39.

REPORTER 4 (V.O.)

Hiss claimed he was being set up by Nixon and J. Edgar Hoover... The case came down to a roll of film hidden in a pumpkin patch and an Underwood typewriter...

NIXON reaches into a pumpkin, takes out a roll of microfilm.
He turns to the camera, furrows his brow theatrically.
Examines the film...MRS. HISS, the Underwood...

NIXON
("newsfilm")

I asked Hiss if he'd ever known Chambers before.
He said, no. That's when I knew he was lying.
That's when I knew I had him.

NIXON points to a headline -- "Hiss Convicted".

REPORTER 1 (V.O.)

After two confusing trials, Hiss went to jail for
perjury. To the right wing Nixon was a hero and a
patriot. To the liberals he was a shameless self-
promoter who had vengefully destroyed a fine man.
Eleanor Roosevelt angrily condemnd him. It was to
become a pattern: you either loved Richard Nixon or
you hated him.

A brief IMAGE here and that will re-occur through the film. An*
image of evil -- call it "The Beast".

REPORTER 2 (V.O.)

Driven by demons that seemed more personal than
political, his rise was meteoric. Congressman at 33,
Senator at 35, Eisenhower's Vice-Presidential
candidate at 39. Then came the Checkers
Crisis...Nixon was accused of hiding a secret slush
fund. He went on national television in an
unpresenteded appearence...

The Speech. Nixon, looking and sounding like Uriah Heep,
pleads with the American people. PAT sits uncomfortably in an*
armchair nearby.

NIXON ("kinescope")

...so now what I am going to do is to give this
audience a complete financial history. Everything
I've earned, everything I've spent, everything I
owe...

Nixon forces a smile. Pat is clearly in pain, mortified.

NEWSCASTER (V.O.)

The list included their house, their Oldsmobile,
Pat's Republican cloth coat, and a gift from a
Texas businessman...

NIX00079

40.

NIXON ("kinescope")

You know what it was? It was a little cocker
spaniel dog. Black and white spotted. And...our
little girl Tricia, the six-year-old, named it
Checkers. And you know, the kids love that dog and
we're going to keep it...

REPORTER 4 (V.O.)

Fifty-eight million people saw it. It was
shameless. It was manipulative.
(then)
It was a huge success.

DOCUMENTARY -- NIXON with IKE in triumph. NIXON and PAT standing up to rock-throwing STUDENTS in Venezuela. Pointing his finger at KHRUSCHEV in the kitchen debate.

REPORTER 3 (V.O.)

...Responding to attacks on Truman, Acheson, and the whole Democratic Party for betraying American principles in China, Korea and elsewhere, it was two-time Democratic Presidential candidate Adelai Stevenson who perhaps best summed up the national unease with Richard Nixon...

DOCUMENTARY -- SHOTS of ADLAI STEVENSON campaigning in '52 and '56 against IKE. Images of JOE MCCARTHY precede. The HERBLOCK CARTOON of Nixon crawling out of the sewer system. Other of his cartoons follow.

STEVENSON (Radio V.O.)

...This is a man of many masks. Who can say they
have seen his real face?.. He is on an ill-will
tour, representing McCarthyism in a white collar.
Nixonland has no standard of truth but convenience
and no standard of morality except the sly innuendo,
the poison pen, the anonymous phone call; the land
of smash and grab and anything to win...What
ultimately shall it profit a man if he shall gain
the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Ending with more recent SHOTS of Nixon campaigning in '60 and '62. As the IMAGES spot out and end in black, newsreel style.

REPORTER 4 (V.O.)

It was a great story of its time and in California
where it started, it has come to a crashing end. It
is too bad in a way because the truth is we never
knew who Richard Nixon really was. And now that he
is gone, we never will...

"March of Time"-type music as we SLOW FADE INTO:

NIX00079

41.

[LC]

NIXON (V.O.)
"Your father stinks"... They actually said this to
Tricia. Two girls wearing Kennedy pins. At Chapin!

32

INT. FIFTH AVENUE APARTMENT - NEW YORK CITY - DAY (1963) 32

A New York cocktail party. Society DAMES. Rich, conservative BUSINESSMEN, platters of martinis and hor d'oevres carried by white-gloved BLACK BUTLERS. The fashions are Balenciaga and Courreges, tipping to the shorter hemlines; the mood is smoky and upbeat, the folks pressed into airtight packs of loud conversation.

NIXON is talking to JOHN MITCHELL (54), his wife MARTHA (40s), and TWO OTHER ASSOCIATES of the law firm he has joined.

NIXON (anguished)
...She was crying when she came home. (shakes his head) She was devastated.

MARTHA
Poor little 'Tricia! Well, that's New York, makes for a tougher animal later in life.

NIXON (to the other lawyers)
...I told her 'don't let it get you down,' that I couldn't get a goddamn job in this city when I got out of Duke. Every whiteshoe lawyer firm turned me down. Didn't have the right "look", but...

MITCHELL (indicating someone)
We should say hello to Rocky 'fore he leaves.

NELSON ROCKEFELLER, Governor of New York, dominates the room, the star of the party. Big smile, horn-rimmed glasses. Next to him is HAPPY, his new wife, much younger.

NIXON (glancing)
Well, he can walk in this direction too.

MARTHA (loaded)
Did you see that picture of you in the "News" last week, Dick? You were standing in a crowd on Fifth Avenue, and you were looking straight ahead and everyone else was looking the other way like you'd just farted or something. (laughs) It said "Who Remembers Dick Nixon?" I was screaming. It was so funny!

NIXON
Yeah, that was hilarious Martha. (then) They were all looking the other way 'cause they were waiting for the light to change. I called the AP on that--

NIX00079

42.

[LC]

NIXON (cont'd)

typical of the press in this country, they wouldn't correct it. That or they print the retraction right next to the girdle ads.

LAWYER

Oh, I've read some nice things about you.

MARTHA (puts her hand on Nixon's arm)

Maybe where you come from, but where I come from, Dick Nixon is as misunderstood as a fox in the henhouse. And you know why? (they all wait) Because, honey, they all think your smile and your face are never in the same place at the same time. (nervous laughter) We gotta work on that, sweetie...

MITCHELL (guiding Dick away)

Someone freshen Martha's drink. I think she's down a quart.

MARTHA

Well, zippety-fuckin-doo-dah!

Mitchell moving Nixon away towards the Rockefeller GROUP.

MITCHELL

Sorry, Dick. She's just a little 'er...drunk.

NIXON

You mean *smashed!* She called up at *midnight* last week. Talking a bunch of *crap!* Pat can't stand her.

MITCHELL

It's a thing she does. She talks at night.

NIXON

Talks all day too! How the hell can you put up with her, John.

MITCHELL (sheepishly)

What the hell -- I love her.

Rockefeller holds court, not immediately noticing Nixon.

ROCKEFELLER

...There are no guarantees in politics. I'm going to roll the dice with everyone else.

HENRY KISSINGER (40's), intense, rented tux, holds a martini.

KISSINGER

Well, if one of the wealthiest men in the world cannot become President of the United States, what's the point of democracy?

NIX00079

46.

[LC]

NIXON (smiles)

You're tougher than I am, John. You should be in politics. (slaps him) You never crack

*

*

*

MITCHELL

That'll be the day.

NIXON

We went bowling last weekend. Next weekend we're going to the zoo. Whoever said there was life after politics was full of shit.

MITCHELL

Make some money, Dick. Let Goldwater and Rockefeller take the fall against Kennedy.

Nixon looks at him.

NIXON

John, I'm in hell. (then) I'll be mentally dead in two years and physically dead in four. I miss--I don't know--making love to the people. I miss--entering a room. I miss--the pure "acting" of it. John. I've got to get back in the arena.

On Pat glancing over.

CUT TO:

33

INT. DALLAS CONVENTION HALL - DAY - 1963

33

SPOTLIGHTS on a huge six-pack of Pepsi-Cola. A drum roll.

Suddenly the tops of the cans shoot off and six half-naked WOMEN pop out doing the twist. Wild cheers.

The lights come up, revealing NIXON at the high table. He looks uncomfortable in a Stetson hat. A banner above: "Dallas Welcomes The National Bottlers Convention".

JACK JONES, a large man in a Stetson, turns to Nixon:

JONES

Let's see JFK top that.

NIXON

I'll bet LBJ could.

Suddenly the side doors of the auditorium open.

JONES

Here comes dinner!

NIX00079

47.

A half-dozen LONGHORN STEERS stampede into the auditorium. A COWBOY drives them out the far door, whistling, swinging a whip. The DELEGATES go wild.

Nixon applauds politely, takes off the Stetson.

The DANCERS are fanning out across the table -- the twist has become a bump and grind.

JONES (nudges Nixon)
I know for a fact I could get you the one with the big tits.

NIXON (an awkward smile)
I think I had her the last time I was here.

A dancer climbs the high table. For a moment we see Nixon framed between her legs. Then, she gyrates down toward his face. Nixon's ears are turning red.

JONES
I think she likes you, Dick.

DANCER
I like that *name*.

She takes his face in her hands, shakes her butt.

DANCER
Do you like me... *Dick*?

Nixon swallows hard, blushing now. He seems very uncomfortable with this intimacy; he begins to sweat.

NIXON (croaks)
Yes, of course.

She recognizes his discomfort, releases him. He readjusts his clothing.

34 EXT. JONES'S RANCH - SUNSET

34

An entire LONGHORN STEER turning on a spit in an immense barbecue pit, attended by black SERVANTS.

A sprawling Spanish style ranch outside of town. The parking area looks like a Cadillac dealership.

35 INT. JONES'S RANCH - HOUSE - SUNSET

35

A walk-in stone fireplace dominates the room. The fire is huge, roaring. The heavy beams are hung with black wrought-iron candelabras.

NIX00079

48.

[LC]

The crowd is a strange mixture: Gulf Coast corporate EXECUTIVES in cowboy chic, a few New York LAWYERS, and several CUBANS. We recognize some of the DANCERS. Mingling. Shafts of red sunlight cut in through high arched windows. The heads of animals stare out from the walls. Swirls of cigar smoke.

NIXON stands in the middle, holding a drink with a napkin in one hand and a briefcase in the other. He is chatting with a Pepsico executive, BING MARTIN.

A door at the back of the room opens, a jaundiced light spills into the main room. JONES is in silhouette at the door.

JONES (gestures)
Come on in, Dick.

36

INT. JONES'S HOUSE - BILLIARD ROOM - SUNSET

36

NIXON and MARTIN follow JONES into the room. The only light is from the yellow Tiffany lamp above the pool table. The people in the room are in shadows: half a dozen MEN in shirt-sleeves with drinks and Havanas.

We hear a MAN moaning from an adjacent room.

Nixon walks to the pool table, puts down his briefcase.

NIXON
You throw a heckuva party, Jack.

JONES
Not every day you entertain the future president of the United States.

NIXON
I'm just a New York lawyer.

JONES
Let's see what we can do about that. Ask Billy to join us, would you, Mitch?

MITCH opens the door to an adjacent room. We can faintly see BILLY being serviced by one of the DANCERS.

MITCH
He'll be along presently, Jack.

Nixon opens the briefcase, pulls out some papers.

NIXON
This looks like a pretty straightforward real estate transaction to me.

NIX00079

[LC]

49.

JONES (to the room)
He's all business, ain't he?
(then)

Dick, we could've had our own goddamn lawyers
handle this deal. We brought you down here because
we wanted to talk to you.

NIXON
So, talk.

MITCH
These are dangerous times, Dick. Especially for
business.

NIXON
Agreed.

JONES
Hell, Roosevelt pissed away half of Europe. Truman
lost China. Now Kennedy's handed Cuba to the
Russians. And he don't know what the hell he's
doing in Vietnam.

A CUBAN in an Italian suit steps out of the shadows.

CUBAN (accent)
We know what you tried to do for Cuba. If you had
been elected in 1960, Castro would be dead now.

NIXON
Gentlemen, I tried. I told Kennedy to go into
Cuba. He heard me and he made his decision. I
appreciate your sentiments, but it's a long drive
back to Dallas, and Bing and I are due in New
York.

Martin leans across the table.

MARTIN
Dick, they want you to run. They're serious. They
can deliver the South and they could put Texas in
your column. That would've done it in '60.

NIXON
Only if Kennedy dumps Johnson.

JONES
We have *got* to get a conservative agenda back in
the White House.

NIXON
Nobody's going to beat Kennedy in '64.

NIX00079

50.

[LC]

A beat.

CUBAN
Suppose Kennedy doesn't run in '64.

NIXON
Not a chance.

Nixon puts the papers back in his briefcase.

NIXON
Gentlemen, I'm out of politics.

MITCH (a knowing smile)
You just come down here for the weather.

NIXON
I came down here to close a land deal for Pepsi.

MARTIN (scrounging)
What about '68?

NIXON
Five years? Bing, in politics that's an eternity.

JONES
Your country needs you, Dick.

Nixon closes his briefcase.

NIXON
Unfortunately, the country isn't available right now.

CUBAN
These are dangerous times, Mister Nixon. Anything can happen.

37

EXT. LOVE FIELD - DAY (1963)

37

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- A huge CROWD is waiting for Air Force One. People hold banners, signs: "Dallas Loves JFK", "We Love You Jackie".

A Cadillac pulls up at the far corner of the tarmac. NIXON gets out with MARTIN. They walk toward a small executive PLANE.

Nixon pauses, looks up.

NIXON
Bing, better get going, or they'll hold us up till he's out of the airport.

NIX00079

51.

[LC]

As Martin hurries off to the plane, Nixon takes one last look
up at his fate written in the soft white clouds over Dallas.
As we:

CUT TO:

DOCUMENTARY -- JOHN KENNEDY coming off the plane at Love field with JACKIE, waving to the crowd. The SOUND of a rushing, monstrous engine. Then wind.

38

INT. NIXON'S FIFTH AVENUE APARTMENT - DAY (1963)

38

(It's *not* the same apartment where the cocktail party took place.) NIXON sits, subdued in an armchair in a small study, looking between the fire in the grate, the TELEVISION images of the assassination, and the phone call he's on.

NIXON (low-key)
Look, Edgar, these guys were really strange, I
mean y'know...extremists, right-wing stuff,
Birchers,...yeah?
(listens several beats)

PAT watches from another chair. Newspapers are strewn all
around.

DOCUMENTARY IMAGES on the TV show a grieving JACKIE, BOBBY, TEDDY, and the TWO CHILDREN.

NIXON
I see... Oswald's a real Communist? Right. That
makes sense...Thank you, Edgar.

He hangs up. It's evident he's still puzzled, but wants to
believe.

NIXON
Hoover says this Oswald checks out as a beatnik
type, a real bum.

TV images of BOBBY KENNEDY.

PAT
Dick, you should call Bobby.

NIXON
He didn't even invite me to the funeral.

PAT
You don't have to go.

NIXON (glances at TV)
DeGaulle's gonna be there. And Macmillan. And
Adenauer. Nixon can't not be there.

NIX00079*

52.

PAT

Then call him. I'm sure it was an oversight.

NIXON

No. It's his way. He hates me. Him and Teddy.
They always hated me.

PAT

They've lost their brother. You know what that
means, Dick.

Nixon sighs, watches the TV -- images of a touch football game
in Hyannis Port.

SHARP CUT BACK TO:

39

INT. NIXON HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY (1925)

39

ARTHUR NIXON (7) cries in pain. FRANK, his father, holds him
on the bed as a DOCTOR twists a long needle into the base of
Arthur's spine.

ARTHUR

Daddy! Please! Make it STOP!!!

RICHARD (12) watches in horror from the door. He can't bear
it, runs downstairs.

40

INT. NIXON HOUSE - PARLOR - DAY (1925)

40

FRANK comes down the narrow stairs, shocked, fighting tears.
HANNAH sits reading her Bible. The BOYS linger nervously
around their made-up cots in the parlor.

FRANK (sobs)

The doctors are afraid the little darling is going
to die...

41

INT. ARTHUR BEDROOM - DAY

41

ARTHUR laps at some tomato gravy on toast, which makes him
happy. His face is angelic, as if he were getting better.

HANNAH feeds him, cleans his lips with a napkin, as RICHARD
looks on puzzled by it all. DON and HAROLD are also there. The
Doctor has gone.

ARTHUR (low)

I feel better, Mama,..I'm sleepy.

HANNAH (removing the food)

We'll let thee rest now, my little angel.

NIX00079

53.

She tucks him in. He yawns. The brothers are awkward, ready to leave.

ARTHUR
Mama, don't you think... I should say a prayer
before I sleep?

HANNAH (nearly cracking)
Yes, Arthur, I do...

He smiles at her, then:

ARTHUR (murmurs)
If I should die before I wake, I pray the lord my
soul to take...

He slips off, into coma.

Richard watches, devastated.

42

INT. NIXON HOUSE - PARLOR

42 *

RICHARD runs to his mother, HANNAH, who is coming down the
stairs with FRANK. She seems very shaken, but quiet, off in
another world. The moment Richard reaches her, throwing his
arms around her skirt, she snaps him back. A harsh, angry
voice.

HANNAH
No!... No. Don't...

Richard is shocked. As his mother sweeps by in her private
grief.

43

INT. NIXON STUDY - NEW YORK APARTMENT - DAY

43

RESUME NIXON -- his face lost in the silence of the memory.
The television SOUNDS fade back in alongside PAT'S voice.

TV IMAGE -- LYNDON JOHNSON being sworn in.

NIXON (off-handed)
...if I'd been President, they would never have
killed me.

Pat is bewildered by the statement.

PAT (O.S.)
Dick? Are you going to call?

He looks over at Pat, momentarily absent.

NIX00079

54.

Bobby?

He looks back at the TV screen.

NIXON (quietly)
No...I'll go through Lyndon. we'll be invited.

The last image is JOHNSON as we:

CUT FORWARD TO:

44 SUBTITLE READS: "FIVE YEARS LATER -- 1968"

44 *

DOCUMENTARY IMAGE -- CLOSE on LYNDON JOHNSON announcing:

JOHNSON
...accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not
accept, the nomination of my party for another
term as your Presidnet...

SHARP CUT TO:

45 INT. NURSING HOME - DAY

45 *

DOCUMENTARY IMAGE -- HANNAH NIXON, just before her death in
197, commenting on her son's chance for the Presidency:

REPORTER 1 (V.O.)
...Johnson's withdrawl resurrects Richard Nixon as
a strong Republican candidate against the war.
his mother Hannah Nixon, before her death last
year, commented on her son's chances...

REPORTER 2 (OFF)
Do you think your son will ever return to
politics?

HANNAH
I don't think he has a choice. He was always a leader.*

REPORTER 2 (OFF)
Do you think he'd make a great President, Mrs. Nixon?

HANNAH (unsmiling)
...if God is on his side, yes...

46 EXT. NEW YORK APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY (1968)

46 *

REPORTERS flock outside the building, as NIXON and his GROUP enter, ignoring them.

NIX00079

55.

[LC]

47 INT. NIXON APARTMENT - DAY (1968)

47 *

NIXON enter, ebullient, with MITCHELL, HALDEMAN, ZIEGLER, taking off their winter coats.

MITCHELL
Jesus Dick, never seen anything like it. Eve the goddman Times is saying you got it.

HALDEMAN
Vietnams' gonna put you in there this time chief.

ZIEGLER
The press is even on our side!

NIXON
We're back!

PAT (O.S.)
So? You've decided?

They turn. PAT is in the corridor.

PAT
Were you planning to tell me?

NIXON
We...haven't announced, eh...

She's walking away. Dick follows, with a look to his men.

NIXON
Uh, wait...

HALDEMAN
You need her Dick. In '60 she was worth five, six million votes.

48 INT. NIXON BEDROOM - DAY

48 *

NIXON enters. PAT is mechanically taking identical grey suits* from the closet and laying them on the bed.

NIXON
Buddy?...

PAT
You should be going...the primaries are soon, aren't they? New Hampshire....uhn...

NIXON
They love you Buddy. They need you.

NIX00079

57.

[L]

She looks up at him.

PAT
Can I just ask for one thing?

NIXON
Anything.

PAT
Will you...would you kiss me?

He does so with all his earnestness.

49

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - DAY (1968)

49

NIXON, fielding questions, is on a small stage, surrounded by
a studio audience in a semi-circle. A mike is around his
neck, no separation from the people. PAT sits behind him, a
campaign smile painted on. He is visible to us on TV monitors
inside an engineer's booth.

NIXON (on TV)
I would never question Senator Kennedy's
patriotism. But going around the country promising
peace at any price is exactly what the North
Vietnamese want to hear!

Cheers, applause.

HALDEMAN (to the TV DIRECTOR)
Cue the crowd. Go to the women's group. Get the
bald guy, he's great...

NIXON (TV)
I, unlike Senator Kennedy, have a *plan* to end the
war. But not for peace at any price but *peace with
honor!*

INTERCUT:

50

EXT. PRIVATE PATIO - LA COSTA COUNTRY CLUB - DAY

50

J. EDGAR HOOVER, naked except for a towel over his groin,
lounges on a deckchair intermittently watching the TELEVISION.
Short and fat, covered with steam-room sweat, he looks like a
Roman emperor. CLYDE TOLSON, fifties, bulbous nose, sits along
Hoover. He has a towel around his waist and one over his head.

CLYDE
What do you think this plan is, Edgar? A nuclear
attack?

NIX00079

58.

[LC]

HOOVER (closing his eyes)
He's lying, Clyde. Always has. That's why Nixon's
always been useful.

JOAQUIN, a very young, near-naked Hispanic boy, comes in with
refreshments: orange slices, fruit and pastel drinks with
parasols.

INTERCUT TO:

51 INT. TV STUDIO - DAY

51

RON ZIEGLER checks his scripts as NIXON continues across the
glass.

DIRECTOR (turns)
Who's next?

ZIEGLER
The Negro. We gotta have a Negro.

A BLACK WOMAN appears on the monitors.

BLACK WOMAN
Mister Nixon, you've made a career out of smearing
people as Communist. And now you're building your
campaign on the divisions in this country.
Stirring up hatred, turning people against each
other...

Ziegler and HALDEMAN are apoplectic.

HALDEMAN
What the fuck's she doing? She's making a speech.

ZIEGLER
Cut her off!

DIRECTOR
I can't cut her off! This isn't Russia!

The Black Woman turns to the studio audience.

BLACK WOMAN
You don't want a real dialogue with the American
people. You're just a mouthpiece for an agenda
that is hidden from us.

HALDEMAN (screaming)
Go to commercial!

DIRECTOR
There are no commercials. You bought the whole
half hour.

NIX00079

59.

[LC]

The Black Woman is walking down the aisle toward Nixon.

**BLACK WOMAN (impassioned)**

When are you going to tell us what you really stand for? When are you going to take the mask off and show us who you really are?

Close on Nixon's upper lip, sweating.

Haldeman watches intently.

**HALDEMAN**

It's a high, hard one, chief. Park it.

Nixon gathers himself, looks firmly at the Black Woman.

**NIXON**

Yes, there are divisions in this country but I didn't create them. The Democrats did! If it's dialogue you want, you're more likely to get it from me than from the people who are burning down the cities!

The audience applauds. Haldeman punches Ziegler's arm.

**HALDEMAN**

I love that man! I love him.

**ZIEGLER (relieved)**

Okay, go to the little girl. Can he see the little girl?

**DIRECTOR**

She's right down front.

**NIXON**

I don't know if you can see her but there's a little girl sitting down here with a sign. Could you hold that up, sweetheart?

**ZIEGLER**

Bag the bitch. Take the sign!

The Camera cuts to a LITTLE GIRL holding a hand-lettered sign.

**NIXON**

The sign has on it three simple words. "Bring - us - together!" That is what I want and that is what the great silent majority of Americans want!

The audience loves it. APPLAUSE signs light up.

NIX00079

61.

[LC]

CLYDE

I think he works in the kitchen.

HOOVER

Not Joaquin, you idiot. Nixon. Did you hear what
he said in Oregon? About me having too much power.

CLYDE

It's between Nixon and Kennedy again, Edgar... who
do you want?

HOOVER

Kennedy -- never. He'll fry in hell for what he
did to me. But Nixon doesn't know that. I'll
remind him.

*

*

53

EXT. DEL MAR RACETRACK - STARTING GATE - DAY

53

THOROUGHBREDS explode out of the chutes.

54

EXT. DEL MAR RACETRACK - CLUBHOUSE - DAY

54

A private box just above the finish line. HOOVER raises his
binoculars, watching the race. He is wearing a white tropical
suit, Panama hat, white shoes. CLYDE is dressed like a
mortician.

JOHNNY ROSELLI, white hair, deep tan, sharp dresser, sits with* him in the box.

ROSELLI

He's on his way. The Secret Service guys are
bringing him up.

ON THE TRACK: TWO HORSES are in a terrific stretch drive.

HOOVER watches impassively.

ANNOUNCER (O.S.: frantic)

And down the stretch they come. It's "Native Son"
and "Trump Card" dueling for the lead...

CLOSE: TRUMP CARD puts a nose in front of NATIVE SON.

HOOVER

He's folding, Mister Roselli.

ON THE TRACK: NATIVE SON is tiring, falling behind Trump Card.

ROSELLI

Just wait a second.

CLOSE: On Trump Card's bandaged front legs. Then, Trump Card's
right foreleg snaps. It sounds like a rifle shot.

NIX00079

[LC]

62.

Trump Card goes down over his shoulder. The JOCKEY is thrown
across the track.

The CROWD is stunned. Native Son wins easily.

Hoover turns to Roselli.

HOOVER
A bit extreme, isn't it?

ROSELLI
It's the drama.
(gestures to the crowd)
They love that shit.

SHOUTING and CHEERS behind them. They turn. NIXON is making
his way down the aisle, waving to the crowd. He is followed by
HALDEMAN.

Hoover passes Roselli a ticket.

HOOVER
Cash this for me, would you, Mister Roselli?

A beat. Roselli crosses Nixon who enters the box.

NIXON
Edgar, wonderful to see you.

HOOVER
Thank you for coming, Mister Nixon.

NIXON
Winning?

HOOVER
Actually, I've just had a bit of luck.

ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
The management of Del Mar is saddened to announce
that Trump Card will have to be destroyed by
lethal injection...

Groans from the crowd.

HOOVER
How about you? Are you going to win?

NIXON
You should ask Bobby.

Polite laughter.

NIX00079

[LC]

63.

**HOOVER**

Would you walk with me down to the paddock? I'd
like to look at the horses for the eighth.

**NIXON**

Can't we just talk here? I've got the police
chiefs in San Diego.

Hoover moves close.

**HOOVER (whispers)**

I'm trying to spare you an embarrassment. Johnny
Roselli is on his way back here.

Nixon looks sick.

**NIXON**

Roselli?

**HOOVER**

Yes. Your old friend from Cuba.

**NIXON**

I never met the man.

**HOOVER**

I know you've been very careful not to. That's why
I'm concerned.

Nixon glances at Hoover. Hoover smiles.

**NIXON (V.O.: on tape)**

The old queen did it on purpose.

55

INT. WHITE HOUSE - LINCOLN SITTING ROOM - NIGHT (1973)

55

RESUME SCENE -- NIXON listens as the tape rolls.

**NIXON (on tape)**

He wasn't protecting me. He was putting me on
notice.

**HALDEMAN (on tape)**

What? That he knew Johnny Roselli? Hoover knew a
lot of gangsters.

**NIXON (on tape)**

Yeah, but Roselli wasn't just any gangster. He was
the gangster who set up Track 2.

56

INT. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING-PRESIDENT'S OFFICE-DAY (1972)

56

RESUME SCENE - NIXON and HALDEMAN

*

NIX0007C

[Lc]

65.

### HALDEMAN

So what? You wanted to kill Castro. *Everybody* wanted to kill Castro. If Hunt and the others are CIA, why don't we just throw this back in the CIA's lap. Let Richard Helms take the fall.

### NIXON

Because if Helms goes down, he'll take me with him. We're both connected to the Bay of Pigs. Hunt connects us.

### HALDEMAN

But didn't Kennedy cancel Track 2?

### NIXON

He didn't even know about it. The CIA never told him, they just kept it going. It was like...it had a life of its own. Like...a kinda "beast" that doesn't even know it exists. It just eats people when it doesn't need 'em anymore. (he drops back in his chair) Two days after the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy called me in. He reamed me out...

DOCUMENTARY INTERCUT: Brief, moving, live action image of JOHN KENNEDY.

### NIXON (continued)

...he'd just found out about Track 2.

### HALDEMAN

You never told him?

### NIXON (softly)

I didn't want him to get the credit. He said I'd stabbed him in the back. Called me a two-bit grocery clerk from Whittier.

Nixon's face expresses the deep hurt of that insult.

### NIXON

That was the last time I ever saw him.

IMAGE -- the "Beast" in all its metaphoric intensity.

### HALDEMAN

If they didn't tell Kennedy about Track 2, how did Hoover find out?

### NIXON

He had us bugged. Christ, he had everybody bugged. yeah, he was gonna support me in '68, but he also wanted to threaten me. (then) That was Hoover. He'd give you the carrot but

NIX00079

66.

NIXON (cont'd)

he'd make damn sure the stick went right up your ass.

57

EXT. DEL MAR RACETRACK - PADDOCK - DAY (1968)

57

RESUME SCENE -- Moving with NIXON and HOOVER along the rail outside the walking ring. The HORSES for the next race are being saddled. FBI AGENTS have cleared a circle around them. Nixon waves and smiles to PATRONS of the track.

HOOVER

You'll win the nomination.

NIXON

But Bobby'll win the presidency. It's '60 all over
again. He's got the magic, like a goddamn rock
star. They climb all over each other just to
touch his clothes! He'll ride his brother's
corpse right into the White House.

HOOVER

If things remain as they are, probably he will win.

NIXON

Or he'll steal it like his brother, Edgar, he's a
mean little sonufabitch! Had the IRS audit my
mother when she was dying in the nursing home.
This time I'm gonna fight just as dirty as he
does. We attack him with everything we got. The
women, the wiretaps, the dirty money. The
sonufabitch is not gonna steal from me again!

Hoover is amused.

HOOVER

I look at it from the point of view that the
system can only take so much abuse. It adjusts
itself eventually, but at times there are...savage
outbursts. The late "Doctor" King for example. A
radical, stirring up the blacks, preaching against
the war...

(shakes his head)

Sometimes the system comes close to cracking.

Hoover stops in front of a huge GELDING.

HOOVER

We've already had one radical in the White House.
I don't think we could survive another.

IMAGE -- The BEAST.

NIX0007C

67.

[LC]

Nixon feels uncomfortable.

NIXON (a beat)
Edgar, can I count on your full support?

Hoover strokes the gelding's muzzle. The horses are filing past them toward the track. They shake hands.

HOOVER
As long as I can count on yours.

58

INT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - PANTRY (1968) - DOCUMENTARY

58

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE of chaos in the pantry. The camera is jostled. Women screaming. A man is being wrestled to the floor.

ROBERT KENNEDY lies there, mortally wounded.

NIXON (V.O.)
When I saw Bobby lying there on the floor, his arm stretched out like that...

59

INT. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BLDG. - PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY (1952)

RESUME SCENE -- NIXON and HALDEMAN

NIXON
...his eyes staring...
(then)
I knew I would be President.
(beat)
It's like...death paved the way, didn't it. Vietnam.
The Kennedys. It cleared a path through the
wilderness for me. Over the bodies...Four bodies.

Haldeman corrects him.

HALDEMAN
You mean two... two bodies?

60

60

HALDEMAN (V.O. on tape)
You mean two... two bodies?

NIXON
No...four.

RESUME SCENE--NIXON takes a generous slug of Scotch, then he rubs the bridge of his nose, looks up at the portrait of Lincoln. A pause, softly to Mr. Lincoln.

NIX00079

68.

[LC]

NIXON (slurs, softly)
How many did you have? Hundreds of
thousands...where would we be without death, hunh
Abe?

Nixon stands, steadies himself.

NIXON
Who's helping us? Is it God? Or is it...death?

CUT BACK TO:

61 EXT. SANITARIUM CABIN - PORCH - ARIZONA - DAY (1933)

61

A lunar landscape -- barren, scorched, silent. Suddenly
violent, desperate COUGHING.

HAROLD NIXON (23) is doubled over the railing, a long string of bloody mucous hanging from his lips. He is shockingly emaciated -- the last stages of tuberculosis.

RICHARD (19) hurries out of the cabin with a cotton cloth. He holds HAROLD until he stops heaving. Then, he wipes his mouth.

HAROLD (gasps)
...that was a whopper.

Richard carefully folds the cloth, drops it into a metal container that is already full of them. He stands there, helpless, a solemn boy.

HAROLD (panting)
Hey... you'll be able to do it now.

RICHARD
What...?

HAROLD
Go to law school. Mom and Dad'll be able to afford
it now...

Richard looks at him in horror.

HAROLD
Mom expects great things from you...

RICHARD
Harold... can I get you anything?

HAROLD
(a gentle smile)
Yeah...I want to go home. Time to go home. Dick.

NIX00079

69.

[LC]

Harold throws a loving arm around Richard. We sense Harold * in some way could have helped Richard, taught him to laugh a * bit. *

HAROLD (a gentle smile) * The desert's so beautiful, aint it?... Relax, * Dick, it's just me. *

RICHARD (stiffly) * You're not gonna quit on me, are you, Harold?

Harold looks out over the landscape. Silence. *

62

INT. NIXON HOUSE - PARLOR - NIGHT (1933) 62

RICHARD sits staring into the fire. He still wears his black * suit from Harold's funeral. *

HANNAH enters quietly. *

HANNAH * Richard? *

He looks up at her. *

RICHARD * I can't... *

HANNAH * Thou must. *

She moves closer. Casting a shadow over his face. *

HANNAH * It's a gift, Richard. This law school is a gift * from your brother. *

RICHARD (bitter) * Did he have to *die* for me to get it! *

HANNAH * It's meant to make us stronger. * (kneels) * Thou art stronger than Harold... stronger than * Arthur. God has chosen thee to survive... *

RICHARD * What about happiness, mother? *

HANNAH * Strength in this life. Happiness in the next. *

DISSOLVE TO: *

NIX00079

70.

63

INT. REPUBLICAN CONVENTION - NIGHT (1968)

63

ON RICHARD NIXON (55) -- in his prime. A profile of his face - adoring the vast CROWD. At last, he has arrived. He steps forward, thrusts his arms in the air: the twin V salute. A tremendous ROAR from the DELEGATES as SPIRO AGNEW joins him. PAT and the FAMILY watch proudly. (His mother died in 1967.) *

TIME CUT TO:

NIXON addresses the DELEGATES.

NIXON

It's time for some honest talk about the problem of law and order in the United States. I pledge to you that the current wave of violence will not be the wave of the future! Let us have order in America! (vast APPLAUSE.)

INTERCUT TO:

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 1. Civil War. Tanks in the streets of DETROIT. 2. A BLACK PANTHER safe-house in flames surrounded by* FBI AGENTS.

NIXON (V.O.)

...The long dark night for America is about to end...Let us begin by committing ourselves to the truth--to find the truth, to speak the truth. And to live the truth...

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 3. GEORGE WALLACE whips a DIXIE CROWD * into a frenzy. 4. The WOUNDED KNEE SIEGE is under way -- FBI * AGENTS and LOCAL MILITANTS pour fire in on the INDIAN MILITANTS. 5. The YIPPIE DEMONSTRATORS outside the CHICAGO DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. Chicago POLICE wade in with nightsticks, tear gas.

NIXON (V.O.)

A new voice is being heard across America today, it is not the voice of the protesters or the shouters, it is* the voice of a majority of Americans who have been quiet Americans over the past few years... a silent majority. * *

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 6. Chicago is now a full-scale POLICE * RIOT. The COPS have lost all control, swinging nightsticks wildly, breaking heads, dozens of arrests.

NIXON (at the podium)

Who are they? Let me tell you who they are-- they're in this audience by the thousands, they're

NIX00079

71.

NIXON (cont'd)

the workers of America, they're white Americans
and black Americans...

We cut among the DELEGATES seeking to show the face of a
populace that is torn by Civil War.

NIXON (cont)

...they are Mexican Americans and Italian Americans, they're the great silent majority and they have become angry, finally, angry not with hate but angry, my friends, because they love America and they don't like what's happened to America these last four years!

This brings the house down! As we:

CROSSCUT TO:

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 7. THE YOUNG CHICAGO DEMONSTRATORS are * chanting rebelliously:

DEMONSTRATORS

The whole world is watching. The whole world is
watching...

CUT AHEAD TO:

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 8. PHANTOM JET swoop in over CAMBODIA, *
dropping BOMBS and NAPALM.

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 9. Combined US and SOUTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS and PARATROOPERS invade Cambodia. SUBTITLE reads: "APRIL 1970"

NIXON (V.O.)

"Tonight, America and South Vietnamese units will attack the headquarters for the entire Communist military operation in South Vietnam. This is not an invasion of Cambodia. We take this action not for the purpose of expanding the war into Cambodia but for the purpose of ending the war in Vietnam..."

CROSSCUT TO:

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 10. The administration building at * BERKELEY is burning. POLICE in riot gear begin to move in. A * BATTLE between STUDENTS and POLICE is taking place in front of* the burning building.

64

INT. WHITE HOUSE - MOVIE THEATRE - NIGHT

64

NIXON watches a film of "Patton" with his daughters TRICIA and JULIE, 20's. George C. Scott stands in front of the vast American flag -- the famous introduction of that film.

NIX00079

72.

PATTON (on film)

...Americans love a winner and do not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost, and will never lose a war. Because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans...

Nixon loves it. As we move in on him we notice his lips move almost imperceptibly with the words.

JULIE

Dad, I'm so proud of you tonight! He would never have abandoned South Vietnam to the Communists!

NIXON

Thank you, kitten.

Tricia notices Pat snoozing in the next seat.

TRICIA

Dad, I'll take her to bed.

NIXON

I guess three times is too much for your mother. Wait! This is the part where he almost cries...

PATTON (on screen)

All right -- now you sons of bitches know how I feel. I will be proud to lead you guys into battle. Anytime. Anywhere.

Off Nixon's reaction, we:

CUT TO:

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- 11. KENT STATE UNIVERSITY -- (1970) A phalanx of NATIONAL GUARDSMEN advances. They look very young and scared. A CROWD of STUDENT taunts them.

NIXON (V.O.: a speech)

When I think of those kids out there. Kids who are just doing their duty...

CROSSCUT TO:

65

INT. WHITE HOUSE -- EAST ROOM -- DAY

65 *

The end of a ceremony for a released VIETNAM POW. NIXON, with* JULIE, stands before emotional WIVES, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT * EMPLOYEES, and UNIFORMED OFFICERS. The POW sits in a * wheelchair at NIXON's elbow, emaciated, the blue ribbon of the* CMH around his neck. *

NIX00079

73.

[LC]

NIXON (continues)

I'm sure they're scared. I was when I was there.
But when it really comes down to it..

(turns to the POW)

...you have to look up to these men. They're the greatest!

Appaluse. The POW manages a smile.

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- An ugly stand-off. The STUDENTS confront the GUARDSMEN, jeering. The GUARDSMEN lower their bayonets.

STUDENTS

(chanting)

One - two - three - four. We don't want your fucking war.

Someone throws a rock.

BACK TO SCENE:

NIXON

(continues)

You see these bums, you know, blowing up the campuses, burning books and so forth. They call themselves "flower children". Well, I call them spoiled rotten. And I tell you what would cure them -- a good old-fashioned trip to my Ohio father's woodshed. That's what these bums need!

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE -- More STUDENTS are throwing rocks. The GUARDSMEN are momentarily panicke, confused.

Then, suddenly: they open fire. A melee. Screaming. STUDENTS running.

Then: half a dozen BODIES lie on the ground. A young WOMAN crouches over a BODY, crying.

REPORTER 1 (V.O.)

Less than 24 hours after President Nixon called them "bums," four students were shot dead today at Kent State University in Ohio.

66

EXT. POTOMAC RIVER- YACHT SEQUOIA- WASHINGTON DC - NIGHT 66

NIXON sits at the head of an outdoor dinner table with HALDEMAN, EHRLICHMAN, ZIEGLER, KISSINGER. They are being served steaks by MANOLO, Nixon's Cuban valet.

REPORTER 1 (V.O.)

...Enraged student groups across the country are calling for a general strike tomorrow to shut down

NIX00079

74.

[LC]

REPORTER 1 (cont'd)
the entire university system until the Vietnam War is ended.

MITCHELL joins them.

NIXON (grim)
How many?

*

MITCHELL
Four. Two boys. Two girls. And eight wounded.

NIXON
Jesus Christ!

MITCHELL
One of the fathers was on TV, saying "My child was not a bum." And it's playing like gangbusters.

NIXON
Course it is! Cronkite's sticking it to me. It's their first big hit on Richard Nixon.

ZIEGLER
The Governor says they were rioting.

EHRLICHMAN
The Governor's full of shit. He shouldn't have called out the Guard in the first place.

NIXON
Oh I suppose you would've just let them take over. These aren't fraternity pranks, Ehrlichman. It's anarchy. A revolution!

EHRLICHMAN
I don't know if I'd go that far, sir, but is the war worth it! Is it worth a one-term Presidency? Because I think right now that's what we're looking at.

NIXON (drinks)
No one understands! -- even my own men. What do you think the Communists respond to? Honesty, liberal guilt soul wringing crap, fathers on TV crying? Hell no! I understand the Communist mind, I've studied it for thirty years. They grasp real politik better than any of us. Appeasing them is like cutting yourself to hold off a shark. We gotta make 'em think I'm just as tough as they are -- that Nixon hates them, a mad bomber, I might do anything! I played a lot of poker in World War Two and I won and let me tell you this -- unpredictability is our best asset; that's what that redneck Lyndon never understood. If we keep our heads, we can still win this thing.

NIX0007C

75.

[LC]

### HALDEMAN

Win in Vietnam, sir?

### NIXON

No! But what we can do with Vietnam is drive a stake through the heart of the Communist alliance! Henry's already getting strong signals from the Chinese. They hate the Viets more than the Russians and they're worried if they beat us, they'll go for Chinese territory. The Russians hate the Chinese and are supporting the Viets. If we stick it out in Vietnam, (Kissinger nods) ...we'll end up negotiating separately with both the Chinese and the Soviets--and we'll get better deals than we ever dreamed of from both... That's linkage, gentlemen. That's what geopolitics is about-- the whole world linked by self interest...You tell me how the hell I can explain that on television to a bunch of weeping mothers and fathers!

### EHRLICHMAN (stunned)

Are you thinking of recognizing China, chief? That's gonna cost us our strongest support.

### NIXON

I'm thinking about this country too, John. Somebody's got to.

### KISSINGER

This cannot be breathed! Especially to our Secretary of State. If we do, were kaput! The only way, I emphasize, to pull this off is in secret.

### NIXON

He's right on this! Leaks'd kill this. The Chinese would never trust us again...(looks around the table) I trust every single man here with my life...

Pause.

### HALDEMAN

Well, one way or the other sir, we still have to get out in front of this Kent State deal. The PR is going to murder us.

### NIXON

Money. Follow the money. These kids are being manipulated by the Communists from abroad. Like Chambers and Hiss.

### MITCHELL (smoking his pipe)

This isn't '48 Dick. They'll never buy it.

NIX00079

76.

[LC]

NIXON (angry)

How do you know that John? Did we try? Are we just
giving up like the rest of em. What's Hoover found?

ERLICHMAN

Well, he happened to call the other day. He asked
for President Harding.

Laughter around the table.

HALDEMAN

Seriously sir, he's gotta go.

NIXON

We can't touch Hoover.

EHRLICHMAN

I thought the gloves were off.

NIXON

As long as he's got secret files on everybody. I
don't want 'em used against us-- (frustrated)
What about the CIA! Helms's done nothing for us.

MITCHELL

With Hiss, Dick, you had the microfilm, you had
the lie. With the students, they got no proof.

NIXON

The soldiers were provoked. The students started
it for chrissake!

EHRLICHMAN

Most of them were changing classes, sir.

NIXON (yells)

I tell you the soldiers were provoked. Now stop
this pussyfooting around. (irritated) Dead kids!
How the hell did we ever give the Democrats a
weapon like this? (then) If Cambodia doesn't work,
I'll bomb Hanoi if I have to.

They all look at him. He is resolute.

NIXON

That's right!

He looks down at his steak. It is oozing blood. Too much
blood, something is very wrong. He shoots back, momentarily
terrified.

NIXON

Goddamnit! Who the hell cooked this steak?
(yells)

NIX00079

79.

[lc]

NIXON (exhilarated)

But hell, this is nothing compared to Venezuela,
they threw rocks, broke out our windows, almost
overturned the car. Boy! Pat was brave! We got to
get our Vice-President off the golf course and back
out there on the college circuit.

EHRLICHMAN

Agnew's in the dumps, sir. Every time you have
him attack the press, they give it back to him in
spades. He feels he's single-handedly become the
most hated man in America.

NIXON (chuckles)

Well, better him than me. What the hell is he but
an insurance policy? We gotta keep reminding those
media bastards they get him if I go.

EHRLICHMAN

He's begging for a meeting chief, he wants to go
overseas for a while.

NIXON

Well, no place where they speak English. That way
we can always say he was misquoted.

(emits a hard manic laugh)

The PROTESTORS are frustrated as the Limousine breaks through.

69

INT. CIA HEADQUARTERS - LOBBY - DAY (1970)

69

The SEAL of the CIA: "You shall know the truth and the truth
shall make you free". We CRANE BACK revealing that the seal is
on the floor of the LOBBY as NIXON strides in with his
ENTOURAGE. A STRING QUARTET is playing Haydn.

Nixon walks to the center of the seal, stops.

The Quartet stands, breaks into "Hail to the Chief". GENERAL VERNON WALTERS comes to meet NIXON.

WALTERS

Welcome, Mister President.

NIXON

How's the job coming, Vernon?

WALTERS (walking with Nixon)

Frankly, sir? It stinks. I've got no staff, no
access. I'm lucky Helms lets me have an office.

NIXON

Well, you gotta bite the bullet, Vern. I need
somebody over here I can trust.

NIX00079

80.

[lc]

NIXON (cont'd)

(then)

Where the heck is Helms?

WALTERS

He asked me to take you upstairs. I think he's on the phone with his tennis pro.

NIXON

If I ever come here again, the sonofabitch will damn well meet me at the door!

70

INT. OPERATIONS CENTER & HELMS OFFICE - DAY

70

They walk past ANALYSTS laboring in isolation, behind plexiglass walls, the hum of computers, a dark austerity to the place. They all glance up as NIXON strides past.

WALTERS (aside)

Helms is nervous. He's heard you're looking for a new Director.

NIXON

Really? He certainly isn't acting nervous.

WALTERS

That's Helms. Never what you expect.

A door at the end of the hallway opens to reveal RICHARD HELMS waiting, extending his hand and his reptilian smile.

HELMS

I'm honored Dick, that you've come all the way out here to Virginia to visit us.

NIXON

My friends call me "Mister President."

HELMS (not missing a beat)

And so shall I.

Helms steps aside, gestures for Nixon to enter.

HELMS

Arrange for some coffee, would you General Walters?

Walters stares back a beat, bitterly, followed by a shared look with Nixon.

71

INT. HELMS' OFFICE - DAY (LATER)

71

Antique sofas and chairs, a breakfront filled with china, mahogany bookshelves. A fire burns in the hearth. NIXON is perched uncomfortably on a Louis XV chair. HELMS hands him a

NIX00079

81.

porcelain coffee cup. (Walters, Ehrlichman and Haldeman are not in the meeting.)

NIXON

Vernon Walters is a three-star general in the Marine Corps who speaks ten languages. (showing the coffee cup)...and this is what you use him for?

HELMS

I didn't choose him as my deputy, Mister President. You did.

Helms sits on a settee. He's a hard-to-read man.

HELMS

I suppose, Dick, you've come to fire me. But I must say -- knowing your history -- I'm honored you're doing it personally.

NIXON (poker-faced)

The contrary. I want you to know, Dick, that I think you're doing a magnificent job as DCI. And... I'd like you to continue on.

Helms, for once, is caught looking at this curve ball.

HELMS

I'm very flattered, Mister President. Of course I accept. And I'd like you to know that I work for one President at a time. You're my only client.

NIXON

Boss.

The two men stare at each other.

NIXON

I'm convinced these students are being funded and organized, whether they know it or not, by outside foreign interests. I want you to concentrate on this area.

HELMS (wearily)

Of course -- we've tried, but so far we've come up with nothing.

NIXON

It's important to... find something. (Helms nods) In the same vein, these leaks must be stopped. People like Jack Anderson, Hersh and Sheehan of the Times, people in the State Department, in the White House...

NIX00079

82.

HELMS

I'm sure you realize this is a very tricky area,
Mister President, given the present legislation.

NIXON

It's more important to me, and this
Administration's survival, that you pay close
attention to this.

Nixon fixes him with his stare. Helms understands.

NIXON

Another matter I want to clear up... It involves
some old papers. Papers I signed as Vice
President. I want the originals in my office and
I don't want copies anywhere else.

Knowing Nixon's cards, Helms relaxes -- about an inch.

HELMS

You're referring, of course, to. Track 2?

NIXON

Yes...

HELMS

As you know... Track 2 was a unique operation.
It's not uncommon in such cases that thing are not
committed to paper.

NIXON

Of course. (then) But... I'm primarily interested
in the documents concerning The Bay of Pigs. The
ones that put your people together with the
others.

This one Helms realizes is the fastball. A moment. Helms
moves to the breakfront, pours himself another coffee.

HELMS

Kennedy threatened to smash the CIA into a
thousand pieces. You could do the same...

NIXON

I'm not Jack Kennedy. Your agency is secure.

HELMS (stirs the
coffee)

Not if I give you all the cards...

NIXON

I'm under a lot of pressure to withdraw in
Southeast Asia. I promised the American people

NIX00079

83.

NIXON (cont'd)

peace with honor. That could take a long time,
one, two years...before the '72 election...

Meanwhile your agency will continue at current
levels of funding.

HELMS (sips his coffee)

Current levels may not be sufficient.

NIXON

The President would support a reasonable request
for an increase.

Helms smiles, faintly.

HELMS

I'll order a search for your papers. But it does
raise a disturbing issue.

Nixon raises his eyebrows.

HELMS

About Cuba. We have intelligence that a Soviet
submarine has docked at Cienfuegos.

NIXON (cryptic)

Well, we'll lodge a formal protest.

HELMS

I don't think it's a formality, Mister President.
Kennedy made a verbal promise to the Russians not
to invade Cuba. You authorized Doctor Kissinger to
put this in writing, sir?

Nixon is taken aback by Helms' inside knowledge.

NIXON

Are you taping Kissinger?

HELMS

My job is knowing what others don't want me to
know.

NIXON

Not if you have spies in the White House it isn't.

HELMS

It is not my practice. policy to spy on the
President. This knowledge comes from other
sources. Chinese sources.

Nixon stares at him. What an excellent liar!

NIX00079

84.

[LC]

NIXON

Mr. Helms, we've lived with Communism in Cuba for
ten years.

HELMS

It has never been the policy of this government to
accept that. And it is certainly not CIA policy.

NIXON

CIA policy? The CIA has no policy, Mister Helms.
Except what I dictate to you...(beat, they stare each
other down) I adjust to the world as it is today, not
as you or I wanted it to be ten years ago.

HELMS

Is this why you and Kissinger are negotiating with
the Chinese?

A beat.

NIXON

I am not negotiating with China.

Helms looks back at him. Nixon, too, is an excellent liar.

HELMS

This is an extremely dangerous direction, Mister
President. Much more dangerous than you know.

NIXON

But...if we were able to separate China from Russia
once and for all, we could--can create a balance of
power that would secure the peace into the next
century.

HELMS

By offering Cuba to the Russians as a consolation
prize?

NIXON

Cuba would be a small price to pay.

HELMS

So Mister Kennedy thought.

72

INT. WHITE HOUSE - RESIDENCE - NIXON'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 72

A huge room, four poster bed, fire in the fireplace. NIXON has
his jacket off, on the phone, drinking scotch.

A SERIES OF JUMP CUTS reveal Nixon as a heavy phone user, pacing, dialing.

NIX00079

85.

[LC]

NIXON

It was sudden death, Bebe. But I think I kicked
Helms' ass!

JUMP CUT TO:

NIXON

Edgar's pissin' in my tent. He's got no choice.
He hates McGovern and Humphrey doesn't like him.

JUMP CUT TO:

NIXON

Billy, I need you up here for a big Sunday
congregation. I think we're turning this around...

JUMP CUT TO:

NIXON

John you wouldn't believe some of the reviews
we're getting. The phone's been ringing off the
hook... do you think I was too soft tonight on TV?

JUMP CUT TO:

NIXON

What would you do, Lyndon? On a scale of one to
ten?

JUMP CUT TO:

NIXON

Bob, I want to get on this agricultural subsidy
thing again. I don't want to let it go. Tomorrow
at 10 bring me Finch and the budget boys. And in
the afternoon I want to talk "energy." We have to
rethink our entire energy needs to the end of the
century.

The door opens and PAT is in the doorway in a robe. She
obviously has come from a separate room. Dick turns and see
her. She looks like a ghost.

NIXON

What are you... It's three-thirty.

PAT

I've been lonely.

Dick is in the middle of dialing another number, picks it up.

NIXON

You've been drinking. (into the phone) Bob, I
forgot -- what do I have tomorrow?

NIX00079

86.

[LC]

PAT (softly)
No I haven't... It just looks like it.

NIXON (into the phone)
Well, clear the afternoon and tell Bebe I'm coming
down to Key Biscayne.

He hangs up, turns. Pat is standing behind him.

NIXON
What do you want, Buddy?

She approaches in a seductive manner. Dick steps to the
dresser, removes his tie.

NIXON
We've been through this.

Pat moves even closer.

PAT
Do you remember when you used to drive me on dates
with the other boys? You didn't want to let me out
of your sight. (then) It's been such a long time,
Dick...we've won...

Nixon
I don't need that. (then) I'm not Jack Kennedy.

PAT
No, you're not. You've never been unfaithful to
me. And I've never been unfaithful to you.

NIXON
Buddy, I don't want to talk about..."sex".

Pat looks at him, crestfallen.

PAT
I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone.

She starts to the door. But she turns.

PAT
Dick?

NIXON
Yes...

PAT
You've got it. Everything you ever wanted. Why
can't you just... enjoy it?

NIX00079

87.

[LC]

Dick just looks at her with nothing to say.

PAT
What is it you're afraid of?

NIXON
I'm not afraid. I'm just...

PAT
Dick Helms. Edgar Hoover. The students. The Press --

NIXON
They're playing for keeps, Buddy. You know how they hate me.

PAT
All of them. They're all your enemies.

NIXON
Yes.

PAT
You personally.

NIXON
Yes! (ranting) This is about me. Why can't you understand that, you of all people? It's not the war, it's not the bombing--it's Nixon! That want to destroy Nixon! And if I expose myself even the slightest bit they'll tear my inside out. Do you want that? Do you want to see that, Buddy?

PAT
Sometimes I think that's what you want.

NIXON
What the hell are you saying? You sound like them now. Are you? Are you one of them, too?

PAT
What's happening to you?

NIXON
I'm finding out who my enemies really are.

PAT
Everyone.
(then)
No one can live like this, Dick.

NIXON
What makes you say that! Damn it Buddy, we have the Presidency now. We're on top! There's nothing to fear except re-election.

NIX00079

88.

[LC]

Pat looks at him.

PAT
Jack Kennedy had the Presidency.

She walks to the door.

NIXON
It's not my fault he died! I felt it too.

She turns.

PAT
Whatever you're hiding, Dick, the Presidency will
only expose it... And they'll know what I've known
all along... (then) And I still love you.

She leaves. He is bothered, shuffles to the phone, picks it up.

73

INT. WHITE HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

73

NIXON (V.O.)
Manolo! Where the hell are you?

The lights come on, revealing MANOLO SANCHEZ, the valet, in
the doorway, wearing a bathrobe and slippers.

MANOLO
I was asleep, Mister President. What can I get
you?

NIXON
Just... uh... you know.

MANOLO
Of course.

Manolo moves to a cabinet on the far side of the kitchen.
Takes out a bottle of Chivas, puts ice into a tumbler.

NIXON
Do you miss Cuba, Manolo?

MANOLO
Yes, Mister President.

NIXON
We let you down, didn't we. Your people.

MANOLO
That was Mister Kennedy.

NIX00079

89.

[LC]

NIXON
You don't think he was a hero, do you?

Manolo pours Nixon a drink.

MANOLO (shrugs)
He was a politician.

NIXON (swallows the drink)
Did you cry when he died?

MANOLO
Yes.

Pause.

NIXON (almost to himself)
How did he do that?
(looks outside)
All those kids...why do they hate me so
much?

74

EXT. LINCOLN MEMORIAL - PRE-DAWN

74

NIXON gets out of the front of the Presidential LIMOUSINE.
MANOLO watches him walk to the foot of the steps.

Nixon looks up: surreal. The Lincoln Memorial has been
turned into a pagan temple. FIRES burn on the broad marble
steps, half-naked KIDS sleep below the immense columns.
Hendrix plays faintly on a portable radio. Nixon starts up
the steps, picking his way among the sleeping forms.

He passes a GIRL, tripping, eyes closed, twirling a long
scarf over her head. He stares at her, steps on a sleeping
bag.

BOY
Fuck, man. That's my fuckin' leg--

The BOY's jaw drops. Nixon towers over him. An apparition.

NIXON
You just go back to sleep now, young fella.

BOY
((rubs his eyes))
This is some nasty shit...

Nixon reaches the top of the monument. Taped to one of the
pillars is a poster: Nixon scowling and the motto "Would You
Buy A Used Car From This Man?"

NIX00079

90.

[LC]

Nixon peers at it, moves inside. Nixon looks up at LINCOLN in the eerie firelight. Banners with peace signs have been draped over his shoulders, bunches of flowers between his fingers.

A small GROUP of STUDENTS are talking among themselves. They see Nixon, stop. Stunned. Nixon strides toward them.

NIXON
Hi, I'm Dick Nixon.

KID
You're shittin' me.

NIXON
Where you from?

YOUNG WOMAN
Syracuse.

NIXON
The Orangemen! Now there's a football program. Jim Brown. And that other tailback...

KID
Floyd Little?

NIXON
No, no. The Heisman winner... (snaps his fingers) ...the one with the blood disease...

KID
Ernie Davis.

NIXON
Right, right. I used to play a little ball myself at Whittier. (laughs nervously) Of course, they used me as a tackling dummy...

Young woman
We didn't come here to talk about football.

NIXON
No, of course not. (then) Anybody here from California? You know we've got the greatest surfing beach in the world in San Clemente--

YOUNG WOMAN
Mister Nixon--

NIXON
The Marine Corps had it closed down but I told 'em "You open up that beach for the kids." (winks)

Part of our environmental program.

NIX00079

91.

[LC]

YOUNG WOMAN (emphatic)
We came here to end the war.

NIXON
So did I.

The CROWD around Nixon is growing larger.

YOUNG WOMAN
Then why don't you do it?

NIXON
Look. I know you think I'm a real SOB, but maybe
you didn't see the press conference tonight. The
point I was trying to make was: I feel the same
things you do. I want peace. But how do you get
peace? We can argue over that. But one thing's for
sure -- you never get it by quitting.

AGENT (O.S.: shouts)
Mister President!

Nixon turns.SECRET SERVICE AGENTS have secured the steps,
train automatic weapons on the kids. COLSON appears.

NIXON (waves them off)
It's all right, Chuck, we're just rapping.

NIXON
Change comes slowly. I've withdrawn more than
half the troops. I'm trying to cut the military
budget for the first time in 30 years. I've got a
health insurance plan, a campaign reform plan, I
want an all-volunteer army. I want --

STUDENT (INTERRUPTS)
My little brother was killed in Vietnam. He was
eighteen.

Nixon stops.

NIXON
Look...uh... I've seen a lot of kids die too, in
World War Two. Believe me, I don't want this war
any more than you do.

STUDENT
Then do something about it. You don't want the
war. We don't want the war. The Vietnamese don't
want the war. So why does it go on?

NIXON
I know it's hard to understand, but it's not just
the war. It's our position in the world, it's
America's credibility --

NIX00079

93.

NIXON

She got it, Chuck. A 19 year-old college kid...

COLSON

What?

NIXON

She understood something it's taken me twenty-five
years in politics to understand. The CIA, the
Mafia, the Wall Street bastards...

COLSON

Sir?

NIXON (climbing into the limo, mutters)
..."The Beast." She understands "the Beast."

The door closes. The LIMOUSINE is whisked away under
searchlight and heavy security.

75

INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - MORNING (SAME DAY)

75

Several hours later, NIXON is slumped unshave in his leather
chair rambling into the phone as HALDEMAN and EHRLICHMAN
enter. Nixon motions them in as he talks:

NIXON (on the phone)

They just don't understand, John. Or they don't
want to. They make me into this dotty political
monster trying to talk football with student
saints...such crap! (listens) Alright.

As he hangs up, he pounds the morning NEWSPAPERS.

NIXON

You seen these? They got it all wrong again! I
talk for an hour about Vietnam and they all quote
some fuckin' girl 'bout surfing!

EHRLICHMAN

Sir, you're not at your most effective right now.
Maybe you were too tired to get your point across
to them... I don't think you should've...

NIXON (exploding out of his chair)

Tired?! Were you THERE John! Neither were these
goddamn reporters, that's why they're pissed! You
know it's a sad fucking day when the President's
staff believes the newspaper version instead of
the President's!

(turns back on Ehrlichman)

They want my head? They want it like a trophy, to
mount on the wall of their fucking newsroom!

NIX00079

94.

[LC]

NIXON (cont'd)

(collapses back into his seat)

Democrats! Even my own fucking Cabinet fucks me, for godsakes. Defense, Interior, State -- they all leak their opposition to whatever I do. They make me look weak; that's why nothing gets done in government, they nip you to death from every direction. I won't be a puppet!

76

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - ROSE GARDEN - DAY

76

DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE --- The White House is still ringed. *
ARMED TROOPS patrol Pennsylvania Avenue. The BUSES are drawn *
up. SMOKE is in the air. The SOUNDS of cherry bombs going *
off. *

PROTESTOR

End the war! Throw the fascist out! Dick Nixon *
before he dick's you. *

Inside the barricade, a fairyland. A white lattice gazebo *
draped with flowers. Tricia's wedding is in preparation. *
GROUNDSKEEPERS and various PERSONNEL lay out the church altar.*

77

INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - THE BLUE ROOM - DAY

77 *

J. EDGAR HOOVER joins NIXON, in his WEDDING tuxedo, at the window, looking out at the PROTESTORS.

HOOVER

Remember what Lenin said in 1917, Mr. President: 'the power was lying in the streets just waiting for someone to pick it up!' The Communists have never been closer than they are now. You're under siege.

NIXON (exhausted, on edge)

The little bastards think they can make me pull out of Vietnam by dancing naked in the Reflecting Pond. *

HOOVER

Go back to the old themes. The ones that made you President. Let the Communists know you're onto them.

NIXON

There must be a quarter million of them out there.

HOOVER

Very dangerous to quit. Remember: Kennedy, Bobby and King were all against the war. Take my advice -- don't give an inch on the war... Johnson bombed Laos for years and nobody knew.

NIX00079

95.

NIXON

But I can't keep a damned secret, Edgar! Look at
the damned headline of The New York Times!
Christ, they steal papers right out of Kissinger's
briefcase. They leaked my damn briefing books!

HOOVER

I can put a stop to the leaks. Just give me the
authorization and I'll bug them all. (then)
Bobby Kennedy did.

Nixon thinks about it.

NIXON

Who would you go after?

HOOVER

Kissinger's people, of course. The press corps.
And certain people here.

NIXON

Like who?

HOOVER

You have CIA people all over this House. Helms has
seen to that.

NIXON

I'd want the transcripts sent to me personally.

HOOVER (nods)

Of course. Johnson bugged himself because of it.
Did you know that?

NIXON (nods)

We took his system out.

HOOVER

Why? The White House was full of Kennedy people.
He couldn't trust them. It's still full of
Kennedy people.

NIXON

They think they've got me on the ropes, Edgar.

HOOVER

If I were you, I'd put the system back in.

NIXON

Bug myself?... Who'd hear them?

HOOVER

No one. Your record. Your property. Keeps things
straight. For history. It would prove your case.

NIX00079

96.

[LC]

NIXON

Churchill used to say to me 'if you want your own history written properly, you must write it yourself'...

HOOVER

You should sign the order yourself.

NIXON

The President can't sign a thing like that.

HOOVER

Well, I certainly can't.

NIXON

Mitchell'll sign it. Just don't let it come back at me.

HOOVER

It won't. As long as I'm here.

Nixon, looking troubled, shows Hoover 'out' past a small door into a BATHROOM...there is an awkward pause, as both men pretend it isn't happening. Hoover exits the regular door. We hear the love theme from "Doctor Zhivago" as we

*

CUT TO:

78

INT. EAST ROOM - DAY

78

Champagne, white lace, the MUSICIANS wear morning coats. To the sound of wedding MUSIC, NIXON takes a turn with his daughter TRICIA in gown. He has never seemed happier.

NIXON

I am very proud of you today, princess. Very.

When one of the GROOMSMEN cuts in, Nixon asks several OTHERS to dance. He retreats to JULIE's side. Julie says something sweet but unheard to him. They are interrupted by an anxious COLSON who takes him aside, whispers. Nixon's face darkens. * He walks away. *

*

*

PAT looks over. Nixon is jabbing his finger at Colson. She * turns, angry, to Julie. *

*

*

PAT

Your Dad's very upset. The New York Times just came out with some stolen Pentagon documents. (then) We are not going to buckle to these people.

She looks over, distraught, at her husband who now sits isolated in one of the chairs at the far end of the balcony. He seems lost in thought. HALDEMAN closes in on him.

CUT TO:

NIX00079

97.

[LC]

79

INT. WHITE HOUSE - CABINET ROOM - DAY (1971)

79

CABINET MEMBERS chat, lean back in their chairs, smoking -- as*
NIXON suddenly erupts into the room, a focused fury on his
face. He goes to the head of the table, slams The New York
Times down. CLOSE -- we can make out the words "Pentagon
Papers."

NIXON

Gentlemen, we've had our last damned leak! This is
no way to run a goddamn government. We're going to
prosecute the hell out of Ellsberg and anyone else
who wants to leak. And that means any one of you
who crosses the line, I'm personally going
after...

INTERCUTTING among the faces -- KISSINGER predominant.

NIXON

J. Edgar Hoover may be old and toothless, God
bless his soul, but I am telling you, the
- permissiveness of this era is over. The government
cannot survive with a counter-government inside
it. I know how traitors operate--I've dealt with
them all my life. This is bullshit to the effect-
-some stenographer did it--that's never the case.
It's never the little people--little peopel do not
leak. It's always a sonufabitch who leaks! The
Harvard boys with the silk suits and the private
agendas who wanna be heros.

Nixon grabs the paper, shakes it.

NIXON

Ellsberg did this "for the good of the country". I
suppose you've never heard that one before. Alger
Hiss and the Rosenbergs said the same damn crap.
Well, we're gonna let them know we can fight just
as dirty. This is sudden eath, gentlemen. We're
gonna get 'em on the ground, stick in our spikes
and twist, show 'em no mercy!

Nixon looks around the room, the Cabinet Members are stunned.

NIXON

This administration is a goddamn disaster. We've
had 38 of 40 pieces of our domestic legislation
defeated in Congress. Unless we turn things
around, we'll all be looking for jobs next year.

-(then)

Starting today, nobody in this room talks to the
press without clearing it first with Haldeman.
That means a complete freeze on the New York
Times, CBS, Jack Anderson and the Washington Post!

NIX00079

99.

[LC]

A CUBAN FRIEND hands him two flaming shots of rum.

HUNT
Gracias, Pachi.

STURGIS (privately)
Does Tricky Dick know about us?

Hunt smiles, sips the rum with Sturgis.

HUNT
I won't tell him if you won't.

The HANDLERS throw TWO NEW FIGHTING COCKS into the ring. They
start to rip each other.

HUNT (chewing on his churo)
The claws are out, Frank.

81 INT. FIELDING PSYCHIATRIST OFFICE - NIGHT (1971) 81 *

As seen before. A GLASS shatters, a CROWBAR jacks open the
door marked: "Dr. Lewis J. Fielding, Pschiatrist."

NIXON (V.O.)
History will neer be the same again.

Cabinets full of pills are overturned. A FILE FOLDELR is
ripped from a cabinet. In the flashlight beam, the file reads
"Daniel Ellsberg."

NIXON (V.O.)
My friends, we've taken a step into the future.
We have changed the world.

"America the Beautiful" MUSIC takes us into:

82 INT. MAO-TSE-TUNG'S OFFICE - BEIJING - DAY (1972) 82 *

SUBTITLE READS -- "February 1972" *

Nixon beams, standing under a huge red flag bearing the hammer*
and sickle. The "America" theme is being played on *
traditional Chinese instruments as CHINESE PHOTOGRAPHERS are *
allowed to take stiff portraits.

NIXON
...we know you've taken great risk in inviting us
here. For us also it was a difficult decision.

Mao stares at Nixon and replies in Chinese, which the
INTERPRETER repeats:

NIX00079

100.

[LC]

MAO

I took no risk. (half smiles)

I'm not afraid of what my people think. I'm too
old to be afraid of what anyone thinks.

Nixon smiles as they move to chairs.

TIME CUT TO:

MAO and NIXON are seated in armchairs opposite each other,
KISSINGER to the other side of Mao. INTERPRETERS between.

media res:

MAO

Don't trust them. They never tell the truth or
honor their committments. Vietnamese are like
Russians. Both are dogs.

Mao doesn't seem to be taking any of this too seriously; in
fact, he seems a little medicated.

NIXON (clears his throat)

Mister Chairman, there is an old saying: "the
enemy of my enemy is my friend."

MAO (smiles)

That has the added virtue of being true.

KISSINGER (laughs)

You know, Mister Chairman, at Harvard I used your
writings in my class.

MAO

What a waste of time. My writings means
absolutely nothing.

KISSINGER

But your writings have changed the world, Mister
Chairman.

MAO (laughs)

Bullshit. I've only managed to change a few
things around the city of Beijing. (then: to
Kissinger) I want to know your secret.

KISSINGER

Secret, Mister Chairman?

MAO

How a short man gets so many girls?

Mao howls at his own joke.

NIX00079

102.

[LC]

REPORTERS (cont'd)

"stone age tactic," and Nixon a "maddened tyrant"
... Nixon's only response: When the Vietnamese
take the peace talks seriously, he'll stop.

STOCK FOOTAGE --moving through a bank of clouds towards the
sun.

83

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - PRESIDENT'S CABIN - SUNSET (1972)

83

NIXON is looking out the window. HALDEMAN and EHRLICHMAN sit
across from him at a small conference table. PAT is next to
her husband but he pays little attention.

NIXON

Think of the life that man has led. A real leader.
In '52 I called Mao a monster. Now he could be our
best ally. (pause) It worked. Only Nixon could've
done that.

HALDEMAN (holds up his drink)

Hear, Hear!

PAT

Dick...

She puts her hand on his hand.

PAT

Congratulations.

KISSINGER walks into the cabin, elated.

KISSINGER

We've got the Russians where we want them! They're
calling!

*

HALDEMAN

You think Brezhnev'll sign the treaty?

KISSINGER

He doesn't have a choice! He has to shift missiles
from Europe to the Chinese border. With one
stroke, the balance of power moves completely in
our favor. This is a coup, Mister President!

HALDEMAN

Nobel Peace Prize, Henry!
(sees the look on Nixon's face)

*

*

NIXON

Don't get too excited. The press'll find some way
to shaft Nixon on this one.

NIX00079

103.

PAT

It's not the press that matters. Nixon's wife is
proud of him.

He squeezes her hand.

HALDEMAN

Listen, chief, the copy they were filing from
China was great.

NIXON

Wait till the mai-tais wear off.

HALDEMAN

The country's loving it. Your numbers are through
the roof.

NIXON

I tell you this, the 4 million "Nixon nuts" aren't
going to like this. Not at all, they're gonna say
I sold out to the Communists.

KISSINGER

You'll pick up the middle on this one, maybe the
Jews and Negroes.

NIXON (a beat)

Jews and the Negroes don't win elections, Henry.
Better to hang them around Democrat necks. You're
talking too much about black Africa, Henry. It's
pissing off the rednecks. The blacks are lost.
Don't let it lose you the right wing vote...

A silence as the sour notes depress everyone.

NIXON (feeling the deflation)

Hey, I sound like my father now. Let's have a
drink!

Pat smiles. ZIEGLER pokes his head in.

ZIEGLER

Boss, the press guys asked if you could come back
for a minute.

NIXON

Fuck 'em.

KISSINGER

I'll go back, Mister President.

NIX00079

104.

[LC]

Everyone glares at Henry.

ZIEGLER

No, they want you, Mister President. I really think it would be a good move.

Nixon puts aside his drink, gets up.

NIXON

Gentlemen, I go now to discover the exact length, width and depth of the shaft.

84

INT. AIR FORCE ONE - PRESS CABIN - DAY

84

NIXON closes the door behind him, turns.

DOZENS of REPORTERS stand, burst into applause.

He is momentarily stunned, then he moves down the aisle. Shaking hands. The reporters continue applauding. Nixon, for once, is deeply moved. On the sound of applause, we:

CUT TO:

85

EXT. JONES RANCH - TEXAS - DAY

85

An enormous BRAHMA BULL, red-eyed snorting, thrashing viciously against the reinforced walls of its pen. NIXON and JACK JONES stand on a platform overlooking it.

JONES (V.O.)

There's two kinds of bulls, Mister President. Your good bull and your bad bull. This here's a bad bull. You piss him off, he'll kill everything in his path. Only way to stop him is to shoot him.

*

A WRANGLER climbs carefully into the chute. The Brahma lunges for him.

JONES

Eddie, you be damned careful with that beast. His nuts are worth a lot more'n yours.

He leads Nixon down the steps.

JONES (cagy)

Why'd you want this meeting, Mr. President?

NIXON

It's me or Wallace, Jack. Wallace's third party is only going to help McGovern. I need your help.

JONES

You been chock full of surprises so far, Mister President.

*

NIX00079

105.

[LC]

86

INT. JONES RANCH - LIVING ROOM - DAY

86

NIXON and HALDEMAN are standing by the hearth. A DOZEN BUSINESSMEN are gathered round, drinking cognac and smoking cigars. Among them we recognize THE CUBAN, MITCH, BILLY, some OTHERS. It's heated.

JONES

It looks like to me we're gonna lose a war for the first time in our history and you're going along with it, buying into this Kissinger "detente" bullshit with the Communists.

NIXON

Jack, we're not living in the same country you and I knew in 46. Our people are just not gonna sacrifice in major numbers for war. We can't even get 'em to accept cuts in their gas tanks, hell, the Arabs and the Japanese are...

JONES

And whose fault is that?

NIXON

It's nobody's fault, Jack. It's a fact of history.

An uncomfortable silence.

MITCH

So...how's the food over there in China, Mister Nixon?

NIXON

Free, if you're the President. (nervous laughter.)

BILLY

What are you going to do about this Allende fellow nationalizing our businesses in Chile? You gonna send Kissinger down there?

NIXON

We're gonna get rid of him -- Allende -- just as fast as we can.

MITCH

How about Kissinger along with him?

NIXON

Kissinger's misunderstood, he's far more...

NIX00079

106.

[LC]

CUBAN

Like we got rid of Castro, Mister Nixon?

An uncomfortable silence. Jones walks closer to Nixon.

JONES

Desi's got a point. What the hell we gonna do
about the Communists right here in our backyard!

NIXON

What do you mean, Jack?

JONES

I mean I got federal price controls on my oil. The
ragheads are beating the shit out of me. And I got
your EPA environment bullshit with its thumb so
far up my ass it's scratching my ear.

HALDEMAN

Gentlemen, I think it's about time for us to be
getting to the airport.

NIXON

Let him finish, Bob.

JONES

And now I have got a federal judge ordering me to
bus my kids halfway cross town to go to school
with some nigger kids. I think, Mister President,
you're forgetting who put you where you are.

NIXON

The American people put me where I am.

Jones smirks. They all smirk. A dreadful moment.

JONES

Really? Well, that can be changed.

Dead silence. Nixon moves closer to Jones.

NIXON

Jack, they say politics is the art of compromise.
I learned it the hard way. I don't think you have
...if you don't like it, there's an election in
November. Take your money and your fight into the
open. How 'bout it Jack? Are you willing to do
that?

Nixon is right in Jones's face now.

NIXON

Because if you're uncomfortable with the EPA up
your ass, try the IRS...

NIX00079

107.

[LC]

JONES
Are you threatening me, Dick?

NIXON (softly)
Presidents don't threaten. They don't have to.
(then) Good day, gentlemen.

*

As he walks out with Haldeman, there is a stone silence.

87 EXT. TEXAS LANDSCAPE - DAY

87

As the PRESIDENTIAL CAR pulls away, we hear:

REPORTERS (V.O.)
...in a stunning landslide, Richard Nixon has crushed George McGovern in the 1972 Presidential election. It is the 2nd biggest landslide in American history, but...

88 EXT. AIR FORCE ONE - DAY (STOCK FOOTAGE)

88

The plane flying through clouds. A royal feeling.

REPORTERS (V.O.)
...the Democrats have increased their majority in the House and the Senate. As the new term begins, there is mounting evidence of strong hostility to President Nixon's mandate for a "new American Revolution". However, it does not seem the Watergate investigations have, up to now, damaged Nixon politically in any significant way...

89 INT. AIR FORCE ONE -- PRESIDENT'S CABIN - NIGHT

89

NIXON looks out the window, to HALDEMAN next to him making notes on his ubiquitous clipboard.

NIXON
The Presidency isn't enough.

HALDEMAN
Sir?

NIXON
The Presidency by itself won't protect us, Bob.
We're beyond politics now.

*

Haldeman is puzzled. EHRLICHMAN enters the cabin, excited, extending an urgent cable. He is followed by long-haired JOHN DEAN.

EHRLICHMAN

Boss, just in from Paris! The Vietnamese just accepted our peace proposal! Kissinger says they're going in! You won!

*

*

*

*

NIX00079

109.

[lc]

Paranoia is setting in like a storm cloud on Nixon.

NIXON

What about these Watergate clowns, John? Sirica's crazy. Thirty-five years sentence! There were no weapons. Right? No injuries, there was no success! It's just ridiculous.

DEAN

Sirica's just trying to force one of them to testify. But they're solid.

NIXON

But what about this Washington Post crap? Woodwind and Fernstein?

DEAN

Well, they're trying to connect Bob and John to a secret fund but they don't have much. The FBI's feeding me all their reports. Don't lose anymore sleep on it, sir.

NIXON (mutters, relieved)

Good man, John, good man.

They all fall silent, feeling that false sense of security as the sound of the jet stream takes over.

NIXON

You know they all miss the point. Probably our biggest achievement as an Administration, when it's all said and done, isn't China or Russia. It's pulling out of Vietnam without a right-wing revolt...

90

INT. WHITE HOUSE - PRESS CONFERENCE - EAST ROOM - DAY

90

SUBTITLE READS: JANUARY 1973

NIXON is concluding his statement to the PRESS.

NIXON

...I can therefore announce that our long and tragic involvement in Vietnam is at an end. Our mission is accomplished, we have a cease-fire, our prisoners of war are coming back, and South Vietnam has the right to determine its own future. We have peace with honor.

The REPORTERS are immediately on their feet. A MONTAGE of QUICK CUTS follows to give the impression of a hostile and never-ending barrage of questions without satisfactory answers.

NIX00079

[LC]

111.

EHRLICHMAN

He got pretty burned at Chappaquidick

NIXON

My point exactly! Somebody had to die before his shit would get in the papers! Fucking Kennedys get away with everything. Do you see me screwing everything that moves?

Haldeman glares at Ehrlichman.

NIXON

What?

HALDEMAN (looking at memo)

Looks like Ehrlichman and I are going to have to testify before Ervin's committee.

NIXON

No! No, you're not! You're going to claim executive privilege and you're going to stonewall it all the way -- plead the fifth amendment, I don't give a shit. They can't force a President's people to testify!

EHRLICHMAN

It'll look like we're covering up.

NIXON

We are covering up! For some stupid petty shit.

DEAN is standing in the doorway, shuts it.

DEAN

I'm afraid it may not be petty anymore.
(then)
Howard Hunt's wife is dead.

They all stare at him.

NIXON

Was it an accident?

DEAN

Apparently. A plane crash, in Chicago.
(then)
They found ten thousand dollars in hundreds on her body.

EHRLICHMAN

Can it be traced to us?

NIX00079

[LC]

112.

DEAN
I don't think so. But Hunt wants more money.
Another hundred and thirty thousand.

NIXON (jaw tightens)
Fuck.

DEAN
He says if he doesn't get it, he'll blow us out of
the water.

A beat.

NIXON
Pay him.

HALDEMAN
We have got to cut this off. Whatever it is --
it's out of control.

NIXON
It's Helms, I tell you. It's got to be Helms.
What did he say?

HALDEMAN
I told him you felt this whole thing was related
to the Bay of Pigs...

FLASHBACK TO:

92 INT. CIA - HELMS OFFICE - DAY

92

HELMS sitting across from HALDEMAN.

HALDEMAN
...this entire affair, the President wants you to
know, is related to the Bay of Pigs, and if it
opens up...

Helms grips the arms of his chair and leans forward,
excitably, and yells at Haldeman.

HELMS
The Bay of Pigs had nothing to do with this! I
have no concern about the Bay of Pigs!!

Haldeman is shocked by Helms' violent reaction.

HALDEMAN
I'm sorry. This is what the President told me to
relay to you.

NIX00079

113.

[LC]

HELMS (settling back)
All right...

BACK TO:

93 INT. OVAL OFFICE - DAY (1973)

93

RESUME SCENE -- HALDEMAN, EHRLICHMAN, DEAN and NIXON.

*

HALDEMAN

...I was wondering what's such dynamite in this Bay of Pigs story? (Nixon stares, nothing)...but all of a sudden it was no problem for the Agency to go talk to the FBI, which they did. And the FBI is cooperating.

NIXON

Good! What about the documents he promised?

HALDEMAN

He'll give us the documents.
(then)
But he wants to be Ambassador to Iran.

Nixon stares at him, distracted.

NIXON

I promised Iran to Palmer.

HALDEMAN

Belgium's available.

NIXON

Palmer gave us 300 grand. Belgium's not worth more than 100, 150..

HALDEMAN

Helms says Iran or no deal.

NIXON

For God's sake, when does this end!

DEAN (suddenly)

Executive clemency!!

*

NIXON

What?

*

DEAN

Hunt has nothing to lose now. Pardon all of them. Nobody's going to investigate a crime for which the criminals have already been pardoned.

NIX00079

115.

[LC]

Nixon looks out the window. Suddenly, he looks very old and
very tired in the gray Washington light.

NIXON
Jesus, I'm so goddamn worn out with this...

94

INT. WHITE HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY

94 *

HALDEMAN and EHRLICHMAN leave the President's office. They're
pensive, on the move. They come to a huddle next to a window
in an isolated alcove.

EHRLICHMAN
Who's gonna tell Mitchell?

HALDEMAN
You do it.

EHRLICHMAN
Why me?

HALDEMAN
Cause he hates you. It's worse when you get it
from someone you trust.

EHRLICHMAN
Okay. But he's wrong, you know...about Kennedy,
LBJ, Truman.

HALDEMAN
How so?

EHRLICHMAN
They did stuff, but nothing like this Bob --
forget Watergate, the break in's, the enemies'
list, beating up students. What about firebombing
the Brookings Institue, planting McGovern stuff on
the guy that shot Wallace...drugging Ed Muskie.

HALDEMAN (shrugs)
He just plays politics harder than anybody else.

EHRLICHMAN
You think this is just about politics?

They go inanimate as a White House STAFFER passes.

EHRLICHMAN (privately)
You think LBJ would ever have asked Hunt to forge
a cable implicating John Kennedy in the
assassination of the President of Vietnam?
(whispering fiercely)

NIX00079

116.

[LC]

How long have you known him Bob? Twenty years?
(then)

You ever shake hands with him? You ever have a
real conversation with him? We don't have a clue
what's going on inside that man. And look what
we're doing for him...

Erlichman glances around to make sure no one is listening. He
leans close.

EHRLICHMAN

This is about Richard Nixon. You got people dying
because he didn't make the varsity football team.
You got the Constitution hanging by a thread
because the Big Enchilada went to Whittier and not
to Yale. You got a dangerous situation Bob -- and
we're right in the middle of it.

(then)

And what the hell is this "Bay of Pigs" thing he
goes white every time it gets mentioned?

Haldeman, more bothered than he pretends, looks around.

HALDEMAN

It's a code or something.

EHRLICHMAN

Shit, I figured that out.

HALDEMAN (low whisper)

I think he means the Kennedy assassination.

EHRLICHMAN

Yeah?

HALDEMAN

They went after Castro. In some crazy way it got
turned on Kennedy. And it scares the shit out of
him, the boss.

EHRLICHMAN

Christ, we created Frankenstein with those fucking
Cubans.

Haldeman, in a rare moment, lets his guard down completely,
signs.

HALDEMAN

You know what bugs me -- we coulda killed this
whole thing off back in '72. Eight words and the
American public would've forgiven him -- "I
covered up. I was wrong. I'm sorry." But we
never opened our mouths, John, we faked him.

NIX00079

117.

EHRLICHMAN (more skeptical)

Dick Nixon saying "I'm sorry?" That'll be the
day. The whole suit of armor'd fall off.

HALDEMAN

So you tell Mitchell...

95

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. BRIDGE - NIGHT

95

A freezing night. Mist rises from the icy river. JOHN DEAN stands at the center of the bridge, looks down at the Potomac.

REPORTER (V.O.)

Lyndon Johnson passed away today at 74 -- one of
the most tragic of American Presidents...

HUNT (O.S.)

You're early John.

Dean jumps. Turns. HOWARD HUNT is standing behind him.

DEAN

I was sorry to hear about your wife.

HUNT (a look)

Yes...I got the money.

DEAN

The President would like to know if that was the
last payment.

HUNT

I'll bet he would.

DEAN

Is it?

HUNT (a beat)

In Richard Nixon's long history of underhanded
dealings he has never gotten better value for his
money. If I were to open my mouth, all the
dominoes would fall.

Hunt starts to walk away.

DEAN

Can I ask you a question?

Hunt turns.

DEAN

How the hell do you have the temerity to blackmail
the President of the United States?

N00079

118.

[LC]

**HUNT**

That's not the question, John. The question is:
why is he paying?

**DEAN**

To protect his people.

**HUNT**

I'm one of his people. And I'm going to jail.

**DEAN**

You'll serve no more than two years, then he'll
pardon you.

Hunt lights his pipe.

**HUNT**

John, sooner or later -- sooner I think -- you are
going to learn the lesson that has been learned by
everyone who has ever gotten close to Richard
Nixon. Eventually, it's either you or him. He's
the darkness reaching out for the darkness. Look
at the landscape of his life and you'll see a
graveyard.

Hunt throws the match into the river.

**HUNT**

...and that includes you, John.

96

INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY

96

JOHN DEAN, looking glum, walks down these corridors for his
meeting with the President. Passing the SECRETARIES who look
at him -- that furtive look of people who sense crisis.

**REPORTERS (V.O.)**

FBI Director-designate Patrick Gray shocked the
Senate by revealing that John Dean has been
secretly receiving FBI reports on Watergate...
Gray also said that Dean lied when he claimed
Howard Hunt did not have an office in the White
House...

Past Nixon's oldest secretary, ROSE MARY WOODS who looks at
him and smiles.

**ROSEMARY WOODS**

Five minutes late. Have a seat.

97

INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - DAY

97

SUBTITLE READS: MARCH, 1973

*

NIX00079

119.

DEAN is explaining his new outlook to a quiet NIXON.

DEAN

... this is the sort of thing Mafia people can do: washing money, and things like that. We just don't know about these things because we're not criminals.

On Nixon listening behind his desk, hands cupped over his mouth, frown across his face -- the classic Nixon image of a deep thinker. The Camera drops to his desk. And moves towards a MIKE drilled in the edge of the desk.

INTERCUT TO:

98

INT. FILE ROOM - BASEMENT - DAY

98 *

A bank of TAPE RECORDERS labelled "Oval Office", "Lincoln Room", "Phones 1-6", "EOB," are rolling. BACK TO SCENE AT OPTION:

NIXON

How much do you need?

DEAN

Uh I would say these people are going to cost a million dollars over the next two years...

NIXON

We could get that.

DEAN

Uh huh...

NIXON

We could get a million dollars. We could get it in cash. I know where it could be gotten.

INTERCUT: the TAPE rolling.

DEAN (pause)

I'm still not confident we can ride through this. I think there are soft spots...some people are going to have to go to jail. Hunt's not the only problem. Haldeman let me use the 350,000 cash fund in his safe to make the payments. Ehrlichman had a role, a big role in the Ellsberg break-in. And I'm... uh. I think it's time we begin to think in terms of cutting our losses.

NIXON (worried about Dean)

You say John, cut our losses and all the rest, and the thing blows and they indict Bob and the rest. Jesus, you'd never recover from that John. It's

*

*

NIX00079

[Lc]

121.

DEAN (with reluctance)

Yes sir.

Nixon, sensing Dean's resistence, glances towards the
microphone as he moves around the desk.

NIXON (loud and clear)

You're right. Maybe it's time to go the hang-out route,
John. A full and thorough investigation... We've
cooperated with the FBI, we'll cooperate with the
Senate. What do we have to hide? Dean, who is worried
about his own hide if the truth comes out, agrees.

DEAN (prompted)

No, we have nothing to hide.

NIXON (repeating)

We have nothing to hide. (then) But the only flaw
in the plan is that: they are not going to believe
the truth. That is the incredible thing!

Dean, who is worried about this own hide if the truth comes
out, agrees.

DEAN

I agree. It would be tricky. All this... maze leads
back here, and ... they would never understand.

Nixon leads John to the door, terminating the meeting.

NIXON

John, I want you to get away from this madhouse,
these reporters, and go up to Camp David for the
weekend. And I want you to write up a report. I
want you to put everything you know about
Watergate in there. Say, Mister President, here it
all is.

Nixon awkwardly puts his arm around Dean's shoulder. Dean
begins to sense a betrayal in the offing.

IMAGE -- Behind the SCRIM, we see Nixon's worst fear. JOHN *
DEAN is at a table plea bargaining with TWO PROSECUTORS, their*
backs to us.

DEAN (OVER)

You want me to put it all in writing? Over my
signature?

NIXON

Nobody knows more about this thing than you do,
John.

A pause.

NIX00079

122.

### DEAN

I'm not going to be the scapegoat for this. Halde-
man and Ehrlichman are in it just as deep as me.

### NIXON

John, you don't want to start down that road. I
remember what Whitaker Chambers told me back in
'48 -- and he was a man who suffered greatly -- he
said, "on the road of the informer, it's always
night."... (then) This is beyond you or even me.
It's the country, John. It's the Presidency.

### DEAN

I understand that, sir.

### NIXON

Good. You know how I feel about loyalty. I'm not
going to let anyone go to jail. That I promise
you.

(moves closer)

The important thing is to keep this away from
Haldeman and Ehrlichman. I'm trusting you to do
that, John. I have complete confidence in you.

Off Dean's face we-

CUT TO:

99 TELEVISION SCREEN - NIXON - NIGHT

99

NIXON on the TV screen, shaken, ashen-faced.

### NIXON

I was determined that we should get to the bottom
of Watergate and the truth should be fully brought
out no matter who was involved...

100 INT. CIA - HELMS' OFFICE - NIGHT (1973)

100

RICHARD HELMS, absently watching NIXON on TV, carries a
handful of documents to the fireplace. He drops them in the
fire, watches them burn.

### NIXON (on TV, struggles)

I have therefore today accepted the resignations
of two of my closest associates--bob haldeman and
john ehrlichman--two of the finest public servants
it has been my privilege to know...And also john
dean, the president's counsel. (check exact
language)

CLOSE on Helms burning documents.

NIX00079

123.

101 INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT 101

NIXON sits at his desk, holding a rigid expression.

FLOOR MANAGER (O.S.)
And... we're clear.

We stay on Nixon as the film lights go off, leaving him in
shadow. He is very sad.

ALEXANDER HAIG, Nixon's new Chief-of-Staff, seen earlier in
the film, watches Nixon for a moment, turns to the VIDEO CREW.

HAIG (softly)
Out.

102 INT. NIXON WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT 102

NIXON at one end, PAT at the other eat in a dreadful silence, attended by MANOLO, and SERVANTS who move nervously, anxious to have the dinner over with.

PAT (finally)
I'm giving a tea for the wives of the POWs.

Nixon doesn't respond.

PAT
Are you going to Key Biscayne?

Nixon doesn't look up.

NIXON
Yes.

PAT
Ron told me that Bob Haldeman has been calling. If
he's convicted, will you pardon him?

NIXON
No.

She looks at him.

PAT
...why are you doing this? Why are you cutting
yourself off from the rest of us?
(then)
Can't we discuss this?

Nixon slowly sets his spoon down, an icy stare.

NIX00079

124.

NIXON

What exactly did you want to discuss?

PAT

You. What you're doing --

NIXON (interrupts)

And what am I doing?

PAT

I wish I knew. You're hiding.

NIXON

Hiding what!

PAT

Whatever it is you've always been hiding. God
knows you're destroying yourself Dick. You won't
even ask for help!

Nixon pauses, rings the dinner bell. MANOLO reappears at the
door.

NIXON

Mrs. Nixon is finished.

Pat looks as if she's been slapped, slowly puts down her
silverware. MANOLO clears away her plate.

PAT

I'm the only one left, Dick. If you don't even
talk to me, you...

NIXON

Brezhnev's coming in three days. I don't want to
deal with them. And him. And you.

Pat sits rigid for a moment.

PAT

Why is this happening... How much more is it going
to cost? When do the rest of us stop paying off
your debts?

Nixon puts down his fork, embarrassed. Manolo has beat a hasty
retreat.

NIXON

I'd like to finish my dinner in peace. It's not
too much to ask.

Pat stands slowly.

NIX00079

125.

[LC]

PAT

No, it isn't. I won't interfere with you anymore.
I'm finished trying.

NIXON

Thank you.

PAT (incredulous)

Thank you? (then) Dick, sometimes I understand why
they hate you.

Nixon watches her walk out the door. Then, he picks up his
fork and continues eating.

SENATOR SAM ERVIN (V.O.: drawls)

The Senate Select Committee on Watergate will come
to order...

A gavel POUNDS O.S.

103 INT. WHITE HOUSE - HAIG'S OFFICE - DAY 103

NIXON STAFFERS are gathered around Haig's TV set as we:

CROSSCUT TO:

104 INT. COMMITTEE CHAMBER - (SEEN ONLY ON TV) - DAY (1973) 104

JOHN DEAN reads his statement to the COMMITTEE. Fashioned
with glasses and shorter hair, Dean speaks in a monotone and
presents a more conservative appearance. A pretty blonde
woman, his WIFE, sits noticeably behind him.

DEAN (on TV)

Haldeman and Ehrlichman are the prime
orchestrators of the cover-up... etc.

STAFFERS

Lying sack of shit! Little mommy's boy go tell the
teacher will ya...

HAIG looks at Dean on TV, shakes his head, disgusted and goes
out.

HAIG

The weasel's got no proof. Just remember that
it's still an informer's word against the
President's.

105 INT. WHITE HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY 105

HAIG walking past the STAFF into:

NIX00079

126.

DEAN (droning on, V.O./T.V.)
The President personally authorized the payments
to Hunt... etc.

106 INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - DAY (1973)

106

HAIG slides into the room where NIXON and LEONID BREZHNEV, Premiere of the USSR, are engaged in a friendly meeting with one INTERPRETER.

BREZHNEV (in Russian)
Mao...(makes a funny gesture) suffers from a
mental disorder, we know this a long time in my
country. Whether he is sane or not, (shrugs) I
personally know he has a treacherous character...

Nixon nods as the English is fed to him. He seems distracted.

BREZHNEV (cont)
... Mao told me in 1963, he said "if I have
nuclear weapons, let 400 million Chinese die; 300
million will be left." This is Mao in his dog
heart.

Nixon looking to Haig who whispers something in his ear. Nixon
nods.

CROSSCUT TO:

DEAN (TV)
...the President was involved in the cover-up from
the beginning... etc. text

CROSSCUT BACK:

NIXON and BREZHNEV end their meeting, standing. Brezhnev
clasps Nixon's arm warmly.

NIXON
...Remember I am very deeply committed to the
improvement of our relationship and to SALT.

BREZHNEV (Russian)
Mister Nixon, life, as you know, is always the
best teacher-- and life has led us to the
conclusion that we must build a new relationship
between our countries.

It is ironic that at one of the greatest moments of his
career, Nixon is unable to enjoy it.

NIX00079

127.

[LC]

107 INT. WHITE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY (1973)

107 *

PAT's still wearing her nightdress, coffee in hand, as her press secretary, HELEN SMITH, runs through a sheaf of papers. A TELEVISION drones in the background.

SMITH (cheery)
...and on Friday we have the high school students from Ohio, Saturday is the Women's National Republican Club...

NEWSCASTER (O.S.)
We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin...

Pat glances up over the tops of her glasses.

SMITH (continues)
And on Sunday you're saying hello to the VFW Poppy Girl...

She realizes Pat is not listening.

SMITH
Mrs. Nixon....?

Close: on Pat.

REPORTER 1 (O.S.)
In a development that would break Watergate wide open, White House aide Alexander Butterfield testifying today before the Senate Select Committee revealed the existence of a taping system that may have recorded conversations in the White House, the EOB, and the Camp David retreat...

Pat slowly raises a hand to her lips.

REPORTER 1 (O.S.)
White House sources say that for the past three years, President Nixon has recorded virtually every conversation he has had, including those with his staff, and even members of his own family...

Pat is trembling. Horrified.

108 INT. WHITE HOUSE - PRESIDENT'S BEDROOM - DAY

108 *

NIXON sits in his bed, alone, still in his pajamas. It's clear he hasn't slept. He looks shell-shocked.

NIX00079

129.

[LC]

HAIG holds open the doors as the ORDERLIES push Nixon into the respiratory unit.

110 INT. BETHSEDA NAVAL HOSPITAL - RESPIRATORY UNIT - DAY 110

A DOCTOR and NURSE remove the mask from NIXON'S face.

REPORTERS (V.O.)

Attorney General Elliot Richardson will present evidence to a grand jury that Vice President Agnew is guilty of bribery, extortion and tax evasion...

Nixon immediately starts gasping. He again tries to rise, but hands push him back. The doctor fits the mouthpiece of a respirator into Nixon's mouth.

Nixon begins breathing... His eyes going past PAT to...

IMAGES of the PAST -- of his PARENTS, Frank, Hannah, little Arthur, Harold...the GROCERY STORE.

INTERCUT TO: *

MARTHA MITCHELL is drunk, at a quickie interview on the street.

MARTHA

King Richard bleeds people. He takes every ounce of blood out of them and then gets rid of them. My husband's not taking the rap this time. That's over. Because between you, me and the gatepost, honey, Tricky Dick always knew what was going on...and if you don't hear from me again, call the police.

INTERCUT TO: *

JOHN MITCHELL beleaguered, does a quicki pass at the camera in the street.

MITCHELL

She's nuts! Doesn't know what she's talking about...our marriage is over, so what d'ya think, she's pissed at me. That's enough!

BACK TO: *

NIXON breathing in the hospital.

REPORTERS (V.O.)

Archibald Cox declared war on President Nixon today by issuing a subpoena for nine of the President's tapes...

NIX00079

130.

[LC]

NIXON (V.O., yells)
Never! Over my dead body!

111 INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - WEST WING CORRIDOR - DAY (1973) 111 *

NIXON, his left leg swollen nearly twice the size of his right
leg with phlebitis, limps down the corridor, furious. HAIG
walks with him, ZIEGLER bringing up the rear.

NIXON
It's the President's personal property! I will
never give up my tapes to a bunch of Kennedy-
loving Harvard Democrat cocksuckers!

HAIG
This could trigger the impeachment.

NIXON
Let 'em try! Let the bastards try! I'm not giving
'em my tapes!

HAIG
We can't ignore a subpoena.

NIXON
Who the fuck does Cox think he is?
(fumes)
You know the sonofabitch went to law school with
Jack Kennedy... the last gasp of the
Establishment! They got the hell kicked out of 'em
in the election, so now they gotta squeal about
Watergate cause we were the first real threat to
them in years. And by God, Al, we would have
changed it, changed it so they couldn't have
changed it back in a hundred years, if only...
(catches himself)
Where am I?

They've stopped at the doors of the East Room. The SOUND of
VOICES and a VIOLIN playing inside.

NIXON (to Ziegler)
What's in there?

ZIEGLER
POWs. And their families.

NIXON
So I'm supposed to be...

ZIEGLER
Compassionate. Grateful.

NIX00079

131.

[LC]

NIXON
Proud?

ZIEGLER (confused)
Sir?

NIXON
Of them.

ZIEGLER
Yes, yes.

NIXON (back to Haig, bitterly)
Fire him.

HAIG
Who?

NIXON
Cox! Fire him.

HAIG
But he works for the Attorney General. Only
Richardson can fire him.

NIXON
Then tell Richardson to fire him.

HAIG
Richardson won't do that. He'll resign.

NIXON
The hell he will! Fire him too. If you have to go
all the way down to the janitor at the Attorney
General's office, fire the sonufabitch cocksucker!
And...

HAIG
May I just say something, sir. I think you should
welcome the subpoena. The tapes can only prove
that Dean is a liar.

A moment.

NIXON
There's more... there's more than just me. You've
got to be tough, Al. You can't break, my boy, even
when there is nothing left. You can't admit, even
to yourself, that it's gone. Do you think those
POWs in there did?

(pointing to the East Room)
Now some people we both know think you can go
stand in the middle of the bullring and cry, 'mea
culpa,' 'mea culpa,' while the crowd is hissing

L1X00079

132.

[lc]

NIXON (cont'd)

and booing and spitting on you. But a man doesn't
cry.

(then)

I don't cry. You don't cry... You fight!

INTERCUT soft IMAGES over NIXON being pounded at FOOTBALL...

Nixon straightens himself, puts on a smile, nods to Ziegler.
Ziegler opens the door. A ROAR of CHEERS greet the President,
as he steps inside.

CUT TO:

TV SCREEN - NBC logo - LIMBO

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

We interrupt this program for a special report
from NBC News.

A REPORTER appears, Stunned.

REPORTER (V.O.)

The country tonight is in the midst of what may be
the most serious Constitutional crisis in history.
In the wake of Vice President Spiro Agnew's forced
resignation on charges of corruption, President
Nixon has fired Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

DOCUMENTARY IMAGES -- ARCHIBALD COX walking in the street,
having heard the news, smiling.

REPORTER (V.O., cont)

Attorney General Elliot Richardson has resigned
rather than comply with the President's order and
Deputy Attorney William Ruckelshaus was fined when
he refused to carry out the order...

DOCUMENTARY IMAGES -- ELLIOT RICHARDSON moving down a gauntlet
of REPORTERS... RUCKELSHAUS getting in a car, refusing to
comment. We CUT BACK to the REPORTER on camera, grim.

REPORTER (on TV, cont)

The country, without a Vice President, stands
poised tonight at a crossroads -- has a government
of laws become a government of one man? Stay
tuned.

DOCUMENTARY IMAGES -- RICHARDSON is interviewed. In his most
brahmin tones:

RICHARDSON

"...you see if he were a secure man, I don't think
he would ever have been President." (seek actual
clip)

NIX00079

135.

[LC]

PAT

No. They're not yours. They're you. That's why you
can't destroy them.

She turns and walks out. Nixon is turbulent, upset. He turns
and suddenly sees the ghost of his mother, HANNAH, sitting
there opposite him, staring at him.

He jumps. Those eyes of hers. Penetrating, gazing right
through him. She is in her late 60's here, on the verge of
death.

HANNAH

Richard, thee have let us down...sit. We must
talk.

Nixon's eyes. The fear. He sits, obediently.

HANNAH

What has changed in thee? What has happened?
When you were a boy...

NIXON

(blurts out)

No! Please! Don't talk to me! Anything, but
DON'T TALK TO ME.

A SHARP CUT snaps us from this reverie, and Nixon is alone in
his sitting room, the door closed, the VOICE on the tape
droning. He downs pills with the scotch.

NIXON (V.O. on tape)

...these guys went after Castro. What do you
think--they just gave up, walked away. Whoever
killed Kennedy came from this...this bunch of
crazies... We can't let this thing go any
further...

HALDEMAN (on tape)

Jesus Christ.

He looks over at the recorder. He pushes "Stop" and then runs
it back on "Rewind". High-speed voices. He pushes "Stop"
again. A series of TIME CUTS show Nixon getting drunker.
Playing sections of the tape. The camera closes on the tape
machine. It's all a blur as we hear a HUM growing louder and
louder as we inch in on an abstract CLOSE UP of the TAPE
moving across the capstan.

REPORTER

In the latest bombshell, the President's lawyers
revealed that there is an 18 and a half minute gap
in a critical Watergate tape...

NIX00079

[Lc]

136.

114 INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - WEST WING - DAY (1974)

114

A frenzy of paperwork as the PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS -- BUZHARDT and ST. CLAIR -- sit hunched around a table piled with transcripts, helped by TWO YOUNG ASSISTANTS.

NIXON is aghast as he reads some of the highlighted sections.
HAIG and ZIEGLER attend.

REPORTERS (V.O.)

...In an attempt to head off impeachment proceedings, the President has agreed to release transcripts of forty-six taped conversations.

He shakes the paper in the faces of Buzhardt & St. Clair.

NIXON

You're lawyers. How can you let this shit go by!
(points)

Look! This? Nixon can't say this.

BUZHARDT

You did say it, sir.

NIXON

Never. I never said that about Jews!

Buzhardt glances at St. Clair.

BUZHARDT

We could check the tape again.

NIXON

You don't need to check the tape. I know what I
said.

He grabs the magic marker out of the lawyer's hand and
furiously blacks out an entire section.

NIXON

And this?! Good Lord, have you lost your mind?
Nixon can't say this. "Niggers!" For godssake,
delete it!

ST. CLAIR

We're doing the best we can sir.

NIXON (throws the paper down)

Well it's not good enough.

BUZHARDT

We need more people.

NIX00079

137.

[LC]

NIXON

I don't want anybody else to see this!

ST. CLAIR

The entire public is going to see it, sir.

NIXON (screams)

Only what I show them! Start over!

Nixon loses it, sweeps the piles of transcripts off the table.
They fly around the office.

NIXON

From page one!

115 INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT (1974)

115

NIXON sits at his desk, composed, confident. He smiles into the TV CAMERA. Next to him is a stack of blue binders emblazoned with the Presidential seal.

NIXON

Good evening, my fellow Americans. Tonight I'm
taking an action unprecedented in the history of
this office...

116 INT. WHITE HOUSE - HAIG'S OFFICE - NIGHT (1974)

116

KISSINGER and HAIG watch NIXON on television.

NIXON

(on TV, continues)

...an action that will at last, once and for all,
show that what I knew and what I did with regards
to the Watergate break-in and cover-up were just
as I have described them to you from the very
beginning...

HAIG

He actually thinks he's going to get away with
this.

KISSINGER

He's completely lost touch with reality.

NIXON (on TV, cont) ...

I had no knowledge of the cover-up until John Dean
told me about it on March 21. And I did not intend
that payment to Hunt or anyone else be made...

KISSINGER (pause)

Can you imagine what this man would have been had
he ever been loved?...

NIX00079

138.

[LC]

NIXON (on TV, cont)

...because people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I am not a crook.

KISSINGER

Oh God, I'm going to throw up.

HAIG

They'll crucify him...

Kissinger turns to Haig.

KISSINGER

Does anybody care anymore?

INTERCUT TO:

117 INT. WHITE HOUSE - PAT'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 117

PAT sits alone, drinking as the television drones on with the latest invasion of her privacy. As we move in, we see the spirit drawn out of her. She goes numb.

FLASHBACK -- A brief image of COURTSHIP returns, a close-up, stylized. PAT younger, DICK younger, courting, expectant, happy.

118 DOCUMENTARY IMAGE - EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY (1974) 118

REPORTERS (V.O.)

... A firestorm on Capitol Hill as 21 impeachment resolutions were filed against the President...

119 INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - DAY (1974) 119

More like a bunker now. NIXON sits at his desk, glazed, shell-shocked, his swollen leg elevated. The lawyers, BUZHARDT and ST. CLAIR, with ZIEGLER sit in front of him. HAIG is on the phone at the far end of the office. The conflicting REPORTER VOICES add to the sense of bombardment.

REPORTERS (V.O.)

...In a simple ceremony, Gerald Ford was sworn in as Vice-President. A longtime, popular member of Congress, Ford reinforces a sense of...

REPORTER 2 (V.O.)

...citing White House wrongdoing, the judge has dismissed all charges against Daniel Ellsberg...

REPORTER 3 (V.O.)

...the grand jury has indicted former Nixon aides Bob Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and former Attorney General John Mitchell...

NIX00079

140.

[LC]

HAIG

I understand. I'll tell the President.

Haig hangs up, turns to the room.

HAIG

It was unanimous. Eight to nothing.

NIXON

For us or against us?

HAIG

Against.

Nixon irascibly throws down his swollen leg and hobbles to the window.

NIXON

Three of them. I appointed three of the bastards.

ST. CLAIR

How many tapes do we have to turn over?

HAIG

Sixty-four.

NIXON

Jesus!

(he turns)

How do we get around this?

BUZHARDT

It's the Supreme Court, Mister President. You don't get around it.

NIXON

Okay. I'm going to be impeached. Then it's a question of mathematics. How many votes do we have in the Senate?

HAIG

About twelve.

NIXON (wounded)

Twelve? I got half of them elected. I can still
rally the Southern block and I have Goldwater and
his boys. I'll take my chances in the Senate.

HAIG

Then we'll have to deal with the possibility of
removal from office, loss of pension... probably
prison.

NIX00079

141.

[LC]

### NIXON (glowers)

Well, if it comes to that, I'll go to jail. A lot of leaders did their best writing in prison. Ghandi, Lenin... He starts out, stops, turns.

### NIXON

What I know about this country, I know the secrets -- all of them. If they want a public humiliation, that's what they'll get. But I will never resign this office.

They all look at him strangely.

120 INT. WHITE HOUSE - CORRIDORS & STAIRS - NIGHT (1974) 120

SUBTITLE READS: JULY, 1974 over EMPTY SHOTS of an EMPTY HOUSE, filled with gloom and dread. The solitary FOOTSTEPS of silhouettes crack the silence as they make their way towards the Lincoln Sitting Room. It is an eerie echo of the opening shots of the White House in the film. The silhouette now becomes apparent as GENERAL HAIG and HENRY KISSINGER.

### REPORTERS (V.O.)

...The house Judiciary Committee has voted 27 to 11 to recommend impeachment to the full House. The deliberations now go to the House floor.

... Its report claims it has evidence that Nixon has obstructed justice 36 times and that he helped to fabricate perjury and abused power. ...The Senate Select Committee details the misuse of the IRS, the FBI, the CIA and the Justice Department; it denounces the Plumbers and it raises the question of whether the United States had a genuine election in 1972.

HIGH ANGLE -- Haig knocks and enters the Lincoln sitting room. A shaft of LIGHT from inside zigzags the darkness. And we hear a snatch of LOUD MUSIC before the door is closed.

121 INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - LINCOLN SITTING ROOM - DAY (1974) 121

NIXON sits in his chair in a suit and tie, listening to "Victory at Sea" at top volume. In front of him is a picture album -- 1922 portraits of the NIXON FAMILY -- HAROLD holding ARTHUR. RICHARD stares glumly at camera between HANNAH and FRANK.

GENERAL HAIG, with KISSINGER behind, approaches with some papers held out in his hand. Nixon sees them, turns down the hi-fi.

### NIXON

"Victory At Sea", Al, Henry. The Pacific theatre. Christ, you can almost feel the waves breaking over the decks.

NIX00079

[LC]

142.

HAIG

I'm afraid we have another problem, Mister
President.

He hands him a paper. Nixon glances at it.

HAIG

June 23rd, '72, sir. The part that's underlined.
Your instructions to Haldeman regarding the CIA
and the FBI.

NIXON

So?

HAIG

Your lawyers feel it's the... smoking gun.

NIXON

It's totally out of context. I was protecting the
national security, I never intended-

HAIG

Sir, the Supreme Court deadline is today.

Nixon, silenced, looks down at the paper in his hands and
sighs.

HAIG (hopeful)

If you resign, you can keep your tapes as a
private citizen and fight them for years.

NIXON (subdued)

And if I stay?

A long moment.

HAIG

You have the army.

Nixon looks up at him, then over at Henry.

NIXON

The army?

HAIG

Lincoln used it.

NIXON

That was civil war.

HAIG

How do you see this?

NIX00079

143.

[LC]

Nixon closes his eyes. Haig takes the transcript back.

HAIG

We can't survive this, sir, they also have you
instructing Dean to make the payoff to Hunt.

NIXON

There is nothing in that statement the President
can't explain.

HAIG

Sir, you talked about opening up the whole "Bay of
Pigs" thing again.

NIXON

That's right...

HAIG

Three days before, on the June 20th tape -- the
one with the eighteen minute gap--

NIXON (interrupts)

I don't know anything about that.

HAIG (continues)

...You mentioned the "Bay of Pigs" several times.
Sooner or later they're going to want to know what
that means. They're going to want to know what was
on that gap...

NIXON

It's gone. No one will ever find out what's on it.

Haig moves closer, and leans down, very low, whispers.

HAIG

They might...if there were another copy.

Nixon glances up at him.

HAIG

We both know it's possible. (then) I know for a
fact it's possible.

Nixon stares up at him.

HAIG

I've spoken to Ford... And there's a very strong
chance he'll pardon you...

Haig hands him a letter of resignation.

INSERT: "I hereby resign the office of President of the United
States."

NIX00079

145.

[LC]

NIXON (cont'd)

Let's pray, Henry, let's pray a little.

As Nixon gets down on his knees, Kissinger perspires freely.
He clumsily follows the President down to the floor.

NIXON

... Uh, I hope this doesn't embarrass you.

KISSINGER

Not at all. This is not going to leak.

A lame joke. Nixon knows.

NIXON

I'm beyond leaks now, Henry. Don't be too proud,
never be too proud to go on your knees before God.

Nixon begins to cry, his words coming ghostly through the
sobs.

NIXON

Dear God! Dear God, how can a country come apart
like this! What have I done wrong...

Kissinger is experiencing pure dread, his shirt soaked with
sweat.

NIXON

I opened China. I made peace with Russia. I ended
the War. Why... why do they hate me so!

A silence. In it, Kissinger reaches over and touches the
President, trying so awkwardly to console him. On that note,
we:

CUT TO:

122

EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - CORRIDORS AND ENTRY - NIGHT (1974) 122

The THREE SILHOUETTES of NIXON, KISSINGER, and HAIG walk out.
HIGH ANGLES allow us to hear their VOICES echoing off the
empty rooms and sometimes catch a glimpse of a passing face.
From the voice we can tell that Nixon has resumed his
customary bluffness, a sense of false bravado in the face of
defeat. We also sense that the story, for all intents and
purposes, is over.

NIXON (OFF)

...they smelled the blood on me this time, Al. I
got soft. You know... that rusty, metal smell...

HAIG (OFF)

I know it well, sir.

NIX00079

146.

[LC]

NIXON (OFF)
It came over from Vietnam, you know.

HAIG (OFF)
Sir?

NIXON (OFF)
That smell. I mean, everybody suffered so much, their sons killed. They need to sacrifice something, y'know, appease the gods of war -- Mars, Jupiter. I am that blood, General. I am that sacrifice, in the highest place of all... all leaders must finally be sacrificed.

They turn a corner, come into more light.

NIXON
Things won't be the same after this. I played by the rules, but the rules changed right in the middle of the game...there's no respect for American institutions anymore. People are cynical, the press is out of control, people spit on soldiers, government secrets mean nothing...

Nixon separates from Haig and Kissinger.

NIXON (remote)
I pity the next guy who sits here... Goodnight Henry, General Haig...

Haig and Kissinger depart.

ALGER HISS recedes into the shadows. A ghost.

Nixon shuffles back, alone, coming to a stop in front of a larger-than-life, full-length oil portrait of JOHN F. KENNEDY. Nixon studies the portrait, pads closer. Looks up.

NIXON
When they look at you, they see what they want to be.
(then)
When they look at me, they see what they are...

PAT, overhearing, comes from the shadows in a nightgown. She looks wearied, crazed.

PAT
Dick, please don't...

He half turns to her. His eyes are red-rimmed, unshaven, a wounded animal who can no longer defend himself.

NIX00079

147.

[LC]

NIXON

I can't...I just don't have the strength anymore...

His voice trails off. For a moment, it looks like he's going to collapse. Pat moves towards him, to support him.

PAT

It'll be over soon.

NIXON

No... it's going to start now... (looks into her eyes) If I could just... If I could just... sleep.

PAT

There'll be time for that...

He's barely aware of her.

NIXON

Once...when I was sick...my mother gave me this stuff,...made me swallow it...it made me throw up. All over her...I wish I could do that now...

Pat puts her arm around him.

NIXON

I'm afraid Buddy... There's darkness out there.

Pat is crying now. She tries to soothe him, strokes his brow like a sick child.

NIXON

I could always see where I was going. But it's dark out there. It's dark... God... I'm afraid of the dark...

Nixon breaks down. She slowly leads him up the grand staircase* -- into the shadows of history.

123 INT. WHITE HOUSE - EAST ROOM - DAY

123

The EPILOGUE and END CREDITS run over NIXON as he addresses the assembled WHITE HOUSE STAFF. PAT and the FAMILY flank him. He is more accessible as a human being than ever before.

NIXON

...I remember my old man. I think they would've called him a little man, common man. He didn't consider himself that way. He was a streetcar motorman first, and then he was a farmer, and then he had a lemon ranch. It was the poorest lemon ranch in California, I assure you. He sold it before they found oil on it.

NIX00079

148.

IMAGES of FRANK and HANNAH NIXON now arise in Nixon's
consciousness -- a past he never really could connect his own
life to. As if it were a storybook, a fabled America that
never was. The MUSIC should in a sense accentuate this divorce
of sentiment from reality.

NIXON (cont'd)

...and then he was a grocer. But he was a great man because he did his job, and every job counts up to the hilt, regardless of what happens... Nobody will ever write a book, probably, about my mother. Well. I guess all of you would say this about your mother: my mother was a saint. And I think of her, two boys dying of tuberculosis and seeing each of them die, and when they died... Yes, she will have no books written about her. But she was a saint...I let her down. I let all of you down.

Nixon is holding himself together by sheer force of will. Many members of his STAFF are weeping. He pulls an old well-leafed * book open, puts a set of eyeglasses on to read from it, the * first time he's ever worn them in public.

NIXON (CONT'D)

... I remember something Theodore Roosevelt wrote when his first wife died. He was still a young man, in his twenties... "She was beautiful in face and form and lovelier still in spirit... When she had just become a mother, when her life seemed to be just begun and when the years seemed so bright before her, then by a strange and terrible fate death came to her. And when my heart's dearest died, the light went from my life forever..."

She puts down the book, nearly cracking.

NIXON

...But of course he went on, to become President, always in the arena, always vital... We sometimes think when things happen that don't go the right way, we think that when someone dear to us dies, when we lose an election, when we suffer a defeat, that all is ended... but that's not true. It is only a beginning, always; because the greatness comes not when things always go good for you, but the greatness comes and you're really tested when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes... because only if you have been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain...To have served in this office is to have felt a very personal sense of kinship with each and every American. In leaving it, I do so

NIX00079

149.

[LC]

## NIXON (cont'd)

with this prayer: May God's grace be with you in all the days ahead.

124 EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - DAY

A MARINE CORPS HELICOPTER waits at the end of a red carpet. NIXON and PAT make their way towards it followed by the FAMILY. (ROBERT DOLE eulogizes him as a 'great American').

124

*

## NIXON (V.O. CONT)

...Remember: always give your best, never get discouraged, never be petty; always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them...and then you destroy yourself.

*

They climb the steps and Nixon turns on the top step and smiles bravely. Then he waves good-bye.

## NIXON (V.O. CONT)

...Only then you find what we Quakers call "peace at the center..."

He raises his arms in his characteristic twin V-salute. And we FADE OUT.

EPILOGUE runs over a DARK SCREEN.

## EPILOGUE

Nixon always maintained that in his absence, the North Vietnamese overwhelmed the South in 1975. Russia and the United States returned to a decade of high-budget military expansion and near-war. Nixon, who was pardoned by President Ford, lived to write six books and travel the world as an elder statesmen. He was buried and honored by five ex-Presidents on April 26, 1994, less than a year after Pat Nixon died.

We include a DOCUMENTARY CLIP of his FUNERAL, eulogized by President CLINTON, the four other PRESIDENTS alongside him.

## EPILOGUE (cont'd)

For the remainder of his life, Nixon fought successfully to protect his tapes. The National Archives spent 14 years transcribing them. Out of four thousand hours, only sixty hours have been made public.

We end on an IMAGE of YORBA LINDA, CALIFORNIA...turn of the 20th Century where it began. We focus on the faces of the early pioneers that settled the land -- we drift over the faces of HANNAH and FRANK, in their stern postures -- past the BROTHERS, including the two deceased ones...to little RICHARD, eyes all aglow with the hopes of the new century.

THE END

NIX00079