INT. OLD LIGHTHOUSE - DAY
Soldiers #4 and #5 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 SAILOR #7 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 #4 and #5, 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 wait behind barricades. Maass stands in front of
his headquarters as his aide speeds up in a car.
As he jumps 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 #8 and #9 slip into the
building where the machine gun is located.
EXT. UTAH - DAY
A battalion of sailors loads into whaleboats.
INT. A SECOND-FLOOR ROOM - CUSTOMS ZONE - DAY
VERACRUZ POLICEMEN #1 and #2 fire their machine gun out the
window.
Sailors #8 and #9 burst in. They shoot the policemen as they
wheel around.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
Lowry and his sailors see Sailor #8 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 hurry 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 #10.
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
Rodríguez Cerrillo retrieves 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 loads his soldiers on a freight train.
EXT. CINCO DE MAYO AVENUE - DAY
Marines shoot 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.
END INTERCUT, STAY with Rush.
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 #11 and #12 burst through the door of:
INT. A BUILDING - DAY
Sailors #11 and #12 kill TWO ARMED CIVILIANS, who have 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 #11 and #12 hustle down the street, Sailor #11 is
shot and falls.
Sailor #12 helps him up, half-drags him off, as gunfire
continues.
INT. EMBASSY OFFICE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
D'Antin stares 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 fired toward the wharf.
He grabs SAILOR #13 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 #13
Yes, sir!
NAVY LT.
Tell 'em to shell the shit out
of it!
INT. NAVAL SCHOOL - SECOND-FLOOR DORMITORY - 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 take 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.
END INTERCUT, STAY in the school. 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 meets with Bryan and House. 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, walks through the camp.
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, stops
to speak to Mexican REPORTERS #8 and #9, taking notes.
With Carranza are General ÁLVARO OBREGÓN, 50, and CARRANZA
AIDES #1 AND #2. (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, walks 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
Villa eats beans and tortillas with a group of his VILLISTAS,
while being interviewed by North American REPORTER #10.
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 laughs. The Villistas laugh as if on cue.
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," demonstrates
in front of the building, guarded by FEDERAL SOLDIERS.
INT. EMBASSY OFFICE - NIGHT
Edith, by the window of the darkened office, watches the
chanting crowd. Nelson moves to her side, puts an arm around
her shoulders, and watches 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 rises 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
Then who do I blame? Sending 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 something on the desk.
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.
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, 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 #11
Mister President, is the elimination
of Huerta the main purpose of this
action?
WILSON
No, it is not.
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 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 - 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 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 sits leaning over her.
Daughter Jessie, looking sad and tired, sitting in an
armchair, apparently can't hear what Ellen is saying.
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.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
First Chief Carranza comes 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
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 thoughtfully strokes his beard.
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
He has to be dealt with.
CARRANZA
Yes. As First Chief, I must give
Villa some kind of assurances.
OBREGÓN
I will take them to him myself.
CARRANZA
Too dangerous.
OBREGÓN
Perhaps he will listen to reason.
CARRANZA
Pancho Villa?
OBREGÓN
I am going to take care of him,
sir. One way or the other.
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. 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. VILLA'S HEADQUARTERS - CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO - DAY
ESTABLISHING SHOT of an armed camp, as many VILLISTAS move
about.
Some Villistas SING and PLAY instruments as a pretty
SOLDADERA (one of the women who travel with their men in
Villa's army) dances to the song "La Cucaracha."
INT. VILLA'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY
Villa hosts Carranza's General Obregón, at a hearty mid
afternoon meal.
Seated with them at the table are Villa's sidekick Urbina and
30-ish LUZ CORRAL, a reserved but self-assured wife of Villa.
The amiable Obregón seems wary, while Villa and Urbina
exchange sly glances. Luz is through eating.
VILLA
How was the welcome, in Mexico
City, for First Chief Carranza?
OBREGÓN
Oh, they lined the streets. They
filled the plaza in front of the
National Palace.
LUZ
General Obregón, I will leave you
gentlemen now, to discuss your
affairs of state.
Obregón politely rises as Luz does.
OBREGÓN
Señora.
Obregón sits down again as Luz leaves.
OBREGÓN (cont'd)
I must compliment you. A very nice
lady, your wife, General Villa.
VILLA
Yes. Luz understands me. She
knows I marry the ladies, if that's
what they want, then they have no
guilty conscience. I hate to leave
guilty women. But she knows it is
her that I love. It is Luz that
I always come home to.
(beat)
How many wives have you got,
Obregón?
OBREGÓN
Only one.
VILLA
Good. Then you will leave only one
widow.
OBREGÓN
(beat)
I trust that means when I die of
old age.
VILLA
No. It means when you die right
here, in a couple of minutes.
Urbina produces a pistol, covering Obregón.
VILLISTAS #8 and #9 appear, one to hold a pistol to Obregón's
head, the other taking Obregón's gun from its holster.
VILLA (cont'd)
You, Obregón, are a traitor to the
Revolution.
OBREGÓN
On the contrary, sir, my allegiance
is to Revolutionary Mexico.
VILLA
Your allegiance is to Carranza. He
is a traitor too.
OBREGÓN
You are wrong. I am here, General
Villa, to explain the First Chief's
plans for the (future) -
VILLA
(interrupting)
(You are) here to trick me, and to
spy on the strength of my troops.
Villa rises, anger mounting. He moves around the table
toward Obregón.
VILLA (cont'd)
We men of Chihuahua, and Zapata in
Morelos, we did the fighting, we
did the dying, and you, yes, you
fought for Carranza. But that
chocolate drinker sat safe on his
rump in Coahuila, issuing his
orders, saying "I am First Chief."
Self-appointed.
INT. ADJOINING ROOM - DAY
Luz surreptitiously listens by the door.
VILLA (O.S.) (cont'd)
It is just as I suspected with
Carranza.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
Villa is in Obregón's face.
VILLA (cont'd)
Where is reform? A decree giving
land to the peasants? Where is a
Congress? When are elections?
OBREGÓN
Those things are coming, General
Villa. It takes time -
VILLA
You will not live to see them. We
will have our convention and throw
out Carranza.
(to Urbina)
Take him out and shoot him.
Urbina and the two Villistas grab hold of Obregón as he
rises.
OBREGÓN
You are wrong, General Villa. I
would never serve a traitor. Why
do you think we fought Huerta?
VILLA
To take power for yourselves, that
is why.
OBREGÓN
Not for my part, General.
VILLA
Then you keep some bad company.
(to Urbina)
Get a squad. I will come give
the order.
INT. ADJOINING ROOM - DAY
Luz stands to the side of the door as Villa, still angry,
comes through.
LUZ
What are you doing?
Villa turns to her quizzically.
LUZ (cont'd)
I thought you were a man, but now I
don't know.
Villa, eyes glaring, steps over to her, but Luz stands her
ground.
LUZ (cont'd)
What kind of a man shoots his
guests? Have you no honor? If
Obregón is your enemy, then kill
him in battle. Not when he comes
to your home, where one has the
right (to expect) -
VILLA
(interrupting)
Shut up!
LUZ
Go ahead. Shoot a defenseless man.
Go show the world that Pancho Villa
has no cojones.
Luz moves off, leaving Villa apoplectic.
EXT. BY A BULLET-POCKED WALL - DAY
Obregón stands, as calmly as he's able, at the wall. A
FIRING SQUAD waits, with Urbina and FIRING SQUAD LEADER #2
standing by.
Villa arrives angrily from the house.
SQUAD LEADER #2
We are ready, my General.
Villa tries clumsily to kick the startled squad leader, who
eludes Villa's boot. Villa then paces aimlessly around in
a rage.
Villa finally walks over to Obregón.
VILLA
We are not going to shoot you. Not
yet. You deserve to be shot, but
you will be shot in battle. I will
see to that.
Villa starts to go, then,
VILLA (cont'd)
Now get out of here before I let
them shoot you!
Villa moves off. Obregón breathes a sigh of relief.
INT. VILLA'S HOUSE - A WINDOW - DAY
Luz watches from the window. She turns away with satisfaction.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY
It's morning.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - 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. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
REESTABLISHING. SUPERIMPOSE:
VILLA (O.S.)
(angrily, in Spanish)
Resignation? . . .
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - 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)
Do what you want, Gutiérrez. Have
it your way. I can take charge of
things here if you want to quit.
And I will fight Obregón when the
time comes. There is one thing you
are going to do, though, or I will
have you shot too.
GUTIÉRREZ
What is that?
VILLA
You are going to attend the
reinterment of Francisco Madero.
EXT. A CEMETERY - MEXICO CITY - DAY
A new marble tomb is engraved,
FRANCISCO I. MADERO
1873-1913
Villa stands at the podium before a CROWD of Mexicans near
the tomb. Gutiérrez is seated among DIGNITARIES behind
Villa.
Villa speaks his prepared words rather awkwardly, but with
passion that will steadily mount. (Spanish:)
VILLA
I wish to thank our esteemed
provisional president, and other
dignitaries of Mexico City, for
joining us here today, as we
properly lay to rest the remains
of Francisco Madero.
INTERCUT FACES IN THE CROWD
listening, watching Villa with rapt attention.
VILLA (cont'd)
I wish to say a few words from the
heart, that of an uncultured man.
There is no darker stain on the
honor of the Mexican nation than
the assassination of Francisco
Madero. Madero loved his people,
and led the people's Revolution,
only to be betrayed by a tyrant
from the old regime.
(beat)
My little friend, father of the new
republic -
Tears fill Villa's eyes, he chokes with emotion.
VILLA (cont'd)
- who once saved me from a firing
squad's bullets - and who I loved
as a father -
The tears roll down his cheeks, Villa struggling to continue.
VILLA (cont'd)
- we have reclaimed the Revolution
for you.
(beat)
Rest in peace, Francisco Madero.
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 so 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.
EXT. A SEASIDE PATIO - VERACRUZ - DAY
Carranza and Aides #1 and #2 eat seafood at a patio table,
with a fine view of the sea. Four armed CARRANCISTAS provide
security, too far away to hear what is said.
CARRANZA
Before we reach Mexico City, Villa
will attack us. He will fight the
old-fashioned way, with his cavalry
charges, which have always served
him so well. But General Obregón
has studied the war in Europe.
EXT. THE PLAIN OF CELAYA - MEXICO - DAY
CARRANCISTA SOLDIERS are in trenches, behind barbed wire,
with machine guns.
CARRANZA (V.O.) (cont'd)
The use of trenches, barbed wire,
and machine guns.
TIME LAPSE
VILLISTA CAVALRY is being mowed down by the machine guns. A
few horsemen reach the barbed wire, only to become entangled.
CARRANZA (V.O.) (cont'd)
Obregón will dig in, and let Villa
attack. For Villa's men, it will
be an act of self-annihilation.
During the one-sided battle, Villa and Obregón observe from
their respective positions.
OVERLAP SOUND:
NORTH AMERICAN (V.O.)
You see, Victoriano . . .
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 (cont'd)
At the Battle of Celaya, Obregón
showed Villa something new.
Huerta, finished reading, folds the newspaper and hands it
back to the North American.
HUERTA
Yes. That is the best account I
have read of it.
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
Return to the beginning of this script.
Go to The New Howell Theater.