Copyright 1983, 2008 by Ronald L. Ecker
All Rights Reserved
FADE IN:
EXT. CAFÉ COLÓN - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Not a high-class joint. MARIACHI MUSIC from within. FEDERAL
SOLDIER #1 leans idly against a car parked in front.
SUBTITLE fades in:
MEXICO CITY
FEBRUARY, 1913
INT. CAFÉ COLÓN - DAY
Some working-class MEXICANS are eating and drinking, while a
MARIACHI BAND sings and plays.
At the entrance to a corridor stands Federal General RAFAEL
IZQUIERDO, 50-ish, casually standing guard.
INT. A PRIVATE ROOM - CAFÉ COLÓN - DAY
General VICTORIANO HUERTA, 59, of Huichol Indian blood,
stands by a table as he's talking on the phone. The
MARIACHIS (o.s.) can be heard through the open door.
SALOON WAITER #1 has brought Huerta a bottle of cognac, and
is pouring a glass on the table.
HUERTA
(into phone)
I am at the Café Colón. You hear
the mariachis?
Huerta chuckles. He glances at the waiter leaving.
HUERTA (cont'd)
(into phone)
You know, this man Madero has
been a disaster. His revolution
has brought chaos to Mexico.
INTERCUT: INT. AMBASSADOR'S OFFICE - U.S. EMBASSY - DAY
The 50-ish U.S. AMBASSADOR sits talking on the phone. He is
calm, conspiratorial:
AMBASSADOR
I know, General Huerta. Your
country needs a return to
stability.
Huerta sits down, his cognac beside him on the table.
HUERTA
I would have to agree.
(beat)
I would like your reassurance,
Mister Ambassador, that His
Excellency Mister President Taft
will not intervene, if Madero
should be overthrown.
AMBASSADOR
No need to worry. President Taft
depends largely on what I advise
him regarding affairs here.
Anyway, his term will be ending
in March.
HUERTA
What about this Woodrow Wilson?
AMBASSADOR
I'm sure he'll depend on me too.
(beat)
How soon do you think Madero might
be overthrown?
HUERTA
Oh . . .
Huerta looks at a pocket watch. The time is five after two.
HUERTA (cont'd)
Anytime now.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - NATIONAL PALACE - DAY
President FRANCISCO MADERO, 40, a small, gentle-looking
fellow, is listening with interest to AIDE #1. AIDES #2 and
#3 also are present.
AIDE #1
Villa escaped from the prison
disguised as a visitor. They
think he has headed for Texas.
MADERO
If he escaped, good for him.
(with disgust)
A hero of the Revolution, jailed
as a horse thief by order of
Huerta. The general was going
to have him shot! I said, "No,
he will have a trial."
AIDE #2
Huerta is not to be trusted, Mister
President. You know he was loyal
to the old regime, and -
MADERO
(interrupting)
I have his loyalty now. He is head
of the new federal army. What more
could Huerta want?
AIDE #1
(beat)
Beware of wolves who come in
sheep's clothing.
Aide #1 barely finishes before they hear boots.
The door opens, and General AURELIANO BLANQUET, 60, walks in,
followed by COLONELS #1 and #2, the latter with drawn pistol.
Armed FEDERAL SOLDIERS remain outside the doorway.
As Madero rises:
MADERO
Blanquet. What is this?
BLANQUET
Madero, you are under arrest.
MADERO
Who do you think you are?
BLANQUET
Vice President Pino Suárez is
already in custody.
Blanquet notes that Aide #1 is slowly moving his hand toward
something in his coat. The hand stops.
BLANQUET (cont'd)
(to Colonel #1)
Disarm that man before he gets shot.
Colonel #1 steps over and takes a pistol from Aide #1's coat,
while Colonel #2 covers him.
MADERO
(defiantly)
Where is General Huerta? I want to
see him now.
BLANQUET
There is no need to see our new
president.
EXT. CAFÉ COLÓN - DAY
Huerta's car is leaving, with Huerta and Izquierdo in back,
Soldier #1 driving.
INT. HUERTA'S CAR - DAY
Huerta calmly lights a black cigarette, Izquierdo set to take
notes, as Soldier #1 drives.
HUERTA
Have this message sent to all
embassies: "I have the honor
to inform you that I have
overthrown the government."
(beat)
"From now on there will be
peace and prosperity."
(beat, then)
I will drop you off at the palace.
IZQUIERDO
What about you?
HUERTA
I am going to the house. It is
one of my grandsons' birthday.
EXT. PATIO - HUERTA'S HOME - DAY
Huerta's blindfolded GRANDSON, about 7, succeeds in busting a
goodies-filled piñata with a stick.
Cheering him on, then applauding, are Huerta's wife EMILIA,
52, four Huerta DAUGHTERS, a couple of SONS-IN-LAW, and
several CHILDREN.
EXT. HUERTA'S HOME - DAY
Huerta's car arrives at the nice but not regal home.
EXT. PATIO - DAY
Huerta and the birthday-partying family feast at a table,
MAID #1 attending.
EMILIA
How has your day been, dear?
HUERTA
I am the new head of Mexico.
EMILIA
You are?
The daughters are thrilled, while the husbands look concerned.
DAUGHTER #1
Father!
SON-IN-LAW #1
What about Madero?
HUERTA
He was no good for the country,
he and his so-called Revolution.
I had generals revolting every
day. I got tired of defending
him.
SON-IN-LAW #2
Has he been shot?
HUERTA
No, he has not been shot.
EMILIA
What will the Congress say about
you taking over?
Huerta laughs. He reaches over and gives Emilia a fond
squeeze on the arm.
HUERTA
Would you like to go live in
Chapultepec Castle?
EMILIA
I don't know, I haven't thought
about it.
DAUGHTER #2
Mama!
EMILIA
Well I don't want to move.
HUERTA
I don't want to move either. So
we won't.
DAUGHTER #1
(sarcastically)
Who wants to live in a castle?
GRANDSON
I do.
Huerta gestures to the Maid for more wine.
SON-IN-LAW #2
What about Washington? Are you
concerned about what they will
say?
HUERTA
No, I am not. The ambassador
understands. He will see
that my government gets full
recognition.
EXT. A NICE TWO-STORY HOME - NEW JERSEY - DAY
A car (CHAUFFEUR-driven, bringing WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN)
arrives in front, where TWO SECRET SERVICE MEN wait in the
cold. SUPERIMPOSE:
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
INT. AN UPSTAIRS SITTING ROOM - DAY
WOODROW WILSON, 56, his Georgian wife ELLEN, 55, and Wilson's
diminutive advisor, Texan "Colonel" EDWARD HOUSE, 53, sit
laughing about something.
Pretty NELLIE WILSON, 26, has appeared at the door.
NELLIE
Mister Bryan is here, Dad.
WILSON
Thank you, Nell.
As Wilson is about to get up, House rises instead, Nellie
leaving.
HOUSE
Finish your coffee, Woodrow.
I'll greet him.
House heads for the door.
ELLEN
Thank you, Colonel.
Wilson and Ellen look fondly at each other for a moment.
Ellen rises, picks up House's cup, and takes it, Wilson
watching her, to the table where the coffee pot sits.
Wilson, finishing his cup, rises and follows her.
WILSON
Ellen . . .
Ellen turns, and takes Wilson's cup.
WILSON (cont'd)
Don't call Ed "Colonel." He hates
it.
Ellen sets down the cup, and turns again to Wilson.
ELLEN
I'm sorry. I thought he was a
colonel.
WILSON
It's honorary. One of the things
they do out in Texas.
As Wilson takes Ellen in his arms:
ELLEN
What's his title going to be?
WILSON
Advisor to the President.
Wilson starts giving Ellen pecks and nibbles.
WILSON (cont'd)
Do you know what else they do
out in Texas?
ELLEN
What?
WILSON
They do it in Virginia too. My old
neck of the woods.
ELLEN
Now I'm catching on.
WILSON
They do it here in New Jersey.
Ellen gently breaks his hold.
ELLEN
They do it in Rome, Georgia, too.
But not while William Jennings
Bryan is waiting outside.
INT. THE DOWNSTAIRS PARLOR - DAY (LATER)
Wilson is pacing while WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN, 52, sits
having coffee, House lighting a cigar.
BRYAN
Well I might as well say it,
Woodrow. Colonel.
HOUSE
Call me Ed.
BRYAN
I'm a teetotaler, Ed. I come from
a long, dry line of teetotalers.
(to Wilson)
If I run the State Department,
I'd like to prohibit the serving
of liquor at all state dinners.
Wilson and House glance at each other.
BRYAN (cont'd)
Wine too.
WILSON
Well, I guess I'd leave that to
your judgment.
As Bryan rises and shakes hands with Wilson:
BRYAN
Then I accept.
HOUSE
Wine too, eh?
BRYAN
Why compromise on one's principles?
WILSON
Can't argue with that.
As Bryan sits down again, Wilson pacing:
WILSON (cont'd)
Anyway, Will, the first thing
on your plate is going to be
Mexico. There'll be no recognition
of Huerta. One of the first things
we'll do is recall the ambassador.
BRYAN
Break off relations?
WILSON
No, we're going to put pressure
on Huerta to restore Madero
or hold new elections, return
to constitutional government.
It's a matter of principle.
HOUSE
The Revolution may not be over.
(beat)
This Huerta, you know, was one of
the old dictator's men.
WILSON
Well one thing I intend to do,
as I said in my campaign, is to
help foster democracy in Latin
America. And no traitor of a
general like Huerta is going to
stop me.
BRYAN
Could that mean armed intervention,
sir?
WILSON
No. The United States is through
being the bully on the block. We
are not going to war against
Mexico. There are more civilized
means to help them undo what's been
done. We are going to handle this
diplomatically.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - NIGHT
In the darkness a group of RURALES (federal policemen) hustle
Madero and JOSÉ MARÍA PINO SUÁREZ, 50, out of a rear entrance
of the palace into two waiting cars.
INT. FIRST CAR - NIGHT
A FEDERAL POLICE MAJOR, 40, gets in the back seat next to
Madero. On Madero's other side sits FEDERAL POLICEMAN #1.
TWO RURALES are in front.
MADERO
Where are you taking us?
MAJOR
To Lecumberri.
MADERO
You mean to prison?
MAJOR
You will be safe there. We can no
longer keep you in the palace.
EXT. LECUMBERRI PRISON - NIGHT
The two cars, moving along a road by the prison wall, come to
a halt by a rear door.
INT./EXT. FIRST CAR - NIGHT
As Policeman #1 gets out, to stand by the car, the Major
looks at Madero.
MAJOR
Get out.
Madero hesitates. The Major speaks more firmly:
MAJOR (cont'd)
Get out.
Madero starts getting out.
Drawing his pistol, the major aims it at the back of Madero's
head, and fires.
EXT. BY THE CARS - NIGHT
Madero falls to the ground, where he is shot again by
Policeman #1.
Pino Suárez is out of the second car. He has watched the
killing in horror.
Standing behind Pino Suárez, POLICEMAN #3 aims his pistol at
the back of Pino Suárez's head.
The major gets out of the first car, as a shot is heard,
followed momentarily by another, by the second car.
The major steps over to Madero's body. He looks down at it,
then looks over at Pino Suárez's. He glances around at the
rurales and policemen.
MAJOR
That's what they get, eh? For
trying to escape. The fools.
They deserved to be shot.
As he gestures toward the second car:
MAJOR (cont'd)
Load them in the car.
INT. SITTING ROOM - WILSON HOME - PRINCETON - DAY
Ellen is signing inaugural ball invitations, while Wilson
sits with a newspaper in an armchair.
Wilson is grim. The story he is reading is headlined DEPOSED
PRESIDENT SHOT IN MEXICO.
ELLEN
Jessie and Frank want to get
married in the White House.
Ellen looks over at Wilson reading, not listening.
ELLEN (cont'd)
Woodrow . . .
Wilson looks over at her.
WILSON
Sorry, dear.
ELLEN
Jessie and Frank want a White
House wedding.
Wilson scans the last few lines of the story. He musingly
sets the paper aside.
WILSON
Well, an appropriate place, I
suppose, to start losing our
daughters.
Ellen looks at him quizzically. He's pensive, clearly
troubled by what he has read.
WILSON (cont'd)
Taft says the White House is the
loneliest place in the world.
After a moment, as Ellen writes,
ELLEN
I'll try not to let you get too
lonely.
Wilson looks at her fondly.
WILSON
Is that a promise?
ELLEN
I cross my heart.
EXT. VIENNA, AUSTRIA - NIGHT
ESTABLISHING SHOT of the city. SUPERIMPOSE:
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
OVERLAP SOUND:
NELSON (V.O.)
Well, things are happening now
that Wilson has taken the oath.
EXT. BALCONY - A VIENNA APARTMENT - NIGHT
Pretty EDITH O'SHAUGHNESSY, 35, sits staring off at
the city on a mild evening. She looks sullen about
something.
NELSON (cont'd)
We're being transferred to Mexico.
Edith rolls her eyes incredulously.
Handsome NELSON O'SHAUGHNESSY, 35, sits down a few feet from
Edith, who looks like she's trying to ignore him.
NELSON (cont'd)
Embassy first secretary. This
could be a big break, Edith.
There's been a military coup,
the Revolution has re-ignited.
Rumor has it Wilson's going to
recall the ambassador.
(beat)
That'll leave me in charge there.
I could be the next ambassador.
EDITH
You could also get lynched by
a mob.
NELSON
Is that wishful thinking?
(beat)
You don't have to go, Edith. You
could go home to Philadelphia.
A beat, Edith clearly in a quandary.
EDITH
Couldn't that ruin your chance of
being ambassador?
NELSON
(beat)
I can't just think of myself.
Edith cuts a hard eye at him, as if Nelson hasn't always been
so unselfish. Nelson looks away.
After a moment, Edith sighs, looking off at the city.
EDITH
Book your passage to Mexico,
Nelson. I'll stay here to
settle our . . .
She hesitates to use the word,
EDITH (cont'd)
Affairs . . . It'll give me some
time to think.
(beat)
Mexico City - or Philadelphia.
EXT. TOWN OF SAN ANDRES - CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO - DAY
Stocky, mustachioed PANCHO VILLA, 35, and some 50 well-armed
VILLISTAS come riding into town on HORSES.
Humble TOWNSPEOPLE, including idle TEENAGERS, see Villa
coming. The teenagers become excited:
TEENAGER #1
It's Pancho Villa!
As Villa and his men ride past, some townspeople shout
salutations.
VILLISTA #1
Viva Pancho Villa!
TEENAGER #1
Que viva!
VILLISTA #2 reins in his horse, to shout:
VILLISTA #2
Come join us, to help save the
Revolution!
Two or three of the teenagers go running off, as if to fetch
some belongings.
TEENAGER #2
Viva la Revolución!
INT./EXT. A SECOND-FLOOR WINDOW - OTILIA'S HOME - DAY
Pretty OTILIA, 35, looks out the window, and sees Villa and
some of the Villistas arrive on their horses below.
INT. OTILIA'S SECOND-FLOOR BEDROOM - DAY
Surprised Otilia, straightening her clothes, turns anxiously
from the window.
OTILIA
It's Pancho!
OTILIA'S LOVER, terrified, jumps off of the bed and runs out
of the room, grabbing his sombrero and fastening his pants as
he goes.
INT. THE SECOND FLOOR - DAY
Exiting Otilia's room, the lover runs to the first window he
sees.
EXT. BACK OF HOUSE - DAY
Scrambling out the second-floor window, the lover looks down
with trepidation, but has no choice but to jump.
He falls straight through the thatched roof of a chicken coop
by the side of the house. Cackling CHICKENS come flying out.
EXT. FRONT OF HOUSE - DAY
Villa heads for the entrance, two Villistas staying in front
as guards, the others riding off.
VILLA
Otilia, I am home!
INT. THE HOUSE - DAY
As Villa enters, Otilia runs to greet him with open arms.
OTILIA
Pancho!
VILLA
Otilia, my love!
He hungrily embraces her.
OTILIA
Have you come home to stay?
VILLA
Not yet, my precious. I am raising
an army. We are taking the
Revolution back from Huerta.
As he leads her by the hand toward the stairs:
VILLA (cont'd)
Let's go, I don't have much time.
EXT. REAR OF HOUSE - DAY
The lover, covered with chicken crap, is hurriedly limping
off on a broken leg.
INT. THE HOUSE - DAY
Villa and Otilia are walking up the stairs.
OTILIA
How many men do you have now,
Pancho?
VILLA
I left El Paso with six. I pick up
more at every village.
EXT. A VILLAGE - CHIHUAHUA - DAY
PEASANTS stand gathered, listening intently to Villa, trying
fierily to recruit them, a few already armed, while mounted
Villistas wait.
VILLA
Mexico, hombres, is in the bloody
hands of assassins. They shot down
Madero like a dog in the street.
They have snatched away all that we
fought for. There will be no land,
no better life for your families,
unless we stand up to these
traitors.
PEASANT
Mueran los traidores!
VILLA
Those who fought for the Revolution
must now fight again, and all good
Mexicans must now join the cause.
As Villa points north:
VILLA (cont'd)
We are going to retake Ciudad
Juárez. Then we head south,
to retake Torreón, to retake
Zacatecas, to throw Huerta out
of Mexico!
PEASANTS
Viva la patria! Viva Villa!
VILLA
Those who are with me, go to your
homes, get your guns. They will
pay with their blood, we will take
back what belongs to us all: our
beloved Mexico!
Villa heads for his horse, as peasants run for home or wave
their weapons.
PEASANTS
Vámanos! Viva Villa! Viva la
Revolución!
EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY
It's spring. Some SHEEP are grazing on the White House lawn.
OVERLAP SOUND:
HOPKINS (V.O.)
It's such a disgrace, Mrs.
Wilson . . .
INT. THE FIRST LADY'S OFFICE - THE WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Ellen sits at her desk, listening to social activist CHARLOTTE
HOPKINS, mid-30's, while looking at a drawing of a simple,
prototypal two-family house. (The drawing is labeled SANITARY
HOUSING COMPANY.)
With Hopkins are two other LADIES. Ellen's small, 50-ish
secretary HELEN BONES is also present.
HOPKINS (cont'd)
. . . a disgrace that, with this
type of low-cost, sanitary housing
available, folks live, right here
in the nation's capital, in alleys
like Goat and Willow Tree.
ELLEN
(beat)
Alleys like - ?
HOPKINS
One of the slums I referred to. Goat
and Willow Tree, Logan's Court -
LADY #1
They're alleys, Mrs. Wilson, of
dilapidated shacks, where most of
the black people live. Right in
sight of Capitol Hill.
This is clearly news to Ellen.
ELLEN
I haven't been around much to
notice.
HOPKINS
Oh, no one "notices," Mrs. Wilson.
But the conditions are awful.
LADY #2
The slumlords - that's what they
are - could put in this type of
housing, if Congress would just
make them do it.
ELLEN
Well I'd like to see these alleys
you're talking about. Can we check
my calendar, Helen?
Hopkins and the ladies look thrilled as Helen shows a
calendar to Ellen.
ELLEN (cont'd)
How about Monday afternoon?
HOPKINS
Oh, that would be wonderful,
Mrs. Wilson.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Wilson is meeting with his CABINET, including Secretary of
State BRYAN; Treasury's handsome Georgian WILLIAM McADOO, 50;
Navy Secretary JOSEPHUS DANIELS, 52; and Secretary of War
LINDLEY GARRISON, 60.
WILSON
Let's move on to Mexico. Mister
Bryan . . .
BRYAN
It's civil war, Mister President.
Huerta seems to be holding his own,
but the rebels are picking up
steam.
MCADOO
Who's leading those rebels down
there? Is it Villa?
As Bryan glances at notes:
BRYAN
The nominal leader is Carranza,
the governor of Coahuila in the
north. He calls himself First
Chief of the Constitutionalist
forces.
GARRISON
"Constitutionalists." That's
a bunch of hooey, Mister President.
BRYAN
Obregón is Carranza's top general.
Villa is supposedly a Carranza man
too, but Zapata's on his own.
DANIELS
I think what you've got down there,
with Carranza, Villa, and Zapata,
is a free-for-all.
GARRISON
You're exactly right, Mister Daniels.
The day's coming, if it's not already
here, Mister President, when we'll
need to march into Mexico. To save
American lives and property from
total depredation.
WILSON
We're neutral on the war, Mister
Garrison, for now anyway. Our
policy is still watchful waiting.
Huerta claims he's going to hold
an election.
GARRISON
It'll be a sham, Mister President.
He'll have himself, or some crony,
elected.
WILSON
No, he will not.
(to Bryan)
I want to send a special envoy,
from me to Huerta - is our new
chargé down there yet?
BRYAN
Yes, Mister President.
WILSON
Our envoy will tell Huerta face-
to-face: a free election, soon,
and Huerta is not a candidate.
DANIELS
Perhaps an interim government
first, Mister President. For
electoral order.
WILSON
Fine, as long as Huerta resigns.
(to Bryan)
At the same time, let's send a
confidential agent to Carranza,
to talk things over with him.
Both sides might agree to
elections, an interim govern-
ment, an end to hostilities.
(beat)
Let's find out how "Constitution-
alist" the rebels really are.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
ESTABLISHING SHOT of the sprawling building on the Zócalo,
the city's central plaza.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
U.S. chargé Nelson is escorted to the ornate double doors
of the presidential office by CHUCHO RÁBAGO, Huerta's male
secretary. A FEDERAL SOLDIER stands guard.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
As Rábago shows Nelson in, the uniformed Huerta turns from
the window overlooking the plaza.
RÁBAGO
Mister President, the United
States chargé d'affaires -
Huerta strides over to Nelson.
HUERTA
Ah! Mister O'Shaughnessy.
As they shake hands:
NELSON
It is a pleasure to meet you,
General Huerta.
HUERTA
I may call you Nelson?
NELSON
Please do.
HUERTA
How soon, Nelson, might they
name you the new ambassador?
NELSON
Oh, I have no idea, sir. I'd
have to be confirmed. We have
to see how things go.
HUERTA
Patience is a virtue, eh? How
is my English?
NELSON
Excellent - Your Excellency.
Huerta laughs. As he takes Nelson by the arm:
HUERTA
Come, let us go for a ride.
EXT. HUERTA'S CAR - DAY
Moving along a suburban road, with a car of BODYGUARDS
following.
INT. HUERTA'S CAR - DAY
Huerta is in good spirits, as he and Nelson sit in back,
Huerta's CHAUFFEUR driving.
HUERTA
A Mexican and a Frenchman are
standing on the corner. A brazen
woman comes by, in a light dress
that opens in front. Underneath
she wears nothing. A strong wind
lifts open her skirt. She pulls
it down and keeps going. The
Frenchman says, "C'est la vie."
The Mexican thinks he was speaking
Spanish: "Sé la ví."
NELSON
"I know I saw it."
HUERTA
Yes. And the Mexican says,
"I saw it too."
Huerta laughs heartily, Nelson smiling.
INT. EL GLOBO SALOON - NIGHT
Huerta and Nelson have been drinking at a table, Huerta with
his back to the wall. Bodyguards sit nearby, working-class
PATRONS are watching Huerta, MARIACHIS SINGING.
SALOON WAITER #2 sits down a fresh bottle. Nelson is already
drunk, Huerta just hitting his stride.
HUERTA
Your wife, mi hijo. She is
with you?
NELSON
Not yet. She'sh on her way
from Vienna.
Huerta leans close, points out a couple of smiling SEÑORITAS,
clearly available, watching them.
HUERTA
You would like some companionship,
eh?
Nelson looks, smiles, then,
NELSON
Oh, no. No, General. I'm in
enough trouble already.
HUERTA
You are?
Huerta laughs, and shakes Nelson chummily by the shoulder.
HUERTA (cont'd)
Que macho!
EXT. THE U.S. EMBASSY - NIGHT
Huerta's car pulls up at the gate, where TWO MEXICAN
GENDARMES stand guard.
Nelson gets unsteadily out of the car.
HUERTA
Good night, mi hijo.
NELSON
G'night, sir.
INT. FOYER - THE EMBASSY - NIGHT
Embassy butler HECTOR, a 50-ish, stoical Indian, opens the
door for Nelson, who walks drunkenly in.
HECTOR
Are you okay, sir?
Nelson puts an arm around Hector's shoulders.
NELSON
Yes, yes - What was your name
again?
HECTOR
Hector, sir.
NELSON
Hector, I feel great. We had a
wunnerful time.
HECTOR
Very good, sir.
NELSON
I just had a little much too to
drink.
HECTOR
Very bad, sir.
NELSON
But the gen'ral an' I get along
fine.
HECTOR
Very good.
Nelson starts moving away, half-turns, walking sideways.
NELSON
Yep. Things are going to be
straightened out around here -
Nelson stumbles against some furniture by the wall, starts
losing his balance.
NELSON (cont'd)
- in no time at all.
Nelson falls flat on the floor.
Hector steps over as if to help him up, but drunken Nelson,
as if ready to sleep it off, lays his head on an arm, trying
to make himself comfortable.
NELSON (cont'd)
It's all right. Just leave me here
till mornin'.
HECTOR
Very good, sir.
Hector leaves him lying on the floor.
EXT. AN ALLEY OF SHACKS - WASHINGTON - DAY
PATRICE, a humbly clothed, 30-ish black woman, stands holding
a small CHILD in her arms.
She's calmly watching Ellen and Ms. Hopkins come walking
along the alley, with SECRET SERVICE AGENTS #1 and #2 a few
steps behind them.
Ragged black CHILDREN play in the narrow, shack-lined dirt
street, in which sewage runs. A few black ADULTS move about.
Ellen and Hopkins stop in front of Patrice's shack.
HOPKINS
Hello, Patrice.
PATRICE
Ms. Hopkins, how are you?
HOPKINS
Fine. I want you to meet Mrs.
Wilson. She's -
Ellen interrupts in a kindly way:
ELLEN
(to Patrice)
You can call me Ellen.
Patrice, glancing curiously at the Secret Service agents,
clearly doesn't recognize Ellen.
PATRICE
Pleased to meet you, Miss Ellen.
ELLEN
Is this your only child?
PATRICE
No, ma'am, we have four. This is
the youngest.
ELLEN
You could use a better place for
them, couldn't you.
PATRICE
We sure could. Everyone could.
Everyone here works hard, those
with jobs. But this is what we
come home to. You know we can't
get a place nowhere else.
ELLEN
Well, maybe we can get something
done here.
Patrice chuckles.
PATRICE
Excuse me for laughing, Miss Ellen.
I sure hope you know the right
folks. It would take the President
himself to get something done about
this place.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - MEXICO CITY - NIGHT
Nelson stands waiting as Edith steps from the train, followed
by the embassy's Mexican chauffeur JESÚS with luggage.
Edith doesn't smile. As Nelson kisses her, she turns her
head slightly, so that the kiss is a peck on the cheek.
NELSON
Welcome to Mexico City.
INT. DINING ROOM - U.S. EMBASSY - NIGHT (LATER)
Nelson and Edith have been having a light meal, Mexican MAID
#2 attending. Nelson tries to make small talk:
NELSON
You'll meet Louis D'Antin
tomorrow. He's the embassy
first clerk and legal advisor.
Through eating, Edith says nothing. She declines more coffee
from the maid.
NELSON (cont'd)
Would you like a grand tour of the
embassy?
EDITH
(beat)
I'm kind of tired after riding
that train all day. Think I'd
like to turn in.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Nelson and Edith stop at the door of a room. A trunk and two
suitcases sit in the hallway.
NELSON
I wasn't sure about your clothes,
so I told Hector to leave them out
here till - I knew where you want
to sleep.
A pause. As Nelson nods toward it:
NELSON (cont'd)
This is the master bedroom.
No reaction. As he gestures further down the hall:
NELSON (cont'd)
There are two other bedrooms close
by, across from each other.
A beat. As Edith starts down the hall:
EDITH
I'd like my own room for now,
if that's all right.
Nelson picks up one of the suitcases and follows her.
NELSON
Suit yourself, Edith.
(beat)
How long do you think you might
want it?
They stop at an open bedroom door.
EDITH
I don't know, Nelson.
NELSON
Let me know when you do.
EDITH
I will.
As she starts in the door:
NELSON
Edith, wait . . . You take the
master bedroom, and I'll take
this one.
EDITH
No, I'd rather you keep it.
NELSON
No, then you take this room,
and I'll take the one over
here and -
EDITH
(interrupting)
Whatever you want to do, Nelson.
I'm tired.
Nelson follows her into:
INT. EDITH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Edith looks the nice room over as Nelson puts the suitcase on
the bed.
NELSON
I'll have 'em bring in the rest.
Edith moves to a dresser.
NELSON (cont'd)
Tomorrow's Chinese Independence
Day.
Edith gives him a look.
EDITH
Thanks for reminding me.
Edith sits down at the dresser, and looks tiredly at her
reflection. Nelson walks over, to stand behind her.
NELSON
There'll be a big reception at
the Chinese legation. You'll
get to meet a lot of people.
Edith gives him an unthrilled look in the mirror.
NELSON (cont'd)
You might even meet Huerta.
After a moment, Nelson puts a hand on her shoulder and
lightly kisses the top of her head.
NELSON (cont'd)
Good night, dear.
She looks at him, rather blankly, in the mirror.
EDITH
Good night.
Nelson leaves. Edith thinks for a moment, and sighs.
INT. WILSON BEDROOM - WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
Ellen is already in bed as Wilson, in pajamas, sits down on
the edge of the bed and tiredly takes off his slippers.
ELLEN
I've got two good senators in mind,
to talk to about the alleys.
WILSON
That's who to talk to, lady.
Congress has all the money.
Wilson lies down.
ELLEN
I'm going to take them down there
to Goat and Willow Tree. I'll take
a whole committee.
A pause. Wilson looks pensive, staring up at the ceiling, as
Edith regards him.
ELLEN (cont'd)
You ought to see those places,
Woodrow.
WILSON
Ellen, I've got enough on my mind.
ELLEN
Pardon me?
WILSON
Ellen, for Pete's sake, I talk
about democracy in Latin America,
and we've got a butcher next door
running Mexico. What should I do?
ELLEN
You're asking me? Honey, "I've got
enough on my mind."
Wilson gives her a look. He sighs.
WILSON
President Taft was right. This is
"the loneliest place in the world."
ELLEN
You've got your little project, and
I've got mine.
EXT. CHINESE LEGATION - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Diplomatic GUESTS are arriving.
INT. SALON - LEGATION - DAY
At the reception, Chinese legate CH'AN and MRS. CH'AN greet
Nelson and Edith, among arriving GUESTS:
CH'AN
Mister O'Shaughnessy.
NELSON
May I present my wife Edith.
(to Edith)
Mister and Mrs. Ch'an.
CH'AN
So pleased to meet you.
MRS. CH'AN
Welcome to Mexico.
EDITH
Happy Independence Day.
EXT. CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Congressional Deputy JORGE VERA ESTAÑOL is railing to his
COLLEAGUES in session (about 200 in all):
VERA ESTAÑOL
And what has General Huerta
had to say of the mysterious
disappearance, two nights ago,
of our esteemed colleague, the
Honorable Belisario Domínquez?
Not a word! And who among us
will be next?
The chamber doors suddenly open, and General Blanquet comes
in with armed SOLDIERS. With Blanquet is the Mexico City
POLICE CHIEF.
There is stunned silence as Blanquet strides down the aisle
toward the podium, the chief close behind him.
Blanquet stops, looking at Vera Estañol with a seeming
mixture of amusement and contempt.
BLANQUET
What is your name?
Vera Etañol hesitates, as if surprised by the question, then,
VERA ESTAÑOL
(proudly)
Jorge Vera Estañol.
BLANQUET
(to the chief)
Is he on the list?
The police chief checks a long list of names in his hand.
CHIEF
Yes.
BLANQUET
(to Vera Estañol)
You are under arrest.
Deputies begin angrily protesting.
BLANQUET (cont'd)
(to all)
This Congress is dissolved,
by order of the provisional
president of Mexico!
(then, to the chief)
Read off the names.
INT. THE SALON - CHINESE LEGATION - DAY
Nelson is chatting with British LORD CARDEN, 65, and Frenchman
PIERRE MORNET, 42.
LORD CARDEN
Do you really believe Huerta can
survive this renewed civil war
without your government's
recognition?
NELSON
President Wilson is not going
to recognize Huerta.
MORNET
But governments are recognized as
existing or not existing -
A GERMAN DIPLOMAT has hurried in.
GERMAN (O.S.)
(anxiously)
Where is the American chargé?
NELSON
Over here.
Edith, listening with other ladies to LADY CARDEN, 60, notices
Nelson and others listening with concern to the German.
LADY CARDEN
Personally I think Mexico needs
a strong hand like Huerta's.
Edith sees Nelson heading toward her.
LADY CARDEN (cont'd)
The general may have his faults -
EDITH
(to a lady beside her)
Excuse me.
As Edith moves toward Nelson, Lady Carden continues to the
Ladies:
LADY CARDEN
- but can you imagine life under
Pancho Villa?
Nelson and Edith meet, Edith still cold toward him.
NELSON
I've got to get back to the embassy.
EDITH
What's wrong?
NELSON
Huerta just dissolved the Congress.
Not only that, he arrested some of
the deputies. One hundred and ten
of them.
A beat, Edith stunned.
NELSON (cont'd)
You stay here. I want everyone to
meet you.
As Nelson starts to go:
EDITH
Nelson, what's going to happen to
the deputies?
NELSON
Nothing if I can help it.
(then, with dread)
Wait till Washington hears about
this.
Nelson turns to leave.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Wilson daughter JESSIE, 25, and 30-ish FRANCIS SAYRE have
just married, and head happily for a waiting car and their
honeymoon.
Wilson, Ellen, oldest daughter MARGARET, and the rest of the
WEDDING GUESTS have come out to see them off.
McAdoo happens to be standing by pretty Nell, and they share
a smile.
As the car is driving off, Wilson's secretary JOE TUMULTY, a
short man about 40, appears at Wilson's side, to whisper some
news.
TUMULTY
Huerta just dissolved the Mexican
Congress. Over one hundred
deputies arrested.
Ellen notes Wilson's grim change of expression.
ELLEN
What is it, dear?
WILSON
(beat)
Victoriano Huerta.
Go to Part TwoBack to beginning of script
