EXT. ROOF - TERMINAL HOTEL - DAY
Navy SIGNALMAN #1 is wigwagging a message with flags to:
EXT. THE FLORIDA'S BRIDGE - DAY
Fletcher and a QUARTERMASTER are looking shoreward through
binoculars.
SIGNALMAN #2 hands a note to the Quartermaster, who reads it
to Fletcher:
QUARTERMASTER
"Rail station, cable office, power
plant, all okay. No resistance."
Fletcher still looks off through binoculars.
FLETCHER
What about the customs house?
EXT. CUSTOMS HOUSE - DAY
The building looks deserted. The only sound is of marching
boots on cobblestones in the distance.
EXT. MORELOS STREET - DAY
Ensign GEORGE LOWRY, 25, is marching a company of SAILORS
along the ominously deserted street, toward the customs house
a block and a half away.
From a roof, a window, an arcade, unseen eyes are watching,
to the sound of the marching boots.
As Lowry and his sailors march through an intersection, a
rifle shot rings out.
A fusillade follows. Two sailors fall, the others take cover
in doorways, behind arcade columns, wherever they can, firing
back in all directions.
EXT. POST OFFICE - DAY
Occupying SAILORS are listening with concern to the distant
sound of gunfire. They suddenly come under fire from
buildings across the street, start taking cover. Two sailors
fall.
EXT. TERMINAL HOTEL - DAY
Capt. Rush comes out to see what the shooting is about. He
is immediately shot through his calf. SAILOR #4 helps him
back inside as firing continues.
EXT. ROOF - TERMINAL HOTEL - DAY
Wigwagging Signalman #1 is hit by a rifle shot from a
building across the street. He falls, SAILOR #5 on the roof
fires back.
EXT. MORELOS STREET - DAY
Lowry and his sailors are pinned down, exchanging fire with
the well-concealed Mexicans.
Lowry and SAILOR #6 are behind two arcade columns, bullets
hitting the walls around them.
INT. OLD LIGHTHOUSE - DAY
Federal Soldiers #3 and #4 in the tower fire their one
pounder gun at:
EXT. MORELOS STREET - DAY
The round blasts a chunk from one of the columns where Lowry
and Sailor #6 are positioned.
EXT. THE OUTDOOR THEATER - MEXICO CITY - DAY
The music and dance festival in progress.
A Mexican MESSENGER says something to Huerta and Blanquet
where they sit.
They rise to leave, Huerta pausing to look grimly toward the
O'Shaughnessys.
Edith notices as Huerta turns to leave. She nudges Nelson.
EDITH
Something's happened.
EXT. HARBOR AREA - VERACRUZ - DAY
Throughout the area now gunfire is heard.
EXT. AN ALLEY - DAY
Lowry, Sailor #6, and four other sailors are trying to reach
the customs house. They come under fire from buildings,
including machine-gun fire from an upper-story window.
Sailor #6 is shot in the head.
EXT. FLORIDA'S BRIDGE - DAY
The quartermaster reads a signal to Fletcher:
QUARTERMASTER
"Under fire. One thousand defenders
reported in area. Need support.
Hurry Utah's troops."
FLETCHER
Signal the Utah to land her battalion.
INT. OLD LIGHTHOUSE - DAY
Soldiers #3 and #4 again fire their one-pounder gun at:
EXT. MORELOS STREET - DAY
Sailors are still pinned down, under fire from well-concealed
civilians and convicts. The one-pounder's round blasts the
pavement, wounding a sailor with debris.
EXT. CONSULATE - DAY
In front of the building, SAILORS fire a hand-drawn, 3-inch
gun at:
EXT. THE OLD LIGHTHOUSE - DAY
The exploding shell hits the tower.
INT. OLD LIGHTHOUSE - DAY
Soldiers #3 and #4, rattled by the hit, see the gun in front
of the consulate. They scramble to aim their gun at it.
EXT. CONSULATE - DAY
The 3-inch gun fires again.
INT. OLD LIGHTHOUSE - DAY
The exploding shell scores a bullseye, killing both soldiers.
EXT. BARRACKS - DAY
Soldiers are waiting behind barricades. Maass stands in
front of his headquarters as his aide speeds up in a car.
As he's jumping out, the aide waves a dispatch. (Spanish:)
AIDE
General, we've been ordered to
retreat to Tejería!
MAASS
To the roundhouse! Everybody to
the train!
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
Lowry and sailors are pinned down by the rifle and machine-
gun fire from buildings. SAILORS #7 and #8 slip into the
building where the machine gun is located.
EXT. UTAH - DAY
A battalion of sailors is loading into whaleboats.
INT. A SECOND-FLOOR ROOM - CUSTOMS ZONE - DAY
VERACRUZ POLICEMEN #1 and #2 are firing their machine gun out
the window.
Sailors #7 and #8 burst in, shoot the policemen as they wheel
around.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
Lowry and his sailors see Sailor #7 signal all clear from the
second-floor window.
LOWRY
Let's go!
Lowry and the sailors break for:
INT. THE CUSTOMS HOUSE - DAY
Windows shatter, Lowry and sailors come bounding in. Armed
CUSTOMS OFFICIALS drop their weapons and surrender.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
More sailors are hurrying to the customs house from Morelos
Street, rifle fire from buildings continuing.
INT. CUSTOMS HOUSE - DAY
Lowry finishes a quick inspection, scattered shots heard
outside. He turns to SAILOR #9:
LOWRY
Get word to Captain Rush: "Customs
house secured."
EXT. CORNER - MONTESINOS & CINCO DE MAYO - DAY
MARINE #1, manning a machine gun on the street corner, rakes
Cinco de Mayo with bullets.
Armed civilians on Cinco are firing, running for cover, some
shot down in the street.
EXT. CENTRAL PLAZA - DAY
Rodriguez Cerrillo is retrieving his soldiers, who have been
waiting in position, listening to the gunfire in distance.
RODRÍGUEZ CERRILLO
Come on, men! To the roundhouse!
Come on before they leave us!
EXT. ROUNDHOUSE - DAY
Maass is loading his soldiers on a freight train.
EXT. CINCO DE MAYO AVENUE - DAY
Marines are shooting it out with civilians. Two marines lie
dead or wounded.
A convict is shot from a roof, more convicts and civilians
lie dead in the street.
INT. TERMINAL HOTEL - DAY
Rush, his leg in a bloody bandage, is on the phone.
RUSH
(into phone)
Consul Canada, what the hell's
going on? Didn't you talk to the
federal commander?
INTERCUT: INT. CONSUL'S OFFICE - DAY
Canada is on the phone, scattered shots heard outside the
building.
CANADA
Yes. He wouldn't listen. Word now
is, the garrison's been ordered to
retreat to Tejería.
RUSH
Where?
CANADA
Tejería - ten miles away. The men
you're fighting are mostly civilians
and convicts.
RUSH
Convicts? What the hell's going
on?
EXT. MORELOS STREET - DAY
More firing in the street, dead Mexicans and two dead sailors
on the pavement.
SAILORS #10 and #11 burst through the door of:
INT. A BUILDING - DAY
Sailors #10 and #11 kill TWO ARMED CIVILIANS, who've been
shooting from a window, in a blaze of gunfire.
During this, a WOMAN, protecting a CHILD, crouches screaming
in a corner.
The sailors look at her, leave. She goes crying to the two
dead civilians, as gunfire continues outside.
EXT. THE STREET - DAY
As SAILORS #10 and #11 are hustling down the street, Sailor
#10 is shot and falls.
Sailor #11 helps him up, half-drags him off, as gunfire
continues.
INT. EMBASSY OFFICE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
D'Antin is staring out the window into space. Nelson and
Edith anxiously enter.
D'ANTIN
We've landed at Veracruz.
D'Antin gestures toward a dispatch on the desk.
D'ANTIN (cont'd)
Dispatch from William Canada.
There's fighting in the streets.
Nelson picks up the dispatch and reads it.
EXT. HARBOR AREA - VERACRUZ - DAY
Gunbattles continue, dead or wounded Mexicans, marines, and
sailors lie in streets.
EXT. TERMINAL WHARF - DAY
More boatloads of sailors are landing.
A U.S. NAVY LIEUTENANT looks off toward the Naval School,
from which shots are being fired toward the wharf.
He grabs SAILOR #12 and gestures toward the Terminal Hotel:
NAVY LT.
Go tell 'em to signal the Prairie.
Tell 'em we've got fire from the
second floor of the Naval School.
SAILOR #12
Yes, sir!
NAVY LT.
Tell 'em to shell the shit out
of it!
INT. SECOND-FLOOR DORMITORY - NAVAL SCHOOL - DAY
Commodore MANUEL AZUETA, 60, and his teenage NAVAL CADETS are
at the windows, firing rifles at the landing parties.
INTERCUT: EXT. GUNBOAT PRAIRIE - DAY
SAILORS aim 3-inch deck guns at the Naval School.
Azueta and cadets continue firing their rifles.
The first deck gun fires, then the second. An exploding
shell hits the second floor.
Azueta and cadets are taking cover as the second shell
smashes in and explodes.
The deck guns fire again.
An exploding shell hits, then another, dust and debris flying
on the school's second floor.
Some cadets lie wounded, cries of pain, other cadets try to
help or are hunkered down.
Azueta kneels, takes wounded cadet VIRGILIO URIBE in his
arms.
AZUETA
Virgilio . . .
Virgilio is dead.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Wilson is meeting with Bryan and House when the phone rings.
Wilson answers:
WILSON
(into phone)
Yes?
INTERCUT: INT. DANIELS' OFFICE - DAY
Daniels is on the phone, a dispatch in hand.
DANIELS
Mister President, we have a first
report from Veracruz.
WILSON
Yes?
DANIELS
The harbor area is secured.
However, there has been armed
resistance - mostly by civilians.
American casualties: sixteen dead,
twenty-six wounded. As many as
two hundred Mexican dead. I'll
keep you posted, sir, as the
admiral reports. There's still
some shooting going on.
WILSON
Thank you, Mister Daniels.
END INTERCUT, STAY with Wilson as he hangs up. He looks
shaken.
BRYAN
What has happened, Mister President?
WILSON
It hasn't gone as well as expected.
EXT. A ZAPATISTA CAMP - STATE OF MORELOS - DAY
The wiry Indian EMILIANO ZAPATA, 33, surrounded by four or
five armed ZAPATISTAS, is walking through the camp, when one
of three North American CORRESPONDENTS, being kept by
Zapatistas at a distance, calls to him:
CORRESPONDENT
General Zapata, could we get a
statement on today's landing at
Veracruz?
Zapata stops, a Zapatista translating the question for him.
Zapata and the Zapatista walk over to the correspondents.
ZAPATA
(speaks in Spanish)
ZAPATISTA
(translating)
"Write this. If the pigs from
Yanquiland march on Mexico City - "
ZAPATA
(speaks in Spanish)
ZAPATISTA
(translating)
"We will stop fighting Huerta and
help Huerta fight the pigs."
EXT. GOVERNOR'S PALACE - COAHUILA, MEXICO - DAY
Carranza, wearing a felt hat and his tinted glasses, has
stopped, with General ÁLVARO OBREGÓN, 50, and CARRANZA AIDES
#1 AND #2 behind him, to speak to Mexican REPORTERS #8 and
#9, taking notes. (Spanish:)
CARRANZA
As First Chief of the Constitu-
tionalist forces, I speak for
myself and General Álvaro Obregón,
in calling this action of Woodrow
Wilson a flagrant violation of
Mexican sovereignty.
REPORTER #8
Do you plan military action, sir,
against the invaders?
Carranza, ignoring the question, begins walking away.
REPORTER #8 (cont'd)
General Obregón -
OBREGÓN
If the First Chief so orders, we
will fight them, and fight to the
death.
EXT. A VILLISTA CAMP - DAY
Moustachioed PANCHO VILLA, 35, eating beans and tortillas
with a group of his VILLISTAS, is being interviewed by
Mexican REPORTER #10. (Spanish:)
REPORTER #10
What do you think, General Villa,
of the United States seizing the
port of Veracruz?
VILLA
Let me tell you. The gringos
should hold Veracruz so tightly
that not even water can get in
to Huerta.
Villa and the Villistas laugh.
INT. HUERTA'S OFFICE - NATIONAL PALACE - NIGHT
Huerta gulps down the last of a drink at his desk. With him
are Moheno and Generals Blanquet and Izquierdo. A map is
spread on the desk. (Spanish:)
HUERTA
I have had enough for one day.
(rising)
You will closely monitor the
situation. I want a full report
in the morning.
BLANQUET
Yes, General.
HUERTA
Moheno, we must not forget to give
O'Shaughnessy his passports.
EXT. U.S. EMBASSY - NIGHT
An ANGRY CROWD, chanting "mueran los gringos," is demonstrat
ing in front of the building, guarded by FEDERAL SOLDIERS.
INT. EMBASSY OFFICE - NIGHT
Edith, by the window of the darkened office, is watching the
chanting crowd. Nelson moves to her side, puts an arm around
her shoulders, to watch too.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
Wilson sits in his robe by a desk, reading the Bible.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Ellen awakes, finds Wilson is not in bed. She begins rising
with effort.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Ellen enters in her nightgown.
WILSON
(rising)
Darling, you shouldn't be up.
Wilson, Bible in hand, walks over to meet her.
ELLEN
You shouldn't be either.
They sit down together on the sofa.
ELLEN (cont'd)
What are you reading?
WILSON
The Psalms.
(reading)
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the
hills, from whence cometh my help."
(beat)
All those lives lost today, Ellen I
can't get it off my heart.
ELLEN
You can't blame yourself.
WILSON
Sending some poor farmers' sons
to fight and die. Just what I said I
wouldn't do.
INT. HUERTA'S OFFICE - NATIONAL PALACE - 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:
HUERTA
Your passports.
Nelson takes them from the desk. Huerta opens a drawer,
takes out two glasses and a bottle of cognac.
HUERTA (cont'd)
We will have a last copita.
As Huerta pours:
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. As he moves around
the desk toward rising Nelson:
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.
As 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
As Huerta and Nelson emerge from the office:
NELSON
Honor.
HUERTA
Above all else, yes. There was
also this.
As 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 . . .
As they shake hands:
HUERTA (cont'd)
You have been a friend. Vaya con
Diós.
NELSON
Gracias. Adiós.
Huerta turns, 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. PRESS CONFERENCE - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Wilson is meeting with REPORTERS.
REPORTER #11
Mister President, is the elimination
of Huerta the main purpose of this
action?
WILSON
No, it is not.
As REPORTERS #12 and #13 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 #12
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 is marching 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. As she takes out a letter:
EDITH
What is it?
NELSON
My recall from Mexico. It just
came today.
Edith reads it. As she returns it to the envelope:
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 and kiss.
EXT. TERMINAL HOTEL - VERACRUZ - DAY
A U.S. NAVY BAND strikes up "The Star-Spangled Banner," as
a U.S. flag is being raised over the hotel.
Nelson, Edith, marines, sailors, and other NORTH AMERICANS
are gathered for the ceremony.
When the flag has been raised, 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. BLUE ROOM - WHITE HOUSE - 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 (LATER)
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 a
good one.
MARGARET
Do you want me to come home and
stay, Mama, now that Nell 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.
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 - PALACE - 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 begin walking
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 - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
As Ellen lies in bed, half asleep, Wilson sits musingly
holding her hand. Daughter Jessie sits asleep in a 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.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
First Chief Carranza has come out on the balcony, to
acknowledge cheers of a CROWD in front of the palace.
CROWD
(chanting)
Viva Carranza! Viva Carranza!
At Carranza's side is General Obregón.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - PALACE - DAY
The crowd (o.s.) can still be heard, as Carranza and Obregón
have come in from the balcony. CARRANZA AIDE #3 closes the
balcony doors.
Carranza strolls to a rocking chair. (Spanish:)
CARRANZA
Well, General. Two things of
immediate concern. One is the
port of Veracruz.
Carranza sits down in the rocker. Obregón takes an armchair.
OBREGÓN
Huerta's gone. Tell Wilson to ship
home his soldiers.
CARRAMZA
I will do that, of course. He will
want some kind of assurances.
OBREGÓN
Then give them.
CARRANZA
Secondly, there is Pancho Villa,
who no longer obeys me, back home
in Chihuahua -
OBREGÓN
With a fifty-thousand-man army.
CARRANZA
This convention that he and Zapata
have called for, to elect a
provisional president, as if I
were not here . . .
OBREGÓN
Villa has to be dealt with. One
way or another.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - THE WHITE HOUSE - 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. A MODEST APARTMENT - WASHINGTON - DAY
Edith sits typing, the handwritten pages of a notebook or
journal beside her.
Nelson sits reading the newspaper. The headline reads:
BRITAIN DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
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
It's morning.
INT. ELLEN'S BEDROOM - WHITE HOUSE - 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
What am I going to do?
Crying Jessie hugs him consolingly.
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.
Wilson continues staring off. OVERLAP SOUND:
VILLA (O.S.)
(angrily, in Spanish)
Resignation? . . .
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Villa and EULALIO GUTIÉRREZ, 45, heavy-set and manly, are in
a heated discussion. (Spanish:)
VILLA (cont'd)
What makes you talk of resigning?
GUTIÉRREZ
I have been given, sir, an
impossible task as provisional
president. I had hoped, General
Villa, to depend on you and your
troops. But the people of Mexico
have been under a reign of terror.
VILLA
Reign of terror?
GUTIÉRREZ
Thanks to you. Your men and Zapata's.
VILLA
Zapata has gone back to Morelos.
GUTIÉRREZ
Why don't you go back to Chihuahua?
You have had some one hundred and
fifty men in Mexico City shot.
VILLA
They were Huerta men. And Carranza's.
GUTIÉRREZ
The men of Carranza to worry about,
General, are in Veracruz. Obregón
may soon bring them marching on
Mexico City.
VILLA
Obregón I should have shot long ago.
GUTIÉRREZ
That's your solution to everything!
One cannot govern this way. Things
are out of control. I am left with
no choice but to -
VILLA
(interrupting)
Have it your way, Gutiérrez. We
will both get out of town. I go
back to Chihuahua, you go to hell.
I will fight Obregón when the time
comes.
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 is sitting at a table with a NORTH AMERICAN and a
SPANIARD, both 50-ish gentlemen. Other PATRONS in b.g.
NORTH AMERICAN
As you can see, General Obregón
is a student of the war here
in Europe. Using trenches and
barbed wire - with machine guns,
of course - against Villa's
frontal assaults.
SPANIARD
It must have been a slaughter.
NORTH AMERICAN
Villa lost four thousand men.
As Huerta, finished reading, folds the newspaper and hands it
back to the North American:
HUERTA
That is the best account I have
read of it.
NORTH AMERICAN
Who will be in charge now, with
Villa no longer a factor?
HUERTA
Carranza. But he had better keep
his eye on Obregón.
NORTH AMERICAN
It seems like the more things change,
the more they stay the same.
HUERTA
Yes. If only someone had told
Mister Wilson.
EXT. GOLF COURSE - WASHINGTON COUNTRY CLUB - DAY
Wilson hits a long shot. His golfing partner is Grayson.
SECRET SERVICE AGENTS are in b.g.
GRAYSON
Looking good.
WILSON
Keep holding back, Carey, and I'll
win this round.
They begin walking toward the green.
GRAYSON
Mister President, before she passed
away, Mrs. Wilson asked me to tell
you something, when the time was
right.
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."
INT. A FIRST-FLOOR CORRIDOR - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Helen Bones is walking along with attractive EDITH BOLLING
GALT, 42. Behind them, Wilson and Grayson, still in their
golfing attire, enter the corridor. Helen looks back.
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.
EXT. CAPITOL HILL - WASHINGTON - DAY
A spring day. SUPERIMPOSE:
APRIL, 1921
OVERLAP SOUND:
SENATOR #3 (V.O.)
Would you state your name, please?
INT. A SENATE HEARING ROOM - DAY
Nelson is testifying before a committee of SENATORS. Edith
sits behind Nelson in the AUDIENCE.
NELSON
Nelson J. O'Shaughnessy.
SENATOR #3
And what is your occupation?
NELSON
I'm a foreign representative for
Western Union.
SENATOR #3
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 #3
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 #3
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
as SENATOR #4 is addressing 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
as SENATOR #5 asks a question:
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. THE CORRIDOR - SENATE BUILDING - 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 . . .
Nelson and Edith stop. Lind has followed them out of the
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
Couldn't they have done it 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
Return to the beginning of this script.
Go to The New Howell Theater.
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