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Return to the beginning of this script.
Go to The New Howell Theater.
INT. NATIONAL PALACE - PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Huerta sits at his desk smoking a black cigarette as Nelson
is shown in by Rábago, who leaves.
Huerta motions to a chair in front of the desk. Nelson sits
down. Huerta gestures toward something on the desk.
HUERTA
Your passports.
Nelson takes them from the desk. Huerta opens a drawer. He
takes out two glasses and a bottle of cognac.
HUERTA (cont'd)
We will have a last copita.
Huerta pours the drinks.
NELSON
Please believe me, General, when I
say I didn't know. I was told
nothing beforehand of the Veracruz
landing.
Huerta shrugs. He rises with the drinks. He moves around
the desk toward Nelson, who rises too.
HUERTA
What does it matter? Even if you
had known, you could have said
nothing to me.
NELSON
I could have protested.
Huerta hands Nelson his drink.
NELSON (cont'd)
Of course, that wouldn't have
mattered either.
Huerta gestures a toast. They drink, then,
HUERTA
You leave tonight, by special
train. The safest way is to
Veracruz. You will be well
guarded, as far as Tejería.
There your people can meet you.
NELSON
I will let them know.
The door opens and Rábago steps in.
RÁBAGO
Excuse me. The Jalisco delegation
is here, sir. In the salon.
Rábago leaves.
HUERTA
I must go.
They drink another toast. Leaving the glasses on the desk,
they move toward the door.
HUERTA (cont'd)
I will tell you something, mi
hijo. There was a moment, before
Veracruz, when I came very close -
that much - to deciding to fire
that salute. Do you know why I
didn't?
They walk into:
INT. THE CORRIDOR - DAY
Huerta and Nelson emerge from the office.
NELSON
Honor.
HUERTA
Above all else, yes. There was
also this.
They walk down the corridor.
HUERTA (cont'd)
If I had fired the salute, then a
week later - or two, or three -
there would have been something
else.
They stop as they reach an adjoining corridor.
HUERTA (cont'd)
His Excellency would have found a
way. Do you agree?
NELSON
Yes, I'm afraid I do, sir.
They share an abrazo.
HUERTA
Mi hijo . . .
They shake hands.
HUERTA (cont'd)
You have been a friend. Vaya con
Diós.
NELSON
Gracias. Adiós.
Huerta turns and starts walking away for the salon.
NELSON (cont'd)
General . . .
Huerta stops and turns.
NELSON (cont'd)
Take care.
HUERTA
"The bullet that is to kill me has
not yet been molded" - Napoleon
Bonaparte.
Huerta turns and walks away.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
Wilson meets with REPORTERS.
REPORTER #7
Mister President, is the elimination
of Huerta the main purpose of this
action?
WILSON
No, it is not.
REPORTERS #8 and #9 exchange who's-he-kidding glances.
WILSON (cont'd)
It's to compel recognition of
United States sovereignty. That's
all we seek. Such a recognition as
will guarantee that this kind of
thing will not happen again.
REPORTER #8
Then if Huerta should give in and
fire that salute, that would end
hostilities?
WILSON
Yes. It would depend, though,
entirely on the circumstances. But
I wish to repeat, we do not want
war with the Mexican people. As
I've said before, our only quarrel
is with Victoriano Huerta.
EXT. CENTRAL PLAZA - VERACRUZ - NIGHT
A squad of marines marches past the lit plaza, where citizens
are at their evening promenade. SUPERIMPOSE:
VERACRUZ
ONE WEEK LATER
EXT. A HOTEL BALCONY - NIGHT
Nelson sits alone, looking off at the plaza.
EDITH
There you are.
Edith sits down beside him.
EDITH (cont'd)
I hear the Army's coming in.
NELSON
Yeah. They can't get any locals
to run the place. Tomorrow Uncle
Sam hoists the flag and declares
martial law.
EDITH
How long do you think we'll be
here? Uncle Sam, I mean.
NELSON
Till Huerta's out. We've got
Veracruz. Soon the rebels will
have Tampico. The two major ports.
We've got Huerta virtually cut off
from the world. And from all the
revenue that comes from that
customs house. There's no need to
march on him now. He's finished.
Nelson takes an envelope from his pocket, and hands it to
Edith. She takes a letter from the envelope.
EDITH
What is it?
NELSON
My recall from Mexico. It just
came today.
Edith reads it.
EDITH
Where do you think they'll send us?
NELSON
I'm going to resign from the Foreign
Service. If it's all right with you.
The way I feel now . . .
EDITH
Do you know what? I was hoping you
would say that.
They share a fond look, then lean to each other for a kiss.
They emotionally embrace.
EXT. TERMINAL HOTEL - VERACRUZ - DAY
A U.S. NAVY BAND strikes up "The Star-Spangled Banner," as
a U.S. flag is raised over the hotel.
Nelson, Edith, marines, sailors, and other NORTH AMERICANS
are gathered for the ceremony.
There begins the sound of heavy guns firing in the distance.
Nelson, Edith, and the others look off toward the harbor.
EXT. BATTLESHIP FLORIDA - DAY
The Florida's 12-inch guns are firing a twenty-one gun
salute.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - BLUE ROOM - DAY
The WEDDING of Nellie and McAdoo. Among the GUESTS, Wilson
stands with his arm around Ellen, who looks weaker than ever.
MINISTER
Do you, William McAdoo, take Nellie
Wilson as your lawful wife, to have
and to hold, from this day forward,
for better or for worse, for richer
or for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and cherish until
death do you part?
MCADOO
I do.
INT. WILSON BEDROOM - DAY
Ellen, still in the dress worn at the wedding, sits down to
rest. She seems to be in some pain. Margaret looks in, and
goes to her.
MARGARET
Mama, are you all right?
ELLEN
Yes, darling, just tired. Dear,
would you bring me two of those
pills?
Margaret pours a glass of water from a pitcher, and brings
the glass and pills. She kneels down by Ellen's chair.
ELLEN (cont'd)
Well, Margaret, any chance of there
being a third White House wedding?
MARGARET
Nothing that serious yet, Mama.
ELLEN
I'm sure you meet a lot of young
men in New York. You just pick out
a good one.
MARGARET
Do you want me to come home and
stay, Mama, now that Nellie has
flown the coop?
ELLEN
Oh no, dear, you look after your
singing career.
MARGARET
I don't have much of one yet to
look after.
Margaret hugs Ellen and holds on, Ellen stroking Margaret's
hair.
MARGARET (cont'd)
I just want you to get well, Mama.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
A summer day. SUPERIMPOSE:
JULY, 1914
INT. A SALON - DAY
Huerta, with Emilia at his side, stands before a solemn group
of FEDERAL OFFICERS, Moheno, and other GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
HUERTA
(in Spanish)
As my last official act, I appoint
Francisco Carvajal as foreign
minister, to succeed me as
provisional president, upon my
resignation at this moment. I
leave in good conscience, having
fought for order in Mexico, and
in defense of our national honor.
Mexico will survive these turbulent
times. Let some men do their
worst, there will be others, God
willing, to redress the wrongs they
may do. Mexico, like the Earth
itself, will abide forever.
Huerta offers Emilia his arm, she takes it.
HUERTA (cont'd)
Viva la patria. Adiós.
The group applauds as Huerta and Emilia walk together out of
the salon.
OFFICIAL #3
Que viva!
OFFICIAL #4
Viva México!
EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - DAY
It's raining, with thunder. SUPERIMPOSE:
AUGUST, 1914
INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM - DAY
Ellen lies in bed. She is almost too weak to talk, as
Grayson, in a bedside chair, leans over her to hear.
Daughter Jessie, looking sad and tired, sitting in an
armchair, apparently can't hear what Ellen says.
GRAYSON
I'll tell him, Mrs. Wilson, don't
worry.
Wilson enters. Grayson rises, to give Wilson the bedside
chair. Grayson glances grimly at Wilson, as if offering
little hope, as he leaves.
INT. THE BEDROOM - DAY (HALF AN HOUR LATER)
Wilson sits holding Ellen's hand. He's musing, she's half
asleep. Jessie sits asleep in her chair.
WILSON
My earliest memory - I was four
years old - is of standing at the
gate of the house. A man went by,
and I heard him say, "Mister
Lincoln has been elected, and
there's going to be war." The
way he said it - so excited - I
remember running inside to ask my
father what it meant.
ELLEN
(weakly)
I'm glad you were too young to
fight . . . Is there going to
be war?
WILSON
Yes, it's broken out in Europe.
But we're going to stay out of it.
Out of the bloodshed. We're going
to work someway for peace.
Wilson becomes emotional.
WILSON (cont'd)
You don't know what it's like to
have the blood of young men on your
hands. I've been living with that
day and night. Now I can't lose
you, Ellen.
ELLEN
God brought us together . . . If he
takes us apart, . . . then you have
to go on.
WILSON
I can't do it without you.
ELLEN
Yes, you can.
Weak Ellen is falling asleep.
ELLEN (cont'd)
I know . . . "The loneliest place
in the world" . . . But the world
needs you, Woodrow.
WILSON
Yes, go to sleep. You need all
your strength.
Wilson watches her sleep.
WILSON (cont'd)
Don't leave me, Ellen.
INT. A MODEST APARTMENT - DAY
Edith sits typing, her handwritten journal open beside her.
Nelson arrives.
EDITH
How did it go, dear?
NELSON
Okay. I should know tomorrow if
I've got the job.
EDITH
Oh good.
Nelson leans down to look over her shoulder as Edith types.
NELSON
What are you writing?
EDITH
A book.
NELSON
You're writing a book?
EDITH
Memoirs. The journal I kept in
Mexico. Might as well try to get
it published.
Nelson looks nonplussed.
NELSON
Yes. It'll be good to have a
breadwinner in the house.
Nelson starts to turn away, then leans down and looks even
harder over Edith's shoulder.
NELSON (cont'd)
Edith, I didn't know you kept a
journal.
EDITH
I didn't tell you.
Edith keeps typing.
NELSON
I hope you're not giving away any
state secrets.
EDITH
I hope I'm not leaving any out.
Nelson looks at Edith and smiles.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - LIVING QUARTERS - DAY
Wilson sits talking on the phone.
WILSON
(into phone)
Senator Gale . . .
GALE'S VOICE
(filtered, on phone)
Yes, Mister President?
WILSON
Mrs. Wilson is dying.
GALE'S VOICE
No, Mister President. I knew she
was ill.
WILSON
She has kidney disease. Incurable.
GALE'S VOICE
I'm so sorry to hear this.
WILSON
It would mean a lot to her,
Senator, if I could tell her that
her alley bill has passed.
GALE'S VOICE
Mister President, I will see that
the Senate passes that bill this
afternoon. We'll see that it gets
through the House tomorrow.
WILSON
Thank you, Senator.
GALE'S VOICE
Mister President, our prayers are
with you, sir, for you and Mrs.
Wilson and your family.
WILSON
Thank you.
Wilson hangs up.
INT. THE O'SHAUGNESSYS' APARTMENT - DAY
Edith sits typing. Nelson sits grimly reading the newspaper.
The headline reads,
BRITAIN DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
REESTABLISHING SHOT. Two or three windows are lit.
INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Wilson sits holding Ellen's hand. Also present are Nellie,
Jessie and Francis Sayre, and Grayson.
Tumulty comes in and hands Wilson a note. Wilson reads it,
then leans forward to Ellen.
WILSON
Ellen . . .
Opening her eyes, Ellen looks at him groggily.
WILSON (cont'd)
The Senate passed your alley bill
today. The House will pass it
tomorrow.
ELLEN
Then you better sign it.
WILSON
I will.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY
REESTABLISHING SHOT. It's morning.
INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM - DAY
Wilson, holding Ellen's hand, sits with eyes closed, as if
exhausted. Also sitting in the room are the three daughters,
McAdoo, and Grayson.
Wilson opens his eyes, as if sensing something, and looks at
Ellen. Grayson rises from his chair and goes to her.
WILSON
Is it all over?
GRAYSON
Yes, Mister President.
The girls begin crying, McAdoo comforting Nellie.
Wilson still holds Ellen's hand, as Jessie comes to him
consolingly.
WILSON
(softly)
What am I going to do?
EXT. A WHITE HOUSE GARDEN - DAY
Wilson sits in a state of depression. He seems all but
oblivious to the worried House, sitting by him with notes
and cigar. SUPERIMPOSE:
NOVEMBER, 1914
HOUSE
Here's a rundown from Bryan on
Mexico . . .
House, with his Texas drawl, clearly tries to humor Wilson
with what he's reporting, though Wilson doesn't seem to be
listening,
HOUSE (cont'd)
(from notes)
The rebel convention at Aguas-
calientes elected General Eulalio
Gutiérrez as provisional president.
His main role in the revolution has
been blowing up trains. Carranza's
gotten out of Mexico City, seeing
as how Villa and Zapata are helping
Gutiérrez move in. But Carranza
still says he is "first chief."
Carranza's army has moved into
Veracruz, now that we've moved our
soldiers out - based on Carranza's
assurance, which may not be worth
much right now, there'll be free
elections in Mexico. Carranza and
his general Obregón plan to build
up a force to retake Mexico City.
Villa has vowed to defeat them.
House looks at Wilson, staring off.
HOUSE (cont'd)
I understand your grieving, Mister
President. I know you'll never get
over it completely. But a lot of
work lies ahead.
WILSON
I'm like a machine, Ed, that's run
down, and there's nothing left in
me.
HOUSE
There's so much that you have
to do, Mister President, for
humanity, with this disaster
unfolding in Europe. It will take
all of the leadership, all of the
tenacity, that you and others can
muster. Few men, Mister President,
have been given the opportunity to
serve, as you have been given.
INT./EXT. HELEN BONES'S OFFICE - A WINDOW - DAY
Helen Bones looks out at Wilson and House where they sit in
the garden. She seems worried.
Dr. Grayson, with a cup of tea, steps to Helen's side to look
out too.
HELEN
We have to do something for Mister
Wilson. I don't know what.
Grayson sips his tea. He looks at the tea in his cup, as if
it has given him an idea.
EXT. WASHINGTON COUNTRY CLUB - GOLF COURSE - DAY
Wilson hits a long shot. His golfing partner is Grayson.
SECRET SERVICE AGENTS are in b.g.
GRAYSON
Looking good.
Wilson's mood seems solemn, as if this is work, not play.
WILSON
Keep holding back, Carey, and I'll
win this round.
They walk toward the green.
GRAYSON
Mister President, before she passed
away, Mrs. Wilson asked me to tell
you something, when the time was
right.
They stop, Wilson looking at Grayson.
WILSON
What did she say?
GRAYSON
That she hoped you would marry
again someday. She said, "I know
Woodrow. He can't live without a
woman's love."
WILSON
(beat)
Thanks for telling me, Carey.
But she was the love of my life.
Wilson resumes walking, Grayson lingering for a moment before
following.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HELEN'S OFFICE - DAY
Helen sits in her office with attractive EDITH BOLLING GALT,
42.
HELEN
The President, after Mrs. Wilson
died, told me I could stay on as
long as I wanted, in the role of
White House hostess.
GALT
That was so nice of him.
HELEN
He has been very kind.
Helen slyly notes Secret Service agent Phillips stop by the
open door and mouth "He's here" to her. Phillips moves on.
HELEN (cont'd)
But I think we've heard enough
about me. Let's go have our tea
and hear about you.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - A FIRST-FLOOR CORRIDOR - DAY
Helen walks along with Galt. Behind them, Wilson and
Grayson, still in their golfing attire, enter the corridor.
Helen looks back and stops.
HELEN
Oh, it's the President.
Wilson and Grayson wait as the two ladies walk over to them.
HELEN (cont'd)
Mister President, this is a friend
of mine, Edith Galt. I invited her
over for tea.
GALT
Hello, Mister President.
HELEN
Would you and Doctor Grayson join
us?
WILSON
(to Galt)
We've met before.
GALT
Yes, we have. I'm so flattered you
remember. It was at a reception.
HELEN
She runs her late husband's jewelry
business.
WILSON
Well, I . . .
HELEN
Come join us, Mister President,
please.
GALT
We would be so honored.
GRAYSON
Mister President, I prescribe a cup
of tea.
WILSON
Very well.
As Wilson and Galt lead the way, behind their backs Grayson
gives a thumbs up to Helen.
HELEN
You too, Doctor Grayson.
GRAYSON
I'll be happy to tag along.
INT. A TAVERN - BARCELONA, SPAIN - DAY
Huerta, in coat and loosened tie, sits reading a New York
Times article entitled VILLA LOSES DECISIVE BATTLE AT
CELAYA, MEXICO.
SUPERIMPOSE:
BARCELONA, SPAIN
APRIL, 1915
Huerta sits at a table with a NORTH AMERICAN and a SPANIARD,
both 50-ish gentlemen. Other PATRONS in b.g.
NORTH AMERICAN
You see, Victoriano, at the Battle
of Celaya, Obregón showed Villa
something new. The use of trenches,
barbed wire, and machine guns.
Huerta, finished reading, folds the newspaper and hands it
back to the North American.
HUERTA
Yes. That's the best account I
have read. Obregón has studied
well the war in Europe.
SPANIARD
Victoriano likes to speak of
Napoleon. Celaya was Pancho
Villa's Waterloo.
NORTH AMERICAN
(to Huerta)
So that leaves Carranza in charge?
HUERTA
Yes. But he had better keep his
eye on Obregón.
They chuckle. The gentlemen watch Huerta sip his drink.
NORTH AMERICAN
Do you ever wonder, General, what
would have happened if you had
fired that twenty-one gun salute?
SPANIARD
It was out of the question. It was
a matter of Mexico's national honor.
HUERTA
Yes. What a price we have to pay
sometimes. For honor.
EXT. CAPITOL HILL - WASHINGTON - DAY
A spring day. SUPERIMPOSE:
APRIL, 1921
OVERLAP SOUND:
SENATOR #1 (V.O.)
Would you state your name, please?
INT. A SENATE HEARING ROOM - DAY
Nelson testifies before a committee of SENATORS. Edith sits
behind Nelson in the AUDIENCE.
NELSON
Nelson J. O'Shaughnessy.
SENATOR #1
And what is your occupation?
NELSON
I'm a foreign representative for
Western Union.
SENATOR #1
And during the first half of
nineteen fourteen, what was your
occupation?
NELSON
I was in the Foreign Service.
I was the United States chargé
d'affaires in Mexico City.
SENATOR #1
Then you had a pretty good vantage
point on Mexican-American
relations, which is the concern
of these hearings, did you not?
NELSON
Yes, sir, I did. I might add
that my lovely wife Edith has a
published book on the subject.
I have a small part in it.
Some polite laughter.
SENATOR #1
Then, to begin with, how would you
describe, in general terms, the
Wilson administration's policy
toward Mexico?
John Lind sits listening in the audience.
NELSON
During the period in question, I
would describe it as ill-conceived,
cruel and totally unnecessary.
CHAIRMAN
My goodness. And why would President
Wilson pursue such a policy as you
have described?
NELSON
Through no ill intent, sir. It was
done both for the sake of American
interests, and through a misguided
sense of idealism.
TIME LAPSE
SENATOR #2 addresses Nelson.
SENATOR #4
You know, a journalist remarked
at the time that our whole Mexican
policy boiled down to this: The
President didn't like Victoriano
Huerta.
NELSON
That played a part, I suppose. But
how much? I knew General Huerta,
and liked him. But he did some
unlikeable things.
TIME LAPSE
SENATOR #3 addresses Nelson.
SENATOR #5
On the matter of the salute, would
you agree that we left General
Huerta no political choice, once we
decided - come hell or high water -
to support Admiral Mayo's demand?
NELSON
I do agree, yes. That demand was
made out of arrogance. And I would
like to say this, if I may. We
don't live in a perfect world.
This country should continue to be
a world leader. But with respect
for our immediate neighbors, as
well as for others. Edith reminded
me just this morning of a great
quotation. Porfirio Diaz was a
dictator for many long years in
Mexico. Diaz was the reason the
Mexican Revolution was fought. But
Porfirio Diaz, scoundrel though he
was, said something well worth
remembering, for what it says about
the history of relations between
our two countries. He said, "Poor
Mexico. So far from God, and so
close to the United States."
INT. SENATE BUILDING - THE CORRIDOR - DAY
Nelson and Edith come out of the hearing room, in which
people move about in recess. As they start to leave,
LIND (O.S.)
Nelson . . .
Lind has followed them out of the hearing room.
LIND (cont'd)
Hello, Edith.
(to Nelson)
You had some pretty harsh words for
President Wilson's Mexican efforts.
In my testimony this afternoon,
I'll try to balance things out.
NELSON
Feel free. Like the Senator said,
I had a pretty good vantage point.
LIND
Then you ought to know that Huerta
is no longer in Mexico.
NELSON
No, he's not.
LIND
And Mexico has a constitutionally
elected president. By the name of
Obregón.
NELSON
Yes. Tell me this, John: Couldn't
they have gotten where they are
without us?
LIND
I don't know. But we certainly
helped the cause. You're a good
man, Nelson. I just don't think
you were cut out for foreign
affairs. I know I wasn't.
Lind turns and heads back into the hearing room.
NELSON
I wasn't, he wasn't. He's right on
both scores.
Nelson and Edith walk together toward the building's exit.
NELSON (cont'd)
If only my father hadn't invested
all his money in the Nicaragua
Canal.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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