The Twenty-One Gun Salute

Part Four







               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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