Return to SimplyScripts.com
This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved.
This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express
written permission of the author.
-------------------------
INT. CANCER TREATMENT HOSPICE-DAY
Former original G-man Frank Lee Roiles is ready in his room to
commence a commitment he made to Miss Beulah Mae Jackson before
she died---to tell his story, the story he played so critical a role in in
defeating the biggest criminals of a century filled with them; he is
waiting for the journalist, her great niece.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
Good morning, how in the world are we
today?!
(embracing him)
FRANK ROILES
Well, the Devil's not ready for me, so I'm
doin ok.
They have agreed that only the first hour will be videotaped as the
chemo is relieving him of his hair, and energy to sit in a chair for too
long. She is light skinned black, married to an Italian American.
WE SEE FRANK GLUED TO HIS TV; CARLOTTA WATCHES WITH HIM;
IT IS A PREVIEW OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS, FEATURING A CLIP OF
JEFF BRIDGES IN 'STARMAN', AS A NOMINEE.
V.O.
"Shall I tell you what I find beautiful
about you?
You are at your best when things are at
their very worst."
FRANK ROILES
Schoepenhauer.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
The German philosopher, right....don't
tell me you knew him?
FRANK ROILES
Knew a German who knew him.
(smirking)
Fished him outta the Med after we sunk
his sub; I jumped into a god dam burning
oil patch, don't ask me why. But he
seemed to know, kept sayin this name,
over and over, amazed he could speak,
really.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
I'm not sure I understand.
FRANK ROILES
Seems this guy was the skipper, pretty
well educated;
through the medic on our boat, whose
parents were from the old country, we
figured out that he was talking about the
position taken by this Schoepenhauer,
bout the way people respond to danger to
another being, how they forget all about
themselves as a seperate person; spent
a whole book arguin it was proof we are
all connected, underneath surface
appearances and all. Stuck with me, I
guess;' Bridges had that same look in his
eyes just then.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
(choked up)
Fine start for today, don't you think.
(smiles)
FLASHBACK TO
1938:
INT BUREAU HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C. DAY
Special Agent Frank Lee Roiles reports to the office; he is a little hung
over, and late, per usual....; old-fashioned federal offices of a still
publicly obscure agency.
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
(into mouthpiece)
Federal Bureau, can you hold?
(to Frank)
Hoi, polloi....any other survivors from the
crack-up?
FRANK ROILES
(removing hat, rubbing
temples)
Save it, Meg, huh; just a late night
(under his breath)
...cap.
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
(hands Frank message)
Called twice already, says its urgent.
(smiling at his wincing)
FRANK ROILES
On a Tuesday....
(recognizes number)
Holy moley, ain't this the White House
exchange?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
I'm impressed, considerin.
FRANK ROILES
How bout a break, huh Doll; get me
(squinting at message)
Mr. Carter, ok?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
(into mouthpiece)
Good morning, may I be connected to Mr.
'Dips' Carter, Jr.?
(pause for reply)
I see, that's odd; he just called not 20
minutes ago. Thanks, hun.
(hangs up)
Strange, say he's left for the doctor's,
feeling poorly.
FRANK ROILES
(gaining interest)
He say what it's about?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
No, very polite gent, older Negro,
sounded nervous, you know, jittery.
FRANK ROILES
(grabs hat)
Think I'll hop over to see FDR, you want I
should bring you back a souvenir?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
Maybe an invite to the 'Children's Hour'.
(sees he doesn't get reference)
The poem by Wordsworth he uses to cue
the drinkeys.....never mind.
FRANK ROILES
Speakin of mind, yours is sorta one
track, as in alcohol....good thing
Volstead's monster is dead....
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
(smirking)
Poils before swine, dearie.
Meg takes another call, as Frank saunters out.
FADE OUT.
EXT FBI HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C. DAY
Frank walks the short distance to the casually protected White House,
doffing his hat and oogling at an attractive couple of women, giggling in
reply, shyly. He approaches the guard shack, greeting a familiar face.
WHITE HOUSE GUARD
Say, what brings you to the palace, Edgar
lose a cat or somethin?
FRANK ROILES
Everybody's a wiseguy today; you keep a
staff roster out here?
WHITE HOUSE GUARD
Sure, who ya need?
FRANK ROILES
(squints at phone message)
'Dips' Carter, Jr.; Got him?
WHITE HOUSE GUARD
(finds him on list)
Name like that, gotta be a ni...
FRANK ROILES
Come on, Jim, ain't got time be shootin
the sea breeze, even if we are such old
Navy 'pals', ya get me?
WHITE HOUSE GUARD
Sure....don't get sore or nothin...here he
is....but he ain't here..
(smirking)
Went over to St. Elizabeth's, the colored
hospital, I think. Looked fine to me, but
you know these 'house' ni....
FRANK ROILES
Sure, so damn lazy, alls they ever do is
keep this country runnin, doin the jobs
on one else wants.
(angry now)
Know what,
Tell ya what Jimbo, just for old times
sake, why don't ya do yourself and the
country a big favor and take the rest a
the day off....ya fat tubba shit!
PULL BACK AERIAL VIEW OF DC & ITS SEGREGATED ENVIRONS AS
IF ANOTHER WORLD JUST BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT NEW YORK HARBOR DOCKSIDE WAREHOUSE AREA- EVENING
Two men, faces obscured by darkness in trench coats and hats are
walking around the docks, the night watchman seems to know they are
'authorized' and ignores them.
FIRST MAN
You tellin me he's the only protection
they got?
SECOND MAN
Relax; look, we ain't at war; besides,
everybody knows not to mess with this
place, could be very bad for the health!
FIRST MAN
I dunno, you know what that creep
Mussolini is up to in the Old Country.
SECOND MAN
Yeah, and he's going after every family
clan around, can't stand the competition
I guess. You know what, I says have at
em, if it means less Guineaus in this
world.
FIRST MAN
Great way to make yourself scarce,
permanent like, sayin a thing like that
round here; you are so naive......
SECOND MAN
One thing's for sure: the Brits gave him a
goddam knighthood, so looks like he's got
some mucky mucks' blessing.
FIRST MAN
Whaddya expect; the Limeys got a tin
soldier army just like us---they've go
those rose-colored glasses on when it
comes to that kraut with the bad haircut,
too.
SECOND MAN
Who knows these days, people just tryin
ta get enough ta eat with this damn
Depression; Hell, we're lucky we got jobs;
let's get some chow, it's Sammy's quittin
time.
CUT TO:
INT APARTMENT OF MARTA SUNDSTRUM NEW YORK EVE
Jeffords Roosevelt, self-exiled, estranged youngest son of the
President, is under the spell of a half-Italian exchange grad student at
NYU; she is an Italian military agent, seeking information about
longshoremen's union and dockyard affairs.
He has obtained it, in some detail, from the White House on the
understanding that she needs it for a thesis.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Darling, be a dear and run my bath water,
hmm?
Jeffords has dutifully hand delivered the documents, some internally
sensitive, to her; she is perusing them when he returns to the room.
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
What are we some old couple, so bored
we read dull statistics instead of,well,
you know.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
(recovering quickly)
Don't be silly, just impressed with how
important you must be; I'm certain to
gain highest marks with this!
(she turns on the radio to
some jazz from Harlem)
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
That's more like it, Mar; say, now that
your reward is so secure, how's about
mine.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
(demurely posing)
You mean you don't wish to read
along.....
(places documents on the
table)
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
Madam, you've got me confused with that
other Mr. Roosevelt; now he would have
said yes to those documents, especially
with a certain woman, by appointment.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Now, don't spoil the mood with talk of
mommy and daddy.
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
You're absolutely right.....
(he begins to help her
undress)
Besides, I don't have an appointment.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Well, how about a rendezvous, his term,
right?.....a rendezvous in blue, instead!
(seductively giggling)
FADE TO:
INT FBI HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C. DAY
It is the following morning; Roiles has tried to locate 'Dips', without
success.
FRANK ROILES
Morning, doll; any calls?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
You're in early; spoke with the hospital
people,like ya asked... never heard of
him, much less seen him.
FRANK ROILES
How bout the White House, they heard
from him?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
Not a word; say its not like him, been
there forever.
FRANK ROILES
Say, did this Carter ask for me, specific?
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
Why, yes, now that you mention it, didn't
register till now.
FRANK ROILES
What, were we both hung over; look, he
say how he got my name, anything, think.
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
Hey, don't get sore, all I get are calls on
top of calls; wait, think I scrawled a note
cause it was out a the ordinary, the way
he put it....here it is: 'friend of his told
him to call you, from back home in
Alabama'---no name, though.
FRANK ROILES
Never even been there; this is gettin
screwier by the minute.
(phone rings)
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
Federal Bureau................just a moment
sir, please, calm down....
(points to Frank's phone)
FRANK ROILES
Roiles, who's.....Carter! Been doin a
personal All Points on
you.....where.....what the....look, stay
put, I'll be there in half an hour...
(writing address)
Got it.
(grabs his hat)
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
So?
FRANK ROILES
Call ya when I can; you don't hear from
me for a while, means um busy.
(he looks for ammunition in
his desk)
SWITCHBOARD RECEPTIONIST
What if the White House calls?
FRANK ROILES
Tell em they'll have to polish the silver
themselves for a while, I dunno;
for some reason, he's scared to go back,
so you know nothin; gotta go.
CUT TO:
EXT RUNDOWN SHOTGUN HOUSE IN N.E. DC DAY
Roiles has pulled up in his company car, marked 'US Government
Carpool'; dogs are barking like they've never seen a white man, or a
car.
FRANK ROILES
It's Roiles....
(knocking at weathered door)
MISSY JACKSON
Who dat?
FRANK ROILES
Frank Lee Roiles, I just talked with Dips.
The door opens slowly, without anyone visible; it is dark by contrast.
(O.S.)
Come on in, den.
Door closes without anyone yet seen.
MOMENTS LATER:
FRANK ROILES
Hello....
MISSY JACKSON
You member me?
FRANK ROILES
Holy Jesus!
(recognizing her)
Why, haven't seen your sweetness
since....
MISSY JACKSON
You was knee high, reckon. How's your
mama?
FRANK ROILES
Restin in Peace.
(hugging her)
DIPS CARTER (O.S.)
It safe?
MISSY JACKSON
Fool, this here's my baby boy! Raise him
up, almose.
FRANK ROILES
Hello, Dips. I need some information,
right away....
DIPS CARTER
(tense, fearful)
What dat be, suh?
FRANK ROILES
Exactly what kinda name is Dips?
(laughing)
The ice is broken, they retire to neat sitting room; Dips has got a spit
cup for his chew.
FRANK ROILES
Good thing they've still got plenty of
those spitoons at the palace.
(pulls out notepad)
Shoot, I'm all ears.
DIPS CARTER
Now....now, I needs my job....you sure....
FRANK ROILES
Missy Jax can tell ya, shoot straight, and
don't nobody trouble you for telling me
the truth.
DIPS CARTER
(reaches in pocket)
See, I foun dis at the House; done read
so good but Missy J sez I needs to call
you.
FLR uncrumples what looks like a letter.
SHOT: LETTER ON SCREEN, HIGHLITED ON CERTAIN PARAGRAPH.
FRANK ROILES (V.O.)
....."and, if you can do this for me, I will
be ever so grateful my darling. MY
sponsors are talking about ending my
stipend should I not excel with my
thesis. You are so very important I know
that you will save me from this fate.
Your adoring Marta".
FRANK ROILES
Jeffords been staying at the House
lately?
DIPS CARTER
Oh, yassir, he come and go all de time;
he even use hiz Daddy's own office
sometime when he gone.
MISSY JACKSON
Mr. Frank, now you know I read the
paper, religious like----been readin bout
dis Hitler usin people to do spying and
such things; dis here gal's some kinda
Matta Hari, you ast me, can feel it.
FRANK ROILES
I'm gonna have a photostat made at a
secure spot I know, right away, then,
Dips, you're gonna put it right back
where you found it.
DIPS CARTER
Yassir, you betcha, cain't have it roun me
no mo, for sure.
FRANK ROILES
Right...now Dips, ya gotta be copacetic
for me;
nobody knows bout this sept us three
and that's gotta be how it stays. Mum's
the word. Miss Jax, can you meet me at
the main post office lobby downtown this
evening?
MISSY JACKSON
I can iffen you needs me to.
FRANK ROILES
Good; at 5 o'clock; Dips,, you done good.
(pats his shoulder)
CUT TO:
INT ORNATE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SERVIZIO INFORMAZIONE
MILITARE ROME DAY
Discussions are under way in earnest concerning 'Operation Blue
Rendezvous': it is aimed at sabotage in America's Eastern ports as a
misguided attempt to use, then wipe out the Italy-based Mafia 'using'
American mobsters as unwitting ally while hurting any prospect of
American aid to England, now that the Pact of Steel has been signed by
Italy.
MAJOR FRANCESCO SARGENTO
I am pleased to report that our initial
contacts with the U.S. gangster factions
have been most promising; thus far, we
have used lower-level contacts, we have
both agreed on this, until the payment
has been made; this is to the good, as
they are completely untraceable to us.
COLONEL HEINRICH HINCHE
Berlin wants no mistakes----you and they
must not raise any suspicion of our
involvement.
MAJOR FRANCESCO SARGENTO
We shall do whatever is necessary to
point the blame directly at these
gangsters, all of them, in due time.
(he motions to an aide)
Here you see the key disembarkation
ports with the capacity to supply
England; we have assurances from the
U.S.
mobsters controlling the longshoremen's
guilds, provided they are paid in
untraceable commodities, principally
gold, to be prepaid in part through our
Swiss agents. Not to worry---how did
Lenin phrase it: they are 'useful idiots',
largely illiterate, hardly even speaking
the mother tongue, with little connection
to these 'old timers', with their primitive
superstitious ways, you see?
COLONEL HEINRICH HINCHE
Nevertheless, we want assurances that
whoever you select are not double
agents.
Since the botched assassination in
Miami certain suspicions have been
aroused, mostly among this Roosevelt's
many Jewish advisors and friends---it is
owing only to their greedy bankers that
we continue our rearmament efforts.
MAJOR FRANCESCO SARGENTO
Please understand, I have known
Sicilians my whole life, we understand
each other: they only see the gold!
COLONEL HEINRICH HINCHE
You will, of course, forgive me for saying
so, but it would seem they have much in
common, these American gangsters and
your 'black shirts', yes?.
(smiling)
MAJOR FRANCESCO SARGENTO
I take your meaning, not my aesthetic,
all this plumage and trappings of ancient
Roman Legions, it is not simply
grotesque, but they seem to forget that
black was the color of their greatest
defeat, by the black man, Hannibal---this
is somehow to be avenged in Ethiopia,
foolishness.
COLONEL HEINRICH HINCHE
I....trust that you are more discreet when
handling our affairs.
FRANCESCO SARGENTO
Have no doubts; you see,these walls are
soundproof, compliments of Il Duce!
AN ITALIAN OFFICER, WITH SPECIAL INSIGNIA, IS EAVSDROPPING
IN ANOTHER OFFICE.
FRANCESCO SARGENTO
Further to your point, they will serve our
needs, the Axis and your Fuhrer;
remember, our ruthless homeland
roundups of these mafiosi clans here in
Italy leave only American gangsterism as
culprit when the contracted sabotage is
done, nothing more and, then, at the
appointed time, they shall meet their
ultimate fate.
COLONEL HEINRICH HINCHE
Let us hope so, for everyone's sake, even
these American bumpkins may not be
fooled twice; by the way Major...
(stern face)
do you not mean 'our' Fuhrer?!
JUMP CUT TO:
INT GERMAN EMBASSY WASHINGTON, DC EVE
Lindbergh is on hand, guest of honor of the Reich.
GERMAN AMBASSADOR
Mine Herren & Damen....our duly elected
Reichfuhrer extends his warmest
welcome to Germany...in America!
(self-conscious laughter)
I have the great honor of presenting to
you a hero of Germany, America and the
world; his aerial exploits are only
matched by his, so to say, 'down to Earth'
common sense....I give you our honoree,
the great Charles Lindbergh!
(applause)
As Lindbergh ascends to the podium, he is surprised to see the
German military attache approach with an elaborate box.
GERMAN AMBASSADOR
Kind sir, before you begin your remarks,
allow me the privilege of presenting to
you my homeland's highest honorary
medal.....
(he places it around L.'s Neck
as L. Smiles broadly)
CHARLES LINDBERGH
I am truly moved, thank you, thank you.
(more applause)
Mr. Ambassador, esteemed guests,
America stands at a crossroads, one path
leading to continued peace the other to
hysterical and unwarranted conflict with
countries we need not fear.........
CUT TO EARLIER
THAT EVENING:
INT LARGE CENTRAL POST OFFICE WASHINGTON DC EVE
Miss Jackson walks in hurriedly, scanning a nearly empty lobby lined
with post office boxes.
MISSY JACKSON
Mr. Frank, ah jus gettin here, that jitney
ta the street car late, like always.
FRANK ROILES
Don't worry yourself, all to the good;
wanted this place empty.
(looks around handing her
large envelope)
Be sure and see this gets to that
address, pronto.
MISSY JACKSON
Dips, he nervous as can be but ah make
certain he do as you tole him.
(pregnant pause)
Mr. Frank, ahs got somethin to say to
you, here awright?
FRANK ROILES
Let's walk outside.
JUMP CUT TO:
EXT ALLEYWAY OF LARGE CENTRAL POST OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
EVE
FRANK ROILES
(looking around)
We're all set, town's only got ghosts.
MISSY JACKSON
Now, you knows I be careful as can
be.....fore ah comes here lady fren a mine
come over; by den, Dips he gone to call
his woik at da payphone.
FRANK ROILES
(sensing her distress)
Miss J, you act like you've seen one a my
ghosts---what gives?
MISSY JACKSON
You see, it's like this here, she got the
giff, the shine; I don't tell her nuthin
when she say---"Sense somethin evil,
bad evil....like Judas hisself wid us".
FRANK ROILES
That, from a piece of paper?
MISSY JACKSON
Ah don't say nuthin, and she in her
spell, but I knows was about this here
letter. She never wrong, Mr. Frank!
Strong wind gust from nowhwere blows up, causing Frank to start.
FRANK ROILES
Well, there's your standard 'ill wind'......
FLR's attempt at levity falls flat.
MISSY JACKSON
....dat Blows no good! YOu be careful,
you hear.
FRANK ROILES
It's a bet; come on, my car's around the
corner.
(puts his arm around her)
CUT TO:
EXT LITTLE ITALY BISTRO NEW YORK DAY
Ensconced in a private booth are Frank Costello and Lucky Charles
Luciano, conferring....
FRANK COSTELLO
......looks good for the slots down in Big
Easy town; had it with Dewey and that
fat slob Guineau LaGuardia.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Tell me bout it, can't a paisan live at the
Waldorf in peace!
FRANK COSTELLO
May be time fur ya ta use Mussolini to
our advantage; sides, got all the old time
Dons in a twist, cocksucker!
LUCKY LUCIANO
Waitin for da right time is all; gotta have
a scare then the G-men'll be all ears.
FRANK COSTELLO
What ya got in mind----hey, my boys
would love a goodbye kiss-off!
LUCKY LUCIANO
Soon, got us da spot cased, easy pickins,
way ole 'Il Duchebag' is kissin Kraut ass
could work out better n we hoped.
Waiter obsequiously comes with their food.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Hey, Luigi, what you think a dis
Mussolini?
WAITER
(stream of Italian expletives
and hand gestures)
FRANK COSTELLO
(laughing heartily)
Hey, ya know, the Limeys are talkin bout
givin im uh knighthood!
LUCKY LUCIANO
(poker faced)
Enough!!
(pause of dread)
How you know I don't like him, eh?......
(pause)
Relax!!! YA see, I do....like
him......Morta!
(big belly laugh)
That's the kinda 'night' for that hood---
permanent night!
SHOT: NEWSREEL FOOTAGE OF IL DUCE RECEIVING HIS
KNIGHTHOOD.
CUT TO:
INT. HOOVER'S PLUSH CADILLAC LIMOUSINE-EVENING
Edgah is being briefed....by the mob, having been instructed by the FDR
to 'get them', potential saboteurs;
worshipping the Prez's high origins, and fearing his own 'lowly'
beginnings, he will do whatever it takes to curry favor, in both his and
the coincidental national interest.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
So, what you want me to believe, and
cause the Chief to also believe, is that
Jeffords Roosevelt himself is a spy ring's
dupe!?
MOB MESSENGER
Mr. H, don't get sore, I'm just the mess...
(cut off)
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Yes, yes, I know, don't shoot the
messenger; see here, and speaking of
shooting
(self-amused smirk)
I need a smoking gun, the kind of thing
that lays it out so plainly that we---I--
look like a hero and not some come lately
Keystone copper, capish?
MOB MESSENGER
We're workin on it, Chief.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
That's another thing----till you earn the
title 'Agent'----and don't think for a
minute that would ever come to pass---
I'll thank you not to call me Chief;
that's reserved for better ilk than you'll
ever see.
(flushed)
Now....get me what I need, or I might
forget my usual aplomb, my blind eye
might just experience a miracle cure, got
it?
WE 'HEAR' THE PRIVATE THOUGHTS OF THE MOBSTER, IN A FUZZY
SWIRL TO FROZEN ACTION.
V.O.
Look at im, thinks he's got fuckin aplomb
---Hell, the half-niggah problee tinks the
too-high class woid means 'a bomb'!
MOB MESSENGER
I'll deliver your exact words to Mr. L right
away, Ch......sir.
The mob go-between is let out, the car hardly coming to a stop, at a
deserted trucking company warehouse district in the underbelly of the
District.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Hoover taps his deaf driver---he's that paranoid and private---and
hands him a pre-printed card.
WE SEE THE NEATLY CALLIGRAPHIED CARD: 'TAKE ME TO
NATIONAL AIRPORT, FRITZ".
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. THE ISLAND OF CORSICA-DAY
The Sicilian Dons, being systematically slaughtered by the black
shirted Fascists who don't like competition, have reached out to their
American cousins. Luciano, himself anticipating this gesture, has
made one of his own. They speak in Italian.
LUCIANO'S CONSIGLIERE
Don Vincenzo, an honor.
(kneels, kissing hand)
DON VINCENZO
Up, up! We meet as equals, with the
common enemy.
A ceremony is held, wherein wine is mingled with ancestral blood from
an ornate vial, the attendees' own blood being drawn with an ancient
Moorish dagger.
DON VINCENZO
In Roma, this strutting buffoon and his
minions from Hades may fool the swine
they herd, but not us;
tht is why they have been persuaded that
we would be betrayed by you, la familia.
LUCIANO'S CONSIGLIERE
(smiling)
Then they have truly accepted our bait,
our pledge to serve their needs in
America, on their promises to wipe out
anyone seeking to share in their spoils of
Axis conquest----this we could only
surmise until now. Of course, the
worthless ancient Roman 'rites'
(he pauses, smirking)
We concocted from thin air, must have
held sway, so self-impressed are they
with their cheap Legions standards.
DON HERRERA
A bunch of fools, certainly, but not their
Bosch masters; they are not so easily
misled, yes?
LUCIANO'S CONSIGLIERE
Wisely said; this is why there must be a
convincing demonstration of Mussolini's
'success', which your 'disloyal', greedy
American brothers must appear to carry
out for Il Duce, taking the 'rap', as we
say, at least for a while.
This will be no trouble----we have certain
patrones in high places who will put it
down to anarchistic communists----they
are everywhere these days in America!
(smiling broadly)
DON HERRERA
When do you expect the explosive
situation to develop?
(also smirking)
LUCIANO'S CONSIGLIERE
When else----but American
Independence Day, such things are less
conspicuous then, eh?
The elder Don Vincenzo seems to dampen the enthusiasm with his
mere body language, so respected is he.
DON VINCENZO
I am concerned
(pregnant pause)
In the interim period, another month,
our people disappear by the dozen daily.
Luciano gave strict orders that all assurances must be made to
engender solidarity.
LUCIANO'S CONSIGLIERE
Don Vincenzo......you know best the
history of these rugged mountains;
Don Paolo and his protege Bonaparte
succeeded in making them an
impenetrable fortress in their fight for
liberation; your people must hide out
here. Just as we have not been
detected, this island will take care of
them even if found out; besides, there is
grumbling all around about Ethiopia,
Duce needs time to regain his prestige.
Sensing the need for a little levity, Luciano's man closes the deal.
LUCIANO'S CONSIGLIERE
We call it 'going to the mattresses'!
The desired effect is achieved. After another day of planning and
cordiality, a surprise parting ceremony is arranged by the Sicilians. The
capo di tutti capi is wheeled in, having not attended due to his frailty.
DON GERALDONATO
I am 95 years of age.......I have seen
much, and many; you, paisano, have
made me very glad.
I am an old swordsman, and have killed
14 of our enemies in this time-honored
way of honor, with the blade.
I am the honorary keeper of this symbol
of our having been conquered by the
Moors; take it!
He turns somber, motioning for the Americans to draw closer;
producing the dagger used earlier, he speaks softly. Opera music
comes up softly.
For 500 years it was the weapon of choice
of men of honor....our maestros were
sought out all over the world, like the
Toledo steel of the blades they
used....the Roman legions were beaten
with such weapons, used by Hannibal's
armies.....the Romans were no fools,
they adopted these blades, never to lose
again....until now! You, our American
brothers, who know little of this, must
know its power, the power we honor in
our bloodletting ceremonies.
(pauses for breath)
You, you must lead our botta segreta,
con stresso tempo! Sr. Luciano, he is
now our Guardia Prima, but we must
fight with brace a una spada solo!
Go, then, and fulfill our destiny through
this brilliant impetinata!
ENGLISH SUBTITLES ARE SEEN ON SCREEN: 'OUR SECRET ATTACK,
SIMULTANEOUSLY ATTACKING WHILE DEFENDING, TWO SWORDS
AS ONE SWORD!'
He makes the universal gesture of throat-cutting with the sheathed
blade.
Il Duce.....and his black shirts, black like
the Moors...and, so, blackest death to
such blackhearts!
He simulates melodramatically the consequent slumping, tongue out.
The Americans are blown away by the gesture, literally speechless;
Then, demonstrating his own sense of levity and its timing.
And, yet, what is there to worry and fret
about----you all are under the protection,
after all is said and done, of one called
'Lucky'----La Fortuna!
(all laugh and embrace)
FADE TO:
EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE GUARD SHACK-DAY
'Dips' Carter is returning to work the day after his sudden
disappearance.
WHITE HOUSE GUARD
Welcome back, Dipsey! Don't look any
the worse for wear, me boy;
why, even if ya was hung over, couldn't
tell if me life depended....
(pausing for effect)
Say, ya can tell me, have a few nips, eh,
Dips....yesterday, whilst we was here
runnin the show?
DIPS CARTER
Like his race mates for generations, he has learned well to play the
fool, and even that would be the source of further grief to come.
No, no...su....suh, I doan drinks tall, you
gots me con fews.
Dips returns to his duties in the House; a formal Congressional dinner
is to take place that night and he seeks to do Frank's bidding while
dispatching an alternate duty: to maintain the President's private
study, where he found the letter; it is windowless yet he is extra
cautious.
WE SEE HIM CAUTIOUSLY GO ABOUT HIS BUSINESS, LEADING TO
HIS REPLACEMENT OF THE LETTER; HIS THOUGHTS ARE
'OVERHEARD'.
DIPS CARTER
No, suh, this 'guilty dog' ain doin no
barkin; ain done nuthin wrong, dat's da
truth, so help me Gawd!
CUT TO A FEW
HOURS LATER:
INT. DIPS' BEDROOM-NIGHT
WE SEE DIPS, NORMALLY A SOUND SLEEPER, SUDDENLY SHOOT
STRAIGHT UP IN HIS BED, NIGHT SWEATED, HIS PAJAMAS SOAKED;
HIS EYES SCAN THE ROOM, DAZED, FINALLY, SHARPLY FOCUSING,
ACCOMPANIED BY A MUFFLED SOUND, UPON HIS SHOES, HIS SIZE
19EEE SHOES.
DIPS CARTER
Sweet Jesus, ma fooprins!
FADE OUT.
INT. NY APARTMENT OF JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT-DAY
He is rushing for a mandatory visit home to Washington; he dials the
phone to Marta.
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
I already explained to you why I can't
take you; look, Pa insists that I be
present at some bloody soiree....I should
be able to train it back tonight, alright?
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
(hangs up mad)
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
(redialing immediately)
She, Dr. Marta 'Pavlov', is very pleased with his planned reaction to
her peevishness about some lackluster Broadway show; it was to have
been a public display of her house-broken 'puppy' for her handlers.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
I'm so very disappointed.......
(pause for effect)
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
Make it up to you, you'll see.
CUT TO LATER
THAT EVENING.
INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENTIAL STUDY-EARLY EVE.
The President, as is his habit, is taking refuge prior to a public affair
and enjoying his cache of German shcnapps; he has wheeled himself
into the windowless dimly lit room, with its freshly vacuumed deep pile
plush carpet. After almost an hour, he begins to leave, finding a piece
of paper enmeshed in his wheels.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
What the Dickens?!
CUT TO LATER
THAT EVEINING.
INT. PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF WHITE HOUSE-NIGHT
A Secret Service man stands guard at a door; it is the bedroom door of
Jeffords R.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
And Chief, I want a thorough going over
of this graduate student of ours, all the
lot of it, understand?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Mr. President, just leave it to me and my
Agents---we'll get to the bottom of it, by
God.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Knew I could count on you, Edgah; come
to dinner next Sunday....and Report.
FLASHBACK TO
1864:
INT. EXECUTIVE MANSION CABINET ROOM-EVENING
Secretary of State William H. Seward, of Folly fame, is pacing &
haranguing the President.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD
Sir, with respect, Benjamin's got his
swarthy clutches far too deep into
Washington City's homes and hearths for
me----us----to allow this very house to be
so infested with seditious operators.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
(seeming to mumble)
'Perpetual Exigency Machine'.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD
Begging your pardon, sir?
The President appears to have ignored Seward, utterly, lost in deep
thought, rubbing his forehead.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD
I shall retire, Mr. President, and leave
you to your prior business, with but one
more point, if I may
(not waiting for permission)
Mrs. Lincoln shares my concerns about
the Negro staff.
Seward melodramatically exits stage right; Lincoln knows, however,
that he is not the fool of public Folly, but a crafty old fox.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
(sighs deeply)
WE SEE A LETTER IN COMPOSITION; IT BEGINS, IN HIS OWN HAND:
'MY DEAR MRS. WHITE, IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT I CONVEY
TO YOU THE DIRE NEWS OF THE DEMISE OF YOUR SON JACOB IN
BATTLE; IT IS ESPECIALLY BURDENSOME WHEN THE RECIPIENT IS
OF A RACE SO ACCUSTOMED TO AN ALREADY INHUMAN BURDEN....
CUT TO NEXT
DAY:
EXT. EXECUTIVE MANSION SOUTH 'FIELD'-DAY
A Pinkerton man has approached a older Negro man, one accustomed
to house duties; it is a hot day and he is tilling a makeshift victory
garden.
PINKERTON MAN
Now, Jed, tell us again how you came to
leave the South.
JEDEDIAH CARTER
Ah done toll the other man....
(cut off abruptly)
PINKERTON MAN
You mean Captain Pinkerton, my good
fellow.......
(looking at pad)
Says here that you lived in Louisiana,
that right?
They are obviously trying to trick him into small contradictions,
condescendingly.
JEDEDIAH CARTER
Suh, meanin no disrespek, my peoples
been here in dis city since they was a
Federal City; ma daddy woiked on dis
here buildin, way back den;
dose days, wadn't no where a Negro could
go what wiff dem redcoats acomin....dey
boin down dis house, he wuz scared,
found woik on a plantation there, in da
house.
PINKERTON MAN
Yes, working for Senator Benjamin,
Judah P. Benjamin, of New Orleans; you
know about this man?
JEDEDIAH CARTER
I knows de name, sure does, was mighty
good to my kinfolk, treed em ride, I
reckon.
PINKERTON MAN
You and your 'people' here at the
Mansion know what he's doing now, do
you?
JEDEDIAH CARTER
Only what ah sees in de papers.
PINKERTON MAN
(shocked)
You read?
JEDEDIAH CARTER
(afraid)
A liddle, ah guess; ma daddy he knew
how ta reed dem drawins, he made me to
loin soze to get good woik.
PINKERTON MAN
Took quite a chance, it being illegal and
all; are you, Jed, takin any chances these
days?
JEDEDIAH CARTER
I is ride now......
(boldly pausing)
If'n ah doan git these here maters out
the groun, Foist Lady gonna have my
hide!
PINKERTON MAN
Never mind that, my clever fellow; see
here, you having any truck with rebel
spies, are ya?
A distinct Irish lilt has characterized this cop's voice; he is growing
frustrated with the intelligence of this supposed fool.
JEDEDIAH CARTER
(proudly)
Eyes a loyal Union man, ah am; loss two
cousins in dis here war, down South.
PINKERTON MAN
We'll be watchin ya, fella, you see that ya
keep yer nose in this here dirt.
JEDEDIAH CARTER
(sensing strength)
But suh, ah woiks in de house...ain't no
dirt in dat house!
(smiling)
Cop walks away in a huff, looking back in anger.
CUT TO PRESENT
DAY:
INT. LUCIANO'S SOCIAL CLUB IN NY-NIGHT
The Luciano gang leaders are gathered for a meeting, in pursuit of the
actions planned in Corsica: pressure is on from Hoover for
'information' and from the black shirts, through their killings of the
Sicilians, who must be led to believe that they have bought their
American cousins.
MOB BUTTONMAN
'Scuse, Don Luciano.....
LUCKY LUCIANO
What is it? Has she arrived?
MOB BUTTONMAN
Yeah....yes, Don.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Show her in.
Marta enters, commanding, owning the room with her elegance--she is
attired as if just come from a formal evening out, an evening when she
was to have displayed her 'house broken' puppy, Jeffords, to her
handlers for reassurance of them that her mission was well in hand.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Welcome, Miss Sundstrum.....may I get
you some refreshment?
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Why, yes, thank you; perhaps a mineral
water, this is business.
He motions for the water; she is taken with his manners and his
ruggedly handsome face, in the way women drawn to power are.
LUCKY LUCIANO
As you say, to business.
(looks at purse)
I don't think you have brought it with
you.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Not quite.
(hands him paper)
Will this do?
LUCKY LUCIANO
Without looking at it, he passes it to a short, balding man, not Italian
by appearance.
MEYER LANSKY
This international letter of credit is not
'irrevocable'.
LUCKY LUCIANO
What about that?
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
I'm at a loss....you see I don't handle
such things, the brass does.
He senses she is merely a sex toy, albeit an elegant one, only a go
between in this instance;
this time, she is just the distracting messenger; they never figured on
Meyer, a Jew, as Luciano's ironic touch.
LUCKY LUCIANO
So are we according to my associate here;
tell me my lovely messenger, do you
happen to know who does?
(she nods)
Well, then maybe you could deliver a
message for us: 'Your attempted delivery
tells me that the 'brass', as your
beautiful messenger calls you, is mostly
hangin in your private parts'-----you
getting this? Capish? You're part Italian,
right....
(she nods again)
Good;
now, can you see to it that it gets to the
'brass' balls band you represent as soon
as possible----we need the gelt, as my
associate calls it, to acquire certain
Chinese fireworks, lots a middle men
these days.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
So I've heard; there's a Depression on,
I'm told.
Made quite an impression on most of the
world, your system's collapse.
MEYER LANSKY
You got us confused with those crooks
on Wall Street, honey; that
's a closed shop, especially to us; we're
just businessmen....our 'system's' more
like a reallocation of previously kleptoed
wealth. And just so we're clearly
understood, it's your people are holding
up progress----ours and theirs as
new...partners.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Yes, be a real shame, no fireworks on the
Fourth, of this year...or any other year,
for that matter.
People suffered enough, don't you think,
need a 'new world order', ain't that right?
You ready for the rest of the message?
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Certainly, all part of the service, and, I
believe that phrase is Herr Hitler's.
She has kept her cool, no giveaway pantomimes, proving them right
about her relative innocence.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Touche....heard that in a swordfightin
movie once, always wanted ta use
it....here goes: 'Unless we're made happy
about this obvious mistake in the
paperwork, we're gonna need our kinda
metal, as in Fort Knox, acid-tested
....and up front.'
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
His Excellency's people will comply, I am
sure, immediately in correcting this....
error. On behalf of Il Duce, you have my
personal assurances.
LUCKY LUCIANO
He is, if I may say so, one very lucky 'cue
ball', you ask me.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
How do you mean?
LUCKY LUCIANO
Having you in his service, of course.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
It is an honor to be so; owing to him I
have had the privilege of, how do you say,
rubbing elbows with certain royal
personages of Europe, including, now, of
course, Il Duce, Sir Benito Mussolini.
But, you haven't answered my question--
cue ball?
LUCKY LUCIANO
Usually, it's me askin the
questions...they play billiards, right,
these royals......let's just hope that
certain newly crowned cue ball don't rub
up against this eight ball....
(smirking)
...tell me, Miss Sundstrum, you enjoy
your work, is it satisfying?
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
Let's just say that commerce is the most
satisfying intercourse.
They are duly impressed with her acumen and poise.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Perhaps some day your 'services' may be
useful to me as well.
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
(boldly)
I'm sorry, but they are the sole property
of Il Duce.
LUCKY LUCIANO
Dark nights servicing the black Knight,
eh?
Well, now that we are 'partners' in crime,
maybe he'll agree to the occasional loan
of your...skills.
(the men laugh)
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
She ignores the sexual innuendo, long since immune.
I'm afraid I don't take your meaning--
what is this 'black' knight reference you
make?
LUCKY LUCIANO
Oh, that, just a, what you call it,
observation concernin a question a
sartorial taste's all; you know, black
shirts and all that stuff.
She rises to leave, ignoring beautifully the last innuendo.
MEYER LANSKY
Miss Sundstrum, one more thing: be
sure and tell your handlers, the big brass
ones, to avoid any further fucking with
us, especially with the help, however
inadvertent, of so lovely a distraction .
MARTA SUNDSTRUM
If it's any consolation, if it was what you
say it was, it was their attempt at a royal
fucking.
(she smiles)
They stand out of respect for her 'brass balls' loyalty.
CUT TO NEXT
DAY:
INT. WHITE HOUSE DINING ROOM-EVENING
FDR is dining with Edgah, per invitation; Hoover has little or nothing
to go on, so he bluffs/bullshits, telling the Prez what he wants to hear,
he thinks.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Well, Edgah, hope your appetite is good,
my Negress cook, Cecelia, has prepared
one of your favorite dishes.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
He is puzzled, having never eaten there before.
Oh, oh....fine, but that wasn't necessary.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Nonsense, gotta keep the Chief copper
well-nourished for the tough battles
ahead, eh?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
You're too kind, sir; and I think I can put
your mind at ease with this Jeffords
business, Mr. President.
My confidential sources tell me that this
Sundstrum woman, if I recall her name
correctly, is from a family of ne'er do well
hangers on to Tyrolian Italian-German
lesser idle royal types, really low living,
sinful.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
That so, idle rich, eh; go on.
FDR is probing, as he knows more than Hoover knows he knows, by
far.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Yessir, in a few days I think we'll have it
all wrapped up, this sordid business;
don't be too hard on Jeff, just
impressionable's all, if I may say so, sir.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Good to hear, reassuring; is she
attractive?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Not by my standards, sir, no, just a
foreign tart it would appear.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Interesting; if my recollection serves,
know the type, very sensual. Time was,
when I was a young scamp, it was
hard....not to be hard!
(belly laugh)
Sorry, Edgah, didn't mean to spoil your
supper.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Not at all, sir, I take your meaning; still,
not a woman born could cause me or any
of my trained Agents to compromise
themselves or their country.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
You're not suggesting.......
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Oh, no, sir! Red-blooded young
American, your Jeffords; no, just naive,
barely 23 as I recall; besides, don't see
what on Earth she could have thought to
get out of him.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
You think she's a spy?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
If she is, she's not a very capable one;
from what you've told me, young Jeff
might have given her some dry statistics
about shipping, but, no, siree, nothing
you couldn't learn on the street.......
Hoover catches himself, bordering on revealing his cozy 'confidential
sources' and their nefarious identity.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Do go on, fascinating stuff, really; you
were saying?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Nothing really, sir, just mean that they
could have gone about it more easily,
using street toughs, that sort of thing if
they wanted to probe for weaknesses.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
It's the 'they' part that bothers me, not
the young woman or even Jeffy.
Do you remember my original, very public
charge to you Edgah?
FDR has grown stern of face, posture, catching Hoover off guard.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Why yes, sir, you were very supportive,
very prescient about this sabotage
business being a real potential problem.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
"Find them", I said, stuck my neck out for
you, in an important cause. Tell me
Edgah, have any plans for the upcoming
Fourth?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Why, no sir, nothing in.....
(cut off)
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Excellent; how would you like to go to
New York for me, sort of a 'show the flag'
tour, the kind old TR did with the 'white
navy', that sort of thing.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Great man, Theodore, like yourself sir;
I'd be proud, even though New York is
hardly a hostile world; you flatter me.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Don't be so hasty, Edgah-----remember, I
was Governor of New York; and that City
can be like a foreign bastion, now can't
it?
OLD FASHIONED
TELESCOPING
DOWN FADE OUT.
EXT. NEW YORK HARBOR DOCKSIDE WAREHOUSE AREA- EVENING
The Fourth of July celebration is nearing; security is lax, in accord with
the Luciano shills and fronts' plan.
WE SEE A HUGE EXPLOSIVE CONFLAGRATION, AT PRECISELY THE
TIME THE FIREWORKS BEGIN; HOOVER IS RUSHING TO THE
SCENE, AS IS FRANK LEE ROILES, WHO HE HAS SENT FOR, AND
WHO HAS TRAINED UP FROM WASHINGTON.
FRANK ROILES
What the Hell were you thinkin, Edgah,
letting this sorta thing happen?
Frank, of course, knows HE could have helped prevent it, with the
letter he has copied, but he planned to use that as leverage when it
might be far more important, when he was sure something he only
sensed was up; now was that occasion, when Hoover couldn't use it
against him.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Don't you take that tone with me, you
low living son of a bitch! Goddam NY
cops're on the take, alls I can say.
FRANK ROILES
Sell it somewhere else, will ya Edgah,
that's news only to newborns.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Well, you bastard, I'm sure no newborn;
why, I built the goddam Bureau from
nothing, trained every Agent........
FRANK ROILES
Would you put a sock in it! Remember
me, um one of those agents, know the
score, right; you think there's a mouse
farts round here don't have mobster
permission?!
J. EDGAR HOOVER
What're you implying, you lousy ingrate?
Why, I....
FRANK ROILES
Nothing, except you're the guy's got all
the confidential informants, and the guy
whose gettin hosed by em at the same
time's all.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
God damn it, you been holding out on
me, you......Jimmy Egan over at the
White House tells me you been snoopin
round there, and the carpool people say
you're visiting some strange places
lately. Maybe you need a rest,
reassignment, maybe to California, say.
FRANK ROILES
Ok, Edgah, but any direction I go, the
'way' I go, you're goin with me, capish?
Edgah has gone pale; he now is listening intently.
FRANK ROILES
Look, with the dynamite I'm onto, this
looks like what it was: an unfortunate
fireworks explosion----see, some wino
sleeping in the warehouse there
(pointing)
Lights a butt and, boom....capish? Do we
understand each other, you pickin up
what um puttin down? This thing is big,
whatever it is, and your pals been
screwin with you so hard ya can't feel the
smoke they're blowing up your shute!
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Now just calm down, for Christ's sake; I
know you're an old fencer, alright, so
stop sticking that damn sword in me;
let's get this place cordoned off and
secure, then it's back to my---our--
hotel!
Frank knows when to lighten things up; now is such a moment.
FRANK ROILES
And for your information, it's called
'parrying', with palpable hits, not even
blood drawn sometimes, I might add. A
true fencer is a strategist, see, doesn't
always wanna kill the adversary, might be
useful alive, reminder to others, that
sort of thing. With what I know and they
know, could be all this sparring can be
turned in favor of America, remember
her, Edgah, starts with an A, not an E.
It begins to rain, helping the firefighters behind them.
Come on, got somethin been savin for a
rainy day wanna show ya.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Yeah, yeah, don't worry, I'm 'en garde',
now.
CUT TO:
INT. MANHATTAN DA'S OFFICES-DAY
The ambitious District Attorney, Thomas Dewey, is elated at having
finally obtained enough 'evidence' to bust up the New York mobsters;
this will be his ticket to a Republican White House, as he abhors the
ideas of a reelected Roosevelt.
THOMAS E. DEWEY
Are you absolutely sure....
(interrupted)
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR
Thom, would you please relax, we've got
the goods on him this time, no question.
Funny how witnesses can 'find' their
memories when you make it worthwhile.
THOMAS E. DEWEY
Just as long as we can deport him, that's
all I care about----can you believe it, the
son of a bitch never became a citizen!
(laughing)
FLASHBACK TO
THREE YEARS
AGO:
INT. RECORDER OF VITAL STATISTICS OFFICE D.C.-LATE
AFTERNOON
One J. Edgar Hoover has paid a visit to the long-serving official
incharge of birth and other statistical records for the District; he has a
very special request to make.
WILEY RAMSON
Well, saints preserve me, if it ain't J.
Edgar Hoo....
(interrupted)
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Alright, alright, you can cut the Lodge
greetings, got it? Are we alone?
WILEY RAMSON
Why, sure, Edgah, told ya everyone
leaves 4:30, like clockwork. Don't worry.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Can't be too careful in my position; look,
are we agreed on this thing.....you know I
can do a lot of good for you and your
family.
WILEY RAMSON
Hey, we's old pals, ain't we, no need for
all that talk bout favoritism---now that
makes me nervous, know I don't like no
public life, no sir; me, just wanna be left
alone, doin my job, all proper like.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
(angry)
You call this proper?
WILEY RAMSON
Well, sir, yes I do, if'n it'll kill off all this
rabid nonsense the coloreds been
spreadin ever since can remember
(holds up document)
This'll do the trick, sure enough.
Why, most folks don't recall that small
fire we had back in '98.....I was a junior
clerk then; yessir, all the Negro records
was burnt up, what ones we had,
notorious about not reportin, to this day,
what with no doc around.
Edgah peruses the Duplicate Birth Certificate and is impressed.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
This is nice work....official seal, from that
period and all!
WILEY RAMSON
Packrat, that's me; throw nuthin out, and
this here seal was near wore out
(shows it)
Why, no good anymore, after this last
impression!
He smashes the seal into small pieces, places them in a handkerchief
and hands it to Edgah.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
This calls for a celebration!
He pulls out a flask, passing it to Wiley; then, he is out the back door,
into the alley, where Wiley's brother,his deaf driver, is waiting.
FADE TO
BLACK/PRESENT
DAY..
INT. MARTA'S NEW YORK APARTMENT-MORNING
It is July 5th; Marta is found dead by her landlady, strangled; the local
Agent tailing her has called in Edgah.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Anybody else on this?
NY AGENT
No sir, you wanted.....
(cut off)
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Alright; now, you wanna tell me how the
Hell this happened with you shadowing
her?
NY AGENT
Well, I was hit over the head, sir.
(wincing)
FRANK ROILES
Smitty, you better get that looked at,
huh?
NY agent leaves them alone with the coroner, who is preparing to take
her to the City morgue.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Say, doc, you know this is a federal
matter, no locals, and no press, got it?
FRANK ROILES
That's right, doc.
(flashes his ID)
CORONER
Ok, ok, hey, what do I know from spies.
FRANK ROILES
Just keep it like that---ignorance is
bliss, eh.
Coroner and crew leave.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Well, this is just fucking ducky! What
the blazes do I tell the Pres......looks like
I'll have to implicate your Negro friend,
what's his name, Dipsey Carter?
(smirking)
FRANK ROILES
Slow down, there, Chief, you know you
don't want to do that, Wiley or no Wiley...
Hoover turns his whitest; as he is dark, this is something even to
Frank.
Look pretty white to me, all of a sudden;
no, if you talk to anyone it's your
'confidential sources' buddies--
something tells me they, and the
President, may just know more than you
think.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
What are you saying, that the White
House is somehow involved, covering up
for little Jeffy?!
FRANK ROILES
Maybe, but not the way you think; he's
far too smart for that sort of thing
without a damned good reason. No, even
with the '40 election, he could use this
thing either way.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
You mean......against the isolationist
crowd and her murderers with one stone,
claiming Jeffords volunteered for 'king &
country' as bait?
FRANK ROILES
Well, here's one bird already killed that
would tend to get you off the hook, huh,
Edgah; anyway, I mean he knows who
she was, what she was up to.
Frank has been searching the apartment while they spoke; he comes
across a phone number, with "LL" next to it.
FRANK ROILES
Know any one with these initials that
she might have met?
(smiling)
One thing's for sure---whoever did this
wanted that to be found.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Frame up, seen it to many times.
FRANK ROILES
Yeah.....the question is always who's the
framer. Who knows, might've even
studied your methods.....
Frank dials the phone, handing it to Hoover, who stares intently at it,
then puts it to his ear.
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENTIAL STUDY-EARLY EVE.
FDR and Jeffords are having a father/son heart to heart; they are both
enjoying a cocktail and a rare time together.
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
Pa, you know, these last few days, I can't
recall a time when we were........
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Good from bad, my boy, positive from a
negative---why it reminds me of all the
hand-wringing when I was diagnosed;
they all wrote me off, including me, I
suppose, was awfully blue, bluer than
I've ever been, son.
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
Almost the way I felt that evening, when
you confronted me about the letter
Dips...
.... introduced me to the 'blues'....
(under breath)
had found; funny, she referred to our
.....well, tryst as a 'blue.......blue
rendezvous'.....how could I have been
so...
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Human? Some of the brightest do the
dumbest th.....
(the wheels are turning)
interesting; might be some sort of code
name for her operation......
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
You always were keen on this espionage
business...
(cut off)
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Young man!.......
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
(apologetic)
Pa, I didn't mean......
(cut off)
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
You've given me a capital idea, young
man, simply capital! Be a good fellow and
fetch Harry Hopkins for me, will
you....and Jeff, I'm proud of the way
you're handling this thing and....so very
sorry to have neglected....my fatherly
duties, won't happen again, if I can....
(faint tear)
JEFFORDS ROOSEVELT
Let's not forget my duties.....I'm off, this
time with the Secret Service.
FADE TO WHITE.
INT. LUCKY LUCIANO'S PENTHOUSE AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA
NIGHT
FRANK ROILES
I don't have to tell you the risk I'm taking
by coming........
(cut off)
LUCKY LUCIANO
Please, relax; no one knows you're here,
'sides, your boss can always call ya a
loose, how you say.....
FRANK ROILES
Canon....I'm an old salt. Edgah says you
have a proposition for him; ain't it funny,
we got one for you.
JUMP CUT TO
SAME DAY:
INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENTIAL STUDY-LATE EVE.
HARRY HOPKINS
Boss, gotta admit, this is some pickle.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Harry, you know sometimes the pickle's
just the thing that's missing to make the
sandwich, hey old boy?
HARRY HOPKINS
Well, I guess that makes us the meat,
half-baked at that, what with the
Republicans and Dewey on one side, and
the old guard New Dealer 'domestic'-only
agenda squeezing us but good.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Well said, my boy; which leads me to the
extra garnish to this snack, perhaps fit
for a 'king'!
HARRY HOPKINS
Just as long as his highness is popular,
spell that popularly electable, and
throwing the crown into the public
coffers, for good measure.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
The master politician is now in full flower, best in the face of fearful
events.
Amen & Hallelujah, that is the gospel!
Now look, thanks to a couple of loyal
citizens, old Frankie Roiles--remember
him from the Harvard fencing squad?
HARRY HOPKINS
Hell, yes, real pistol.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Right,good man, he, nonetheless......he
and one of our top porters here, we got
wind of this 'Blue Rendezvous' plan that
the Fascists cooked up to please their
Bosch corporal master, what with that
assassination business down in Miami
few years back blowing up in his face--
press actually thought to lay that one at
the corporal's feet, my idea, but the Wall
Streeters liked doing business with him
too much, 'birds of a feather'....; now,
good red-blooded American lad that he
was, 'twas young Jeffords 'unto the
breach', sacrificing his virginity.....
HARRY HOPKINS
Come on, boss, the public isn't that
damnably naive!
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Just joshing with you, Harry, old man,
forget the deflowering , good idea, carried
to excess to drive home a point, the old
fencing enthusiast in me, suppose;
nevertheless 'Young American lad, barred
from the military, undertakes to defend
America, the homeland, on its own soil,
with manhood his weapon'---can see the
papers now. Any problems with it, speak
up, old man.
HARRY HOPKINS
Mr. President.....Franklin, been with you
a long time, and you know that I don't
mince words
(pauses)
It's so unorthodox, it might just work, by
Jupiter. Why, you, your Bureau and the
Party look swell, finally shutting up the
appeasers, all that ilk. They'll simply
never see it coming, at home or abroad.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
(pensive)
Harry, I sense it may just be old mighty
Jupiter, or, more properly, the Jewish
Jehovah, at work here.
He has turned suddenly somber yet resolutely powerful in his aspect
and Hopkins feels it, the thing that has always made FDR charismatic.
(now smiling, out of reverie)
Capital.....get me Edgah, think he's back
from New York.
OLD FASHIONED
PEEL AWAY CUT
TO NEXT WEEK.
EXT. HYDE PARK NEW YORK ROOSEVELT HOME-DAY
In this secluded spot, on a Sunday's seemingly normal retreat, long
before the days of Camp David or a prying media, and when deference
to the President's privacy was the rule, a diverse group of men have
gathered to alter history in a way even they had not forseen.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Gentlemen, all, welcome; I'm sure that
most of you who don't know me or
otherwise may have opposed me or my
policies from time to time are more than
curious about why, and just how, our
paths, our 'destinies', if you will, have
converged.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Mr. President, as you know, the press is
expecting an announcement, in exchange
for their agreement to keep mum's the
word, so I hope all present understand
that we are Americans first and last;
party differences, and other so-called
priorities, must be subordinate to our
present crisis.
HARLAN LIEBOWITZ
I share the Director's, and your,
patriotism Mr. President and, as legal
counsel to Mr. Luciano, allow me to say
that he does as well.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Mr. Dewey, may we depend upon your
discretion as well?
THOMAS E. DEWEY
Let me reiterate what I told you in my
office, Edgah: America first, politics be
damned! I am prepared to wait until Hell
freezes over for my chance at the
Presidency.......
(looks at Prez)
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
(to himself)
Why you old dog you, playing it to the
'hilt.'....
(smiling at own cleverness)
Why, there's another of those fencing terms!
THOMAS E. DEWEY
.......if it means actually being able to
defeat the Axis's growing threat to us all
and, into the bargain, remove Mr.
Liebowitz's client from these shores and
our headlines.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Well, Thomas, it's that last comment we
wish to take up in some detail here; you
see, Mr. Luciano will be effectively acting
as an agent of mine in Italy, a seeming
captive tool of Mussolini himself-----he
must appear in the headlines, and often,
reminding all Americans that we are in
mortal danger from these thugs of the
Axis.
In exchange, of course, he may keep the
Axis lucre and enjoy amnesty from all
past crimes.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Well said, by all. Into this so-called
bargain with the Devil, our botta segreta
believe the Italian maestros call it, we
shall enjoy his unwittingly foolish
arousal of Americans of Italian descent
against Mussolini whilst Ill Duce, with 2
'l's, mind you, believes precisely the
opposite, thinking to portray us as
callous, exploitative xenophobes, if not
racialists at that!
HARRY HOPKINS
Begging your pardon, Mr. President, but
exactly how will Mussolini and his
Fascists be sold this notion that Luciano
can control his organized criminals, not
to mention us ,through them---no
offense intended to your client, Mr.
Leibowitz---from Rome?
HARLAN LIEBOWITZ
To the contrary, Harry, he'd be flattered,
way you put it so pointedly....
(smiling)
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
That's where Edgah and his boys, his
agents, headed up by Frank Lee Roiles,
old Harvard man, I might add--- hell of a
fencer, I'm told, spread the word to their
operatives here and abroad that, well,
we're all corrupt, been in bed with them
for years!
Edgah noticeably squirms especially with Dewey and FDR glaring at
him. Frank Lee Roiles comes out of the house joining his boss.
HARRY HOPKINS
Why, here's Frank now.......just talking
about you.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
'Speak of the Devil, he appears.'...that
how it goes?
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Droll, very droll; isn't there another
aspect of your plan, something you've
called 'mis-information', some such cloak
'n dagger thing?
FRANK ROILES
Well, yes; borrowed from an Italian
fencing term, actually, call it 'impetinata',
a feint, false attack, that sort of thing,
your 'dagger' remark's right on....point
(smiles at Prez)
Boy, these bladey terms do get into the
language, don't they!....and the cloak,
really a defensive weapon, very
useful...apropos to that, the Director
here
(gesturing to Edgah)
Has agreed to a smear campaign aimed at
his background-----it seems he's really a
Negro, you see
(all laugh)
Mixed, really, sort of a mutt, with Italian
and German blood, to boot!
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
As in 'jack boot', eh?
FRANK ROILES
Nice one, Mr. President; anyway, the
'Ity/Kraut' blood gambit is especially cute
--Edgah's own touch, might add
(Hoover squirms)
--- what with all that racial crap these
clowns been weened on from the bloody
teet of absurdity; along with the negroid
thing, well, it'll go over big with their
propaganda jerks, 'goosing up' their
bravado to the point of foolhardiness.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Rather like that comical marching
business, that 'goose-step', they call it,
completely ridiculous; your teet analogy,
brings to mind that Roman legend of
Romulus & Remus, suckled by a she-wolf
----and they dare to call us bumpkins!
FRANK ROILES
(this time he smiles at Prez)
This, gentlemen, is the coup de grace...
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
You see, another swordplayer's term,
well done; please, continue.....
FRANK ROILES
Uh, yeah, thanks again, sir, good a you to
point that out to the uninitiated, refers
to putting a vulnerable adversary out of
their, and our, misery---the 'grace' part,
nothin to do with whether they deserve
it, but, fair play's at the heart a
swordsmanship---sort of a double
whammy, with them thinkin we're so
damned Puritanical, no low blows from
these guys, ha!, that's a laugh, ain't it
Edgah.
On top a all that, Mr. Luciano, he
becomes a valuable propaganda tool for
the Fascists and the Krauts, what with
your point about America turning on its
immigrant populations, second class
citizens when the heat is on, that sort of
thing; usin him, so visible in the press
and all, Mr. Luciano persuades the
'sweet one' to lay off his Sicilian cousins,
valuable allies in dealing retribution to
those ingrate Americans. I met with Mr.
L and, well, pretty intelligent fellow, loyal
American, really, for a non-citizen, thinks
he can hoodwink these nut jobs, with our
help, says it's easier than what he had to
deal with growing up in the streets of
New York.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
'Hell's Kitchen', they call it....very
descriptive....even profound, actually.
(motions to go on)
FRANK ROILES
Now, to really help sell this fine 'kettle of
fish', we have enlisted the press boys;
just got off the phone with all the big
editors and the wire services, who're on
board 100% once you confirm it, that is,
sir.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Of course, it's hush-hush, press can't,
well, act like the press on this
one....they can't have it in writ.....
FRANK ROILES
No, sir; they've been made to realize that
it's gotta be strictly verbal, like the
Italian maestros taught us back there on
the fencing team, not up on all my funny
Italian terminology, but it means
'plausible deniability', that sorta thing....
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Say, like that, don't recall ever having
heard it....
but our particular maestro was a
German; Harry, let's get the War
Department onto that, eh, could be
rather useful in wartime should it come,
heaven forbid.
FRANK ROILES
Seems they've been impressed by the
investigative work ole Edgah--- and our
boys have done, linking this fireworks
display to 'Ill' Duchey himself. The dead
woman clinched it, really, what with her
mother being Mussolini's main squeeze
and all.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Capital, just capital! I wish to propose a
toast.
A black porter, Dips Carter, Jr. himself, comes out with champagne on
cue, serving Hoover first who is self-consciously kind to him.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Thank you, Dipsey.... boys, this man here
was quite important to setting this whole
plan in motion, real American hero, won't
forget it----thank you, my friend.
Frank Lee Roiles is beaming, Hoover continues to squirm, smiling like
the clown he is, crying on the inside.
DIPS CARTER
Why, th...thank you, suh, thank you very
kindly.....
(misty eyed, leaves proudly)
Gentlemen, on this momentous occasion
for the freedom and sanctity of the lives
of all freedom loving men and women
everywhere, I propose a toast to what we
have decided to call our 'Blue
Rendezvous', borrowed, like Frankie's
Italian fencing maneuvers, from these
Italian brutes themselves, so named in
reference---coded of course, to , how
shall I phrase this delicately......
FRANK ROILES
(sarcasm)
Beggin your pardon for the interruption,
sir, but might I suggest we adopt the
Limey term 'buggering', seems somehow
more, shall we say, civilized than the
Germanic counterpart......under the
circumstances, that is.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Can't be using that gutteral term,
splendid, very classy, old boy, sure our
staunch allies the Brits would approve,
something tells me they'll be integral to
our plan's overall enforcement, one way
or another....yes, now, where was I, oh,
yes, to Operation 'Blue Rendezvous', and
the ultimate fu....buggering of 'Ill'----
spell that with two 'l's----Duchey and
(Cheshire grin)
those nefarious enemies who have
sought to do thusly unto us!
Glasses are raised and clinked.
FADE OUT FROM
BRIGHT LIGHT TO
SEPIA TONE.
INT. CANCER TREATMENT HOSPICE-DAY
Carlotta's story, an exclusive, has just been nominated for a Pulitzer.
It is 1985.
FRANK ROILES
I heard bout your good luck.
(smiles painfully)
CARLOTTA PIETRO
Good luck spelled F R A N K, and not
just for me, how about the free world.
FRANK ROILES
Happy for you.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
And I for you, finally you will get the
credit you deserve; Frank, I never
connected the dots till I finished but you,
you're kind of a modern day
Schoepenhauer, the way you brought all
those different players together.
FRANK ROILES
Not like I planned it, don't get carried
away.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
Spare me the humility----just look at the
material you had to work with: a deeply
conflicted boss, didn't know, or really
want to know, who the Hell he was till
the day he died. Then you got a kid
trying to get even with the old man, turns
into a cardboard hero.........The real
miracle was Dewey.
FRANK ROILES
You kiddin, ever heard of 'strange
bedfellows'----these two took the taco,
but .....it had to be a continent-sized
bed!
(laughing)
Naw, the really tough nut was Edgah goin
along with that black thing, all over the
press; finally, after I told him it was
gettin out one way or the other, he caved
,figured 'misinformation' was his best
bet, and it worked......too well, made it
his signature mode of operation.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
But the King letter, it's public knowledge.
FRANK ROILES
Sweetness, that's why I got with you in
the first place, remember; can't tolerate
folks not knowing their history's all. Yes
Edgah was as black as you, but he hated
himself , all the more for hating himself,
costliest identity crisis in American
history. Yes, he tried to come clean
then, in the 60's, but it was too late, he
was in too deep with other elements, the
die was cast, just look at the Kennedy
thing, goddam disgraceful the way he
played everybody, 'sept his masters----I
could piss blood!
Today, he's more hated than he could
have imagined being who he was. God
may not throw dice, but that rascal's
mode of operation is spelled 'i-r-o-n-y'!
CARLOTTA PIETRO
Hey, careful or you will; look, I'll carry
the torch from here on out, ok?
FRANK ROILES
You're gonna need more than a torch,
honey; do me a favor, get me that tall
deal in the closet, got somethin for ya.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
What? You think you can give me more
than you have?
She fetches a velvet coverlet with a thin heavyish long object.
FRANK ROILES
Open it......want you to have it, key to
the whole deal, really.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
All the fencing references.....of course.
FRANK ROILES
Actually used it against the President.....
(smiling)
Seriously, great sense of humor: we were
sitting down, both in wheelchairs,
damnedest thing you ever saw; beat me.
WE SEE THIS WILD EVENT INSIDE THE ESTATE AT HYDE PARK; IT IS
THE SEMINAL EVENT OF ITS KIND, LATER REFERRED TO BY FUTURE
DISABILITY ADVOCATES AS THE SEED BED OF THE WHEELCHAIR
ATHLETE MOVEMENT.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
Didn't you hold back?
FRANK ROILES
You kidding, man had the upper body
strength of a charging bull, but finesse at
the same time; really, couldn't get near
him with my rapier. Says to me, goading
me, 'Stop sitting on the fence', Frank!
Really beat me with his mind, you see.
Greatest political mind since Lincoln,
and Lincoln never fenced. Now, see how
important that stick is? It can help win
some mighty big battles.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
I hear you. You know, my favorite story
in a story, what I think helped me get
nominated was the Carters, how they
worked for those two great Presidents.
FRANK ROILES
Dips....... what a character; know what
we did after the world's first seated
fencing match.......listened to the blues,
with Mr. Carter himself; President even
gave him an engraved spitoon from the
White House!
They share a laugh, then Frank grew pale again. Carlotta is asked to
leave as Frank is weak.
CUT TO SIX
MONTHS LATER:
INT. NEW YORK HOTEL BALLROOM-EVENING
It is the Pulitzers, and Carlotta has won.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I have the
signal honor of presenting to you this
year's winner of our storied prize, to a
great storyteller, fittingly; the truth,
while her ally in this superb work, was
itself aided by her heartfelt energy,
somehow coming through in every word,
every page. I give you this year's
awardee, Ms. Carlotta Pietro......along
with the Roiles Brothers Trio!
Ovation and cheering by her family, children. A blues trio, backed by
Frank, is playing, Frank's surprise.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
(laughing/crying)
Distinguished guests, tonight I am very
much saddened.
The crowd is hushed.
CARLOTTA PIETRO
I do not exaggerate when I say to you
that I would gladly relinquish this honor
to have in our midst its inspiration, Mr.
Frank Lee Roiles. They say we all have
teachers, with a capital T, always there,
with us, that angel tapping on our
shoulder, or that knowing in your heart
that the brain ain't got a clue about; so
very patiently---they know we've got
eternity--- until one day we finally listen,
and we 'get it'. Frank was mine......And
what did I learn? History is made by
people, and not just the so-called great
ones who, they would all admit freely, all
had their quiet Teachers, too. Its made
by the Beulah Mae Jacksons, my great
aunt, and Frank's nurse maid;
the Dips Carters, and his proud
ancestor, Jedediah who served Abraham
Lincoln;
and, of course, Frank, who, as you know,
was America's practicing disciple of a guy
with the unlikeliest name for so
exquisite a truth, Schoepenhauer----my
editors know I sure couldn't spell it!
Frank's story, you know the one, of the
enemy skipper----that's our story, all of
us, it's just that we have forgotten it.
And what's the moral of that story of
stories: we are all, somehow, some way,
connected, like it or not; I don't know
about you, but I'm not going to ever
forget it, that moral, again.
Applause, enthusiastic.
For it's that moral that puts morality
itself to shame-----fact is, you don't need
anything else to guide you.
Now, Frank, he wasn't perfect, Lord
knows, liked to drink on occasion.....and
every day was an occasion.
But, often our weaknesses are our
strengths, reminding us that we're all
exactly the same underneath, deep down
where science tells us what the preacher
always knew: an atom is an atom----
even sounds like 'Adam', doesn't it?!
That ought to seal it, then, end of
sermon, you'll be glad to know. And, so,
in closing, let me share one other
Frankism with you........
She is handed the velvet covered sword he gave her.
You would think with all the fencing
terms I used in the book that I know how
to use this; well, somehow, I do, never
had a lesson or even saw one till
recently, this one