Statutory

INT.
HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY

Stilettos briskly move down a hall clicking into the marble
floors with an intense reverberation. The base of the skirt
from a womans business suit glides past fine furniture and
door after identical door.
Time slows to a near halt, as the clicks become more echoed,
a clock ticks and a heart beats all deafeningly loud. The
noise reaches a crescendo as a hand opens the door to a hotel
room.
She flips on the light and immediately screams in terror. She
drops a brief case and the contents of it spill all over the
floor, including a small bottle of red wine which shatters on
the marble and spills into a plush carpet.
Two bodies lie on a bed in an embrace a gun lies in a pool of
blood. They are unidentifiable through the blood and strewn
mess on the bed, but one is an older male and the other a
young female.
Tight on the gun, the heart beating the clock ticking,
crying, laughing, yelling all build to a crescendo and then
silence.
With the speed of a bullet the world moves in reverse,
starting with a shattered bottle of wine, and fluttering of
papers from a brief case everything rebuilds itself and the
hand turns off the light and closes the door, the stiletto
heels pound back wards down the hall.
EXT. HOTEL - DAY
The heels go backwards past a concierge desk whos CLERK
offers a knowing smile. A car door slams a giant suv drives
off.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Walking in reverse nervously fixing her hair and adjusting
herself is LAURIE ROBERTSON, thin with tortoise shell
glasses, she sits on the bed.
Close on her eyes, red from crying.
The sound of a door slamming, the crack of a gun shot,
followed by several more gun shots, Crack- crack- crack.
SOUND BRIDGE TO:
2.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER

The crack of a gunshot becomes the flash of a large still
camera held by a POLICE OFFICER
A PARAMEDIC covers the two bodies in stretchers.
POLICE
Its sick.
PARAMEDIC
Some people. You know dont even
figure them to be that.
POLICE
He hid it so well.
PARAMEDIC
How you figure this plays out?
POLICE
What do you think, girl was 17
years old.
PARAMEDIC
Its sad. Was just starting to
like the guyA few more flash bulbs and the lights flicker and explode in
a bright arrayMATCH CUT TO:
INT. BILL BELL STUDIO - NIGHT
BILL BELL sits in front of a prompter
BILL
A tragic day as two are reported
dead
INT. NEWS ROOM - SAME
An anchor reads from a prompter.
ANCHOR
Caught having an affairINT. NEWS ROOM - SAME
3.
ANCHOR
Sexual deviance with a girl less
than half his age.
INT. NEWS ROOM - SAME
ANCHOR
A modern American tragedy.
He holds long on that.
INSERT: A tumultuous unfurling, images bombard the screen of
Laurie holding, hugging and talking to an older man.
Laughter, crying, yelling, more pictures of Laurie, flash of
a camera, flash of a camera. Then- Crack - crack - crack
TITLE CARD: STATUTORY
SOUND BRIDGE TO:
EXT. K STREET OFFICE, WASHINGTON D.C. - NIGHT
The reverberant gunshot becomes the roll of thunder. Push in
on the one light on in a tall building otherwise darkened.
The drone of a television is the only noise in an office
filled with people dressed in worn suits all holding their
breath.
TELEVISION (V.O.)
A vote for Larry McAffee is a vote
to kill the middle class. The
content of this ad was paid for by
Americans For Ed West.
There is a blare from the television
TELEVISION (V.O.)
We can now make a prediction in the
senatorial race in Connecticut. Ed
West will retain control of his
seat as the senior senator from
Connecticut.
The cheers of men and women drown out the television that
displays a photo of Ed West surrounded in blue with a check
mark.
4.
Walking around the room and shaking everyones hand, face

emblazoned with the glow of victory is ED WEST, 56 white with
wire frame glasses.
He grabs his wife and kisses her softly.
ED
Well it looks like you wont be
able to rejoin the book club after
all.
She snaps facetiously.
SOPHIE
Im sure Ill find something to do.
Ed laughs.
ED
If I have it my way, you wont be
in Hartford for longer than a month
for at least the next ten years.
SOPHIE
Where ever you go, there I am.
ED
I dont think thats how the saying
goes.
Oh- hush.
thank.
Sure.
SOPHIE
Dont you have people to
ED
Dont wait up.
SOPHIE
Wasnt planning on it.
He kisses her again, and continues his victory lap.
He reaches a younger man in his 30s, DAVE MARSH, and when he
extends his hand they embrace.
DAVE
That ad really did it.
ED
I cant say it doesnt make me gag
though.
5.
DAVE
I dont know if you or I would have
a paycheck in January, without
their help
ED
Can you get me in touch with your
lobbyist now.
DAVE
Yeah his name is Hal Robertson,
hes a vice president of Arcotech.
ED
The gas company?
Thats rough.
DAVE
Hows that?
ED
The Epa bill. I cant exactly take
money from the people Im
sanctioning.
DAVE
Thats whats great about this
country, nobody has to know.
ED
Theyll be about as unhappy as I am
now, when its time.
DAVE
Just give Hal a call. Hes a
reasonable guy. One of my oldest
friends.
ED
First thing tomorrow.
DAVE
For a money man hes not a half
bad. Not a soulless prick like
McAffee.
ED
You sure have a way with words.
Probably owe him a call here in a
second.
DAVE
It was a hell of a race sir.
6.
ED
Time to get some real work done.
DAVE
I wouldnt hold your breath.
if the majority stands.
Even
ED
Im just stock piling ammo for the
fall.
DAVE
Well then on the next one as they
say.
ED
Send me Hals number.
DAVE
A little sweet talking and you will
have some big money in your back
pocket. Thats ammo for the fall.
ED
I dont know what Id do with out
you. Grab a drink?
They walk off.
Ed turns back to the crowd of supporters.
ED
This victory is yours, this victory
is ours. We are only going up.
Thank you all.
Loud applause.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS OFFICE - DAY
The office is furnished with thick carpets, a desk and a
computer. HAL ROBERTSON, mid 50s, with a streak of grey hair
in hair, sits at the computer on the phone.
HAL
It really is important to Robert
that we get this through the pipe
as soon as possible.
He chuckles.
HAL
Yes. Yes. Zoning is no problem.
Weve got everyone on payroll.
(MORE)
7.
HAL (CONT'D)
Hold that thought someone from D.C.
is calling.
He presses a button on his phone.

HAL
Hal Robertson. Senator West!
Congratulations. Close race, Ill
tell ya.
INT. ED WESTS CAR - DAY
Ed is being driven in a black SUV. He is on speaker phone.
ED
I cant thank you enough.
from Connecticut right?
Youre
HAL (V.O.)
Yes. Since Im split between the
city and D.C. it works out.
ED
A weekend together on the coast.
My treat.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS OFFICE - SAME
Hal doodles on a piece of paper.
HAL
Sure, come summer time. In the
mean time lets have a little
meeting, and talk shop. I know we
both have a few things to clear
before the big announcement.
INT. ED WESTS CAR - SAME
Ed gulps visibly.
ED
Sure, might as well get everyone on
the same page before were
official. Call my secretary.
INT. HAL ROBERTERSONS OFFICE- SAME
Hal finishes typing something and laughs.
8.
HAL
Absolutely, call it lunch in a
week.
ED (V.O.)
Fore we go, let me just say thank
you. I was dead in the water.
HAL
I saw. Pretty low ball stuff they
pulled.
INT. ED WESTS CAR- SAME
Ed chuckles and directs his driver to pull up.
ED
Guess you gotta play dirty to beat
dirty. Talk soon.
INT. LAURIES ROOM - DAY
The early rising sun gleams through a curtained window. The
pulsing a cellphone alarm stirs a small frame from beneath a
silk pink sheet.
Laurie ruffles her hand across her night stand searching for
her phone. She knocks a small paper box onto the floor along
with her phone and glasses.
She falls out of bed wearing basic white panties and a
rumpled shirt. On her hands and knees squinting and looking
under the bed, she reaches and grabs the box.
She look at the opened pregnancy test box. She squints
reading it, and when she realizes what it is, her squint
turns to nauseated panic. She throws it under her bed and
quickly finds her glasses and phone.
She silences the alarm on her phone.
startles her.
A knock on the door
ANNETTE (O.S.)
Honey, breakfast.
LAURIE
Not hungry.
She picks a sheer white blouse up off the floor and drapes it
over her chair.
9.
She looks long in the mirror and takes off her shirt. She
puts on a thin strapped white brassier, she drapes the shirt
over and beneath it the straps of the bra are still visible.
She frumps down the stairs.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY
Hal sits at the table drinking a cup of coffee. His wife
ANNETTE ROBERTSON, late 40s a dead ringer for Laurie, sorts
through papers at the counter.
HAL
Morning.
Laurie grumbles and presses towards the door.
ANNETTE
Have some breakfast.
LAURIE
No thank you.
HAL
Sit down.
Laurie plops in her chair.
plate of eggs towards her.
She glares at Hal.
HAL
Eat.
LAURIE
Im not hungry.
ANNETTE
Its important to eat breakfast.
LAURIE
Can I just go. I have a project.
HAL
What project?
LAURIE
How am I not surprised.
ANNETTE
Did you practice your speech?
LAURIE
I-
He pushes a
10.
Just go.
HAL
No need to be late.
Laurie hiccups a near sob pushes her chair out. She grabs a
banana and dead eyes Hal. She walks out the door.
ANNETTE
What is your problem?
once be nice to her?
Can you for
HAL
What do you mean? Im very nice to
her.
ANNETTE
She looked like she was about to
cry.
HAL
Probably some boy bullshit.
ANNETTE
Can you just be a little
supportive. Shes been a mess
recently.
HAL
Shes seventeen. Doesnt need a
reason to be a mess.
ANNETTE
But you dont have to make it
worse.
Hal lets out an exasperated sigh.
HAL
Can we just drop it.
day.
Got a long
ANNETTE
You never seem to want to take an
interest in being a parent to your
daughter. She spent the whole
afternoon crying.
HAL
Shes a teenager.
teenagers do.
Thats what
ANNETTE
Like talking to a wall.
nice.
Just be
11.
INT. ST. JOSEPHS ACADEMY - DAY

Laurie stands in the hall talking to her best friend JENN
LANSON, 17 with brown hair.
LAURIE
I need to tell you something.
you cant tell anyone.
And
JENN
Whats wrong?
LAURIE
Im pregnant and I need to get rid
of it.
JENN
What?
LAURIE
I cant tell you much.
JENN
Was it one of the boys here?
LAURIE
Maybe.
I-
JENN
How many boys have you been with?
She laughs and slaps Lauries arm.
of tears.
Laurie looks on the verge
JENN
Girl relax. Its not a big deal.
My cousin got one a year ago. Its
common.
Seeing Laurie water up, she holds her in a long hug.
JENN
Just text your mom and tell her we
are studying. Ill take you to the
clinic and youll be in and out in
three hours tops.
She releases Laurie.
JENN
Just dont cry.
of the world.
Its not the end
Laurie smiles and wipes her eyes.
12.
LAURIE
Thanks.
The bell rings.
INT. CLASS ROOM - DAY
Laurie fidgets near the front.
Her teacher MS. DENNEN
drones on the middle of a presentation with a power point
slide.
MS. DENNEN
The passage of the amendment was
practically a formality at that
pointShe changes the slide.
MS. DENNEN
Onto presentations. While this is
only ten percent of your grade, it
is important to be able to explain
aloud the information in your
essays. First up - Ms. Robertson.
Laurie nervously approaches the podium.
LAURIE
Thanks. So I chose to look at how
Citizens United has effected the
political process, and the economic
impact of political favors.
Over
the last several years dating back
to the turn of the millennium a
number of key legislative
provisions have had drastic
consequences on the bed rock of our
economyAs she continues to talk the class sighs and yawns, but her
teacher looks bright and encouraged. When she finishes there
is unenthusiastic applause.
MS. DENNEN
Thank you so much, that was very
insightful. Ms. Winston, I believe
you are next.
INT. CLASS ROOM - LATER
As the students are leaving Ms. Dennen stops Laurie.
13.
MS. DENNEN
Can I speak with you for a second?
Okay.
LAURIE
What is it?
MS. DENNEN
Would you be interested in getting
college credit for an internship
over the summer?
LAURIE
Sounds great.
MS. DENNEN
This is usually reserved for
seniors, but I think we can make a
special exception.
LAURIE
Really?
MS. DENNEN
Go speak with Ms. Smith. Shell
help you get everything in order.
LAURIE
Thank you so much.
want to get a job.
I really didnt
MS. DENNEN
I think you have a lot to offer if
you keep your chin up.
INT. GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS OFFICE - DAY
Laurie sits across from MS. SMITH an older lady with thinning
hair and a little bit of a gut.
LAURIE
She said I would be a special
exception. Ive already got
credits to graduate.
MS. SMITH
We dont take intern applications
until the spring. There is a list
of suggested companies in the
packet. Drop off the form after
the break.
She hands Laurie a packet.
14.
LAURIE
Thanks a lot.
Laurie looks at her vibrating phone.
INSERT: Text on cellphone.
Jenn: Where u at?
MS. SMITH
Some the better ones are with the
non-profits. We get a lot of good
feed back from Greenpeace.
LAURIE
That sounds perfect.
Sorry.
I have to go.
She dashes out of the door.

EXT. CLINIC - DAY
Jenn hugs Laurie.
JENN
Ill wait here for you. I promise
you wont feel anything.
LAURIE
Please keep it a secret.
JENN
Its not a big deal.
LAURIE
My dad would kill me ifJENN
Then dont tell him.
LAURIE
Youre right.
She hugs her one more time and walks into the clinic.
INT. HALS HOUSE - EVENING
The family is having dinner.
bourbon.
ANNETTE
Honey please.
Hal burps and has a sip of a
15.
HAL
Long day. Just letting the woes of
the working world out of my
esophagus.
ANNETTE
How is the deal in Lansing working?
HAL
Everything is at a standstill until
we know how that legislation pans
out.
ANNETTE
Arent you friends with the guy?
HAL
Im a friend of a friend. But its
tricky. Everything on the hill is
tricky.
Hm.
ANNETTE
How was school?
LAURIE
Okay.
HAL
Just okay?
LAURIE
Yeah- just okay. Can I be excused?
ANNETTE
Are you feelingLAURIE
Im fine.
Laurie sets down her knife and fork.
her lips.
Annette gently wipes
ANNETTE
Anything going on you want to talk
about?
LAURIE
I might do an internship this
summer.
ANNETTE
Sounds great. What company?
16.
LAURIE
Ms. Smith said the best ones were
non-profits, like Greenpeace.
Hal nearly chokes on his food.
ANNETTE
You okay?
HAL
Definitely not those assholes. Cost
us a lot of money to clean up our
Cleveland operation.
ANNETTE
Language.
LAURIE
Sounds perfect!
HAL
Not no- but hell no!
LAURIE
If its not what you want it wont
happen right?
HAL
Youre damn right.
LAURIE
Selfish assHAL
Watch your mouth.
Laurie stands and slams her chair into the table.
LAURIE
Ill be in my room.
Laurie storms out.
ANNETTE
You must be out of your mind
talking to our daughter like that.
HAL
I dont think you have any idea
what it would do to me if-
17.
ANNETTE
To you. Always about you. Why
cant you think about your daughter
for once.
HAL
Why do you think I have this job?
ANNETTE
Feed your ego.
HAL
And buy her a car, and buy you more
shoes than you know what to do
with.
ANNETTE
She obviously wants an internship.
HAL
Thats negotiable.
ANNETTE
Not everything is a negotiation.
Just do something nice for her.
Once.
HAL
Like what?
ANNETTE
I dont know. Surprise me.
HAL
How about a spring vacation up the
coast.
Annette taps her fingers against the table in consideration.
ANNETTE
Thats a start, but you need to
give her what she wants.
She holds his gaze.
HAL
Fine.
Go on.
ANNETTE
Go talk to her.
Hal sighs and stands.
18.
INT. LAURIES ROOM - NIGHT

Laurie lies on her back listening to sad music. Hal knocks
and peeks in. She sits up, shooting daggers at him.
HAL
How are you feeling.
LAURIE
What do you care?
HAL
You should be more careful about
what you do with your trash.
Laurie inhales sharply.
door behind him.
Hal lets himself in and closes the
LAURIE
It was positive. Please dont tell
mom.
I wont.
Laurie nods.
her.
HAL
Did you take care of it?
Hal sits on the bed and puts his arm around
LAURIE
I was so scared.
HAL
Im sorry.
Laurie nestles her head into him.
LAURIE
I really want this internship.
Hal puts his hand on Lauries exposed thigh.
HAL
I know, princess. But not
environmentalists okay?
LAURIE
Nothing else was interesting.
HAL
Daddy will find you something.
LAURIE
I really want this.
19.
She snuggles into him.

INT. CONGRESS - DAY
A swarm of suits. A sea of SENATORS and REPRESENTATIVES mill
about abuzz with the excitement of reelection. New faces
move boxes into empty offices. Hand shakes, back pats and
stare downs.
Ed saunters in with polished shoes and a platinum smile.
Everyone he meets gets a nod, smile and hand shake. STAN
BACHBEE, a fellow democrat, meets him in the hall.
Congrats!
STAN
Hear about McCallen?
ED
He lose?
STAN
Won on a recount.
Hot damn!
ED
So we held.
STAN
Funny how fifty one isnt a
majority.
ED
Lets shoot some golf and talk shop.
Im going to need your help.
STAN
Face it. Even with my help you
still cant touch the southern
caucus. You think Barstow would go
for it?
ED
Just throw me some leverage and
well talk appropriations on the
next budget referendum.
STAN
Deal.
They shake hands. Ed continues to walk down the hall. He
eventually finds himself face to face with JILL BARSTOW, mid
40s a bombshell with a brain and a sweet southern drawl. She
is tearing into someone on the phone.
20.
JILL
Dont even think about it. Im not
even going to entertain the notion.
Just get it done.
Ed clears his throat.
She hangs up.
JILL
Senator West, arent you dapper.
ED
Oh lets not be formal.
JILL
Dont think one date gets you first
name privileges. You arent
anyones lover.
ED
Dont be so sour sweetheart.
JILL
I will crush you if you call me
sweetheart again.
ED
Cant wait.
JILL
And dont even think about asking
about that EPA monstrosity. I
wont let it see the light of day.
ED
Well see what happens.
you.
Ill call
JILL
Pfft.
They walk off in separate directions, smiling.
INT. ED WESTS OFFICE - DAY
The office is abuzz. Dave is on his phone vacillating
between aggression and negotiation. The remainder of Eds
staff ARMOND AZIR, 30s Persian, STEVE BLANKENSHIP, 30s fat,
and LINDSEY CHAN, 20s Asian, all mill about.
When Ed walks in everyone freezes and hangs up their phones.
They all applaud Ed.
21.
Stop it.
ED
Get back to work.
DAVE
We will sing to you if you dont
celebrate for at least a second.
Ed laughs.
He turns to Lindsey.
ED
Calls?
LINDSEY
Hermanson called, said hes got
some good numbers and a lead on the
right. Your wife called to remind
you about your doctors appointment.
And a Hal Robertson called you a
while ago, said it wasnt urgent.
ED
Thanks.
Steven hustles up to him.

STEVE
Your coffee, sir.
Ed takes a sip and spits it out.
ED
You need to go take a class at
Starbucks. This is terrible.
STEVE
The machine was broken.
what I could.
I did
ED
Look if you bring me a receipt from
down the street, Ill reimburse
you. No more of this though. In
factHe whips out his wallet and hands Steve some cash.
ED
Run down the street and get
something for everyone. On me.
Steve scampers out. Armond and Dave are deep in a
conversation when Ed puts his hand on Daves shoulder.
22.
ARMOND
The documents are sorted based on
regulatory agency. There is stuff
in there for soil samples, real
heart string stuff for the lefties.
DAVE
Did you look into fiscal savings
from prudent regulation?
ARMOND
I know someone in Hansons camp. I
might talk to him about it. Hes
on the fence on a lot of issues.
ED
Ive known Tim for many years. If
you can get him to nibble maybe on
digital streamlining of the agency,
you let his people know Ill work
with him on anything.
ARMOND
Ill get back to you.
He scampers out of the room.
ED
Anything else?
DAVE
Not at the moment.
ED
Ill be in the office making phone
calls.
Hal is on the phone, sweet talking an investor.
HAL
Its not a problem. If and its a
big if there is any change out of
D.C. it will have zero impact on
our deal. I tell you what, if we
arent laying pipe in two years you
can take your money back.
He picks up his phone and looks at it.
23.
HAL
Hey- hold that thought its the boss
man.
He presses a button on his phone.
HAL
Robert! Did you enjoy your trip?
What? Now? Okay- okay. Im on
the other line with one of our
Chinese friends.
He presses another button on his phone.
HAL
Pang? Ive got an emergency meeting
upstairs. Can we reschedule this
to early next week? Sure, have her
call my secretary, and we can pick
up where we left off. Take care.
He hangs up the phone.
INT. ROBERT COLES OFFICE - DAY
Hal sits across from ROBERT COLE, late 50s chubby balding, he
is Hals boss, and his status shows in his shoes and suit.
ROBERT
Do you have any idea how much tape
Ive had to hack through to get to
this point?
HAL
Im sure its been a pain.
ROBERT
And now they tell me this asshole
wants to express lane that bill.
HAL
We funded that assholes
reelection.
ROBERT
Get him in line then.
HAL
Im working on it.
me.
Keeps dodging
24.
ROBERT
Well hes your buddy you got to
shut him up before our people pull
the plug.
HAL
Let me sit down with him.
Robert slams his palms into the desk.
ROBERT
Youve been saying that a lot.
Make it happen. Go see the fucker
if you have to.
HAL
I hate going into the hornets nest.
You know what, I got it. Simple.
ROBERT
I dont really care for your
brilliant revelations.
HAL
He invited me to spend a weekend
with him in March.
ROBERT
Well take him up on it and remind
him of whos in charge.
Ed walks in and is instantly flagged down by Lindsey.
LINDSEY
Stan Bachbees office called,
something about cold feet. And Hal
Roberston called again, this time
wanted to know something about a
vacation?
ED
Hah- Thanks. Ill be in my office.
Can you have Armond get in touch
with the kid who works for Bachbee
see if he can get a finger on
whats going on over there.
LINDSEY
Sure.
Ed walks into his office.
25.

Ed closes the door behind him and sits at his desk. He opens
a small book and pulls out a card. He dials the number.
ED
Is this Star Reality. Yeah, hi, Ed
West. I have a time share in Cape
Cod, on Deacons Folly Rd. Yeah
sure.
He taps his thumb and fingers on the table.
ED
Still here. Oh- so I need to know
if I can get a long weekend
sometime in the end of March.
Okay. Great. Let me confirm a few
things and Ill be in touch.
Ed scrolls through his phone and dials a number.
ED
Hal, its Ed West, Im returning
your call.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS CAR - DAY
Hal sits in bumper to bumper traffic on a freeway in New
York.
HAL
Excellent timing. I have plenty of
time to talk, I think there is an
upended tractor a few miles ahead.
Did you get my message?
Ed leans back in his chair.
ED
Sure did. And, Im a man of my
word. I offer you a weekend on the
coast, I will deliver. I have a
time share on Cape Cod, beautiful
property. I would love to spend
some time getting to know you and
your family.
26.

Hal finds a pen and looks up smashing his breaks.
HAL
I swear people in the city dont
know how to drive. Great. Itd
just be me, my wife and daughter,
Laurie. Pretty sure shes got a
break around then. I can find out
for you. Sounds great. Ill
confirm by the end of the week once
I run it by the ball and chain.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS HOUSE - NIGHT
Laurie, Hal and Annette enjoy another terse, awkward dinner.
The silence chokes the room. After a long moment where only
knifes scratching against ceramic echo, Hal clears his
throat.
HAL
Laurie.
LAURIE
Yeah?
HAL
Arent you off from school in the
next week or so?
LAURIE
We are off from next Friday to the
following Monday.
HAL
Great!
LAURIE
I dont like the sound of that.
ANNETTE
What are you thinking?
HAL
Well- nothing big, a good friend of
mine. A Senator for that matter
has invited me up for a weekend get
away.
ANNETTE
Where?
27.
HAL
Cape Cod.
ANNETTE
It has been so long since Ive
spent time on the coast.
HAL
I have a little bit of business to
discuss with him, but I think it
would be a great way to bring the
family together.
LAURIE
Do I have to go? I could just go
stay at Jenns.
HAL
Its important to me that we are
all together. Will- make our talks
a little easier.
ANNETTE
I think its a great idea! I will
call off for Monday and Friday
itll be so nice to get away.
LAURIE
So there is no way for me to get
out of this?
HAL
None whatsoever. Well find
something for you to do.
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY
A rustic cabin on the shore of a pristine lake. Two
expensive cars pull down a long gravel drive way one after
the other and park next to the cabin.
Laurie, Hal and Annette get out of one car, and Ed and Sophie
get out of the other.
HAL
Ed, this is my daughter Laurie and
wife Annette.
ED
My wife Sophie.
They all shake hands etc.
28.
ED
How old are you?
LAURIE
Just turned seventeen.
SOPHIE
I would kill to be that age again.
Everyone murmurs in agreement.
HAL
Beautiful place you got.
ED
Dont get out here as often as Id
like. Glad you guilted me in to
it.
HAL
Well a few days away from the
officell do everyone some good.
ED
Amen.
INT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY
The two families wander through the house.
SOPHIE
Its only two bedrooms, but I think
the couch folds out.
ANNETTE
Hows your back sweetie?
HAL
Not bad.
ANNETTE
Well then- enjoy the couch.
HAL
Ooh feel a cramp setting in.
They all laugh.
ED
You fish Hal?
HAL
I have.
29.
ED
So much game in this lake.
for hours out here.
Fish
HAL
Great.
SOPHIE
While you boys do your fishing.
Annie and I will hit the vintage
shops.
ANNETTE
I saw some cute places on the drive
in.
SOPHIE
You wont believe some of these
places.
ED
Getting kind of late though. Ill
build a little fire, pop open a
bottle and relax.
LAURIE
Is there like a place I could plug
my phone in?
ED
Receptions terrible out here.
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - NIGHT
Ed and Hal sit in lawn chairs in front of a dwindling fire
smoking cigars. Sophie stands.
SOPHIE
Now you boys dont stay up too much
longer. Long day tomorrow.
ED
These cigars wont last all night.
SOPHIE
Annette, Laurie can I show you your
room.
ED
Fore you go in.
glass.
Can you freshen my
30.
Sophie sighs and grabs a bottle at her side and fills up both
Ed and Hals tumblers. She escorts the other two women in.
HAL
You know what I love most about
places like this? The smell. D.C.
and New York just stink.
ED
I hear you.
HAL
Thats the other thing. So quiet.
Must be nice not having kids.
ED
Its scary sometimes.
HAL
Hows that.
ED
Am I the last of my lineage.
HAL
Trust me, if lineage is your chief
concern stay out of the baby making
business.
ED
Well, Ill tell you. Soon as I
lose an election, weve made
arrangements to have a child.
Froze a few things.
HAL
I wish I could just freeze my
daughter. Wake her up when shes
thirty.
ED
She seems nice enough.
HAL
Shes a good girl. Smart as a
whip. Shes a real pain in the ass
sometimes.
They both laugh.
ED
Just about everyone in the world is
a real pain in the ass- sometimes.
31.
HAL
Its always something. A car, a
boy, money, now she wants this
stupid internship. And every
company she wants to work for has
at one point or another tried to
sue Arcotech.
ED
So tell me Hal, whats the real
agenda?
HAL
Scuse me?
ED
Im a politician. I know everyone
wants something. So what do you
want.
HAL
Quick to the draw. We need you to
reconsider certain parts of your
EPA legislation, and essentially
withdraw it, until everybody can
agree on it.
Ed takes a long pull.
ED
Its going to committee in the next
few weeks.
HAL
Just a few issues with waste
management. Its a little overzealous.
ED
Thats the point. Cant be
president without principles.
HAL
Well you cant be president without
money either.
ED
Go on.
HAL
Youve seen what our people can do
when you are behind. Imagine what
we can do if you start from the
beginning.
32.
ED
I dont see any problems sweeping a
couple of issues under the rug.
Dont expect me to play lackey
though.
HAL
Wouldnt dream of it, Mr.
President.
INT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY
The women are dressed in snappy outfits, buzzing around.
SOPHIE
You should get her out of bed.
I tried.
ANNETTE
She said she feels sick.
SOPHIE
Teenagers. Rather sleep their
lives away.
ANNETTE
Its pretty sad.
SOPHIE
There is also a great spa if you
are interested.
Ed walks from his bed room wearing shorts and a goofy hat.
ED
Morning ladies.
SOPHIE
I never get over how silly you look
in that thing.
ED
Cant tell you how many fish Ive
caught wearing this.
Hal walks from the bathroom he laughs at Ed.
HAL
Nice hat.
ED
Just wait for me to work the magic.
33.
ANNETTE
Were leaving.
HAL
Cant get her out of bed huh?
ANNETTE
If this is how she wants to actSOPHIE
Well if she changes her mind, there
is a cab service in town, and she
can meet us at the spa.
The ladies walk out of the door.
HAL
I tell you, its been a good while
since I went fishing. I must have
been a kid.
Eds phone buzzes, he answers it.
ED
Ed West. Yeah Armond. He said
what? You told him Ill be back on
Monday right? I understand. I
swear these pricks can get so
finnicky about stuff. Whats that
I cant hear you, youre breaking
up. Alright, Ill head into town
and call you back.
He hangs up.
HAL
Sounds like my job.
ED
For being some of the most powerful
people in the world, the people who
I work with are so scared of
everything.
HAL
How do you mean?
ED
I dont even feel like explaining
it. It pisses me off so much.
(MORE)
34.
ED (CONT'D)
A routine committee meeting is
being held up because one of the
members isnt budging on this
minute- anyway, Ive got to go
talk him down.
Shame.
HAL
That water looks real nice.
ED
This will only take an hour or two
tops.
HAL
Ill just do the crossword,
suppose.
ED
We will get some time in I promise.
He grabs his keys and walks out. Hal soaks in the silence
for a second, then walks into the bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Hal walks in to the bed room to see Laurie asleep wearing
only a shirt and underwear. He leers over the bed.
HAL
Just you and me.
Laurie turns over startled.
LAURIE
Huh?
Oh.
HAL
Is princess ready?
Laurie looks hastily around the room then reaches under the
covers.
LAURIE
Okay, daddy. But fast, okay?
Princess is scared.
HAL
Scared of what?
LAURIE
Mommy and Mr. Ed.
35.
HAL
They are all far away. So come on
stand up and play for daddy.
She stands up and moves towards him, they embrace.
LAURIE
If princess gives daddy what he
wants, can princess have what she
wants?
HAL
Shhh.
He bends her over and unbuttons his pants.
HAL
Daddy will think about it. Now
push back, daddy cant have you
getting pregnant anymore.
He grunts.
She whimpers.
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY

Laurie sits outside by the lake, she cries as she fumbles
with her phone. A song plays and then skips and then plays
and then skips as she tries to force it to work.
A soft purr of an expensive motor hums behind her as Eds car
pulls up. He exits the car, and seeing Laurie, walks up
behind her.
ED
You wont get that thing to work
out here.
LAURIE
Can you justShe sniffles.
ED
Are you okay?
LAURIE
Yeah, just stupid boy problems.
ED
Okay. Well Im not well versed in
those. But, Ill tell you this
much, dont let anything stick to
you.
36.
LAURIE
What do you mean?
ED
If you let what someone says to you
or does to you define you as who
you are, youll never be the person
you are meant to be.
LAURIE
Thanks.
ED
You seem like a smart girl, you
could do anything you want with
your life.
LAURIE
I want to change the way we do
things. I want to make a
difference, but my father seems to
want me to keep me in my place.
ED
He said he was worried about your
internship.
LAURIE
All the places that do something
meaningful are off limits to him.
His stupid job is more important to
him than his daughter.
Ed takes a moment to consider.
ED
When youre older, youll
understand the things hes done.
LAURIE
I doubt it.
ED
He loves you.
up.
Just keep your chin
She looks up at him and smiles.

LAURIE
Thanks Mr. West.
37.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

The two couples sit across from one another.
ANNETTE
Its a shame shes not joining us.
HAL
Said she needed some alone time.
ED
Shes a smart girl.
ANNETTE
Did you actually speak with her?
Shes been hiding this whole trip.
ED
Caught her coming back from my
meeting.
Oh yeah?
HAL
Whatd she say?
ED
She was upset about boy problems
and this internship thing. Im no
parent, but it seems like she could
really do well in a professional
environment.
ANNETTE
Senator West, do you take interns?
HAL
Dont bother him about that kind of
stuff. Hes much too busy.
ED
I think it would be a great idea.
We could use all the help we can
get.
ANNETTE
Im sure her school would have no
problem with that.
HAL
Are you sure?
ED
Absolutely.
38.
INT. CAR - DAY

The family drives home down a long freeway. Hal thumbs the
wheel, Annette reads a book, Laurie lies in the back on her
phone.
HAL
Dont know how you can read like
that. Would make me sick if I
tried it.
ANNETTE
I dont know, never bothered me.
How you feeling, sweetie.
LAURIE
I need to pee.
HAL
Unless you want to pee in the
woods, youll have to hold it for
an hour.
ANNETTE
We talked to Senator West about
you. He seemed to like you.
Yeah?
LAURIE
He was nice.
ANNETTE
He wants to take you on for the
summer.
LAURIE
Really?
HAL
You better not distract him.
got a lot on his plate.
Hes
They continue to drive.

Hal sits at his desk Robert paces around the office.
HAL
Nipped in the bud. Were all on
the same page. He lets us do our
thing, we give him what he needs to
get out ahead early.
39.
ROBERT
Youre a slick son of a bitch,
keep this up and well get you on
the fiftieth floor.
HAL
One little thing. I got stuck
between a wife and a hard place.
My daughter will be working with
him for a little while.
ROBERT
I dont like distractions. Keep
her in check, and see if shell
keep an eye on him for you.
HAL
Itll be tough, but Ill do what I
can.
EXT. CONGRESS - DAY
The summer sun of D.C. swelters suited senators as they amble
near the steps of the Capitol
Black suits swamp Laurie as she stands dwarfed beneath the
halls of congress.
She is dressed conservatively with her hair pulled back in a
tight bun. She pushes her glasses up, adjusts her skirt and
presses into the belly of the beast.
INT. CONGRESS HALLWAY - DAY
The busy bodies of the House and Senate brush past the
unassuming Laurie, dwarfed in stature and demeanor by all who
pass. She pulls out a piece of paper walks over to a
directory placard, and scans down the list of names.
She walks over to a SECURITY GUARD at a desk.
LAURIE
Hi sir. Im looking for office
number 375.
The security guard gives her a long eye.
SECURITY GUARD
You got credentials?
LAURIE
Excuse me?
40.
SECURITY GUARD
You with the press?
No.
LAURIE
I work here.
SECURITY GUARD
You need to go check in on the
third floor, fill out paperwork
with Susan in HR.
LAURIE
Susan in HR third floor.
Laurie walks off in one direction, thinks about it and
doubles back in the other direction.
The whir of people buzzing on phones, typing, texting and
working furiously with piles of documents is a cacophonous
symphony
Ed walks in and leans over Armonds desk,
ED
Any word from Bachbees people?
ARMOND
From what I gather, hes looking to
tread neutral until after Iowa.
ED
Typical rustbelt. Too tepid to
cast a vote for something he
supports, because he doesnt want
to gamble.
ARMOND
Sorry I dont have better news.
You should work with Edmundson,
hes looking for a cosponsor.
ED
Not a bad idea. California
republicans make a good talking
point. See what he wants.
ARMOND
Yes sir.
Dave approaches Ed.
41.
DAVE
Dont forget your presser. Ive
made some bullet points for you.
ED
I like to at least make it look
like Im shooting for the hip. By
the way the Robertson girl starts
today.
DAVE
Got a lot of paper work to staple.
ED
Keep her busy. I really dont have
time to baby sit.
DAVE
Oh there is stuff to be done.
A tentative knock, Laurie enters.
ED
Hello again, Ms Robertson.
She wanly grabs his hand, clutching some bound papers.
LAURIE
Senator West, thank you so much.
ED
This is Dave Marsh, my chief of
staff. Youll be primarily helping
him with clerical tasks.
DAVE
Im a good friend of your fathers.
Laurie trembles silently.
ED
You okay.
LAURIE
(quickly)
I wrote an essay, I want you to
read it. I think it will help you.
ED
Breath child.
He takes the essay, which is surprisingly thick.
42.
ED
Ill take a look at it.
LAURIE
I just want to help.
much.
Thank you so
Dave grabs her by the shoulder.

DAVE
Ive got some paperwork for you.
Sir your car will be out front.
Thanks.
kid.
ED
Welcome to Washington,
INT. ED WESTS CAR - DAY

The traffic is thick as Eds driver heads from the Capitol to
a more metro area of D.C. Ed wears reading glasses and
reviews Daves notes.
He sighs and puts them down. Sitting in silence for a
moment, he looks at Lauries paper. He opens it and begins
to read.
INT. POLITICENTRAL - DAY
A small office with a hall leading to a pair of doors. A
SECRETARY sits in front talking to STEPHEN DANIELS, a young
reporter.
Twice.
SECRETARY
It was unbelievable.
STEPHEN
You need to find a new group of
guys toALLYSON CARTWRIGHT, late 30s stern, walks in.
silence.
ALLYSON
Messages?
SECRETARY
The senator will be here in twenty
minutes.
They both
43.
ALLYSON
Show him to my office.
finish setting up.
Ive got to
STEPHEN
Pretty cool that we nabbed a
presser. Moving on up.
ALLYSON
Or hes gonna try to pull a fast
one, and dodge a lot of heat on his
race.
STEPHEN
You dig something up?
ALLYSON
He won because of ads funded by
people directly opposed to his
brand of politics. But what else
is new.
STEPHEN
Score some points on that.
get us some traffic.
Itll
ALLYSON
Not looking to score points, but
definitely not looking to play
softball.
STEPHEN
Just let me know when you are done,
I pop that baby on tonight.
She walks off.
INT. ALLYSON CARTWRIGHTS OFFICE - DAY
Allyson sits at her desk. In the middle of her office is two
chairs set up with two small cameras in opposing directions
and bright lighting.
There is a knock at her door.
hand.
She opens it and extends her
ALLYSON
Senator West come in.
Ed walks in.
44.
ED
Thanks for having me. Im excited
to do this with one of the only
honest voices on the hill.
ALLYSON
Flattery will get you everywhere
but the oval office.
ED
Well see about that.
ALLYSON
Have a seat.
Ed sits down facing a small camera that Allyson presses play
on.
ALLYSON
For editing purposes, state your
name and title.
ED
My name is Ed West and I am the
Senator from the state of
Connecticut.
Hal and Robert sit before a large TV streaming Eds
interview.
ED (V.O.)
Nature is our most valuable
resource. Which is why we must
take every precaution when it comes
to preservation of aquifers in the
face of toxic dumps from fracking.
ALLYSON (V.O.)
So you have full intention of
pursuing EPA reform during this
legislative session, even if it is
in direct opposition to your
donors stance.
Robert grips at his chair and pounds his fist against the
table.
45.

Laurie watches the same interview, smiling, almost mouthing
word for word as Ed hits his stride.
ED (V.O.)
The future of America is in
conservation and renewables. We
are living in an unsustainable
system, and to dispose of wasteful
by-products in a manner that is
irresponsible will destroy this
country. If we do not go after the
companies providing us energy
today, there will be no country to
provide for tomorrow.
Ed has a stern fixed expression.
ALLYSON
This isnt the Ed West I was
expecting to show up. Youve a
record for being soft spoken and
pragmatic.
ED
A soft spoken pragmatist cant lead
the country into the twenty first
century.
ALLYSON
So you will be running for
president in the next cycle?
ED
I would be a fool to answer that at
the moment.
ALLYSON
Well thank you so much for speaking
with us. I look forward to
speaking with you again.
She stops the camera.
Robert stands up and looks as though he may strangle Hal.
46.
ROBERT
What the fuck was that. Didnt
look like a situation handled to
me.
HAL
We had an agreement.
ROBERT
He cant keep pressing this stuff.
If hes going to be our president,
he has to play our game.
HAL
Ill let Dave know.
ROBERT
Bring that mother fucker up here.
I want to talk to him face to face.
Make sure he knows his boss needs
to get his facts straight.
INT. STEPHENS OFFICE - NIGHT
Stephen sits in front of his computer. He silently
celebrates as he continues to click his mouse.
His phone rings.
STEPHEN
Politicentral Stephen Daniels.
Yes. I can get her on the phone
now, whats the regarding. Oh
really. Give me a second.
He takes out his cellphone, puts Allyson on speaker.
STEPHEN
Al, I have Bill Bells people on
the line they want to know if you
are interested in doing a spot.
ALLYSON (V.O.)
Youre damned right!
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - NIGHT
Bill Bell sits at his desk looking sharp.
Allyson
Across from him is
47.
BILL
Welcome back. Its been a
whirlwind week in Washington, with
a barage of presidential hopefuls
weighing in on midterms. Perhaps
the most candid and surprising was
Senator Wests post cycle
interview. Joining us now is the
editor in cheif of Politicentral,
Allyson Cartwright.
ALLYSON
Thank you for having me.
is an honor.
It really
BILL
Senator West was the only major
player to do his interview online.
His was also the most candid.
ALLYSON
I think there is a certain amount
of freedom doing interviews on a
high definition handy cam hooked up
to a lap top. He was able to say
what he really wanted to say.
BILL
Hes not really known to be so
brazen. What do you think it is
that brought this out of him.
ALLYSON
America needs a president who
doesnt kiss corporate butt. I can
say that right?
BILL
Yes, so you are saying hes running
for president.
ALLYSON
Only makes sense for someone to
take such a staunch position if
they are trying to build something
for themselves.
BILL
Well folks you heard it here first.
A bold prediction for an already
heating up race.
48.
INT. ED WESTS HOME - NIGHT

Ed enjoys a drink as he watches the world blow up over his
new face. His wife knits next to him
ED
Youd think I actually announced
the way they are reacting.
SOPHIE
You know how this town is. But you
were quite a different man than
Ive ever seen speak.
ED
Want to know what it was? The
Robertson girl gave me some kind of
essay. I was in the car on the way
reviewing Daves notes, basically a
rehash of what almost lost us
reelection. So I took a look at
it. So clear, basically exactly
what I wish I could say about the
things Im doing. So I decided
fuck it.
SOPHIE
I liked the man in that interview.
ED
Me too. Id much rather be the man
of principle than fighting a dirty
war.
SOPHIE
Everything in this town is dirty.
ED
Yeah, but if I dont make some big
moves now, Ill be brushed aside
in January.
SOPHIE
Okay, enough of Bill Bell.
gonna watch my show.
Im
She changes the channel.

ED
This is such a bad show.
you watch it?
SOPHIE
Helps me dumb it down.
How do
49.
ED
I know Ive seen this before. Hes
gonna get the girl, bet you more
than anything.
SOPHIE
If you werent going to be
president Id throw this at your
head.
Ed sits across from Laurie who busily scribbles notes.
ED
The land is our most precious
resource, and our future depends on
keeping it pure.
LAURIE
I really like that speech. I think
you could really change peoples
minds.
ED
Doubtful, but Im scoring points
talking hard truths.
LAURIE
Is that all youre trying to do?
Score points.
ED
Politics is a game. Make the wrong
move and youre done. Maybe once
in a blue moon something you do
helps the country out. But
everyone here is only interested in
keeping their job.
LAURIE
So you dont really care about
fracking waste?
ED
Of course I do. I could talk about
it til Im blue in the face, wont
change the way these companies
operate. But if I am elected off of
it, I can definitely do something.
LAURIE
I wish that wasnt true.
50.
ED
I do too.
LAURIE
So are you going to bring back EPA?
ED
Yes. I would be castrated by the
media if I talked a lot and didnt
follow up. It wont pass though.
LAURIE
I really dont understand how this
thing works.
ED
All about scoring points. I look
like someone who cares, and I have
some people on the right who I will
work with after this. Then before
they see it coming, Im out in
front.
LAURIE
Im so glad Im able to be a part
of this.
ED
I cant tell you how much I owe
you. Thank you.
LAURIE
I dont want the summer to end.
ED
How would you feel about coming on
full time in the fall?
LAURIE
Oh my god that would be great!
INT. HAL ROBERTERSONS OFFICE - DAY
Hal sits across from Dave.
They both grin.
HAL
Glad you could make it.
DAVE
Always need an excuse for some time
off. So whats up?
51.
HAL
The interview. My boss has been
down my throat ever since that
thing aired. We had a deal.
DAVE
Its that girl of yours.
HAL
I knew it would be a bad idea.
the wife would hear nothing.
But
DAVE
Ill talk to him.
HAL
We really want him to be our guy.
You ready?
DAVE
My swings a little rusty.
EXT. 15TH HOLE - DAY
Hals putt sinks.
over the green.
Dave steps up and putts a rocket straight
HAL
Little more than rusty.
DAVE
Yeah but I just like getting out.
HAL
I hear you. Almost done. You
dont mind stopping for drinks in
the clubhouse?
DAVE
You really just ask that?
INT. CLUB HOUSE - DAY
Hal and Dave sit at a table. Robert Cole walks up and joins
them. They stand and shake hands.
HAL
This is the CEO of Arcotech, Robert
Cole.
52.
DAVE
I forget that Hals attached to a
corporation sometimes.
ROBERT
An important one.
drinking?
What are you
DAVE
Just a beer.
Champagne?
ROBERT
Great.
He gets the attention of a SERVER.

ROBERT
A bottle of Dom to the house
account.
The server nods.
DAVE
Well then, suppose I better get rid
of this swill.
ROBERT
Ill be straight with you, Mr.
Marsh, we were very disappointed
with the speech Senator West
delivered.
DAVE
I dont think anyone saw that
coming.
ROBERT
Quiet. I will be point blank with
you. If he wants to be president,
he cooperates, if he doesnt then
we make him disappear.
He throws a wad of cash on the table.
ROBERT
Enjoy the night on me, and put a
stop to that EPA nonsense.
Dave nervously shakes Roberts crushing grip hand shake.
DAVE
Ill talk to him.
53.

Dave sits across from Ed.
Low fat.
Laurie is writing on paper.
DAVE
No whip.
ED
And you know what I want.
LAURIE
Yes sir.
He hands her some money.
ED
If you dont tell your father you
can keep the change.
She scuttles out the door.
DAVE
So what do you think of the kid so
far.
ED
Definitely getting my moneys
worth.
DAVE
Considering its unpaid.
so.
Id say
ED
Shes relieved Steve of his coffee
duty, and is working harder than
most of us around here. How was
New York?
DAVE
Very relaxing. My short game was
good, my long game was a joke. Got
to meet Hals boss.
Oh yeah?
ED
Any news?
DAVE
To be blunt. Work with them on EPA
and youll be president. Dont and
you wont.
ED
Work with them how?
54.
Kill it.
DAVE
Move on.
ED
What?
DAVE
He said if you were flexible here,
you would have all the help you
needed.
ED
You realize were in final talks
before we bring it to the floor.
Weve mapped out enough votes to at
least bring it to debate.
DAVE
It wont pass. Its just something
for you to hang your hat on.
Plenty of things you can do for
that.
ED
If I back down now, Barstow will
never let me live it down.
DAVE
This town will forget pretty
quickly. Be smart. Play long
ball.
ED
Youre right.
DAVE
We can work up some new talking
points and get you some easy pitch
and catch and score you some points
and get you on the right track
going into January.
ED
Kinda makes me sick though. I was
close to being the candidate I want
to be.
DAVE
Do you want to be the candidate or
the president?
ED
I dont want to bend because the
money doesnt like the message.
55.
DAVE
Then find a new message. Talk
jobs, talk tech, talk the middle
class. Leave it alone and you
wont have any problems.
ED
Get me some points, Ill see what I
can do.
DAVE
So youll kill it?
Fine.
ED
Let them know Im their man.
Laurie knock on the door and enters with some coffees.

LAURIE
They were out of the vanilla so I
got that cinnamon thing you like.
ED
Thatll work.
Can you excuse us?
LAURIE
Sure.
She steps out.
ED
Draft me some points and get me in
touch with Hal.
DAVE
Remember what the goal is.
ED
I need some air.
He leaves grabbing his jacket.
EXT. CAPITOL - DAY
Ed lets out a big sigh on the steps of the Capitol, he walks
towards a bench. He sees Laurie standing next to a tree
smoking a cigarette.
ED
Didnt know you smoked.
She jumps.
56.
LAURIE
You scared the crap out of me.
Please dont tell my dad.
ED
I wont if you let me have one.
LAURIE
Really?
ED
Really.
She hands him a cigarette, he lights it, inhales and nearly
hacks up a lung.
ED
Man these are strong.
LAURIE
Shoulda warned you.
ED
Its okay. I need something to
kncok me back a little.
LAURIE
Whats wrong?
ED
Im killing EPA.
LAURIE
Why? Its on the docket for
tomorrow.
ED
This is a town of favors. I do
this and Im funded from here to
November.
LAURIE
So you are selling out?
check is it?
Whos
He coughs again.
ED
I really dont feel comfortable
discussing things like this with
you.
LAURIE
Its my dad isnt it.
57.
ED
I cant turn my back on them.
LAURIE
If you walk, they will string you
up in the primaries.
ED
There are ways to make sure they
forget. This town has a short
memory.
LAURIE
So do you.
ED
Excuse me?
LAURIE
We were just talking about a new
you and new campaign.
ED
I cant run a campaign without
money.
LAURIE
And you can only get money from
slimy energy companies?
ED
No, butLAURIE
Then be a man about it and do the
right thing.
ED
Youre right.
LAURIE
Bring it to the floor and get your
money elsewhere.
INT. SENATE FLOOR - DAY
The room is filled with several SENATORS in suits. A wash of
ethnicities and genders, but predominately white men.
Ed sits with a group of senators talking shop.
ED
Barely quorum.
Thanks for showing.
58.
SENATOR #1
You got something up your sleeve?
ED
I know I can count on five on the
right. Ive got some interstate
incentives for tax cuts on green
labor.
SENATOR #1
Oh yeah?
ED
Some of the older brass is ready to
play ball.
SENATOR #2
I know McKenzie is up, and Im
pretty sure the kid from the 3rd
district in Nevada can give him a
run for his money
ED
And God knows hes got enough of
that.
SENATOR #2
Whats the plan for today.
ED
I wanted to get a few angles on
this thing. If I could get a few
minutes from Johnny on fracking and
maybe a couple on the jobs from
Frank. Someone real rust belt.
SENATOR #2
You really think you can swing five
in a debate.
ED
Only one way to find out.
SENATOR #2
Sounds like a stunt to me.
ED
Just get my back, and I wont
forget.
SENATOR #1
What about Jill Barstow?
shell open her mouth
You know
59.
ED
If anything her grandstanding will
only make my points look more
salient.
SENATOR #1
Well just dont let her catch you
out. She can be a bitch sometimes.
ED
I got something for her.
There is a striking of a gavel.
INT. UNITED STATES SENATE - LATER
Amidst a heated debate, Ed looks as though he is clenching a
fist full of needles as JILL BARSTOW, 44 with black hair and
a mean grin waxes oratorically.
JILL
Furthermore to suggest that there
is anything wrong with the agency
as it stands is to pay a great
disservice to the great American
leaders who developed it. I dont
see a need to fix something that is
broken.
Ed clears his throat and stands.
ED
The entire point
legislation, let
to not- I repeat
strangle hold on
energy.
of this
me remind you it
not, put a
our domestic
Jill stifles laughter.

JILL
Thirty percent of the new jobs have
been through the boom in natural
gas production. Any new regulation
would styme what growth weve
gotten.
Ed nearly pounds his fist into his desk.
ED
You should get your facts checked
before you start your speech. I
dont think thats accurate.
60.
JILL
You got anything else or can we cut
the bullshit. This bill doesnt
leave the floor, so can you just
drop it or do I have to filibuster?
Either way you lose, Ed.
ED
I believe its proper decorum to
call me Senator West in this venue,
sweetheart.
JILL
Then call me Senator Sweetheart.
Motion to kill SB-1173.
A strike of the gavel.
INT. NEWS ROOM - NIGHT
An infographic collides into the screen BILL BELL TONIGHT
followed by Showdown on Capital Hill Bill sits at a shiny
desk in a 3D enriched studio.
BILL
The presumed front runners on the
left squared off over a fracking
bill. Neither candidate looked to
budge, both looking to get an early
lead in 2016. We turn to chief
Washinton correspondent Jane Jones
to talk about the EPA Expansion
Act, and the reforms it would make
on the booming natural gas
industry.
Hal nearly spits his scotch as he hears Bill Bell talk.
phone rings.
HAL
Hal Robertson.
ROBERT (V.O.)
What the fuck am I watching.
HAL
Im as surprised as you are.
His
61.
INT. ROBERT COLES CAR - SAME

Robert is being driven on a dark highway.
ROBERT
If this doesnt stop. If he
actually gets something through, I
will destroy you.
HAL (V.O.)
I talked to him, I talked to Dave.
Nothing seems to get through to
him.
INT. HAL ROBERTERSONS HOUSE - SAME
Hal has to hold to phone back to prevent from hurting his
ear.
ROBERT (V.O.)
Do you have any idea how bad that
would be?
HAL
Im sure we would lose a lot of
money.
ROBERT (V.O.)
It is way bigger than that.
HAL
Im sorry, sir I dont know what
you mean.
INT. ROBERT COLES CAR - SAME
Robert slams his hand onto the window.
ROBERT
Of course you dont, and there is a
reason for that. This has to stop.
Get this bastard in check or shit
starts rolling down hill onto your
plate.
HAL (V.O.)
Yes sir.
ROBERT
Ill be in a meeting all day
tomorrow.
(MORE)
62.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
If you dont have a solution by the
time I return, I will be forced to
handle this myself, and you dont
want that.
INT. HALS HOUSE - SAME

Hal stands.
HAL
Ill get it under control.
He puts his phone away and stomps up stairs.
Laurie sits at her computer wearing only a big shirt and
underwear. Hal knocks on the door and lets himself in.
HAL
Can I talk to you?
Im busy.
LAURIE
Can we do this later?
HAL
Its important, Princess.
Laurie stands to face Hal.
LAURIE
Daddy cant wait?
Is mommy home?
HAL
No.
LAURIE
Okay daddy. But not like last
time.
She starts to remove her shirt.
HAL
Can I talk to you first?
Huh?
LAURIE
What?
HAL
You need to quit the internship.
63.
LAURIE
Why?
HAL
Im starting to think its important
you finish school.
LAURIE
We already talked about this.
HAL
Ive had second thoughts.
LAURIE
Have you talked to mom?
HAL
Its not her decision to make. I
dont think youre helping as much
as you are getting in the way.
LAURIE
You are so full of shit.
HAL
I said dont talk to me like that.
LAURIE
Me and Mr. West have a really good
relationship. Ive learned so much
and he says I help him.
She sits back down.
He rushes to her side.
HAL
You arent helping. You are
causing everyone a lot of problems.
LAURIE
Hes super famous now, and actually
doing the right thing. Hes going
to be the president.
HAL
Not if he doesnt make a lot of
changes. Youre too young to
understand.
LAURIE
I understand completely. Hes out
of your control, and so you want to
stop him. You want to stop the
only good thing I have in my life.
64.
HAL
Itll be okay. Now let me see
princess smile.
He gropes her leg and leans into her.
back.
But she pushes him
LAURIE
Get off me. You cant ruin my life
and still get what you want, creep.
He grabs her shirt thrusts her against the bed and gets on
top of her.
HAL
Never talk to me like that again.
LAURIE
What are you going to do to me that
you havent already done?
He slaps her, then puts his hand on her throat and jams his
hand down between her legs. She cries loudly.
The door slams downstairs.
He jumps up.
HAL
Dont you say a god damned word.
He fixes himself up and goes down the stairs.
pajama bottoms and runs after him.
She throws on
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS HOUSE - DAY

Annette sets down a bag as Hal walks down the stairs.
HAL
Youre home early.
ANNETTE
Half the class was missing, so we
worked through the basic stuff and
called it a night.
Laurie bounds down the stairs.
LAURIE
Mommy, please dont let him take my
internship away.
ANNETTE
What? Slow down. What are you
talking about.
65.
Laurie bursts into tears.

HAL
Go to your room so your mother and
I can talk about this.
She dashes up the stairs and turns to look at Hal with
disgust. She slams the door.
ANNETTE
What the hell was that about?
HAL
I got a call from some important
people. She is causing a lot of
trouble.
ANNETTE
According to her, everything is
great. I mean even the news shows
hes winning. We made a choice to
let our daughter really take a step
in the right direction. And hell
she was smiling at breakfast this
morning. When was the last time
you saw our daughter smile about
anything.
HAL
Its bigger than that.
lose my job.
I could
ANNETTE
Dont be so dramatic.
HAL
You dont understand how serious
this could get. There could be
real trouble.
ANNETTE
You will be in real trouble if you
dont make this right. She stays,
end of story.
He throws his hands up in defeat and tries to walk off.
points up the stairs.
ANNETTE
Youve got to tell her.
She
66.

Laurie lies on her back listening to loud music.
in and closes the door behind him.
Hal barges
HAL
Turn that shit down.
She closes her laptop at her bedside which silences the
music.
LAURIE
Now what?
HAL
You little cunt, you pull a stunt
like that again andLaurie, realizing shes won, stands and approaches Hal.
LAURIE
Does Daddy need Princess to make
his bo-bo feel better?
She gropes him and he crumples in her grip.
HAL
Please- baby. Dont do anything
stupidLAURIE
Dont take this away from me Daddy
and Ill give you what you want.
He starts to pant heavily.
She stops.
LAURIE
Dont fuck with me.
She shoves him out the door.
INT. FANCY RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Tucked away in a small corner of the restaurant, obscured by
foliage from the majority of the tables, sit Ed and Jill.
JILL
I cannot believe you called me
sweetheart.
ED
Everyone took it as a dismissive
jab. Who would suspect us?
67.
JILL
Still, thats a fine line youre
walking.
He takes a sip of some red wine.
ED
This stuff is delicious. Lets get
a couple of bottles of this for the
evening. And besides, who would
think Im sleeping with my biggest
rival going into the primaries.
JILL
Its not good for either of us to
even let a sliver of light in on
this. I will drop you so fast,
theyll forget you in a heart beat.
Just remember there are two
democratic parties.
ED
Those who believe the message, and
those who saw an easy window in
08.
JILL
Do you really believe it?
shit you are saying.
All the
ED
If Im the first to stand for
something. If I make it look like
I do, I doubt you could catch up.
Think about it, you cant touch New
Hampshire, Iowa either. Youd lose
all the way down until the south if
I got a running start.
JILL
But if you are too partisan in
message, theyll see your weakness
in generals. You cant take Texas
and Ill fight like hell for
California. You know I have the
moderates in my back pocket. A few
pokes at the underbelly and poof no
more Environmentalist Ed.
Ed laughs.
68.
ED
Play low ball, and Ill bring us
both down. Imagine what they would
say about us.
JILL
But its so much fun to fuck the
most powerful senator.
ED
I should say the same.
They toast.
JILL
How long do you have tonight?
Ed takes a bite of steak.
ED
Sophies out of the house until at
least ten. The commute will eat up
another hour. So another couple of
hours easy.
JILL
Well let me powder my nose, and
well be on our way. Grab another
few bottles of that red. Youre
right its delicious. Let Mario
know well be on our way.
ED
Hurry up these pills dont last
forever and Im sure Mario doesnt
want to look at my - ah you get the
picture.
JILL
Funny how all you big shots are as
limp as a noodle without daddys
little helper.
She stands and heads to the bathroom. On the way she passes
by a table with Don and Robert eating dinner.
DON
We just need story. Once we get
that in place we can string a
narrative along abd force him out
like we did to Kerry and all the
other softies we didnt like.
69.
ROBERT
Anything political would get
absorbed pre-convention. Have to
make it personal.
DON
He fucking anyone?
ROBERT
Guy keeps it pretty clean. Hal
calls him Saint Ed. Guys pure
milquetoast. Didnt want anything
negative out of the PAC.
DON
No ones completely clean. Hes
gotta have something going on.
ROBERT
The only new thing I know about is
the Robertson girl. His new
intern. From what I understand
shes been getting real buddy buddy
with him.
DON
Kind of odd for a man his age, with
his experience to be getting tips
from a little girl. That might
give us something.
ROBERT
Just get some pictures and if we
need it, thats our angle.
DON
Ill put some people on him. See
if we cant get anything that looks
bad.
ROBERT
Ill talk to Hal. See if he knows
her habits, see if I cant set
something up for you guys.
DON
I know some people at the post who
would eat that assignment up. Turn
it around in less than a week.
ROBERT
Let me take one more crack at him.
Id hate to start the vetting over
again.
70.
DON
I dont like it when people arent
true to their word.
Jill walks by again on her way to the exit.
ROBERT
Thats Barstow. Wonder what shes
doing here.
DON
She seems malleable, probably vet
her in the mean time. Get her as a
plan B.
ROBERT
Sounds good to me.
Jill turns the corner past the foliage and disappears into
the kitchen.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
An expensive car is parked out back. Jill walks out and her
DRIVER opens the door for her. She gets in.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
As she sits, she is handed a glass of red win by Ed.
toast, take sips and then kiss deeply.
They
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

The car drives off.
Hal sits on his couch watching the news.
scotch. His phone rings.
He takes a sip of
Laurie walks down the stairs towards the kitchen, ducking

behind whatever she can to avoid contact with Hal.
HAL
Yes, hello Robert.
Hearing her father on the phone, she re-routes and hides out
of his line of sight in the living room, listening in on his
call.
71.
HAL
Yes. Shes been working with him
for a while. I tried to put a stop
to it, but my wife would probably
kill me if I did.
EXT. ROBERT COLES HOUSE - NIGHT
Robert smokes a cigar on his back patio.
ROBERT
The bottom line is, either he drops
the fracking and gets in line or we
go after him.
HAL (V.O.)
I understand.
Hal begins to pace the living room.
to Laurie, she ducks back.
Anytime he comes close
HAL
I will personally deal with him.
Its my fault we are in this
situation. Ill work with Dave to
apply more pressure. And if that
doesnt work we can try more
subversive measures.
EXT. ROBERT COLES HOUSE - SAME
Robert extinguishers his cigar, coughing a little.
ROBERT
That daughter of yours appears to
be his only weakness. So you need
to let us know her movements.
Hal sits again and has a big sip from his tumbler.
HAL
Ill get you what you need. Lets
just make sure she doesnt become a
victim for my sake. As for him,
whatever it takes.
72.
When he hangs up, he immediately dials another number.

HAL
Dave, its time to turn up the heat
on your boss.
Hearing this Laurie bolts out of the room.
EXT. CAPITOL - DAY
There is an influx of reports milling around the building.
Several crowd Jill Barstow.
REPORTER
Can you tell us your thoughts about
denying votes on a bill being
brought to the floor by a member of
your own party.
JILL
I think this nation is tired of
partisan bills pushing personal
agendas. I felt like if we didnt
even entertain the notion of a bill
that didnt have anywhere near
majority support, we could move on
to discussing more bipartisan
issues like my new jobs
legislation.
REPORTER 2
Senator Barstow will you run for
president?
JILL
No comment, thank you.
She walks inside, moments later reports crowd Ed.
RERPORTER
Do you think the democratic party
is falling apart after the vote
last week. Are you able to agree
on core issues and come together
for the fall?
ED
If you are referring to the stunt
pulled by Senator Barstow, I
understand she is trying to make a
rush to the center. As for the
party I am sure we can find a way
to unify.
(MORE)
73.
ED (CONT'D)
We always do, just got to make sure
we are clear on the pecking order.
REPORTER
Will you announce your run soon?
ED
You know I wont answer that, so
why ask?
REPORTER #3
Any comment on your relationship
with your new intern?
ED
Excuse me? I dont like that line
of reasoning.
He walks off, shaking his head.
Dave nervously paces the office. Constantly checking his
phone and his watch. When Ed vibrantly swings open the door,
Dave turns pale white.
ED
Are you ready for prime time,
buddy?
DAVE
You know it.
Dave laughs.
ED
Whats the matter?
DAVE
While we are alone, you need to be
careful. You could have a lot of
powerful people at your back if you
just bend a little on certain
issues that really you have no
control over.
ED
I told you, it was mostly for
theatrics. Besides the polls love
a man with principles.
74.
DAVE
Principles directly opposed to
those who want to back your run.
ED
I have no problem toning down the
rhetoric once we hit the trail, but
right now Im just getting fired
up.
DAVE
Please, if I give you advice know
that I am calculating it based on
improving success. Trust me this
is not a tree you want to bark up.
Another thing you need to keep that
girl in check. Shes been out of
line.
ED
Fine. Give me some alternate
talking points. I dont want
anything that looks soft or like a
cop out. As for the girlLaurie bursts in panting.
LAURIE
Sorry Im late. I missed the
train.
ED
Please try to be on time, there is
a lot of work to be done. Dave if
you dont mind putting together
those points and maybe get Lindsey
to set some calls with donors. As
for you, come have a seat in my
office.
He sits at his desk and beckons Laurie to sit.
ED
Have a seat.
LAURIE
Im really sorry, I promise Ill
never be late again. Please dont
fire me.
75.
ED
Relax. Im not going to fire you.
I do need you to be more respectful
though. This is a very important
time for us, and you will be a part
of something great.
LAURIE
I have to tell you something.
ED
I have a lot to handle today, so
make it quick.
Laurie clears her throat.
LAURIE
I heard my dad talking about you
last night. First he was getting
yelled at by someone, said he would
do what he had to put you in your
place, and then he said something
about understanding how important
it is that you are in line. When
he hung up he called Mr. Marsh, and
told him Shit rolls down hill if
you dont handle this.
Ed wrinkles his face in consternation.
ED
Slow down, are you sure about all
of this.
LAURIE
I would never lie to you, Mr. West.
ED
Well, I cant exactly do anything
with hearsay. Do you think you
could find something to back that
up.
LAURIE
I could look in his office. I
dont know what to look for.
ED
He was getting yelled at?
LAURIE
I know when he is being defensive.
76.
ED
Look for anything from Robert Cole.
Im sure it has something to do
with EPA, they have been harping me
on it since day one. Look for
something about dumps. Thats what
he kept hitting on every time I
talked to him.
LAURIE
I dont get it.
ED
They want me to be their guy, they
bought my re-election, and I
suppose they are intent on paving
my way to the presidency. I guess
they want me to look the other way
on this, its easier and cheaper to
just dump where they please.
LAURIE
I will do what I can.
ED
Take the day, I will talk to Dave.
Robert paces around a seated Hal.
ROBERT
Ive thought long and hard about
this. Since youve got your finger
on the one person who could really
fuck things up for us, there is a
few things you need to know.
HAL
I will do anything I can to help.
I under stand how much we stand to
lose with all this regulation.
ROBERT
If it were just money, Id take
some regulation. I have more money
than you can imagine. What is
important is that we cannot have
interference with the dumps at
their specific locations.
HAL
Why is that important?
77.
ROBERT
Too much to explain in one sitting.
Ill send you an e-mail. It will
fill you in on whats so important.
But if I tell you it comes at a
price.
HAL
Im your man.
ROBERT
We will have you snuffed out if any
of this gets out. You will be
erased. But any success will be
rewarded ten fold.
HAL
I understand, sir.
ROBERT
We are strategically poisoning the
water of aquifers for population
centers, in order to curtain
growth.
HAL
You mean poisoning people?
ROBERT
We are trying to stop a trend that
will destroy the way of life we are
all so comfortable with.
HAL
And if he stops the dumpsROBERT
We have nothing.
HAL
Let me know what you need.
ROBERT
Take the rest of the day to think
about what that means. Take a look
at the stuff Im sending you.
HAL
Yes sir.
INT. HALS CAR -DAY
Hal is stuck in traffic on a blue tooth head set.
78.
HAL
Listen Dave, I cant tell you
whats going on, but you have one
more chance to put him on the right
track.
DAVE (V.O.)
We are meeting in a bit. We
discussed new talking points.
think hell get on board.
HAL
Do what you can to keep him away
from waste disposal reform.
DAVE (V.O.)
And you cant tell me why?
HAL
There is a bigger picture, and if
you help me help them, you will be
sitting pretty my friend. If not,
it gets ugly from here.
DAVE (V.O.)
Loud and clear. Let me run.
HAL
Keep me posted.
Ed sits across from Dave.
DAVE
Ive spent some time getting a list
together for you.
ED
What do you know about Arcotech and
what they do.
DAVE
As much as you do. But with all
due respect, dont you think its
time to move on.
ED
Figured youd say something like
that. Dave if we are going to
succeed I need you to respect my
choices.
79.
DAVE
One hundred percent. I just feel
like if you stay on energy reform
you are going to alienate a lot of
moderates. Just look at how
Barstow reacted.
ED
So whats the plan?
DAVE
Drop it entirely. Move into jobs
and immigration. Work with someone
on the right on tax reform and
well be in business again.
ED
Ill consider it. But I really
think I have a chance to stand out,
if I strike blood on this toxic
dump mess.
DAVE
Be smart. You can reevaluate that
when you are in the oval office,
after running like the Ed West that
has served two and a half terms in
the Senate.
Ed stands and begins pacing.
ED
I dont like that my hands are
already tied on this, especially
when Im winning.
DAVE
Drop it and you will be so far
ahead.
ED
I swear, Im not sure who you work
for.
DAVE
Ive been your most trusted ally
for a long time, why would I back
off from that moments from
launching onto the biggest stage.
ED
I need some alone time. Thank you
for all your hard work, but Im a
little disappointed.
80.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS HOUSE - DAY

Laurie walks in the house.
LAURIE
Mom? Dad? Hello?
She locks the door behind her and moves rapidly to a back
room.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Laurie rummages through files, a brief case, his desk. She
shoves some papers in a satchel she carries. She looks at
stuff knowing its mostly useless. She sits at his desk and
wakes up his computer.
The screen has the internet open to a porn site with a few
other tabs, she shuffles through the computer entering Robert
Cole in her search bar. Nothing.
She cycles through the internet, eventually finding his email. She refreshes and sees the e-mail from Robert Cole,
with subjects about Ed West and The Plan.
She opens them both and forwards them, she begins to read and
her jaw drops.
The door to the house slams closed. She quickly turns off
the monitor and bee lines it for the exit.
When she opens the door to the office she is met by Hal.
HAL
What are you doing here?
Laurie panics, but then instantly dons her character.
LAURIE
I missed daddy, so I came home
early to play princess.
Hal waivers.
HAL
You know daddy doesnt like it when
Princess is in his stuff.
LAURIE
This is the only place it smells
like Daddy.
81.
HAL
Go upstairs and get ready to play.
Daddy has to check something.
LAURIE
Hurry mommy will be home soon and
Princess is excited down there for
Daddy.
She caresses him.
HAL
Real quick.
LAURIE
No daddy now!
HAL
Go upstairs and wait before Daddy
gets angry.
Realizing there is no dissuading him, she dashes off to her
room.
By force of habit Laurie pulls out a pink dress very tight on
her. She begins to undress but stops herself. She closes her
eyes and mumbles to her self.
She stashes her bag and removes her phone.
INSERT: Text on phone Check e-mail, might be in trouble.
Will call
She puts the phone down. She searches her room and
eventually finds a trophy from her volleyball days.
stashes it under a pillow.
She
INT. OFFICE - DAY

Hal sits on his computer. He opens to find nothing unusual,
porn and Facebook. He opens his e-mail. The two e-mails
from Robert Cole are opened. He clenches his fist, but opens
and reads them first.
He becomes more grave realizing Laurie has seen both e-mails.
He continues to scroll his e-mail and sees the forwards to
Eds e-mail.
82.

Laurie hears Hal pounding up the stairs, she assumes an
innocent position on the bed hand next to the trophy.
Hal swings the door open, but falters seeing the spread
legged girl before him. He regains composure.
HAL
Why was princess reading Daddys email?
LAURIE
Princess wanted to see Daddys job.
Can we play touch. Im wet for
Daddy.
HAL
Daddy has to punish Princess.
Because he knows what Princess did.
Take your pants off and turn over.
Reluctantly she complies, keeping her hand near the trophy.
Hal takes his hand and caresses the crown of Lauries butt.
He slaps as hard as he can.
HAL
I know you mailed Senator West.
Im going to punish Princess.
Hal continues to strike her.
HAL
I cant let you go back to him.
You are going to stay home all day
until Daddy figures out what to do.
Laurie cries as he continues to strike her.
stops.
Finally he
HAL
Tell Daddy you are sorry and he
will make the bobo feel good.
Laurie is silent.
HAL
Tell daddy you are sorry.
Laurie reaches under the pillow gripping the trophy.
LAURIE
Sorry, daddy.
83.
He unzips his pants.

HAL
Say it again.
LAURIE
(louder)
Sorry, daddy!
Hal strokes himself and pulls down her underwear.
HAL
Okay, Daddy is ready to make the
bobo go away.
She braces herself. Waiting until she feels him against her.
Then with every ounce of strength in her body, she forces him
back and grips the trophy, turns and smashes him across the
face.
Stunned, he reaches out and grabs her throat and forces her
onto the bed.
HAL
Now daddy is going to make it hurt.
With one last ditch effort she thrusts her foot into his
groin, he is forced back wincing in pain.
She brandishes the trophy once more and smashes it across the
top of his head, knocking him unconscious. She drops the
trophy and looks down at the crumpled pantsless Hal
LAURIE
Not anymore.
She pulls up her pants and runs out of the house in tears.
INT. ED WESTS HOUSE - DAY
Ed lies in bed with a nude Jill Barstow.
ED
It comes down to this. If I let
the gas off you be the first to go
for the jugular.
Eds phone vibrates, he ignores it.
JILL
Not going to check that?
important.
Could be
84.
He looks at his phone.

ED
Just need to catch up on e-mails.
JILL
I will wipe the floor with you if
you change tact. Besides I think
the party benefits from the
discussion we will have. Gives us
dimension. Everyone likes a streak
of idealism.
ED
So, lets say I stay ahead and snow
ball into Iowa and New Hampshire.
At what point do you back out and
accept the Veep nod?
JILL
Take Oklahoma or Texas and Ill
consider it.
ED
Deal. And if you pick up
Connecticut or New York, Ill make
the same concession.
JILL
Deal.
ED
I like the sound of West/Barstow A
Smarter America.
JILL
Spent some time on that one didnt
you?
ED
Came up with that one on the
crapper.
JILL
How about Barstow/West, a sexier
America.
ED
I dont know if Im the stud for
that ticket.
JILL
You will be the stud as long as you
keep working on this package deal.
85.
She thrusts her hands under the sheets. He closes his eyes.
His phone rings. He tries to ignore it. She slides her self
under the cover. The phone rings again. He finally answers.
ED
Slow down? I dont know.
mail? Hold on.
My e-
He looks at his phone and reads, Jill pops her head up.
Okay.
ED
Let me take a look a this.
He hangs up.
JILL
Now what?
ED
Now unfortunately you have to put
your clothes on. I have work to
do.
JILL
Boo.
She stands.
JILL
Whats this about?
ED
Cant say. But she could be on to
something big.
JILL
She?
ED
My intern girl.
JILL
I dont even want to know.
She finishes dressing.
ED
Ill call you.
JILL
You always say that.
myself out.
Ill see
86.
INT. JENNS CAR - DAY

Jenn drives a disheveled Laurie.
JENN
You need to tell me whats going
on. Did someone hurt you?
LAURIE
Stupid accident. I just need to
get to D.C. Ill pay you back I
swear.
EXT. ED WESTS HOME - NIGHT
An old model Nissan parallel parks across the street of Eds
DC townhouse. Laurie hops out with a giant suitcase. She
leans into the window.
LAURIE
I owe you big. Soon as Im the
assistant to the President Ill get
you a job or something.
JENN (O.S.)
You better.
LAURIE
Ill call you.
She scampers across the street and furiously pounds on the
door.
INT. ED WESTS HOME - NIGHT
The sudden pounding jars Ed out of an unconscious stupor in
his recliner.
He cautiously walks to the door.
ED
Who is it.
Its me.
LAURIE (O.S.)
Open the door.
She opens the door and flies into his arms.

LAURIE
Im so sorry. I had no where else
to go, my dad saw me.
87.
From the corner a reporter snaps photographs of the two

embracing.
ED
Come in.
INT. ED WESTS HOUSE - LATER
Ed and Laurie sit on the couch in his living room next to one
another. There are open lap tops, note books, pens. Laurie
is eating a frozen pizza, burnt almost to a crisp and Ed sips
a scotch, pretty much beyond toasty.
Laurie types into a computer, reading and taking notes.
LAURIE
The base of the e-mail implied that
there were specific project sites
in the greater New England and TriState areas that are either
completed or scheduled for
development over the next couple of
years.
ED
Yeah- I get all that.
not sure why.
Im still
LAURIE
The whole thing is their closeness
to these big bodies of water and
tributaries and stuff. So like the
burroughs get water from here and
here.
She points to a couple of places on the map.
ED
So what they build their dump sites
next to the aquifers. Its a big
jump to suggest based on all the
information that they are going to
dump. And if that is their plan,
why?
LAURIE
I dont know.
They continue to sit in silence.
ED
Do you have your fathers e-mail.
I want to check something.
88.
LAURIE
It was logged in at the house.
might know his password.
She types in the computer.

ED
What is it?
LAURIE
Just a guess, but for a while it
was princess123 on the family
computer. Hes not the kind of guy
to change things up.
ED
Thats odd. Whos the princess.
LAURIE
Thats what he calls, called me.
She clicks a few times.
ED
Ill be damned. Look up Robert
Cole one more time. This whole
thing got started a few months back
I want to see if there is something
during the race for my seat.
He scrolls and reads.
ED
Nothing.
LAURIE
Lets just look at whats already
here before we assume something is
missing.
ED
Okay.
He pulls out a piece of paper.
ED
They have or are building a total
of twenty sights in this area.
They have a dozen or so waste
management sights, about half of
them are according to this graphic
next to major inland bodies of
water.
(MORE)
89.
ED (CONT'D)
They are adamant about not adding
zoning regulations to dumps, and
they are upping use of radium-226
at all of the sites that use the
dumps next to the water.
LAURIE
Almost like they are trying to
poison the drinking water.
Ed lights up.
ED
I think you might be on to
something.
LAURIE
Its a stupid plan, and I dont
understand it, but why else would
they not want you to stop from them
from stockpiling all that waste
next to the fresh water.
ED
Whatever they are planning, we need
something to turn on them.
LAURIE
Well that video with the politics
people did really well.
ED
Great! Ill give them the facts
about the dumps and the fall out if
it happens. I think these
statistics regarding population
centers supplied by these aquifers
would be enough to raise some
eyebrows.
LAURIE
Then what?
ED
We get a big boost, and get our
money from the left steam roll it
into Iowa and New Hampshire and its
smooth sailing, kiss this ass good
bye Arcotech you slimy sons of
bitches.
She laughs.
90.
ED
Couldnt have done it without you.
He puts his arm around her and kisses her on the head. She
melts into him, and almost instinctively nuzzles into him.
She puts her hand on his thigh and begins going for his
crotch.
He hesitates, not sure what is going on.
sign to get more aggressive.
She uses this as a
LAURIE
I love you.
She straddles his lap and looks him in the eye and begins to
unbutton her shirt. He grabs her by the shoulders and puts
her on the couch next to him.
ED
Hey now. Hold on. Look, Im
flattered. Im just not interested
in a girl your age in that way.
Im sorry. Im a married man. I
think you are beautiful and smart
and have a great life ahead of you,
but that is not an appropriate kind
of thing to do with a man my age.
She bursts into tears and he panics.
ED
Look, dont cry.
I think you-
LAURIE
Its not you. Its me. I- this is
how Im trained to act with men
like you, with father figures. I
dont want to ruin our
relationship. Im sorry, IShe continues to cry.
He puts a hand on her shoulder.
ED
Slow down, I dont understand you.
You arent making any sense.
LAURIE
I cant- you would hate.
sorry.
She runs towards the door.
Im
He grabs her.
91.
ED
Just stop. I wont let you leave,
what did you mean this how you are
trained.
LAURIE
Ive been having sex with my father
since I was thirteen years old. I
was almost raped tonight but I
attacked him and knocked him
unconscious.
Ed takes a step back.
ED
I need a drink.
LAURIE
I know you are like a senator and
all, but do you think I could have
one?
He looks her in the eye.
ED
Just keep your clothes on.
After a tense silence a laughter of delirium.
Allyson sets up the camera.
her work.
Ed and Laurie sit back watching
ED
Sorry for the short notice. I
really want to get this out there.
ALLYSON
You dont want to do any interview
style.
ED
No. This is pretty much a stump.
But believe me youll get as much
if not more notoriety from it.
ALLYSON
Ill let you do your thing.
92.
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - NIGHT

INSERT: GRAPHIC BILL BELL TONIGHT
Bill Bell sits at his desk and taps some papers looking into
the camera.
BILL
Welcome back to Bill Bell. Weve
had quite a lot of buzz over the
last twenty four hours as Ed West
has dropped another bombshell.
This time hes going after fracking
dumps and saying some pretty
audacious stuff. Well play a clip
for you now from the viral video
that has currently over a million
views in only a short span of time.
INT. ALLYSON CARTWRIGHTS OFFICE - SAME
Ed looks directly into a camera.
ED
My name is Ed West and I want to
lead America into the next century.
I want to be a president who minces
no words, has no secrets and plays
no games with the American people.
Which is why Id like to talk to
you about radium-228 and other
toxic waste products we are not
regulating the disposal ofINT. TELEVISION STUDIO - SAME
Bill turns to an analyst MARTHA ANDERSON.
BILL
Martha, do you think there is
legitimate concern to be had from
the claims made in this video.
MARTHA
Absolutely. If there is any
mishandling of these by products we
could see an unprecedented amount
of strain on fresh water supply.
The television goes blank
SMASH CUT TO:
93.
INT. ROBERT COLES HOUSE - NIGHT

The remote control flies into the wall and shatters into
several pieces. A subhuman growl emanates from the veiny
throat of Robert Cole.
He picks up his phone.
ROBERT
Listen Don. At the very least I
need you to stop letting your
networks run positive coverage on
this. Im giving numb nuts one
more chance to fix this fuckin
problem then were burning the
whole thing down and sticking it on
him. In the mean time quit giving
him free fucking publicity.
EXT. PARK - DAY
Dave nervously sits and stands at a bench, constantly
checking over his shoulder. He checks his phone and dials.
Nothing. After a moment, Hal appears. He looks as though he
hasnt shaved in a week and he has an obviously broken nose.
DAVE
What the fuck happened to you.
HAL
Im taking some time off because of
a stupid injury. But I just got a
call from Robert which is why I
asked you to meet.
DAVE
Why not just talk on the phone?
HAL
I want to look you in the eye and
tell you Robert will destroy Ed if
he doesnt pull that video.
DAVE
Good fuckin luck with that, have
you seen the numbers? Hes fuckin
miles ahead of anyone in
favorability.
HAL
You have to try, you have to help
me. You dont know what kind of
shit I am if this doesnt change.
94.
DAVE
What do you want me to do? Im
pretty much persona non grata in
meetings. Just him and the girl
now basically.
HAL
That little cunt is going to ruin
everything.
DAVE
Are you okay?
HAL
I dont think you get it. Im as
good as dead. You have to do this
for me. I put my fuckin neck out
for you. I got them to back a
lefty because my friend asked me.
And now Im asking my friend for
help.
DAVE
Ill talk to him.
Dave peaks his head in to see Ed working busily.
DAVE
Sorry to bother you.
second.
Do you have a
ED
Im making a speech later.
quick.
Make it
Dave clears his throat.

DAVE
Sir, I really need you to think
about this. If you press on, and
make a big mess of the whole thing,
you wont get elected, cause
theyll just drag your name in the
mud with them.
ED
Im bigger than them now.
proof and a plan b.
I have
95.
DAVE
Plan b?
ED
A little insurance against your
buddy Hal. Im not going to talk
to you about it, because frankly I
dont know if I can trust you
anymore. Ive got it under
control.
DAVE
You dont have anything under
control. You dont understand.
ED
What dont I understand is why you
cant get on the band wagon. You
could have it made if you just
sever ties with those pricks.
DAVE
If you think its just those pricks
you are alienating, dont you think
they will work with as many fucking
donors and lobbyists as they can to
fuckin blackball you from your
money.
ED
Thats where plan b comes in. In
fact maybe I should have a face to
face with Robert Cole, and get my
money from the people Im supposed
to be getting it from, but on my
terms.
DAVE
You really should not fuck with
them.
ED
Dont tell me what to do. You are
really starting to piss me off.
DAVE
You need to just think rationally.
They will run you into the ground.
ED
Not when I pin their number two guy
as fuckin molester.
A long pause.
96.
DAVE
What?
ED
Ive said too much.
Get out.
Dave hesitates.
DAVE
No- no. I want to help you. I can
still fix this. Just take the easy
way out. Talk about anything else
you want to. I dont fuckin get
you man.
ED
I dont get you. Get on board or
get out of my life.
DAVE
Just listen to yourself. You
arent the Ed West I knew. Youre
just out of your fucking mind.
ED
Im all here. Youre just a little
rat. A shell of a man who cant be
trusted.
DAVE
I need you to calm down.
ED
I need you to shut up and leave.
DAVE
Ive worked with you for more than
a decade now. You cant fire me.
ED
I dont need dissention.
Get out.
They stare at each other for a long time.

Ed picks up his phone.
Dave walks out.
ED
This is Ed West, give me Hal
Robertson.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
A mostly empty restaurant during a mid day slump.
across from Hal.
Ed sits
97.
ED
Youll have to excuse my reticence
for doing this in private
HAL
I really dont understand you.
ED
Its simple, to win in Washington
you dont back down from what
works.
HAL
So you are going to walk away from
the money.
ED
I still intend on getting my money
HAL
Not from us.
ED
Thats what we are here to talk
about.
HAL
Milquetoast Ed West here to talk
extortion.
ED
Ive already dismissed your little
mole and I got one more bit of
business to discuss.
HAL
Whats that?
ED
Your daughter told me quite the
story about your relationship. I
think it will hang heavy around
your companies neck.
ROBERT
Does she know you want to use her
as a pawn.
ED
Does she need to?
HAL
What do you want?
98.
ED
All we have to do is walk out of
here in agreement, give me the
support I need. As for the
fracking mess youve got on your
hand, get your PR to clean that up.
I doubt any agency can stop you
from making your money, just keep
that shit away from the remainder
of the resources we have in this
country.
HAL
How can I trust that you wont take
the check then rub our nose in shit
to keep scoring points.
ED
I dont know if you can trust me.
I dont know if you need to. This
is D.C. I wont forget who signed
the check, just take this one on
the chin.
HAL
I dont take anything on the chin.
Ill consider it.
ED
While you are considering it, let
me give you copies of everything I
know. I just kind of hinted in
those speeches. Didnt say
anything about intentional
poisoning. And Im sure I know
some people who can shut you down
really fuckin quick with the right
information.
He slides Hal a manila folder.
He stands.
ED
Ill be expecting your call.
Robert paces eye balling a still injured Hal Robertson.
manila envelope lies open on Roberts desk.
ROBERT
This is all your fault.
The
99.
HAL
Sir, I dont think its fair to hang
everything on me.
ROBERT
And why the fuck not? Picking up
Ed West in the first place was your
decision, giving him your daughter
was your decision, not being able
to keep him in check has plagued
you for the last several months.
So Id say its pretty fair.
HAL
Ill do whatever it takes to fix
this.
ROBERT
I think the only thing to do to fix
this is cut our losses.
HAL
I dont understand sir.
ROBERT
Youre fired.
HAL
Sir- please think about what you
are doing.
ROBERT
I have. I want you out of the
building before the end of the day.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Hal and Dave sit across from each other, both looking rough
for the wear.
They pound shots.
Dave summons the BARTENDER.
DAVE
One more buddy.
The bartender looks at the two completely wasted men.
BARTENDER
No, I think you two are done. We
got cabs outside. Just get home
and sleep off whatever it is.
100.
DAVE
I dont think you sleep this shit
off. Gimme another.
BARTENDER
Look I can have someone help you
leave if thats what you want. Now
settle the tab and get the fuck out
of here.
HAL
Just listen to the man.
DAVE
Im so god damned tired of
listening to people.
He slams his palms on the table and walks out. At the door
he turns and gives the finger to the bartender. Hal follows
behind him.
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
Both men stand in a misty rain, there are no cabs in sight.
DAVE
I got nothing left man. Senator
West, that job, that was
everything.
HAL
Youre telling me that.
DAVE
Why couldnt you keep that stupid
fuckin girl of yours under control.
This is her fuckin fault.
HAL
Dont talk about my daughter like
that.
DAVE
We had a good deal man.
let it get personal
But you
HAL
You think this is what I wanted?
101.
DAVE
No, but you let her ruin this. You
let a seventeen year old girl shit
on what was a fucking cake walk to
the most powerful office in the
world.
HAL
It was out of my hands.
Dave spits.
DAVE
I cant even look at you anymore.
Id just as soon walk.
Hal puts his hand on Daves shoulder.
HAL
Just listen.
DAVE
Im done with listening and Im
done with you.
He walks off, Hal grabs his shoulder more forcefully.
HAL
Please stop.
DAVE
Get your God damned hands off me.
He pushes Hal back, who stumbles and ends up on the ground.
Dave walks off.
Hal opens the door to his house inebriated, bruised and
broken.
Annette sits alone in a chair.
ANNETTE
Where have you been?
HAL
Watching the world crumble.
ANNETTE
What the fuck is wrong with you?
102.
HAL
Not you too.
ANNETTE
Our daughter has been missing for
more than three days, and youre
whining about what about me being
upset with you?
HAL
I know where she is.
where she is.
You know
ANNETTE
Then prove you arent completely
useless and get her back. I dont
care about your job, I dont care
about your pride.
HAL
I am going to fix this.
ANNETTE
I dont care what you have to do.
INT. ED WESTS HOUSE - DAY
Ed, Sophie and Laurie are sitting in the living room sharing
coffee.
SOPHIE
You can imagine how surprised I was
to find you sleeping on our couch.
LAURIE
Im sorry to just barge in, it was
an emergency.
SOPHIE
I am fine with you staying on one
condition, you have a talk with
your father. I know you two got in
some kind of argument, I also know
Ed has found a great deal of use
from you.
ED
I have spoken with your father, I
dont see him threatening you
anymore.
103.
LAURIE
I really never want to speak to him
again.
ED
Unfortunately, that isnt
realistic. You will have to
eventually go home.
LAURIE
I cant do that. I thought you
said you could protect me.
She gets backing towards the door.
ED
Nothing bad is going to happen.
Just relax.
LAURIE
If I have to go see him, please
come with me.
ED
Of course.
Hal drives aimlessly in circles, nothing to do no where to
go. He dials a number. After a few rings, the phone
activates via bluetooth.
LAURIE (V.O.)
Hello, Hal.
HAL
Laurie, please listen to me, Im so
sorry.
LAURIE (V.O.)
For what exactly?
HAL
Im a monster. I dont know what
to do with myself anymore. Ive
lost everything.
LAURIE (V.O.)
You are apologizing to me because
you lost everything?
HAL
I did everything for you.
104.
EXT. PARK - DAY

Ed sits next to Laurie.
LAURIE
Thats bullshit. I never want to
see you again.
Ed nudges her.
ED
Let me talk to him, go get yourself
a coffee.
She stands and walks off down the street.
ED
Hal its Ed. Have you thought
about what I told you.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS CAR - SAME
Hal pulls over.
HAL
Ed is that you?
ED (V.O.)
Sure is. I know you arent getting
much out of the girl, but I intend
on keeping this professional.
HAL
Hows that?
EXT. PARK - SAME
Ed stands and walks opposite the direction Laurie went.
ED
Im a politician Hal, I know people
only do what you want when they
think they get something out of the
deal. How can I expect you to
hustle up a deal with your boss, if
Im not making it easy on you.
HAL (V.O.)
Right, right. Im glad youre
finally willing to talk.
105.
INT. HAL ROBERTSONS CAR - SAME

Hal lights up a cigarette and rolls down the window.
ED (V.O.)
Its simple. Your daughter for PAC
donations. Have your boss sign off
on the paper work meet me at the
Ritz, Ill leave her there and you
leave the paper work with me. Im
not a kidnapper and you arent the
villain.
Deal.
HAL
Give me twenty four hours.
He hangs up the phone trembling.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Laurie sits across from Ed.
She sips a coffee.
ED
It isnt permenant. Once you are
eighteen, you can enroll at
Georgetown, and work at the oval
office during the summer. I need
you to trust me.
LAURIE
I just dont want to look at him
ever again, I dont want him to
touch me ever again.
ED
If he does, you do the right thing
and call the police. I dont think
hes stupid.
LAURIE
Why are you doing this to me?
thought you would protect me.
ED
I will not leave you behind, but I
cant have this following me
around, which is why you need to go
back home and make everything
right.
LAURIE
Okay- okay.
106.
INT. PAWNSHOP - DAY

Hal hands over a wad of cash to a crusty Armenian PAWNBROKER.
He slides him a small bag.
HAL
Heres another fifty if you can get
rid of the records.
The pawnbroker smiles a toothless smile.
Hal walks out.
INT. OFFICE - DAY

Hal sits at home typing at a computer, he prints a couple of
pages and signs the pages sticking them in a manila folder.
He dials a number on his phone, with the beep of the
answering machine he considers speaking then hangs up.
types a text message instead.
He

Ed is on the phone his feet are kicked up on the desk.
ED
A little rendezvous, a little red
wine and a small celebration.
Meet me at the hotel at seven.
There will be a quick exchange and
Ill be on easy street with PAC
support.
He hangs up the phone.
Laurie sits on the bed of a fancy hotel room.
suitcase and plops it on the bed.
LAURIE
Im scared.
ED
This is for the best.
you forever.
LAURIE
Dont let him hurt me.
I cant keep
Ed lugs a
107.
ED
Hes a business man, hell
understand the value of keeping me
happy.
LAURIE
And what about me? What stops him
from doing what hes done before,
from hurting me.
ED
I would never let that happen.
EXT. HOTEL - DAY
Hals car parks out front. He wobbles from the car, drunk.
He wears a large coat and carries a manila envelope.
INT. HOTEL - DAY
Hal stands before the CONCIERGE.
HAL
My name is Herman Stein, Im
meeting Daniel Kuhlmann, I was told
to check in here for the other key.
The concierge types into the computer.
CONCIERGE
Yes sir.
He hands him a card.
CONCIERGE
Enjoy your stay. Check out before
eleven A.M. Dial star one for this
desk and room service.
HAL
That wont be necessary.
you.
But thank
He walks towards the elevator.

INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY
Hal walks down the hall and looks at the key card in his
hand. He stops before a door and opens it with the key card.
He steps in quietly.
108.

Laurie sits on the bed crying softly.
Hal peeks his head in.
HAL
Hello, princess.
LAURIE
Never call me that again.
HAL
Where is Mr. West?
LAURIE
Hes in the bathroom.
HAL
This will be quick. Youll be
coming home with Daddy.
He grabs her hand.
Ed walks out of the bathroom.
ED
Youre early.
HAL
I want to get this over with. Im
glad youve decided to come around.
ED
Well lets have the paper work then,
shall we?
Hal hands him the manila envelope.
LAURIE
So thats what this is, an
exchange? What am I worth to Mr.
West?
ED
More than you know.
Ed removes the papers and begins to read them. He pauses and
looks up at Hal. Hal has removed his coat revealing a .38
Special tucked in his waist.
Ed continues to read.
ED
This isnt what I was expecting.
109.
HAL
I should say the same. You ruined
my life. All you had to do was
stay quiet. This could have been
so fucking simple. But your god
damned ego couldnt let you see
past the front of your god damned
nose. You think the president is
elected off of approval polls a
year and half from the election.
You had to press buttons we asked
you not to press and now, now here
we are. Youve got the only thing
that ever mattered to me, and I
have nothing to offer you in
exchange, so I suppose Ill have to
take it.
Hal pulls out the gun, shaking.
ED
You dont have
All you had to
sign off on an
it gets messy.
and I drop the
your company.
to be so drastic.
do was have Robert
easy decision. Now
You take the girl
paper that destroys
HAL
It isnt my company, or I wouldnt
have been so stubborn. That Cole
is an idiot. Its not like
anything you say, any public
opinion makes a difference. You
could tell the world hes going to
poison them, and theyd say well
isnt that nice, but Ive got to be
at work soon. Nobody cares about a
bigger picture, not even the man
who tried to bring it to the
worlds attention.
Laurie charges at Hal, he fires a round into the floor.
stops.
HAL
Sit down.
LAURIE
Daddy, please.
HAL
Dont give me that.
sit.
Both of you
She
110.
He waves the gun in their face.

ED
You dont live down killing us.
HAL
Oh, I wont kill you.
her and yourself.
Excuse me?
at anyone.
Youll kill
ED
Im not pointing a gun
HAL
Everyone tells stories. What will
yours be? Because I know a couple
of very powerful people who will be
pleased to hear you disappeared,
waiting to run the story of your
tragic death into the ground until
whats real and what isnt are
indivisible.
Ed turns pale white. Hal knocks him out with the butt of the
pistol and lies him on the bed. Laurie backs away from him.
LAURIE
Please, Daddy, please, mommy
doesnt have to know.
HAL
Its too late now princess go lie
down next to the nice man.
She cries and tries once more to run. He grabs her and
throws her against the wall. He aggressively feels her up.
LAURIE
Daddy please.
He pushes her down into the bed.
into the arms of Ed.
With the gun forces her
He drapes the unconscious arm over her.

HAL
Now, say good night princess.
She cries softly. He fires two shots, wipes the gun clean
and places it into Eds hand. He walks out dialing his
phone.
FADE OUT.

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INT.

HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY

INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER

Walking around the room and shaking everyones hand, face

Ed turns back to the crowd of supporters.

He presses a button on his phone.

A knock on the door

She glares at Hal.

Can you for

INT. ST. JOSEPHS ACADEMY - DAY

Laurie looks on the verge

Its not the end

Laurie smiles and wipes her eyes.

Jenn: Where u at?

She dashes out of the door.

Hal burps and has a sip of a

Annette gently wipes

Hal sighs and stands.

INT. LAURIES ROOM - NIGHT

Hal lets himself in and closes the

Hal sits on the bed and puts his arm around

She snuggles into him.

She hangs up.

Steven hustles up to him.

INT. ED WESTS OFFICE - DAY

INT. HAL ROBERTSONS CAR - DAY

Can you freshen my

EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY

Just keep your chin

She looks up at him and smiles.

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

INT. CAR - DAY

They continue to drive.

Dave grabs her by the shoulder.

INT. ED WESTS CAR - DAY

She opens it and extends her

INT. LAURIES ROOM - NIGHT

Across from him is

INT. ED WESTS HOME - NIGHT

She changes the channel.

They both grin.

Dave steps up and putts a rocket straight

What are you

He gets the attention of a SERVER.

INT. ED WESTS OFFICE - DAY

Laurie is writing on paper.

Laurie knock on the door and enters with some coffees.

Can you excuse us?

Thanks for showing.

Jill stifles laughter.

INT. ROBERT COLES CAR - SAME

INT. HALS HOUSE - SAME

He rushes to her side.

But she pushes him

INT. HAL ROBERTSONS HOUSE - DAY

Laurie bursts into tears.

INT. LAURIES ROOM - NIGHT

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

Laurie walks down the stairs towards the kitchen, ducking

Anytime he comes close

When he hangs up, he immediately dials another number.

INT. HAL ROBERTSONS HOUSE - DAY

INT. OFFICE - DAY

INT. LAURIES ROOM - DAY