THE SENATOR’S WIFE
By Charles Deemer
FADE
IN:
INT.
SENATE BLDG - OFFICE - NIGHT
The
beam of a flashlight searches a dark office in the U.S. Senate building. It comes to rest on a filing cabinet.
A
gloved hand opens the cabinet. A file
is removed.
The
flashlight finds a desk. The file is
set on the desk and opened.
INSERT
DOCUMENT
Under
the letterhead "Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources", a
bold TOP SECRET is stamped across the document's title page.
BACK
TO SCENE
A
copy machine casts an eerie glow in the dark office. The silhouette of a person hovers nearby.
One
by one, the pages of the SECRET DOCUMENT are printed.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
A
limo is parked in a circular driveway in front of a large home in a high-end
neighborhood.
The
driver is JUAN, 40s, Hispanic. He waits
outside, cleaning the windshield.
Down
the street, with a view of the limo, a small sedan is parked. We hear radio news:
RADIO
ANNOUNCER
(on
radio)
In
other news, Jennifer Jenner, wife of the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania,
will be attending her fifteenth high school reunion tonight in Fieldsdale,
Maryland. The senator, who is in the
middle of committee hearings on a controversial plutonium import bill, will not
accompany her.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Behind
the wheel is CAMERON, 30s, an aide to Senator Russell Jenner, whose house he is
watching.
Cameron
is reading the newspaper and listening to the radio.
The
car phone rings. Cameron turns off the
radio and answers.
CAMERON
Hello?
INT.
SENATE BLDG - SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY
SENATOR
RUSSELL JENNER, 50s, is on the phone.
He's a handsome,
distinguished-looking man.
SENATOR
JENNER
Has
she left yet?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
CAMERON
Not
yet. Don't worry, senator, I'll be on
her like glue.
SENATOR
JENNER
I
want photographs.
CAMERON
You'll
have them.
He
hangs up. He goes back to reading the
paper.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
Coming
out of the house to the limo is JENNIFER JENNER, 30s, the senator's beautiful wife.
Juan
hurries around the limo to open the door for her. Then he gets in himself.
The
limo pulls out into the street.
The
sedan pulls in back of it.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Cameron
settles behind the wheel, as if for a long journey.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - DAY
The
sedan follows the limo through traffic.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Cameron
nervously taps his fingers on the steering wheel. He looks impatient.
He
dials a number on the car phone.
INT.
LIMO - DAY
Jennifer,
surprised, answers the phone in the back of the limo.
JENNIFER
Hello?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
CAMERON
Hi,
beautiful.
Jennifer
is amused to hear from him.
JENNIFER
And
what do you think you're doing?
CAMERON
I
was about to ask you the same thing. We
have a good drive ahead of us.
JENNIFER
We?
CAMERON
Look
behind you.
She
does - and sees the sedan following the limo.
JENNIFER
Are
you following me?
CAMERON
I
just do what I'm told.
JENNIFER
Russell
has you doing this? That sonofabitch.
CAMERON
Relax,
he doesn't have a clue. So what's
up? I thought you were in a hurry to
get there.
JENNIFER
I
have an errand to do first. Cameron,
must you do this?
CAMERON
Relax
and have a good time. Smile a lot. I'm taking photographs.
Cameron
is amused, but Jennifer isn't.
JENNIFER
Jesus
Christ.
She
hangs up.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Cameron
smiles and sets down the phone.
EXT.
SENATE BUILDING - DAY
The
limo approaches the U.S. Senate Building.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Again
Cameron dials a number on the car phone.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY
HELEN,
60s, the senator's secretary, answers the phone.
HELEN
Good
morning, Senator Jenner's office.
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
CAMERON
Good
morning, Helen. Has the senator gone
into committee yet?
HELEN
Yes,
he has. Would you like to leave a
message?
CAMERON
No,
that's all right.
EXT.
SENATE BUILDING - DAY
The
limo double-parks in front of the building, and Jennifer gets out and
enters. She is carrying a large purse.
INT.
SENATE BUILDING - DAY
Jennifer
goes through a security check and walks to the elevator.
INT.
SENATE BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
The
elevator opens and Jennifer comes out.
She walks down the hallway to her husband's office.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY
Jennifer
enters.
JENNIFER
Good
morning, Helen.
HELEN
He's
already in committee.
JENNIFER
I
realize that. He forgot something this
morning that he'll need.
She
fetches several thick reports and sets them on Helen's desk. We see that there are two 9x12 envelopes in
the large purse.
HELEN
Thank
you.
Jennifer
starts away.
HELEN
Have
fun tonight!
INT.
HALLWAY - DAY
Jennifer
is walking along the hallway.
Suddenly
an office door opens and SHEILA rushes out, running into Jennifer. A pretty woman in her late twenties, SHEILA
is the senator's press secretary.
Sheila
is carrying a large purse stuffed with reports. She moves out so suddenly that
she and Jennifer collide.
When
they collide, their purses drop onto the floor, spilling some of their
contents.
A
passing GENTLEMAN rushes to their rescue.
GENTLEMAN
Are
you ladies all right?
Reports
and books are scattered everywhere - and so are three similar-looking manila
envelopes, two from Jennifer's purse and one from Sheila's.
The
gentleman is helping them put things into their purses.
Two
envelopes are put into Jennifer's purse, one into Sheila's - but the wrong envelope. No one catches this.
SHEILA
Jennifer,
I'm so sorry. Are you all right?
JENNIFER
I'm
fine.
SHEILA
I'm
running so late.
She
is already moving off again.
SHEILA
Have
a ball tonight!
And
she's gone.
Jennifer
composes herself.
GENTLEMAN
You're
sure you'll okay?
JENNIFER
I'm
fine. Thank you.
EXT.
FIELDSDALE - PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DAY
A
downpour.
Parked
in the driveway of a small town residential neighborhood is a van with the
words DUANE'S PLUMBING SERVICES painted on the side. The van has seen better days.
The
front door opens and PROF. WELLWORTH, 60s, comes out, carrying an umbrella.
Wellworth
is a gray-haired retired high school shop teacher - "professor" is a
nickname. The elderly gentleman looks
more like an English professor than a man who works with his hands.
GENTLEMAN
Wellworth
chomps on an unlit pipe and heads down the steps.
He
hurries to the side of the house along the driveway, where he bends down to
shout into an opening that leads under the house.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Duane? Making any progress down there?
No
answer. He calls louder.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Duane?
EXT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - UNDER HOUSE - DAY
Working
on a pipe under the house is DUANE HANSEN, 30s, a handsome clean cut plumber
who is Prof. Wellworth's former student.
Right now he is at the end of a bad day.
He
hears the professor calling for him.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Duane? You almost done?
DUANE
HANSEN
Pretty
quick now!
He
grimaces as he tightens a fixture, not looking like a man who's almost done.
INT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN BAR - DAY
The
"professor" and Duane are drinking hot coffee.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
I
didn't expect this to take all afternoon.
DUANE
HANSEN
Neither
did I.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
You
don't have to finish today. You do have
plans, I know. A big night for you!
DUANE
HANSEN
I
hate to stop in midstream. It shouldn't
be much longer.
The
phone rings.
As
the professor gets up to answer it, Duane moves for the door.
DUANE
HANSEN
To
be honest, I'm not even sure I want to go.
The last class reunion I went to made me feel too damn old.
Duane
is out the door as Wellworth picks up the phone.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Hello?
INT.
LIMOUSINE - DAY
Making
the call is Jennifer Jenner.
She
sits in the back of the limo, a picture of wealth. The limo is on an Interstate highway.
JENNIFER
Professor
Wellworth?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Who
is this?
JENNIFER
This
is Jennifer. How are you?
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Jennifer?
JENNIFER
Jennifer
Jenner.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Who?
JENNIFER
Jennifer
Barrington. I'm Jenner now.
(sing-songy)
"Jennifer
Jenner, Jennifer Jenner." You get used to it.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Jennifer! Where are you?
JENNIFER
On
my way to Fieldsdale. I'm coming to the
reunion. Duane's answering machine said
he's working there. May I speak to him?
PROF.
WELLWORTH
You
want to speak to Duane? Well, he's
under the house. Just a minute.
He
sets down the phone.
JENNIFER
Under
the house?
INT.
LIMOUSINE - DAY
Jennifer
lets out a deep breath. This wasn't an
easy phone call to make.
EXT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DAY
Under
his umbrella, Wellworth bends down at the side of the house.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Duane? Jennifer is on the phone!
EXT.
UNDER THE HOUSE - DAY
Duane
is struggling with the same pipe as before.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Jennifer
Barrington is on the phone!
At
the sound of Jennifer's name, Duane stops.
He looks more than surprised - he's visibly stricken, as if the sound of
her name is the last thing he expected to hear, or wants to hear.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Duane?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
can't stop here! Take a message!
He
starts lugging at the pipe, working with new fury.
INT.
LIMOUSINE - DAY
Jennifer
is getting the news.
JENNIFER
Tell
him I'll see him at the reunion. Tell
him I look forward to it.
EXT.
HIGHWAY - DAY
The
limo moves down the highway.
Behind
it, the small sedan is following.
INT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - COFFEE BAR - DAY
Duane
enters the house, soaked, finding the professor sipping coffee at the kitchen
bar.
DUANE
HANSEN
Done.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Did
you know Jennifer was coming to the reunion?
DUANE
HANSEN
No,
I didn't.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
She
married a senator. Which one was it?
DUANE
HANSEN
The
distinguished Republican from Pennsylvania.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
She
told me she's looking forward to seeing you.
This
lights a fire under Duane.
DUANE
HANSEN
Listen,
I've got a couple other stops. I'll
send you a bill.
He
heads for the door.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
I
was going to pay you in cash.
DUANE
HANSEN
There's
no rush.
And
Duane is gone.
Wellworth
looks concerned, as if he knows exactly what Duane's problem is.
EXT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY
Duane
rushes in the rain to the van, where he puts away his tools.
Then
he gets in.
INT.
DUANE'S VAN - DAY
He
slips behind the wheel and inserts the key into the ignition. But he doesn't start the engine.
He
is deep in thought.
Suddenly
he hits the steering wheel.
EXT.
HIGHWAY - DAY
The
limo is still being followed by the sedan.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Cameron
is lost in his own thoughts.
INT.
LIMO - DAY
Jennifer
opens her purse to take out a manila envelope - and finds a surprise. One of
the envelopes looks wrong.
She
pulls out the "wrong" manila envelope, which is stuffed with
something. Curiously, she opens it.
INSERT
DOCUMENT
The
document in the envelope is the photocopy of the same SECRET DOCUMENT from the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee that we saw before.
BACK
TO SCENE
She
starts reading, then skimming. The
contents of the document shock her.
Jennifer
returns the document to the envelope.
She stuffs it back into her purse.
She
looks troubled and confused.
How
did a top secret senate document end up in her purse?
INT.
SENATE BLDG - HALLWAY - DAY
Senator
Jenner is walking with his press secretary, Sheila.
SENATOR
JENNER
I've
been brainstorming with Cameron, and I think I'm going to announce soon. What do you think?
Sheila
is someplace else.
SENATOR
JENNER
Sheila? Hello?
SHEILA
I'm
sorry. Yes, I've always thought the
sooner the better.
SENATOR
JENNER
Good. Are you all right?
SHEILA
Of
course.
She
smiles, trying to cover the fact that something else is on her mind.
The
senator takes her arm and stops her.
SENATOR
JENNER
I'm
worried about you.
SHEILA
I
couldn't sleep last night. I'm just a
little tired.
SENATOR
JENNER
Sheila,
if you find yourself being tempted, even if you relapse, you'll come to me
first, okay? Sometimes it takes a
couple tries to kick the habit. You're
important to me.
SHEILA
I'm
okay, Russell.
They
continue walking down the hallway.
EXT.
SENATE BUILDING - DAY
Workers
stream out of the building at the end of the day.
Sheila
comes out. She is in a hurry.
INT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY
Sheila
enters a cocktail lounge. The bartender
recognizes her.
BARTENDER
Your
usual, Sheila?
SHEILA
Yes,
thanks.
She
heads for the women's room.
INT.
WOMEN'S ROOM - DAY
Sheila
enters. Only one other woman is there,
at the mirror.
Sheila
goes into a stall.
She
takes a deep breath and opens her large purse.
She takes out the 9x12 manila envelope.
Something
is wrong. Concern darkens her face.
She
quickly opens the envelope and pulls out a photograph.
INSERT
PHOTOGRAPH
of
a teenage boy wearing earrings. He
looks like he carries a grudge against the world.
INT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY
Sheila
rushes by the bar on her way out.
BARTENDER
Sheila,
don't you want your drink?
EXT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY
Sheila
comes out in a panic, moving quickly down the street.
INT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY
TWO
MEN, 40s, enter from the restaurant side.
They approach the bar.
Both
men wear suits that don't quite fit.
They speak in thick Slavic-accented English.
MAN
#1
We
have appointment with Sheila.
BARTENDER
She
just left. Didn't even touch her drink.
The
men exchange a look. They dart outside.
EXT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY
The
men look up and down the street.
She's
nowhere to be found.
EXT.
FIELDSDALE - STREET - NIGHT
It
is raining.
The
limo enters the small town of Fieldsdale.
As
before, the sedan follows.
EXT.
FIELDSDALE HIGH SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM - NIGHT
A
TV van is parked outside the school gym.
PEGGY
SOMMERS, 30s, a reporter, and JIM, 20s, a camera man, are huddled together
under one huge umbrella, waiting for Jennifer to arrive in her limo.
A
crowd of former students and teachers also waits.
Suddenly
the limo is spotted by someone, who yells, "She's here!"
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Crunch
time.
Jim
moves out from under the umbrella, getting his camera ready.
Peggy
maneuvers through the crowd to get close to the curb for the limo's arrival.
INT.
LIMO - NIGHT
Jennifer
sees the crowd waiting for her. She
manages to smile.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane's
van is parked in the driveway, glistening under the downpour.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - NIGHT
Duane
has just finished shaving. He is way
behind schedule for getting to the reunion on time.
He
towels himself off and moves into the living room.
INT.
LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The
TV is on, showing the arrival of Jennifer in her limo. She is being interviewed by Peggy.
EXT.
HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT
JENNIFER
This
is so heart-warming! I can't believe
how many people are here.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Will
Senator Jenner be making an appearance tonight?
JENNIFER
No,
he couldn't fit it in.
Down
the street, the sedan is parked.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
Cameron
is snapping photographs of the interview.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
is still watching the interview on TV.
JENNIFER
(on
TV)
This
is what America is all about, isn't it?
I'm so thrilled to be here.
Duane
frowns at hearing this. He shuts off the TV.
The
phone starts ringing.
Duane
stares at it, as if trying to will it into silence.
It
still rings.
And
rings.
Finally
it stops.
Duane
lets out a long, deep breath.
DUANE
HANSEN
Christ.
INT.
HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT
A
mediocre band is on stage, trying to recapture the music of a bygone era.
Dancers
crowd a makeshift dance floor, oblivious to how bad the band is.
A
swarm of former classmates hovers around Jennifer. She corners MARY, 30s, an old girlfriend.
JENNIFER
Have
you seen Duane?
MARY
Not
yet. Has anybody seen Duane?
No
one has. A few eyebrows raise, as if in
recognition of some special meaning to the question.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
stands at a mirror, putting on his tie.
The
phone starts ringing again. And once
again, Duane tries to stare it down.
INT.
GYM - PAY PHONE - NIGHT
Jennifer
is making the call.
The
phone rings and rings.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
phone rings. Rings. And stops.
Instant
relief crosses Duane's face.
He
looks at himself in the mirror. He
shakes his head and suddenly rips off his tie.
DUANE
HANSEN
Fuck
it.
No
high school reunion for him.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Later
Duane is watching a movie on TV when the phone starts ringing again.
DUANE
HANSEN
(to
the phone)
Get
the goddamn message, Jennifer!
(to
himself)
There's
no point. No point.
INT.
GYM - PAY PHONE - NIGHT
Jennifer
gives up more easily this time. She
hangs up.
Moving
away from the phone, she starts looking for someone she knows well enough to
ask a favor of.
FINALLY:
JENNIFER
Jerry! Jerry McIntire!
EXT.
GYM - BACK ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Jennifer
leads JERRY, 30s, out the back entrance of the gym. He thinks he is going to get to smooch with a senator's wife and
makes his move.
But
Jennifer holds him off.
JENNIFER
Hey! That's not what we're doing.
JERRY
We're
not?
JENNIFER
Do
you have a car?
Jerry
smiles, thinking it's going to be even better than he thought.
JERRY
This
way.
JENNIFER
You
drive it here. I want you to take me to
Duane Hansen's.
JERRY
Duane?
JENNIFER
Can
you do that for me?
She
is giving him her warmest, sexiest smile.
JERRY
Why
do I have to bring the car back here?
JENNIFER
Because
I don't want my chauffeur to know where I'm going.
She
kisses him on the cheek.
JENNIFER
It's
important.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
is dozing in front of the TV when the doorbell rings. He awakes with a start.
The
doorbell rings again.
He
goes to the door and opens it.
Jennifer
has moved inside, closing the door behind her, before Duane fully realizes what
has just happened.
Suddenly
he looks self-conscious in slacks and a T-shirt, wearing socks with a hole in
one toe.
JENNIFER
Hello,
Duane.
DUANE
HANSEN
Jennifer
. . .
JENNIFER
You
weren't going to come, were you?
He
just looks at her.
JENNIFER
Is
it because I was there?
He
doesn't answer.
JENNIFER
I
was told you've been to every reunion up to now.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
just had a bad day, is all. So can I
fix you a drink or something?
JENNIFER
Do
you have any white wine?
DUANE
HANSEN
Just
beer, bourbon, vodka.
JENNIFER
A
beer.
DUANE
HANSEN
Make
yourself at home. Let me turn this off.
He
clicks off the TV and heads for the kitchen.
Jennifer
moves around the living room. She
carefully inspects everything, as if trying to piece together the kind of life
that would be lived within these walls.
Then
she stops.
She
takes the "wrong" manila envelope out of her purse and looks around
the room, looking for a place to hide it.
But
she hears Duane coming and stuffs the envelope away.
Duane
returns with two beers, one in a glass.
This he hands to Jennifer.
JENNIFER
No
photographs.
DUANE
HANSEN
You're
right.
JENNIFER
No
wife and kids. I learned that, too.
DUANE
HANSEN
No
complaints. In fact, I'm doing really
great, Jennifer. I know you are. You made it to the big time, just like you
always wanted.
JENNIFER
Is
that what I wanted? It seems so long
ago.
Another
silence.
JENNIFER
I
have an ulterior reason for being here.
Duane
just looks at her.
JENNIFER
Don't
you want to know what it is?
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
not sure.
JENNIFER
I
debated whether I should tell you or not.
I even debated whether I should let myself get involved or not. The situation is more complicated, let us
say, because my husband would not approve of what I'm doing.
Jennifer
reaches into her purse and takes out a manila envelope (the "right"
one), handing it to Duane.
Duane
stares at the envelope, then finally opens it.
He takes out a photograph.
INSERT:
PHOTOGRAPH
It's
another print of the same photograph Sheila found: a small color photograph of
TOMMY WALLER, age 15, a boy who is looking at the camera as if daring it to
take his picture.
BACK
TO SCENE
Duane
swallows.
DUANE
HANSEN
He's
a nice looking boy. Who is he?
JENNIFER
I
had him after graduation. Do you hate
me for not telling you?
DUANE
HANSEN
He's
yours? Ours?
She
nods.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
don't understand.
JENNIFER
It's
why I broke up with you, Duane. I
wasn't ready to be a mother. And I knew
you'd want to get married.
DUANE
HANSEN
Of
course, I would. I don't believe
this. What's his name?
JENNIFER
Tommy
Waller. He lives in Alexandria.
DUANE
HANSEN
Have
you seen him?
JENNIFER
No. I didn't even know where he was until last
week. You thought I went away to
college, but I lived with my aunt for almost a year. I gave him up for adoption and assumed that would be the end of
it. He tracked me down. He wants to see me.
DUANE
HANSEN
He
looks a little like you.
JENNIFER
I
thought the same thing about you. I
want to see him, of course, but I can't let Russell know. He'd never accept this.
DUANE
HANSEN
Why
not?
JENNIFER
Any
number of reasons. The political ones
matter most.
Duane
waits for more.
JENNIFER
Tommy
is evidence that his wife slept with someone in high school. Oh, he doesn't care about such things, but
some of his constituents do. And his enemies.
They'd turn me into a slut if they found out.
DUANE
HANSEN
But
he wants to meet you.
JENNIFER
Duane,
there's just no way I can risk meeting him right now. I was hoping you'd go in my place.
DUANE
HANSEN
And
share the details, something like that?
Boy, the life on Capitol Hill has taken its toll, hasn't it? Don't get me wrong. Of course I'll see him. I want to see him. He's my son, for Christ's sake.
But no, I'm not going to see him in your place, as some favor to
you. I'm going to see him because I
want to see him, because I have an obligation to see him. Especially since he made the first
move. So maybe you can tell me how I
can do that.
JENNIFER
Don't
be angry.
Duane
stares her down.
JENNIFER
There's
a phone number in the envelope. Duane,
I'm not as insensitive as you imagine.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
won't see the son who wants to see you.
So what do you call that, Jennifer?
JENNIFER
I'm
scared. You don't know Russell.
DUANE
HANSEN
Make
I ask you something really basic? If
you're so scared, why are you still married to him?
JENNIFER
We're
practically divorced. He's up for
reelection, and I promised I'd stay with him until after the campaign
DUANE
HANSEN
How
thoughtful of you.
She
finishes her beer.
JENNIFER
Then
you'll see Tommy?
DUANE
HANSEN
How
could I not see him?
JENNIFER
You
haven't changed. You always do the
right thing. I'm glad. Will you come back to the reunion with me?
Duane
looks at her and starts to refuse. But
he can't bring himself to say it.
JENNIFER
Please?
She
still has his number.
EXT.
GYM - PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Duane's
van pulls into the parking lot and swings into a space. Duane, dressed in a suit, and Jennifer get
out and head for the gym.
Jennifer
turns, looking for Cameron's sedan, but doesn't see it.
Cameron,
in fact, has parked out of sight and now hides behind a car, peering up to snap
photographs as the couple moves to the gym.
INT.
GYM - DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT
Duane
and Jennifer are dancing.
There
is a visible physical energy that is drawing them together, an old chemistry
that is being recalled in the nostalgia of the place and the music.
Finally
Jennifer can't resist any longer and rests her head against his shoulder.
JENNIFER
I
was such a stupid, silly girl in high school.
I didn't know what I wanted.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
didn't win any prizes myself. Comes
with being a teenager.
JENNIFER
Did
you ever wish you could start all over again?
Maybe get it right for a change?
Duane
looks away. It's a question he's often
thought about - but not with Jennifer in his arms.
INT.
GYM - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Duane
and Jennifer are in an embrace, kissing.
Duane is the one who breaks it.
DUANE
HANSEN
Jennifer
. . .
JENNIFER
I
know.
DUANE
HANSEN
You're
married.
JENNIFER
Legally. No other way, Duane. Not for over a year now.
She
looks at him with eyes that he can't resist, and they embrace and kiss again.
EXT.
GYM - NIGHT
The
party is over, and people are leaving the gymnasium.
Duane
and Jerry stand together.
JERRY
You've
got testicles the size of bowling balls.
DUANE
HANSEN
They're
practically divorced.
JERRY
This
isn't some motel hanky-panky you're getting involved in, man. The guy's a senator. They play for keeps.
DUANE
HANSEN
You've
been watching too many movies.
INT.
LADIES ROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer
and Mary are freshening up.
MARY
Do
you still love him?
JENNIFER
My
husband?
MARY
Duane! I mean, this is a lot to go through if you
don't, isn't it?
JENNIFER
I
don't know, Mary. Maybe it's just an
adventure.
EXT.
GYM - NIGHT
Peggy
and Jim are finishing up their story on the reunion, Peggy talking on camera.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
It's
been an exciting night, a 15th class reunion with an added twist of glamor by
the appearance of the former Jennifer Barrington, who is now married to
Republican Senator Russell Jenner. This is Peggy Sommers reporting.
A
pause.
JIM
That
it?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
That's
it.
She
sees Duane and Jerry across the way.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I'll
meet you in the van.
She
walks across the lawn to join Duane.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
How's
it going, Duane?
DUANE
HANSEN
All
right.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
That's
it? No nostalgic heart throb? You two used to be quite an item.
DUANE
HANSEN
That
was a very long time ago, Peggy.
Duane
moves off to enter the gym.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Touchy.
INT.
GYM - NIGHT
Duane
comes inside the gym, looking for Jennifer.
He sees her and Mary coming down the hallway.
DUANE
HANSEN
What's
going on?
JENNIFER
I'll
tell Juan I'm spending the night with Mary.
DUANE
HANSEN
What
if he doesn't believe you?
JENNIFER
He'll
love not having to drive back tonight.
Especially when I tip him.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
Cameron
yawns. He's watching the hordes of
people leave the gym, looking for Jennifer.
And
finally he sees her. He grabs his
camera and gets out.
EXT.
GYM - NIGHT
Duane,
Jennifer, and Mary come out, joining Jerry.
Jennifer moves away from the others.
She
goes to the limo and talks to the chauffeur a minute. Then she rejoins the group.
JENNIFER
It's
all set.
JERRY
You
guys.
MARY
I
think it's so romantic.
JERRY
Where
to?
Mary
elbows him.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
Cameron
is getting all of this on film.
EXT.
GYM - NIGHT
MARY
Will
I see you before you go?
JENNIFER
Probably
not. But I'll call you, I promise.
(to
Duane)
Pick
me up behind the gym.
Jennifer
turns and heads up the steps to go back inside.
JERRY
I
thought we were all going somewhere.
Mary
gives him a "they don't want company, you idiot" look.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Duane
and Jennifer are making love.
They
let their passion run free, making love with an energy that hasn't found
release for a very long time.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
van is in the driveway.
The
sedan slowly cruises by.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
Cameron
stares out at the light in the bedroom window.
He looks very upset.
INT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - SHEILA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
There's
loud pounding on the door.
Sheila
enters in her robe.
MAN
#1
(O.S.)
Hey,
open up! You want me to wake whole
building up, I will!
Sheila
unlocks the door and cracks it open.
It's still locked by the chain.
SHEILA
I'm
sorry, something came up. I couldn't
make it today.
The
two Slavic men crash through the door, ripping out the chain lock. Sheila is terrified.
SHEILA
I
can get it to you next week!
Man
#1 slaps her hard, sending her sprawling across the room.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
All
the lights in the house are out.
The
sedan is still parked down the street.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
Cameron
is in a trance, staring out at the house.
INT.
BEDROOM - LATER - NIGHT
Duane
wakes up - and discovers he's in an empty bed.
He gets up and puts on a robe.
INT.
LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer,
fully dressed, is hiding the "wrong" manila envelope in the seat
cover of a chair cushion.
She
hears something and finishes quickly.
Duane
enters the living room to find Jennifer looking out the window.
JENNIFER
I
called a cab. I told Juan to get me a room at the hotel.
She
moves to him.
JENNIFER
I
didn't expect this to happen.
DUANE
HANSEN
Neither
did I.
JENNIFER
A
part of me felt so young tonight.
DUANE
HANSEN
Can
I see you again?
JENNIFER
That
could be difficult.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'd
like us to see Tommy together.
JENNIFER
That
would be impossible to arrange right now.
DUANE
HANSEN
This
sucks, Jennifer.
JENNIFER
It's
not a perfect world, is it?
DUANE
HANSEN
Why
don't you live the life you want to live?
What do you want out of life, Jennifer?
JENNIFER
What
do I want? All the money I'd ever need,
and a little house in a villa north of Paris.
I fell in love with it and go back as often as I can. But vacations aren't reality, are they?
Duane
starts to speak but she stops him with an index finger on her lips - and
Jennifer blows him a kiss.
JENNIFER
Be
sure to call me. I want to hear
everything you can tell me about him.
She
turns and leaves.
Duane
watches her go.
EXT.
FIELDSDALE - HOTEL - NIGHT
The
cab pulls in front of the local hotel and Jennifer gets out.
The
sedan pulls up. Cameron gets out and
hurries after Jennifer.
CAMERON
Jennifer!
Jennifer
turns at the hotel entrance. She is
surprised to see Cameron.
JENNIFER
This
is not the time nor place to talk. I'm going to bed.
CAMERON
What
about us?
Jennifer
doesn't reply.
CAMERON
Did
you sleep with him?
JENNIFER
Did
you take any pictures of Duane and I together?
Cameron
doesn't answer. Jennifer goes to him
and slaps his face.
JENNIFER
You
sonofabitch.
She
goes into the hotel, leaving Cameron to rub his cheek.
EXT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DAY
Duane's
van pulls into the professor's driveway.
Duane gets out and goes to the side door.
INT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN BAR - DAY
Wellworth
is pouring coffee.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Either
you came to collect your bill or something's on your mind. Did you see Jennifer last night?
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes,
I did.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
And
that has something to do with the visit, am I right?
Duane
nods.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Oh,
my.
DUANE
HANSEN
She
was pregnant when she left town. She
had my baby.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
She
kept it?
DUANE
HANSEN
No. He's 15 now and looked her up. He wants to see her.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
I
see. And she's the wife of a very
conservative senator.
DUANE
HANSEN
Exactly.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
She's
also unhappily married?
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Which
means, you want to get together with her again.
DUANE
HANSEN
It
can't happen. She made a deal with the
senator to help him get reelected or something.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
You
want my advice?
DUANE
HANSEN
That's
why I'm here.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
I
suggest one step at a time. Do you want
to see the boy?
DUANE
HANSEN
Of
course. He's my son.
The
professor smiles. Duane just answered
his own question.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - DAY
Cameron
is showing the senator the photographs he took.
INSERT
PHOTOGRAPHS
various
pictures of Jennifer and Duane outside the gym at the reunion.
BACK
TO SCENE
SENATOR
JENNER
Who
is he?
CAMERON
I
don't know.
Jenner
looks up from the photographs.
SENATOR
JENNER
Well,
find out.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY
The
van is in the driveway.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY
Duane
is on the phone, waiting for someone to answer. The photo of Tommy is on the table next to the phone.
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes,
I'm trying to reach Tommy Waller. . . . Thank you.
INT.
ALEXANDRIA - APARTMENT - DAY
MURIEL
WALLER, 40s, is an unkempt alcoholic woman on welfare.
MURIEL
Tommy! You got a phone call! You gonna pick it up in there?
INT.
TOMMY'S BEDROOM - DAY
TOMMY
WALLER, 15, is a street-wise kid with cockiness oozing out of every tattooed
and pierced pore of his skin.
He
picks up the phone.
TOMMY
Yeah?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
DUANE
HANSEN
Tommy?
TOMMY
Yeah? Who is this?
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
Duane Hansen, Tommy. You don't know me.
TOMMY
So
why're you calling me?
DUANE
HANSEN
Your
phone number was given to me by Jennifer Barri-- . . . I mean, Jennifer
Jenner. The First Lady.
There
is a silence.
DUANE
HANSEN
Tommy?
TOMMY
Why
the hell you calling me anyways?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
understand you want to meet your birth mother.
TOMMY
Shit,
is that what this is about? I thought
she was going to call me herself. Who
the fuck did you say you were?
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
your . . . well, I'm your father.
TOMMY
What
the fuck you talking about, man? My
dad's a strung-out asshole, a total loser. I'm not talking to you no more.
He
hangs up.
Duane
holds the phone, stunned.
INT.
FIELDSDALE - SMALL TV STATION - DAY
Duane
enters the local TV station, which is so small that a receptionist isn't even
on duty.
He
looks around the small interior, quickly finding who he is looking for.
Peggy
Sommers is at her desk and sees him approach.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
And
to what do I owe this honor?
DUANE
HANSEN
Have
you had lunch yet?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
It's
your lucky day, I haven't.
INT.
RESTAURANT - DAY
Duane
and Peggy sit in a booth.
DUANE
HANSEN
She
didn't go away to college at all. She
stayed with a relative and had the kid.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Who
is foul-mouthed and rude.
DUANE
HANSEN
Sounded
like it to me.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
So
am I a shoulder to cry on? Which is
fine. Or do you have something else in
mind?
DUANE
HANSEN
You
know about doing research. I want to
know as much about him as you can find out.
Who his parents are, what they do, how he's been raised.
Peggy
smiles - but there is sadness in it.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
May
I ask you a personal question? Retract
that. I'm asking it anyway. Are you still in love with her?
Duane
avoids the question.
DUANE
HANSEN
It
would mean a lot to me if you could do this, Peggy.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I'll
see what I can do.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer
is reading in bed when the senator appears in the doorway.
SENATOR
JENNER
You
haven't said much about your reunion.
JENNIFER
It
was a lot of fun. You should try it
sometime.
SENATOR
JENNER
More
your style than mine, dear. Goodnight.
JENNIFER
Goodnight.
He
leaves. Jennifer goes back to reading.
INT.
SENATE BLDG - SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - NIGHT
A
flashlight finds the filing cabinet in the dark office.
A
gloved hand opens it and looks for a file.
The file is lifted out and put on a desktop.
Sheila
opens it - but the file is filled with blank paper. The original document is missing.
She
panics and goes back to the cabinet.
She starts rummaging through the rest of the files.
Several
other folders are filled with blank paper.
She
opens another cabinet drawer and does the same thing.
No
luck. She SLAMS the cabinet drawer
shut.
The
sound echoes like a gunshot in the still office.
INT.
JENNIFER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The
bedside phone rings. Jennifer picks it
up.
JENNIFER
Hello?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
Duane
is on the other end, calling from home.
DUANE
HANSEN
It's
Duane.
JENNIFER
I
asked you not to call me here at night.
DUANE
HANSEN
We
need to talk. I'm taking tomorrow off
and coming to D.C. Where can I meet
you?
Panic
floods Jennifer's face. Her tone lowers
and becomes harsher.
JENNIFER
You
can't come here!
DUANE
HANSEN
Too
late, I already rearranged my schedule.
I can show up on your doorstep if you like.
JENNIFER
No,
not here.
DUANE
HANSEN
Where? I'll arrive tomorrow evening.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
Jennifer
comes out and gets into a BMW that is parked in the circular driveway.
Cameron
gets out of a sedan parked on the street and trots to the car, standing in
front of it so Jennifer can't drive out.
Then
he moves to the window to talk to her.
CAMERON
I
need to see you alone.
JENNIFER
It's
over, Cameron.
CAMERON
You're
dumping me for this high school flame, is that it?
JENNIFER
I'm
not seeing anyone.
She
pulls away.
Cameron
regains his composure and heads for the house.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - DAY
The
senator is meeting with Cameron and Sheila.
SENATOR
JENNER
If
this gets out, I'm dead before I get off the ground.
SHEILA
May
I make a suggestion?
All
eyes are on her.
SHEILA
It
takes two to tango, so to speak. He
might be the more easily dissuaded.
SENATOR
JENNER
Dissuaded. I like that word. Cameron?
CAMERON
How
far can I go?
SENATOR
JENNER
As
far as it takes.
EXT.
SENATE BUILDING - DAY
Employees
come out at the end of the day.
The
two Slavic men are waiting outside the building. They see Sheila and move quickly to her, one on each side.
They
speak in quick urgent tones as they move down the street.
SHEILA
It
wasn't there. It must have been entered
into the hearing and stored with the testimony.
MAN
#1
That's
not good.
MAN
#2
What
about other copy?
SHEILA
There
was an accident, and some envelopes got exchanged. I think maybe the First Lady ended up with it.
MAN
#2
The
First Lady!
SHEILA
Don't
worry, I'm sure I can salvage the situation. But you have to give me some
breathing room. You have to trust
me. It's my life on the line here.
MAN
#1
I'm
glad you understand that.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - CAFE - NIGHT
A
cab lets Duane off and he enters a small cafe.
INT.
CAFE - NIGHT
Duane
looks around for Jennifer but can't find her.
A WAITER arrives.
WAITER
Table
for one, sir?
DUANE
HANSEN
For
two.
WAITER
Very
good. This way.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - NIGHT
The
limo is in traffic.
INT.
LIMO - NIGHT
Jennifer
is looking out the rear-view window.
Then she turns to speak to the driver.
JENNIFER
Juan,
I think we're being followed
JUAN
It's
Cameron, Mrs. Jenner.
JENNIFER
Can
you lose him?
The
driver smiles.
INT.
CAFE - NIGHT
Duane
looks at his watch.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - NIGHT
The
limo is continuing down a street.
Suddenly,
the limo darts across traffic, takes a sharp turn and speeds up.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
Cameron
can't make the turn and watches the limo disappear. He pounds the steering wheel, then turns sharply himself, trying
to regroup and pick up the trail.
INT.
CAFE - NIGHT
Jennifer
arrives at Duane's table.
JENNIFER
I
can't stay long. I'm being followed.
She
sits down.
DUANE
HANSEN
Tommy
won't see me. He says his father is a
strung-out asshole.
JENNIFER
He
told you that?
DUANE
HANSEN
No,
Jennifer, I'm making it up.
JENNIFER
He
hurt you. I'm so sorry.
DUANE
HANSEN
The
point is, you're going to have to do this yourself. Why should he have any opinion about me at all? Who told him about me?
JENNIFER
I
don't know.
In
the silence that follows, their hands meet in the middle of the table and
touch.
Then
their fingers slowly entwine.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
already miss you.
JENNIFER
Don't. Not now, not here, not tonight.
She
pulls back her hand.
Duane's
fingers drum on the table, then curl into a loose fist, and his knuckles rap
against the table cloth.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
limo pulls into the circular driveway and drops Jennifer off.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Jennifer
enters to find Cameron in the foyer.
She stares at him, and Cameron smiles.
CAMERON
The
senator needs to speak to you.
JENNIFER
My
husband knows where to find me.
She
moves to the stairway to go up to her bedroom.
INT.
BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer
enters and habitually punches the button to hear her phone messages.
She
moves to the dresser to take off her jewelry.
SHEILA
(on
machine)
Jennifer,
Sheila. Listen, I need to see you right
away. It's really urgent. You may know what I'm talking about. Call me as soon as you get in, will you?
The
next message plays.
TOMMY
(on
machine)
Hi,
mom, this is Tommy.
Jennifer
stops what she is doing. She moves
slowly to the machine, listening.
TOMMY
So
are you going to come see me or what?
Well, I'm giving you a break. I
got a chance to come into Washington with a relative, and I'll be in town
tomorrow. We're staying at the Holiday
Inn. If you could come by around three,
that would be really great. Call me
there if you can't make it. I'll make sure
they know what room I'm in. See you,
mom.
There
are no more messages.
Jennifer
stares at the machine. She takes a deep
breath.
Moving
quickly, she goes to the phone and dials.
INT.
MOTEL - NIGHT
Duane
is stretched out on the bed, watching TV, when the phone rings.
DUANE
HANSEN
Hello?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
JENNIFER
Duane,
he called. He'll be in town tomorrow.
DUANE
HANSEN
Are
you going to see him?
JENNIFER
I
don't know what to do. Do you have to
go back?
DUANE
HANSEN
Not
necessarily. Jennifer, we could see him
together.
JENNIFER
Let
me think about it. I'll call you in the
morning.
INT.
MOTEL - NIGHT
Duane
hangs up. He blankly stares at the TV
but his thoughts are far away.
INT.
JENNIFER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer
is dialing another number when there's a knock and her door opens. It's Cameron.
CAMERON
Everyone
is waiting for you.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - OFFICE - NIGHT
Jennifer
enters her husband's office to find most of his staff there. She is shocked to see Sheila, who won't look
her in the eye.
JENNIFER
I'm
sorry I'm late.
The
senator laughs and turns to Sheila.
SENATOR
JENNER
Why
am I so nervous to tell my own wife?
SHEILA
Because
she won't approve?
SENATOR
JENNER
I'll
find out soon enough.
But
he still doesn't find the words.
JENNIFER
I
can't imagine anything you'd do that I wouldn't approve of.
CAMERON
No
excuses now, senator. Time to speak up.
SENATOR
JENNER
We're
throwing our hat in the ring.
Jennifer
laughs.
JENNIFER
All
this because you're running for reelection?
SENATOR
JENNER
The
big ring. I'm announcing my candidacy for President tomorrow.
The
senator is beaming. Spontaneous
applause breaks out from his staff.
Jennifer
looks troubled.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Jennifer
is on the porch, seeing off the staff.
Sheila
moves close to her.
SHEILA
Lunch
tomorrow?
JENNIFER
I'm
tied up. I'll call you.
Sheila
moves away.
INT.
BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer
is about to get into bed when there's a knock on her closed bedroom door.
She
puts on her robe and answers it. It's
her husband, still dressed.
SENATOR
JENNER
Can
I buy you a nightcap?
JENNIFER
No
thank you.
SENATOR
JENNER
Then
will you watch me have one? I think we
need to talk.
INT.
DEN - NIGHT
Jennifer
sits at one end of a posh sofa in a luxurious den.
The
senator comes with a brandy snifter, taking a seat at the opposite end.
SENATOR
JENNER
You're
seeing someone.
Jennifer
stands up.
JENNIFER
I
don't have energy for this.
SENATOR
JENNER
I
have photographs. Apparently he's an
old flame from high school.
She
starts away.
SENATOR
JENNER
Please. Give me this much. You're going to be the First Lady.
JENNIFER
You
know what our agreement was.
SENATOR
JENNER
You
can't divorce the President. We'll make
new arrangements.
JENNIFER
I'm
not continuing in this marriage past the campaign.
SENATOR
JENNER
We
can work something out. That's not what
concerns me now, Jennifer. All I expect
from you is discretion. My enemies will
have all their blood hounds out.
JENNIFER
You're
the one whose tracks need covering, dear.
She
turns and goes. The senator watches,
waiting until she's gone before raising his glass to drink.
EXT.
GEORGETOWN - STREET - DAY
Duane
walks along an avenue of small shops in the Georgetown area of D.C.
Half
a block behind, Cameron is tailing him.
Duane
stops at a window. He pretends to look
in but sneaks a look behind him, at Cameron.
Cameron
stops and also looks at a window display.
Duane
suddenly crosses the street, darting in front of traffic.
Across
the street, he walks faster.
After
another block, he stops again.
Cameron
is still behind him, also stopped and looking in a window.
Duane
suddenly walks determinedly to Cameron.
DUANE
HANSEN
You're
following me.
CAMERON
Excuse
me?
DUANE
HANSEN
Can
I buy you a drink?
CAMERON
Why
not?
INT.
GEORGETOWN BAR - DAY
Duane
and Cameron sit over beers in a small booth.
CAMERON
Listen,
I'm just doing my job. You mess with a
senator's wife, you should expect a little hassle in life.
DUANE
HANSEN
She
doesn't love him.
CAMERON
Beside
the point. You see the news this
morning?
DUANE
HANSEN
No.
Cameron
looks at his watch. He scoots out of
the booth.
CAMERON
Come
on.
Duane
follows Cameron to the bar.
The
bartender sees them coming and is waiting for them when they take stools at the
end of the bar.
BARTENDER
Another
round?
CAMERON
Right. Would you turn on the news?
BARTENDER
Sure
thing.
INSERT
TV NEWS
on
which Senator Jenner is announcing his candidacy for President.
SENATOR
JENNER
(on
TV)
And
I pledge to you here and now, not only to wage my campaign with honor and
fairness, but to bring integrity, a sense of fair play, family values and the
highest morality back to the foundation of American life where it belongs!
INT.
BAR - DAY
Cameron
and Duane are watching the news.
CAMERON
The
gossip mongers will be coming out of the word work now. It's not a good time to be doing what you're
doing. You get my drift?
Duane
slips off the bar stool, leaving a half full beer in front of him.
DUANE
HANSEN
Thanks
for the beer.
He
leaves.
EXT.
GEORGETOWN BAR - DAY
Duane
comes out of the bar and heads down the street.
Cameron
catches up with him.
CAMERON
I'm
telling you to cool it for your own good.
DUANE
HANSEN
Advice
understood - and rejected.
CAMERON
She's
going to break your heart. Believe me,
I know.
Duane
stops and looks at him.
CAMERON
First
hand experience.
Duane
turns and leaves. Cameron follows, now
taking distance as before.
Walking
down the street, Duane looks puzzled.
EXT.
GEORGETOWN - STREET - DAY
Duane
is at a pay phone. He is looking at
Cameron, who is waiting half a block away, looking back at him.
Someone
answers.
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes,
I'd like to speak to Mrs. Jenner, please. . . . Do you know where she can be
reached? . . . No message. Thanks.
He
hangs up.
EXT.
D.C. HOLIDAY INN - DAY
Jennifer
waits outside the Holiday Inn, pacing nervously, impatiently.
A
HOTEL CLERK comes out.
HOTEL
CLERK
Excuse
me - are you Mrs. Jenner?
JENNIFER
Yes?
HOTEL
CLERK
You
have a call at the desk.
INT.
MOTEL - DAY
Duane
is back at the motel.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
being followed. If I came, I'd only
lead him to you.
INT.
HOLIDAY INN - DESK - DAY
Jennifer
hands back the desk phone.
JENNIFER
Thank
you.
HOTEL
CLERK
Is
there anything I can help you with?
JENNIFER
Yes. I'd like the room number for Tommy
Waller. He's a teenager who's here with
a relative.
HOTEL
CLERK
Room
704, ma'am.
JENNIFER
Thank
you.
She
moves to the elevator.
After
she's gone, the two Slavic men rise from chairs in the lobby and move toward
the elevator to follow her.
INT.
HOLIDAY INN - 7TH FLOOR - DAY
Jennifer
steps out of the elevator. She moves
down the hallway.
A
second elevator door opens, and the two men move out. Man #2 is carrying a camera.
Jennifer
comes to a corner and turns, heading down another hallway.
The
men walk more swiftly.
Jennifer
comes to room 704. She stops and takes
a deep breath. She knocks on the door.
At
the corner, the men wait and watch. Man
#2 starts focusing on Jennifer with the camera.
The
door opens. It is a WOMAN whom we have
not seen before, 40s, wearing a business suit. She speaks with a slight Slavic
accent.
WOMAN
Yes?
JENNIFER
I
hope I have the right room. I'm looking
for Tommy Waller.
WOMAN
Oh,
yes. Wait here, please.
She
closes the door, leaving Jennifer alone in the hallway.
She
looks toward the corner, where the men have managed to dodge out of sight.
The
door opens again - and Tommy steps into the hallway. The woman waits behind him.
TOMMY
Hi.
JENNIFER
Hello,
Tommy.
TOMMY
Are
you my mom?
JENNIFER
Yes,
I am.
There
is an awkward moment - and then Jennifer embraces him. Tommy looks embarrassed.
WOMAN
He's
been looking forward to this for so long.
Won't you come in?
Jennifer
and Tommy follow the woman into the hotel room.
At
the corner of the hallway, the men are satisfied that they have the photographs
they were after and head back for the elevator.
INT.
HOTEL ROOM - DAY
The
woman gestures for Jennifer to sit down.
Jennifer
takes a chair, and the woman and Tommy sit across from her.
JENNIFER
(to
the woman)
Are
you his step-mother?
WOMAN
His
aunt.
Above
this scene, a small TV CAMERA is recording everything.
INT.
ANOTHER HOTEL ROOM - DAY
A
YOUNG MAN, 20s, sits before a TV monitor, watching the meeting between Jennifer
and Tommy.
The
door is unlocked, and the two Slavic men enter.
MAN
#1
We
got pictures.
They
sit down to watch the monitor.
INT.
MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Duane
can't keep still. He paces across the
room, in front of a TV that is playing without the sound on.
Finally
the telephone rings. He rushes to it.
DUANE
HANSEN
Hello?
. . . I'll be right there.
INT.
D.C. BAR - DAY
Duane
enters a dark cocktail lounge to find Jennifer sitting alone at a small table
in the corner.
Seeing
him, Jennifer can't keep back tears.
DUANE
HANSEN
What
happened?
JENNIFER
He's
such a sweet boy.
DUANE
HANSEN
Are
you kidding me?
JENNIFER
I
told him I'd visit again soon. Maybe
you can come with me.
She
reaches across the table and takes his hand.
JENNIFER
I'll
be in touch. But please don't come here
again. Wait for me to come to you.
DUANE
HANSEN
Will
you?
JENNIFER
So
much is new. Give me time to get used to everything.
Duane
looks as if he's trying to see right through her, to the core truth of what's
really on her mind.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane's
van is parked in the driveway when a sporty car pulls in behind it.
Peggy
gets out, carrying a briefcase.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
lets her in.
DUANE
HANSEN
That
was quick work.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Actually,
it's the first substantive research I've done in years. I had fun.
Here's what you want.
She
opens the briefcase and hands him a photograph.
INSERT
PHOTOGRAPH
of
a BOY, 15, whom we have not seen before.
BACK
TO SCENE
Duane
looks at the photo, then up at Peggy.
DUANE
HANSEN
Who
the hell is this?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Your
son. His name is Brad Morrison.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - RESIDENTIAL - DAY
Duane's
plumbing van looks very out of place in the high-end neighborhood as he
searches for Jennifer's address.
INT.
VAN - DAY
In
the van, Duane searches for the number. He looks frustrated.
EXT.
STREET - DAY
The
van pulls to the curb, and Duane gets out.
He's wearing his plumbing cover-alls.
He
starts walking up a long driveway.
Outside
a large home, a GARDENER is working.
DUANE
HANSEN
Excuse
me. I'm looking for 3122. Am I close?
GARDENER
This
is 3017. Next block.
DUANE
HANSEN
Thanks.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
A
limo is parked in the circular driveway.
Duane's
van pulls up behind it, and he gets out.
He nods at the driver behind the wheel in the limo.
Duane
walks to the front door. He rings the
bell.
A
HOUSEKEEPER, 30s, Hispanic, answers the door.
She sees the strange van in the distance.
HOUSEKEEPER
We
didn't call a plumber. You have the wrong address.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
here to see Mrs. Jenner.
HOUSEKEEPER
Mrs.
Jenner isn't here.
DUANE
HANSEN
Do
you know where I can find her?
Behind
the housekeeper, Jenner and Cameron appear.
They are on their way out.
SENATOR
JENNER
What
is it, Malina?
Cameron
recognizes Duane and visibly reacts.
The senator doesn't recognize Duane in his work clothes.
HOUSEKEEPER
He
wants to see Mrs. Jenner.
SENATOR
JENNER
May
I help you?
DUANE
HANSEN
It's
personal.
SENATOR
JENNER
I
can give her the message.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'll
come back when she's here. When would
that be?
CAMERON
Let
me handle this, senator.
He
takes the senator's arm, gently guiding him out toward the limo.
The
housekeeper moves back into the house, closing the door.
Cameron
rejoins Duane.
CAMERON
You're
a fool.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't urgent.
Where can I find her?
CAMERON
Go
back where you came from before somebody gets hurt.
He
moves off.
Duane
watches the limo pull away. Then he
heads back to his van.
INT.
THE LIMO - DAY
The
senator and Cameron sit in the back.
CAMERON
That's
the guy with Jennifer in the photos.
He's very stubborn.
SENATOR
JENNER
He's
a plumber?
CAMERON
Appears
to be.
SENATOR
JENNER
I
can't imagine Jennifer with a plumber.
CAMERON
Makes
two of us.
SENATOR
JENNER
I'll
talk to her.
INT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT
Jennifer
joins Sheila at a booth.
SHEILA
Thanks
for coming.
JENNIFER
What's
so urgent?
SHEILA
Surely
you know.
JENNIFER
I
don't.
SHEILA
Remember
when we collided in the hallway? I
ended up with this.
She
hands Jennifer the photograph of Tommy.
SHEILA
Who
is he?
JENNIFER
My
nephew.
SHEILA
You
ended up with mine.
JENNIFER
Yes,
I did.
She
waits for an explanation but Sheila offers none.
JENNIFER
Sheila,
what kind of trouble are you in?
SHEILA
Then
you found it. Where is it?
JENNIFER
I
hid it. What kind of trouble are you
in?
SHEILA
It's
not like you think.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane's
van is parked along the street, where he can get a view of the circular
driveway.
A
BMW pulls into the driveway. Duane is
quickly out of the van.
He
trots across the street. He reaches
Jennifer as she gets out of the car.
DUANE
HANSEN
We've
got to talk.
He
grabs her arm, moving her toward the van.
JENNIFER
Are
you crazy?
DUANE
HANSEN
Somebody
is.
He
is bodily pulling her with him, across the street and to the van.
He
opens the van door, and Jennifer gets in.
INT.
THE VAN - NIGHT
JENNIFER
Would
you mind telling me what this is about?
He
hands her the photograph of Brad Morrison.
DUANE
HANSEN
This
is a photo of our son.
JENNIFER
It
can't be.
DUANE
HANSEN
His
name is Brad Morrison, and he lives in Seattle. His father's a surgeon.
JENNIFER
Then
who is Tommy Waller?
Duane
starts the engine.
EXT.
EXPRESSWAY - NIGHT
The
van is speeding down an expressway.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
JENNIFER
Where
are we going?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
think best when I'm driving. Jennifer,
my first thought was that you set me up, you had something to do with all
this. But for the life of me, I can't
give you a motivation.
JENNIFER
Is
that some sort of back-handed compliment?
There's
a silence.
DUANE
HANSEN
That
guy who was tailing me, I had a drink with him.
JENNIFER
Wasn't
that pretty reckless?
DUANE
HANSEN
He
said you broke his heart.
Jennifer
doesn't respond.
DUANE
HANSEN
Did
you?
JENNIFER
His
name is Cameron. He works for
Russell. We had a fling.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
broke his heart.
JENNIFER
I
don't have a marriage, I told you that.
What do you want from me?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
have no right to want anything from you, do I?
Another
silence, as they drive through the night.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
don't have any idea why somebody would present Tommy as our kid?
JENNIFER
Maybe
to blackmail Russell. His enemies would have a field day if they knew I had an
illegitimate child.
DUANE
HANSEN
Then
that's got to be it.
They
drive a moment in silence.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
wonder if Brad knows about us.
JENNIFER
I
hope not. I hope he's happy where he
is.
EXT.
EXPRESSWAY - NIGHT
The
van drives on.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
van stops out front without pulling into the circular driveway.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
Jennifer
cracks open the door and turns to Duane.
JENNIFER
I'd
like to come visit soon.
DUANE
HANSEN
Any
time.
JENNIFER
I'll
be in touch.
They
kiss goodnight.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Jennifer
enters. She checks the mail on a small
table by the door.
The
senator appears behind her.
SENATOR
JENNER
Come
into my office.
JENNIFER
Be
there in a sec.
SENATOR
JENNER
Now!
Jennifer
looks at him.
SENATOR
JENNER
It's
about your child.
INT.
HOME OFFICE - NIGHT
Jenner
hands a pile of photographs to Jennifer.
INSERT
PHOTOGRAPHS
various
shots of Jennifer meeting Tommy, both in the hallway and stills inside the
hotel room from the closed circuit TV.
BACK
TO SCENE
SENATOR
JENNER
Why
didn't you tell me?
JENNIFER
There's
no point in talking about the past, Russell.
The
senator pounds his fist on the desk.
SENATOR
JENNER
Do
you realize what this means?
JENNIFER
I
assume they're blackmailing you.
SENATOR
JENNER
Fortunately
Sheila has an idea that may save our ass.
INT.
HOTEL - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
Reporters
crowd into a small conference room at a D.C. hotel, where a sudden press
conference has been announced.
Sheila,
the senator's press secretary, stands behind a podium at the front of the room.
SHEILA
Get
settled, please, so we can begin.
Reporters
sit on folding chairs.
Sheila
moves to a door behind the podium and opens it. Senator Jenner and Jennifer enter - holding hands.
They
move to the podium together, where the senator kisses his wife on the
cheek. Jennifer steps back.
SENATOR
JENNER
Thank
you for coming, ladies and gentlemen.
What we have to say here won't take long. Listen carefully, because we won't be taking questions at this
time. I'd like to introduce my
wife. Jennifer?
He
steps back and Jennifer moves behind the podium.
JENNIFER
Thank
you, Russell.
She
stares over the crowd, gathering her courage.
JENNIFER
What
I have to tell you today is something I would give anything to avoid. It brings up so many bad memories. But circumstances now demand that I come
forward.
EXT.
FIELDSDALE - RESIDENTIAL HOME - DAY
Duane's
van is parked in a driveway.
INT.
HOUSE - DAY
Duane
is working on a pipe under the kitchen sink.
The
house's owner, BETTY, 50s, moves in to refill her coffee cup from an electric
pot.
BETTY
I
hate it when they interrupt a show for some special news. Heather was just about ready to tell the
creep she was divorcing him.
Under
the sink, Duane has to smile at her treating a soap opera plot like real life.
Betty
takes her full cup back to the TV.
INT.
PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
JENNIFER
When
I was sixteen years old, I was raped.
Since I don't believe in abortion, I had the child and gave it up for
adoption. I've learned that he is a
healthy young man in a good family.
INT.
KITCHEN - DAY
Duane
crawls out from under the sink.
He
goes to the coffee pot and refills his cup.
INT.
HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Betty
is captivated by the news on TV.
Jennifer is on the screen.
Now
Jennifer steps back. The camera shows
reporters getting to their feet, shouting questions, as the senator and
Jennifer quickly exit through the door behind the podium.
Duane
enters the room. The TV has gone back
to anchor.
BETTY
You
knew Jennifer Barrington, didn't you?
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes.
BETTY
That
poor woman. She was raped her senior
year and had a baby after graduation, and now her husband's political enemies
are trying to blackmail him. It was
just on the news.
Duane
stares in shock at the TV screen.
EXT.
MEL'S TAVERN - NIGHT
Duane's
van is in the parking lot outside a local Fieldsdale watering hole.
INT.
MEL'S TAVERN - NIGHT
Duane
sits alone at the bar, chasing a shot of whiskey with beer.
He
finishes and gestures to the bartender.
DUANE
HANSEN
Another
down here.
Peggy
slips onto the stool next to him.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
You're
a very easy man to track down.
DUANE
HANSEN
Am
I?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Your
van. You've been here a while. I take it you saw the news.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
got any ideas why she'd say that?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
She's
obviously protecting her husband.
DUANE
HANSEN
She's
supposed to be divorcing him.
The
bartender brings Duane's drinks.
BARTENDER
What
can I get you?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Nothing,
thanks.
When
the bartender leaves, Peggy turns to Duane.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Have
you eaten?
Duane
shakes his head, no.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
How
about a home cooked meal?
DUANE
HANSEN
Don't
go to any trouble on my account.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
It's
leftovers. Beef Stroganoff. I'm a great cook.
Duane
thinks about it.
INT.
PEGGY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy are on the sofa, locked in an embrace and deep kiss.
Duane
breaks it.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'd
better be going.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I
wish you'd stay.
She
kisses him again.
And
again Duane pulls away. He stands up.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
It
always happens this way, doesn't it?
Character A has the hots for Character B who has the hots for Character
C, and never the twain shall meet.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
sorry.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Don't
be. I did you a good deed. I sobered you up.
DUANE
HANSEN
That
you did. I appreciate it.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
If
you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.
EXT.
PEGGY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
comes out and gets into the van.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
Duane
sits behind the wheel, lost in thought.
Should
he or shouldn't he?
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - BELT LINE - NIGHT
Duane's
van is on the D.C. Belt Line.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
van pulls up in front of the senator's house.
The house is dark. It is past
midnight.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
Duane
stares at the house across the street.
Finally
he twists in his seat, trying to get comfortable, trying to catch a little
sleep before morning.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
A
paper boy drives by, delivering a paper.
The
van is still parked along the street, across from the senator's house.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
Jennifer
is up, in her robe, stretching.
She
leisurely walks to the upstairs bedroom window to see what kind of day it is.
She
sees Duane's van parked across the street.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
Jennifer
stands by the van, an overcoat over her robe.
She knocks on the window.
Duane
stirs, opens his eyes and sees her. He
rolls down the window.
Jennifer
hands him a slip of paper.
JENNIFER
Meet
me here for breakfast.
She
turns and runs back to the house.
Duane
unfolds the slip of paper and reads it.
EXT.
SEATTLE - RESIDENTIAL HOME - DAY
ALICE
MORRISON, 40s, takes the morning newspaper off the front porch.
INT.
MORRISON HOME - DINING ROOM - DAY
Alice
drops the newspaper in front of her husband, GREG, 40s, who is sipping his
morning coffee.
Greg
sees the front page story about the press conference.
GREG
I
think we should contact her.
ALICE
I
know. But maybe it should be Brad's
decision.
The
teenager has just entered the dining room, carrying a bowl of cereal.
BRAD
What's
my decision?
Greg
and Alice exchange a glance. Now is as
good a time as any to tell him the the story about his birth mother.
INT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - RESTAURANT - DAY
Duane
and Jennifer sit in a booth by the window.
JENNIFER
It's
not like it was my idea.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
went along with it.
JENNIFER
All
I can say is that in many ways Russell is a good man. I did love him once. I couldn't sit by and watch them blackmail
him.
DUANE
HANSEN
What
about us?
Jennifer
smiles - but there is sadness in her smile.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
love you. I've always loved you.
JENNIFER
If
that's true, then you should be able to wait until all of this is over.
EXT.
RESTAURANT - DAY
The
two Slavic men are across the street, watching Duane and Jennifer through the
big front window.
MAN
#2
What
if they come out together?
MAN
#1
We'll
deal with it.
INT.
RESTAURANT - BOOTH - DAY
DUANE
HANSEN
What
do you want from me?
JENNIFER
Patience. That you go home.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
thought I was getting a visit.
JENNIFER
You
are. How about tomorrow?
DUANE
HANSEN
The
weekend would be better for me.
JENNIFER
I
really want to come tomorrow.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
real busy. I thought you wanted to take
this slowly.
JENNIFER
Duane,
I did something really stupid. It's too
complicated to get into - but I left something in your house. Now I need it.
DUANE
HANSEN
Left
what?
JENNIFER
I
really don't have to stay longer than it takes to get it.
DUANE
HANSEN
You're
not making much sense.
JENNIFER
Just
trust me and let me come by tomorrow.
Can't you do that?
EXT.
RESTAURANT - DAY
Through
the window, Jennifer rises from the booth.
Duane remains seated.
MAN
#1
Here
she comes.
Man
#1 moves to cross the street.
Man
#2 gets into a parked Mercedes and starts the engine.
INT.
RESTAURANT - DAY
Duane
leaves a tip on the table and takes the bill to the register.
EXT.
RESTAURANT - DAY
Jennifer
moves up the sidewalk toward her BMW.
Man
#1 moves behind her, then beside her.
The
Mercedes driven by Man #2 pulls up alongside them.
Man
#1 grabs Jennifer's arm.
MAN
#1
One
peep from you, and you're history.
The
back door swings open, and Man #1 shoves Jennifer into the car.
The
Mercedes moves back into traffic.
Duane
comes out of the restaurant, unaware that anything has happened. He starts walking up the street.
EXT.
BELT LINE - DAY
Duane's
van is back in traffic, heading home.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
door opens, and Duane comes in, turning on the light.
He
comes into the room. He punches the
play button on his answering machine.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
(on
answering machine)
Duane,
this is the professor. Now I got a new
problem. Goddamn toilet is acting
up. I can live with it for a few days
if you're busy.
The
next message plays.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
(on
answering machine)
This
is Peggy. I assume you heard the news.
It's so terrible. Duane, I can't find
you anywhere. I'm worried about you. Please give me a call.
Duane
turns on the television set. He
switches around for the news.
TV
REPORTER
(on
television)
--daytime
kidnapping of Jennifer Jenner, wife of the Republican Senator from
Pennsylvania.
Duane
moves to the phone and dials.
INT.
MEL'S TAVERN - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy sit at a small booth.
DUANE
HANSEN
It
must be his political enemies.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
But
doesn't this just swing more sympathy to the senator?
DUANE
HANSEN
Probably. Maybe the ransom is that he drops out. Maybe they tried blackmailing him with the
photo of Tommy first, saying it was Jennifer's illegitimate son. Jenner turned that to his advantage, so now
they try this.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Maybe
the two aren't related.
DUANE
HANSEN
My
gut tells me they are.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Well,
so does mine. This all started with the
boy, Tommy. Maybe that's the place to
start.
EXT.
MEL'S TAVERN - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy come outside. The van is
parked next to her car.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I
don't suppose I could lure you over for a nightcap.
DUANE
HANSEN
Not
tonight.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
At
least that sounds like the door is still open.
DUANE
HANSEN
Goodnight,
Peggy.
He
gets into the van as she watches him.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
van pulls into the driveway.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
enters and turns on the light. He finds
Cameron sitting in a chair, waiting for him.
DUANE
HANSEN
There's
a law against breaking and entering.
CAMERON
I
won't take long.
Cameron
has been drinking.
DUANE
HANSEN
Then
get to it.
CAMERON
We
both seem to be in love with the same woman.
Now I assume you don't know anything about this latest development--
DUANE
HANSEN
Of
course I don't.
CAMERON
--but
I do get the impression you're in love with her - perhaps still in love with
her. That makes for a very awkward
situation because, as it turns out, so am I.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
still haven't told me why you're here.
CAMERON
Grabbing
at straws, I guess. I have no idea why
this happened. Maybe you do.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
think it's the same people who sent her a photo of her kid.
CAMERON
Of
course, she would share that with you. Sorry to squash your theory - but I sent
the photos.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
don't understand.
CAMERON
Crazy,
right? I knew she had no idea what her
kid looked like. I'd lead her to the
boy and get photos of them together, which would be leverage to put the senator
out of the race.
DUANE
HANSEN
But
you work for him.
CAMERON
I've
also been sleeping with his wife for quite a while now. Or was, until you replaced me. I assume you
have.
Duane
tries to hide how hard this news hits him in the gut.
DUANE
HANSEN
What
does it matter if the senator runs for President or not?
CAMERON
He
might win. First Ladies don't get
divorces. Love doesn't lead to clarity
or rational behavior, does it? It was
once considered a form of madness. Now
I see why.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
can relax. Jennifer and I are not
romantically involved. Now get the hell
out of here.
Duane
glares at him.
CAMERON
I'm
gone.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - LATER - NIGHT
A
romantic song plays on the CD player.
Maybe a sad ballad by Sinatra.
Only the Lonely.
On
the sofa, Duane is looking through his high school annual.
INSERT
PHOTOGRAPHS
in
the album: of Jennifer as a cheerleader and as a homecoming queen.
Of
Duane as a baseball player.
Then,
of the two of them together, arms around one another at a school outing,
beaming at the camera with the youthful optimism of the ages, may this bliss
never end.
BACK
TO SCENE
Duane
closes the book. If he could let
himself, he would cry.
EXT.
PEGGY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane's
van is parked in Peggy's driveway.
Duane
waits on the front porch and the light comes on. Peggy opens the door.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Duane? Are you all right?
INT.
PEGGY'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy are making love.
Duane
is on fire, as if he could shut off all the disturbing memories in his head
with raw sex, and more sex, and more.
INT.
PEGGY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Duane
sits at the kitchen table, wearing only his underwear, sipping a beer.
Peggy
enters in her robe.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
A
nickel for your thoughts.
DUANE
HANSEN
A
nickel?
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Inflation.
Duane
doesn't reply.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Let
me put it this way. Are you feeling any
better?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
think so. Thanks.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
That
sounds like you used me.
Silence
again.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
That's
all right. I used you, too. Are you spending the night? It's fine if you do, I mean.
DUANE
HANSEN
No.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
There's
something more going on here, isn't there?
It's not just the kidnapping.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
had a visitor. She's been involved with
one of the senator's aides. That's who
sent her the photos. He wanted Jenner
to drop out of the race so Jennifer could get a divorce, and they could live
happily ever after.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I'm
so sorry.
DUANE
HANSEN
She
said she left something in my house.
She's been using me from the get-go.
Duane
and Peggy exchange a look: they are on the same wave-length.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy are taking the house apart, looking for whatever it is that Jennifer
may have hidden there.
They
begin in the living room.
They
remove books from a shelf.
They
open and go through drawers.
They
look under seat cushions - but Duane does not notice that the seat cover of a
chair can be removed. This is where the
envelope is hidden.
INT.
KITCHEN - NIGHT
In
the kitchen, they go through cabinets, the refrigerator, the stove.
INT.
LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
They
sit on the floor, sipping pop, exhausted.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
My
back's killing me.
She
gets up and goes to a chair.
She
fetches the cushion from the floor and as she starts to put it down on the
seat, she sees the zipper for the seat cover.
Then
she feels something under the cover.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Duane
. . .
She
unzips the seat cover - and there is the manila envelope.
They
exchange a glance of wonder. They
actually found it.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - DAY
The
senator, Cameron and Sheila have been meeting in Jenner's office. The meeting is just breaking up.
SHEILA
I'll
buzz you to verify the press conference.
SENATOR
JENNER
Thanks,
Sheila.
She
leaves. Cameron hangs behind.
CAMERON
How
are you holding up?
SENATOR
JENNER
This
isn't easy by a long shot. I like
knowing what's going to happen next. I wish they'd call and let me know what
they want.
CAMERON
Uncertainty
is the great mind killer.
Jenner
walks him to the office door.
The
housekeeper appears.
HOUSEKEEPER
We've
lost all our water. Should I call a
plumber?
SENATOR
JENNER
I
hope you don't expect me to fix it.
HOUSEKEEPER
No,
senator.
She
scurries off.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
Duane's
van pulls into the circular driveway.
Duane
gets out, dressed in cover-alls and carrying a tool box.
He
walks to the front door.
INT.
SENATOR JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
The
housekeeper lets Duane in.
HOUSEKEEPER
I
didn't expect you so soon.
DUANE
HANSEN
The
central office phoned me.
HOUSEKEEPER
Weren't
you here before?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
cover this area. The first thing I need
to do is inspect all the water outlets.
Do you mind if I look around?
HOUSEKEEPER
Help
yourself.
She
goes off, leaving Duane alone.
He
glances around, wondering where to start.
INT.
SENATOR JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY
The
senator is working at his desk when the door cracks open. Duane looks in.
SENATOR
JENNER
Yes?
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
the plumber.
SENATOR
JENNER
Well,
there's no plumbing in here. How long
is this going to take? I can't even
flush the toilet.
Duane
steps into the office.
DUANE
HANSEN
That
depends on how cooperative you are.
Jenner
stands up, recognizing Duane for the first time.
SENATOR
JENNER
You
have nerve coming here. Or are you the one who kidnapped her?
DUANE
HANSEN
You
and I are going to take a little ride.
The
senator reaches for the phone on the desk.
Duane
takes a pistol out of his cover-alls' pocket.
EXT.
SENATOR JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
The
senator comes outside, followed by Duane.
The
gardener is working near the house.
GARDENER
Good
morning, senator.
SENATOR
JENNER
Good
morning.
The
gardener is shocked to see the senator get into the plumbing van.
Duane
pulls around the circular driveway into the street.
The
housekeeper comes onto the porch.
HOUSEKEEPER
What
on earth is he doing?
GARDENER
Don't
ask me.
INT.
VAN - DAY
Duane
drives with his right hand, the pistol in his left.
SENATOR
JENNER
Where
are we going?
Peggy
appears from the back part of the van.
She hands the senator the manila envelope.
SENATOR
JENNER
What's
this?
DUANE
HANSEN
Open
it.
The
senator opens the envelope and slips out the document.
He
is shocked to see the TOP SECRET stamp, then to understand it is a sensitive
document from his own office.
SENATOR
JENNER
Where
did you get this?
DUANE
HANSEN
Your
wife gave it to me.
INT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - PARK - DAY
Duane,
Peggy and the senator sit at a picnic table in a park.
SENATOR
JENNER
I
just can't believe she'd get involved in something like this. She's not even political.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Maybe
that's why she can. Maybe stealing
secrets doesn't seem as wrong if you're not political.
DUANE
HANSEN
What
are you going to do?
SENATOR
JENNER
Obviously
the kidnapping must be connected to this.
Whoever it was expected to get the report.
DUANE
HANSEN
Makes
sense to me.
SENATOR
JENNER
Well,
I have to tell the committee. Or aren't
I free to go?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
want to ask you a few questions first.
About your marriage.
SENATOR
JENNER
Of
course. You're in love with her, aren't
you?
DUANE
HANSEN
She's
involved with someone else.
SENATOR
JENNER
Who?
Duane
hesitates before replying.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
don't know. I just know it's true.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Duane? Are you sure you want to do this?
Duane
and Peggy look at one another. Peggy is
silently pleading with him not to go on.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'll
give you a ride home.
SENATOR
JENNER
Take
me to the Senate.
EXT.
SENATE BUILDING - DAY
The
van drops off the senator and pulls away.
Outside
the building are the Morrisons: Brad and his parents, Greg and Alice. They have "tourists" written all
over them.
Greg
stops to take a photo of the Senate Building.
Alice
sees Sen. Jenner moving up the steps.
ALICE
Greg,
that's him!
But
by the time Greg puts down the camera to look, the senator has entered the
building.
GREG
Where?
ALICE
He
just went in.
INT.
VAN - DAY
Duane
and Peggy drive in silence.
FINALLY:
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Is
there anything constructive we can do here?
DUANE
HANSEN
Not
that I know of. Let's get the hell
home. Fuck this town. Fuck politicians.
INT.
D.C. APARTMENT - DAY
Jennifer
is pacing the floor of a small apartment.
For
the hundredth time, she goes to the door, grabs the handle and pulls. It's still locked.
She
bangs on the door and shouts.
JENNIFER
Hello? Is anyone out there?
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY
The
senator moves quickly past his secretary into his office.
SENATOR
JENNER
I
need to talk to Cameron and Sheila as soon as possible.
HELEN
Sheila's
been trying to reach you most of the morning.
I haven't seen Cameron today.
In
his office, the senator gets on the phone.
Into
the reception area come the Morrisons.
HELEN
May
I help you?
GREG
I
wonder if we could have a moment with the senator.
HELEN
I'm
afraid he's very busy.
ALICE
Could
we make an appointment for tomorrow then?
HELEN
I'm
sorry. I'd be happy to make you an
appointment with one of his aides.
Greg
and Alice exchange a glance.
GREG
No
thank you.
They
turn and go.
INT.
SENATE BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
The
Morrisons are walking to the elevator.
GREG
There
must be a better way to do this.
INT.
CAR - DAY
Sheila
is looking for a parking place on a D.C. street.
INT.
MERCEDES - DAY
Following
her are the two Slavic men. Man #1 is
driving.
MAN
#2
If
she's lying, maybe she got better price.
MAN
#1
Anything's
possible.
MAN
#2
I
don't see the First Lady lying. I
believe she knows nothing about it, like she says.
MAN
#1
That's
because you're sentimental. "How can the First Lady be a liar? This is America."
MAN
#2
I
live here now. I like to believe
something can be good.
MAN
#1
"You
live here." For how long?
MAN
#2
How
can I go home? You think Communists can
win again?
MAN
#1
I
think free market is making big mess over there. People are still hungry.
I think nothing is settled yet.
EXT.
D.C. STREET - DAY
Finally
Sheila finds a parking place. She
prepares to back into it.
INT.
BISTRO - DAY
Sheila
joins the senator at a table in a classy bistro.
SENATOR
JENNER
Thanks
for coming so quickly.
SHEILA
Senator,
you only call meetings out of your office when you're worried about
something. Is Cameron on his way?
SENATOR
JENNER
I
can't find him. I discovered something
today that I can't believe happened. It
may force me to drop out of the race.
SHEILA
My
God. What is it?
SENATOR
JENNER
My
wife has been removing classified documents from my office. I assume she's selling them to someone.
Sheila
is able to hide her surprise and concern by feigning a different kind of shock.
SHEILA
Jennifer? A spy?
Are you sure?
SENATOR
JENNER
I
want to know if there's anything I can do to remain a candidate.
EXT.
D.C. APARTMENT - HALLWAY - DAY
Cameron
approaches the apartment where Jennifer is held captive.
He
knocks on the door.
INT.
D.C. APARTMENT - DAY
Jennifer
is napping on the couch.
Another
knock on the door.
EXT.
D.C. APARTMENT - DAY
Cameron
tries one more time. He knocks louder.
INT.
D.C. APARTMENT - DAY
Jennifer
stirs and hears the knock.
Like
a rocket, she is off the couch and to the door.
JENNIFER
Help
me! I'm being held in here against my
will! Please help me!
EXT./INT.
D.C. APARTMENT - DAY
CAMERON
Jennifer?
JENNIFER
Cameron!
CAMERON
I'll
get the manager.
EXT.
BISTRO - DAY
The
senator and Sheila come out.
They
speak a moment, then move off in opposite directions.
From
a doorway, Man #2 steps out and intercepts Sheila as she walks down the
sidewalk.
The
Mercedes stops at the curb, and Man #2 escorts Sheila to the back door, then
gets in front.
The
Mercedes drives off.
INT.
SEDAN - DAY
Cameron
is driving, Jennifer is in the passenger seat beside him.
CAMERON
I
can't believe they'd pull a stunt like this.
JENNIFER
Who
are they?
CAMERON
A
couple of immigrants who work for me occasionally. They must've been hired by someone else.
JENNIFER
They
thought I had a secret document.
CAMERON
Really?
JENNIFER
And
I do. I got it by mistake. Sheila had it. Cameron, I think she's been stealing classified information.
CAMERON
And
you have a document?
JENNIFER
I
hid it in Fieldsdale.
EXT.
APARTMENT - HALLWAY - DAY
Man
#1 is unlocking the apartment door. Man
#2 and Sheila wait behind.
INT.
APARTMENT - DAY
The
door opens, and Man #1 leads the way in.
MAN
#1
She
must be in bathroom.
Seeing
that Jennifer is not in the room, he moves quickly to the bathroom.
Man
#2 shoves Sheila onto the couch.
Man
#1 comes back.
MAN
#1
She's
gone. You still believe her now?
SHEILA
Believe
her about what?
MAN
#1
She
says she knows nothing about secret document.
SHEILA
She's
lying! She told me she had it.
EXT.
FIELDSDALE - TOWN LIMITS - EVENING
Cameron's
sedan enters Fieldsdale.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - EVENING
Duane
has been working on the van in the driveway.
Now he is vacuuming out the inside.
The
sedan pulls in behind the van.
Duane,
absorbed in his work, doesn't notice at first.
Cameron
and Jennifer get out.
Peggy
comes out onto the porch.
DUANE
HANSEN
Duane?
Now
Duane looks up from his work - and sees the others.
DUANE
HANSEN
Peggy,
phone the police.
(to
Jennifer)
We
found it. I gave it to your husband.
Peggy
has gone back inside.
JENNIFER
Oh,
my God.
DUANE
HANSEN
I'm
surprised you haven't been arrested. Or
are you a fugitive?
JENNIFER
I
didn't take it! His press secretary
did.
(to
Cameron)
Do
something.
Cameron
races into the house, followed by Duane, who is followed by Jennifer.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - EVENING
Peggy
is on the phone when Cameron comes up and pulls out the chord.
CAMERON
I
think we all need to talk before any police get involved. Classified information is involved here.
JENNIFER
(to
Duane)
How
can you believe I did something like that?
Doubt
already fills Duane's expression. Peggy
is upset to see it.
DUANE
HANSEN
Not
here. I want a neutral party, someone
who can look at this from a distance.
INT.
PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - COFFEE BAR - EVENING
Everyone
sits along the coffee bar. Jennifer has
been telling her story.
JENNIFER
I
was panicked. I just wanted to get rid
of it until I thought about what to do.
I thought Russell might be involved.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
How
do you know he isn't?
Jennifer
can't answer.
JENNIFER
I
don't.
CAMERON
I
can't see it. He's running for
President, for Christ's sake.
DUANE
HANSEN
How
interesting you come to his defense.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Why
do you say that, Duane?
DUANE
HANSEN
Cameron's
been having an affair with Jennifer. He
sent her the photos of Tommy.
Cameron
looks away.
Jennifer
is shocked to learn this.
JENNIFER
Why?
CAMERON
You
wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Look, it was the same two creeps involved, taking the photos, but I knew
nothing about the kidnapping.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Creeps?
CAMERON
A
couple of immigrants, ex-KGB operatives, they have their hands in everything,
as long as there's a buck in it for them.
There's always a market for anything classified.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Something
from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Who would buy such a document?
Silence.
CAMERON
If
the document has anything to do with the hearings, it could contain important
information about the location and status of plutonium in the former Soviet
Union. That would be valuable to any
number of countries. Iran, others in
the Middle East. North Korea, China.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
Mercedes pulls into the driveway. Man
#1 gets out and goes to the door.
INT.
MERCEDES - NIGHT
Man
#2 and Sheila wait, Sheila in the back seat.
Both are apprehensive.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - PORCH - NIGHT
Man
#1 rings the doorbell. Again.
He
knocks on the door. Louder, again.
He
peeks into a window.
He
makes a gesture to the Mercedes.
He
takes out a tool from a pocket, bends down, and starts picking the lock.
INT.
DUANE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The
door opens.
Man
#1, Man #2 and Sheila enter.
SHEILA
It
may not even be here.
MAN
#1
For
your sake, I hope it is.
They
start combing the house for the secret document.
INT.
COFFEE BAR - NIGHT
The
"professor" has heard all the stories and is making his assessment.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
Unless
he's involved himself, the senator must think you did it, Jennifer. Your only proof you didn't, since you did
hide the document, is Sheila. Cameron,
why'd you go to the apartment when you did?
CAMERON
Something
felt wrong. I couldn't figure out the
kidnapping. If someone hadn't hired
them to do it, they might know who was involved. The criminal element seeks its own.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
The
senator has the document back. A lot
depends on what he did with it.
CAMERON
That
may have transpired today. I suppose
it's time to go back and find out.
JENNIFER
I
want to leave knowing you believe I didn't do this.
The
question is addressed to everyone around the coffee bar.
PROF.
WELLWORTH
I
don't think you'd be here if you were guilty, Jennifer.
JENNIFER
Thank
you, professor.
She
turns to Duane.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
can't imagine living in a city like Washington.
JENNIFER
Do
you believe me?
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes.
Jennifer
smiles.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I
reserve judgment.
The
two women glare at one another.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy are driving back to Duane's.
DUANE
HANSEN
You're
not thinking straight. You're jealous.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Well,
you're half right.
Duane
lets this pass.
DUANE
HANSEN
We'll
know the truth soon enough.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Approaching
the house, Duane sees the Mercedes in the driveway.
He
pulls to the curb.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Who
is it?
DUANE
HANSEN
There's
no car like that in town. And they're a
dime a dozen in D.C. Go to the corner,
tell Jack I sent you, and phone the police.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
They
both get out.
Peggy
hurries to the corner.
Duane
carefully moves to the house. He avoids
the front, moving along the driveway to the side of the house, and then to the
back.
He
looks into a back window. Nothing.
He
carefully opens the back door.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
comes in and moves slowly to the kitchen, which is dark.
He
goes to a drawer and carefully opens it.
He takes out a knife.
He
goes through the kitchen. Lights are on
in the living room ahead.
In
the living room, the men and Sheila have created a disaster area, looking for
the document.
SHEILA
We
have to find her.
MAN
#1
Tell
me about it.
The
lights in the living room go out, as the threesome leaves.
Duane
enters the dark room. He goes to the
front window.
He
watches them get into the Mercedes.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
Mercedes backs up and speeds off down the street.
Duane
comes out onto the porch.
He
walks to the sidewalk.
The
Mercedes turns a corner and is gone.
Peggy
comes out of the corner house and approaches. Duane meets her halfway.
DUANE
HANSEN
They
were looking for it. The senator may
not have done anything yet. Maybe for a
reason. I'm going to Washington.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Why?
DUANE
HANSEN
If
he's in on it, Jennifer will be in trouble.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
She
might be in on it herself.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
refuse to believe that.
He
turns and hurries back to his van.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
(after
him)
They
might be in on it together!
Peggy
watches him go, helpless to do anything about it.
EXT.
INTERSTATE - NIGHT
The
van is on the Interstate, heading for Washington D.C.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
Duane
looks resolved, going forward with a purpose.
No suggestion of doubting Jennifer now.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - NIGHT
The
sedan has reached D.C.
INT.
SEDAN - NIGHT
JENNIFER
I
won't feel safe going home tonight. Let
me off.
CAMERON
You're
worried he's involved?
JENNIFER
I'll
feel better getting a room. I'll call a
cab.
CAMERON
I'll
take you wherever you want to go.
JENNIFER
I'm
past trusting anybody, Cameron. Especially
you.
EXT.
STREET - NIGHT
The
sedan pulls over in front of a parked cab, and Jennifer gets out.
INT.
CAB - NIGHT
Jennifer
enters the cab.
JENNIFER
That
sedan is going to follow us. Get rid of
him. Then take me to the
Ambassador. Veto that. To the Holiday Inn.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane's
van pulls into the circular driveway.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The
housekeeper opens the door, and Duane moves around her to enter.
HOUSEKEEPER
I
beg your pardon!
Duane
knows where the senator's office is, and he heads for it.
The
housekeeper hurries off to call the senator on the intercom.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - NIGHT
The
senator is working when the phone rings.
He answers.
SENATOR
JENNER
Hello?
. . . Don't worry, Malina, I'll take care of it.
The
senator gets up and goes to a liquor cabinet.
He
brings a bottle of brandy and two glasses back.
He
has just finished pouring when Duane walks in.
DUANE
HANSEN
Jennifer
says she's innocent. Your press
secretary took the document.
SENATOR
JENNER
Sheila? I don't believe it. Where is Jennifer?
DUANE
HANSEN
The
question is, Where is Sheila?
The
senator hands Duane a glass of brandy.
DUANE
HANSEN
Have
you reported it yet?
SENATOR
JENNER
I'm
stalling. I want to find a way to
remain in the race.
INT.
HOLIDAY INN - CHECK IN COUNTER - NIGHT
Jennifer
checks into the Holiday Inn.
INT.
HOLIDAY INN - ROOM - NIGHT
Jennifer
is dialing a number on the room's telephone.
INT.
SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - NIGHT
SENATOR
JENNER
If
you're right, if it's Sheila, it would be less damaging to me. She used to have a drug problem. Maybe she does again.
The
telephone rings.
SENATOR
JENNER
Excuse
me.
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
SENATOR
JENNER
Hello?
JENNIFER
It's
Jennifer. I didn't do it, Russell. It was Sheila.
The
senator doesn't respond.
JENNIFER
Are
you free to talk?
SENATOR
JENNER
As
a matter of fact, no.
JENNIFER
Can
we meet somewhere?
SENATOR
JENNER
That
would work.
JENNIFER
The
bar at the Holiday Inn?
SENATOR
JENNER
Fine.
He
hangs up.
SENATOR
JENNER
I'm
sorry. Something's come up.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
comes out and gets in the van. He pulls
around the circular driveway onto the street.
He
drives a block and does a U-turn.
He
parks where he can get a view of the senator's house.
The
limo comes and pulls into the driveway.
The
senator comes out and gets into the limo.
After
the limo pulls away, the van starts up and follows, keeping a block between
them.
EXT.
HOLIDAY INN - NIGHT
The
limo pulls in front of the Holiday Inn and the senator gets out.
INT.
VAN - NIGHT
Duane
slows down. He sees the senator enter
the door to the cocktail lounge.
INT.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT
Sen.
Jenner enters and looks around. He
finds Jennifer and joins her at a table.
SENATOR
JENNER
Are
you all right?
JENNIFER
Yes. Thanks for asking.
SENATOR
JENNER
What
a mess we have on our hands.
JENNIFER
Have
you reported the document as missing?
SENATOR
JENNER
Not
yet. I've been looking for damage
control.
JENNIFER
I
have an idea that will keep you in the race.
SENATOR
JENNER
And
what's the price tag?
JENNIFER
My
freedom. We'll stay married, of
course. The kidnapping was so traumatic
I need to go away for a while. To
Europe.
SENATOR
JENNER
We
might be able to work in that direction.
Duane
comes into the bar and sees the senator and Jennifer before they see him.
Confused,
he moves out of sight, to the end of the bar.
He
orders a beer and continues to watch them, though he can't hear what they are
saying.
SENATOR
JENNER
For
someone who isn't political, you have very creative ideas. Maybe you missed your calling.
JENNIFER
I've
never been able to figure out what my calling is.
Duane
sips the beer, watching.
Suddenly
the senator stands up and leaves. He
walks out the exit.
Jennifer
is alone at the table.
Duane
picks up his beer and walks to her.
He
sits down.
JENNIFER
How
long have you been here?
DUANE
HANSEN
Long
enough to get curious.
JENNIFER
I'm
glad you came. It saves me a phone
call. I'm doing something to help
Russell get out of this mess. He may be
able to stay in the race, after all.
DUANE
HANSEN
Doing
what?
JENNIFER
You'll
find out soon enough. I have a
room. It's more private than here.
Duane
considers this.
JENNIFER
They'll
be charges against his press secretary tomorrow. Russell's agreed to a separation. We're going to pretend I was traumatized by the kidnapping and
need care in a sanitarium. But I'll
finally be free.
DUANE
HANSEN
You'll
leave Washington?
JENNIFER
Of
course. I hate it here. I think I'd like to find some place to rest
near Fieldsdale.
INT.
HOLIDAY INN - ROOM - NIGHT
Duane
and Jennifer are making love.
INT.
ROOM - DAY
Early
the next morning, Duane and Jennifer are getting dressed.
JENNIFER
The
press conference is at nine. I can be
to your place by two. Make me a late
lunch?
DUANE
HANSEN
You've
got a deal.
JENNIFER
I
have some phone calls to make. I don't
want you to hear them. If something
goes wrong, and you're ever asked about it, you won't have to lie because you
won't know.
They
kiss, and Jennifer shows him the door.
As
soon as Duane is gone, Jennifer picks up the phone with a sense of urgency.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY
Duane's
van 0is parked in the driveway.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
Duane
is busy with preparations for a gourmet meal.
Soft jazz plays on the radio.
The
phone in the living room starts ringing.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Duane
answers the phone.
DUANE
HANSEN
Hello?
. . . Thanks, Peggy, I will.
He
hangs up and picks up the remote.
He
turns on the TV.
INT.
HOTEL - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
The
senator and Jennifer are behind a podium.
Flash bulbs are flashing.
SENATOR
JENNER
The
ransom I paid for her safety is much more than I can affaord, but that's
irrelevant. My wife is home where she
belongs.
INT.
LIVING ROOM - DAY
Duane
is watching the Special News Report.
SENATOR
JENNER
(on
TV)
Most
of all, Jennifer needs peace and quiet.
She'll be finding that right away, and I know all of you will understand
that her destination is not being released.
Duane
clicks off the TV.
INT.
HOTEL - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
Watching
in the back at the press conference are the Morrisons.
Suddenly
Brad moves away from his parents, starting for the front of the room.
ALICE
Brad!
Her
husband takes her arm.
GREG
Let
him do it his way.
Jennifer
stands to one side as Jenner continues.
SENATOR
JENNER
We
will, of course, increase our efforts to bring these criminals to justice. The money they have received is marked - let
them try and spend it!
Brad
stands near the front, at one side. He
is looking intently at Jennifer.
Jennifer
sees him staring at her. Something
about him triggers a memory, but she can't quite place it.
SENATOR
JENNER
Now
I have less happy news to relate. Later
this afternoon, I'll return here with details.
By then, I expect appropriate arrests will have been made. I'll be taking no questions until then. Thank you for your attention.
Reporters
immediately start shouting questions, some rising to their feet.
Brad
uses the moment to move quickly to Jennifer.
BRAD
I
think I'm your son.
In
the noise, Jennifer hasn't understood him.
JENNIFER
What?
BRAD
I'm
your son.
The
senator has taken her arm and is moving her back to the exit. Jennifer turns, looking at Brad.
BRAD
I'm
your son!
Jennifer's
expression shows she finally understands.
She pulls away from her husband.
JENNIFER
Just
a minute.
SENATOR
JENNER
Jennifer?
She
moves quickly to Brad.
JENNIFER
Brad?
BRAD
Yes.
They
embrace.
JENNIFER
Are
your parents here?
BRAD
In
back.
JENNIFER
Meet
me in the restaurant. Can you all do
that?
BRAD
Sure.
JENNIFER
Give
me about an hour. I'm so happy to meet
you.
She
turns and goes. Brad has tears in his
eyes.
INT.
HOTEL - RESTUARANT - DAY
The
Morrisons have a table. They look
impatient.
GREG
She
wouldn't make an appointment just to break it.
EXT.
SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY
Jennifer
comes out, carrying a large suitcase.
She walks to her BMW and puts the suitcase in the trunk.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
In
the kitchen, Duane continues preparing what is turning out to be a
labor-intensive gourmet meal.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - DAY
Jennifer's
BMW parks.
INT.
D.C. APARTMENT - DAY
Man
#1 opens the door.
Jennifer
comes in from the hallway.
JENNIFER
Do
you have it?
MAN
#1
I
ask you same question.
Jennifer
takes a stack of manila envelopes out of her purse.
MAN
#1
And
you have this all along?
JENNIFER
No
questions.
MAN
#1
I
need to see if quality is good.
JENNIFER
I
didn't take time to make copies. These
are all originals. Now do you want them
or not?
Man
#2 comes forward with a briefcase.
Man
#1 takes it and offers it to Jennifer.
JENNIFER
Open
it.
Man
#1 does. It's a whole lot of money.
Man
#1 closes the briefcase, and Jennifer takes it. She hands over the manila envelopes.
Man
#1 looks in the top envelope. He
smiles.
MAN
#1
So
nice to do business with you.
INT.
HOTEL - RESTAURANT - DAY
The
Morrisons are on their feet, about to leave, when the WAITER comes up.
WAITER
Are
you Brad Morrison?
BRAD
Yes.
WAITER
Mrs.
Jenner just called. She's very sorry,
but she can't keep her appointment. She
told me to give you this.
He
hands Brad a folded slip of paper.
As
the waiter leaves, Brad unfolds it.
GREG
What
is it, son?
Brad
reads.
BRAD
It's
the name and address of my birth father.
She says he really wants to meet me.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY
Duane
sits at the end of a formally decorated table.
He looks at his watch.
He
lets out a deep breath. Say it isn't
true.
INT.
AIRPORT - DAY
Jennifer
is in line to board a plane.
She
has her ticket checked.
EXT.
AIRPORT - DAY
A
jet takes off.
INT.
JET - DAY
Jennifer
undoes her seat belt.
She
is seated next to a YOUNG WOMAN, 20s.
YOUNG
WOMAN
I'm
so excited. I've never been to Paris before.
JENNIFER
I
have, many times. You'll love it.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
and Peggy are watching TV. They sit at
opposite ends of the divan.
On
TV, Sheila is pictured in handcuffs, being led to a police car.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - LATER - NIGHT
Duane
is stretched out, his head in Peggy's lap. She is stroking his hair.
The
phone rings.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
Want
me to get it?
DUANE
HANSEN
I'll
do it.
He
rolls off and onto his feet and hurries to the phone.
DUANE
HANSEN
Hello?
INTERCUT
PHONE CONVERSATION
Sen. Jenner is phoning from his office. Cameron sits across the desk.
SENATOR
JENNER
Is
Jennifer there?
DUANE
HANSEN
No. Why?
SENATOR
JENNER
Then
she's disappeared.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
don't think I'm surprised.
SENATOR
JENNER
Do
you know something you're not telling me?
DUANE
HANSEN
I
don't think so.
SENATOR
JENNER
The
original to the document is gone. And
some other documents as well.
DUANE
HANSEN
I
don't know what to tell you.
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Duane
hangs up.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
What
is it?
DUANE
HANSEN
Jennifer's
gone. And so are some more documents.
Peggy
can't help but show her satisfaction.
DUANE
HANSEN
Go
ahead. You're dying to say I told you so.
PEGGY
SOMMERS
I'm
not going to say something that hurts you.
Duane
stretches back out on the divan.
Peggy
strokes his hair.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY
Duane
is mowing the lawn.
A
car passes the house and slows down.
Then it pulls to the curb and parks.
The
Morrisons get out.
Greg
and Alice wait behind while Greg walks to Duane.
Duane
sees him and stops mowing. He turns off
the engine.
DUANE
HANSEN
You
look just like your picture.
GREG
You
have a picture of me?
DUANE
HANSEN
Yes,
I do. You folks want to come in?
INT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY
The
Morrisons and Duane sit around a festive table, having lunch.
Brad
sits next to Duane. They obviously are
enjoying one another's company.
During
this scene, and the one below, we hear:
JENNIFER
(V.O.)
Dear
Duane. I won't try to explain why I did
what I did and, of course, I can't tell you where I am. But I think I've found my little slice of
paradise after all these years. It's
too bad I had to become a criminal to find it.
The hardest part was leaving Brad, after I knew he wanted to see me, but
I know you will be everything to him that I can't be. I'm still chasing a dream from high school, I guess. But like I said, I think I may have found
it. I hope you find your dream, too,
Duane. I really mean that. We just were never right for each other, is
all. We want different things from
life. I wish you could write to let me
know about Brad but, of course, that's not possible because I can't trust that
you'd keep my address a secret.
Actually it's easier to go into hiding than I ever thought. Like they say, money can buy anything. Take care of yourself. Warmly, Jennifer.
EXT.
DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY
Duane
and Brad are in an embrace, as the Morrisons get into their car.
Duane
shakes hands with Greg and gives Alice a hug.
Then
they get into their car.
Greg
starts the engine.
Everyone
waves goodbye.
Duane
watches them go.
After
the car is out of sight, he walks to the lawn mower.
He
starts the engine.
He
gets back to mowing the lawn and the chores of the day.
A
smile lights up his face.
FADE OUT