-YEAR-OLD tugs gently at his sleeve. He wears donated overalls and a N.Y. Mets T-shirt. KID (FOUR-YEAR-OLD) (in a lisp) Sylvester. DAVE (smiling) Sylvester? The boy nods. DAVE But he's a cat. ANGLE - REED He beams from ear to ear as the photo-op materializes in front of his eyes. Dave glances over at him, cupping his hand in a whisper. DAVE (side of his mouth) Gimme a quarter. REED (confused) What? DAVE Quick. Gimme a quarter. WIDER Reed fishes through his pockets and comes up with a coin. He moves to the mat, slipping it to Dave. ANGLE - DAVE DAVE (leaning forward) Okay - - what can run all day without getting tired. The kid looks at him, baffled. Dave reaches out slowly and taps the side of his nose. DAVE (GENTLY) Well, it's not your ear. KID (lighting up) My nose? ANGLE - ELLEN She watches in amazement as her husband reaches out and "magically" produces a quarter from the side of the child's nose. Dave looks up at her with a smile, and their eyes lock as a hundred shutters fire at once... CUT TO: INT. "NIGHTLINE" - FULL SHOT - TED KOPPEL - NIGHT KOPPEL What makes a man rise to a particular moment in history? What makes a man in the thicket of middle age, suddenly rediscover himself with the wonder of a child. CLOSER (SWITCHING CAMERAS) KOPPEL Later on tonight, we'll talk with Dr. Henry Mueller who is an expert in the psychological effects of a mid-life health crisis... and to Gail Sheehy, who has just co-authored a book on male menopause. CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT The sound of a MAN HUMMING "Hail to the Chief" plays O.S. DAVE - Rev. 7/22/92 63. INT. PRESIDENT'S BATHROOM - NIGHT Steam billows up in the shower while Dave scrubs shampoo into his hair. He massages it vigorously into his scalp while the humming continues. DAVE `Bum, bum da dum...' He rinses it out and reaches for the soap. It's a small soap on a rope" designed to look like the Presidential seal... WOMAN I can't believe you'd do something like that. Not even you. WIDER The door to the shower swings open as Ellen materializes. No queen of England ever looked more regal than Ellen Mitchell in her cloud of steam. DIFFERENT ANGLE ELLEN How could you? Dave jumps with a start, then turns away from her quickly, bashfully facing the tile. He looks back at Ellen over his shoulder. DAVE ... How could I what? ELLEN Oh, come on, Bill. Don't patronize me. I'm not one of your little... (beat) Turn around. I'm talking to you!... Turnaround! Dave steels himself then turns slowly around to face her. He strikes a "stoic" pose. ELLEN (trembling slightly) ... You know, if you want to be the same old bastard, that's fine. I can handle it. But don't pull this 'man of the people' bullshit and then do something like this. DAVE (frozen; feeling - very exposed) I don't understand. ELLEN (exasperated) That's not just a works bill you vetoed -- that would have given these kids homes... (losing it a little) ... When I think about that little spectacle you pulled with those muppets and that magic trick... DAVE What's wrong with a magic trick? ELLEN You made their funding disappear! Dave recoils a little. DAVE Look. If there was some mistake... ELLEN (in a rage) There's no mistake, Bill. If you veto their funding, it's not a mistake. If you hurt someone intentionally, it's not a mistake. She turns and leaves through the steam disappearing as suddenly as she came. Dave hesitates for an instant, then starts right after her. INT. HALLWAY Duane is seated at his regular post when Ellen comes stalking out of Dave's suite. He looks up in amazement as Dave runs out a moment later. He's dripping wet and clutching a bath towel around his waist. DAVE (turning to Duane) Call Bob and Reed. Tell them I need them immediately. DUANE But it's ten-thirty at night. Dave turns and gives him a "Presidential" glare. DUANE (backing off) Yeah, sure. You got it. INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT Dave is seated at his desk, hair still wet, dressed in the Presidential jogging suit. The door bursts open. It's Bob and Reed. BOB What the hell is this? DAVE What the hell is this ? Bob and Reed cross over toward the desk as Dave slams down a copy of rolled up newspaper. BOB (looking at it) The Washington Post. DAVE (pounding his finger on the front page) No... Bob glances at the paper then hands it to Reed. REED (looking at it; shrugging) President vetoes works bill? DAVE We vetoed that? BOB (a slow boil) No!... WE didn't anything... REED (interceding) Dave, these things get awfully complicated sometimes... DAVE That shelter was in this bill. BOB (losing it) Alan DAVE Lots of shelters were in this bill. BOB (moving toward him)) Listen, you little... REED (cutting in) Dave, the budget's a very complicated thing. Even I don't understand it sometimes. Now occasionally we have to make some cuts and... DAVE But we went there. We saw those kids. BOB Yeah. And if you can find a way to cut THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS from the federal budget, then you can keep your lousy shelters, okay. Dave just looks at him for a moment. EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY A small Ford Escort with a Thrifty rent-a-car sticker pulls up to the East Gate of the White House. It stops just short of the guard station, then rolls forward a few feet and stops again. ANGLE - MURRAY He leans out of the window, squinting into the sun. Murray holds a mangled map of Washington in his hand. MURRAY (terrified) I'm here to see... the President? The guard looks at him without responding. MURRAY He asked me to come. The guard reaches for the phone and dials a few numbers. Murray jiggles nervously in his seat. INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT He sits in the exact same chair that Dave occupied on his arrival. Murray stares across the Oval Office with a terrified look on his face. MURRAY (urgent whisper) I'm serious, Dave -- you could get in a lot of trouble for something like this. DAVE It's fine. MURRAY They could put you in jail. DAVE Why would they do that. They hired me. Murray just stares at him. DAVE It's kind of a national emergency thing. I can't really talk about it... (confidentially) Paying me big money too. C'mere. He leads Murray from the chair to the other side of the desk. Dave reaches down opening the bottom drawer. DAVE See. INSERT - DESK DRAWER It is full of money. Neat little stacks of hundred dollar bills. ANGLE - MURRAY He looks at it wide-eyed, frozen by what he sees. MURRAY (whispering; indicating the walls) Are we being taped? DAVE I don't think so MURRAY This is undeclared income. DAVE And who's gonna find out? MURRAY The government DAVE I am the government. Murray turns and looks at his best friend, speechless. He stares at Dave for a couple of seconds when a strange look of wonder crosses his face. DAVE I know -- kind of wild, huh? (beat) Let's get to work. CUT TO: EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT A light is burning in the second floor residence. INT. PRESIDENTIAL DINING ROOM - LATER It is a large oak-lined room in the private residence. Dave and Murray sit on either side of a huge dining table with papers strewn all around them. In front of Murray sits a large, leather bound volume of the federal budget. MURRAY I gotta tell ya, Dave. I've been going over this a bunch of times and a lot of this stuff just doesn't add up. (beat) Who does these books? DAVE I'm not sure. EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT A light is burning in the second floor residence. INT. PRESIDENTIAL DINING ROOM - LATER It is a large oak-lined room in the private residence. Dave and Murray sit on either side of a huge dining table with papers strewn all around them. In front of Murray sits a large, leather bound volume of the federal budget. MURRAY I gotta tell ya, Dave. I've been going over this a bunch of times and a lot of this stuff just doesn't add up. (beat) Who does these books? DAVE I'm not sure. MURRAY I just think they make this stuff a lot more complicated than it has to be. DAVE I'm not surprised. (beat) Can we save anywhere? MURRAY Well, yeah. But you gotta start making some choices. DAVE Choices? MURRAY You know -- priorities. (thinking) Remember when you couldn't get your car fixed `cause you wanted to get that piano? DAVE (hopefully) You could buy it on payments. MURRAY (thumping the budget) Yeah. That's how you end up with a 400 billion dollar deficit. DAVE So what do we do? MURRAY Well, there's lots of places where I think you can save, but I'm not the one who's ....... I mean, I'm not the one who's not the Pres... DAVE (cutting him off) It's alright. I know what you mean. Let's start at the top. CUT TO: INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY It is jammed to capacity. The CABINET SECRETARIES are seated around the table while the White House staff lines the walls. Three television crews are poised in the far corner of the room. ANGLE - DOORWAY Reed enters and crosses to Dave's regular spot at the cabinet table. He places a stack of 3 x 5 filing cards next to his water glass and retreats to his seat along the wall. INT. HALLWAY Bob moves down the corridor with a little spring in his step. He is actually whistling a cheery tune as he carries the morning edition of the Washington Post. INT. CABINET ROOM