THE SENATOR’S WIFE

                        By Charles Deemer

 

 

FADE IN:

 

INT. SENATE BLDG - OFFICE - NIGHT

 

The beam of a flashlight searches a dark office in the U.S. Senate building.  It comes to rest on a filing cabinet.

 

A gloved hand opens the cabinet.  A file is removed.

 

The flashlight finds a desk.  The file is set on the desk and opened.

 

INSERT DOCUMENT

 

Under the letterhead "Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources", a bold TOP SECRET is stamped across the document's title page.

 

BACK TO SCENE

 

A copy machine casts an eerie glow in the dark office.  The silhouette of a person hovers nearby.

 

One by one, the pages of the SECRET DOCUMENT are printed.

 

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY

 

A limo is parked in a circular driveway in front of a large home in a high-end neighborhood.

 

The driver is JUAN, 40s, Hispanic.  He waits outside, cleaning the windshield.

 

Down the street, with a view of the limo, a small sedan is parked.  We hear radio news:

 

RADIO ANNOUNCER

(on radio)

In other news, Jennifer Jenner, wife of the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, will be attending her fifteenth high school reunion tonight in Fieldsdale, Maryland.  The senator, who is in the middle of committee hearings on a controversial plutonium import bill, will not accompany her.

 

INT. SEDAN - DAY

 

Behind the wheel is CAMERON, 30s, an aide to Senator Russell Jenner, whose house he is watching.

 

Cameron is reading the newspaper and listening to the radio.

 

The car phone rings.  Cameron turns off the radio and   answers.

 

CAMERON

Hello?

 

INT. SENATE BLDG - SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY

 

SENATOR RUSSELL JENNER, 50s, is on the phone.  He's a  handsome, distinguished-looking man.

 

SENATOR JENNER

Has she left yet?

 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

CAMERON

Not yet.  Don't worry, senator, I'll be on her like glue.

 

SENATOR JENNER

I want photographs.

 

CAMERON

You'll have them.

 

He hangs up.  He goes back to reading the paper.

 

EXT. SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY

 

Coming out of the house to the limo is JENNIFER JENNER,  30s, the senator's beautiful wife.

 

Juan hurries around the limo to open the door for her.  Then he gets in himself.

 

The limo pulls out into the street.

 

The sedan pulls in back of it.

 

INT. SEDAN - DAY

 

Cameron settles behind the wheel, as if for a long journey.

 

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - DAY

 

The sedan follows the limo through traffic.

 

INT. SEDAN - DAY

 

Cameron nervously taps his fingers on the steering wheel.  He looks impatient.

 

He dials a number on the car phone.

 

INT. LIMO - DAY

 

Jennifer, surprised, answers the phone in the back of the limo.

 

JENNIFER

Hello?

 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

CAMERON

Hi, beautiful.

 

Jennifer is amused to hear from him.

 

JENNIFER

And what do you think you're doing?

 

CAMERON

I was about to ask you the same thing.  We have a good drive ahead of us.

 

JENNIFER

We?

 

CAMERON

Look behind you.

 

She does - and sees the sedan following the limo.

 

JENNIFER

Are you following me?

 

CAMERON

I just do what I'm told.

 

JENNIFER

Russell has you doing this?  That sonofabitch.

 

CAMERON

Relax, he doesn't have a clue.  So what's up?  I thought you were in a hurry to get there.

 

JENNIFER

I have an errand to do first.  Cameron, must you do this?

 

CAMERON

Relax and have a good time.  Smile a lot.  I'm taking photographs.

 

Cameron is amused, but Jennifer isn't.

 

JENNIFER

Jesus Christ.

 

She hangs up.

 

INT. SEDAN - DAY

 

Cameron smiles and sets down the phone.

 

EXT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY

 

The limo approaches the U.S. Senate Building.

 

INT. SEDAN - DAY

 

Again Cameron dials a number on the car phone.

 

INT. SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY

 

HELEN, 60s, the senator's secretary, answers the phone.

 

HELEN

Good morning, Senator Jenner's office.

 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

CAMERON

Good morning, Helen.  Has the senator gone into committee yet?

 

HELEN

Yes, he has.  Would you like to leave a message?

 

CAMERON

No, that's all right.

 

EXT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY

 

The limo double-parks in front of the building, and Jennifer gets out and enters.  She is carrying a large purse.

 

INT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY

 

Jennifer goes through a security check and walks to the elevator.

 

INT. SENATE BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY

 

The elevator opens and Jennifer comes out.  She walks down the hallway to her husband's office.

 

INT. SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - DAY

 

Jennifer enters.

 

JENNIFER

Good morning, Helen.

 

HELEN

He's already in committee.

 

JENNIFER

I realize that.  He forgot something this morning that he'll need.

 

She fetches several thick reports and sets them on Helen's desk.  We see that there are two 9x12 envelopes in the large purse.

 

HELEN

Thank you.

 

Jennifer starts away.

 

HELEN

Have fun tonight!

 

INT. HALLWAY - DAY

 

Jennifer is walking along the hallway.

 

Suddenly an office door opens and SHEILA rushes out, running into Jennifer.  A pretty woman in her late twenties, SHEILA is the senator's press secretary.

 

Sheila is carrying a large purse stuffed with reports. She moves out so suddenly that she and Jennifer collide.

 

When they collide, their purses drop onto the floor, spilling some of their contents.

 

A passing GENTLEMAN rushes to their rescue.

 

GENTLEMAN

Are you ladies all right?

 

Reports and books are scattered everywhere - and so are three similar-looking manila envelopes, two from Jennifer's purse and one from Sheila's.

 

The gentleman is helping them put things into their purses.

 

Two envelopes are put into Jennifer's purse, one into Sheila's - but the wrong envelope.  No one catches this.

 

SHEILA

Jennifer, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?

 

JENNIFER

I'm fine.

 

SHEILA

I'm running so late.

 

She is already moving off again.

 

SHEILA

Have a ball tonight!

 

And she's gone.

 

Jennifer composes herself.

 

GENTLEMAN

You're sure you'll okay?

 

JENNIFER

I'm fine.  Thank you.

 

EXT. FIELDSDALE - PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DAY

 

A downpour.

 

Parked in the driveway of a small town residential neighborhood is a van with the words DUANE'S PLUMBING SERVICES painted on the side.  The van has seen better days.

 

The front door opens and PROF. WELLWORTH, 60s, comes out, carrying an umbrella.

 

Wellworth is a gray-haired retired high school shop teacher - "professor" is a nickname.  The elderly gentleman looks more like an English professor than a man who works with his hands.

 

GENTLEMAN

Wellworth chomps on an unlit pipe and heads down the steps.

 

He hurries to the side of the house along the driveway, where he bends down to shout into an opening that leads under the house.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Duane?  Making any progress down there?

 

No answer. He calls louder.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Duane?

 

EXT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - UNDER HOUSE - DAY

 

Working on a pipe under the house is DUANE HANSEN, 30s, a handsome clean cut plumber who is Prof. Wellworth's former student.  Right now he is at the end of a bad day.

 

He hears the professor calling for him.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Duane?  You almost done?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Pretty quick now!

 

He grimaces as he tightens a fixture, not looking like a man who's almost done.

 

INT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN BAR - DAY

 

The "professor" and Duane are drinking hot coffee.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

I didn't expect this to take all afternoon.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Neither did I.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

You don't have to finish today.  You do have plans, I know.  A big night for you!

 

DUANE HANSEN

I hate to stop in midstream.  It shouldn't be much longer.

 

The phone rings.

 

As the professor gets up to answer it, Duane moves for the door.

 

DUANE HANSEN

To be honest, I'm not even sure I want to go.  The last class reunion I went to made me feel too damn old.

 

Duane is out the door as Wellworth picks up the phone.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Hello?

 

INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY

 

Making the call is Jennifer Jenner.

 

She sits in the back of the limo, a picture of wealth.  The limo is on an Interstate highway.

 

JENNIFER

Professor Wellworth?

 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Who is this?

 

JENNIFER

This is Jennifer.  How are you?

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Jennifer?

 

JENNIFER

Jennifer Jenner.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Who?

 

JENNIFER

Jennifer Barrington.  I'm Jenner now.

(sing-songy)

"Jennifer Jenner, Jennifer Jenner." You get used to it.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Jennifer!  Where are you?

 

JENNIFER

On my way to Fieldsdale.  I'm coming to the reunion.  Duane's answering machine said he's working there.  May I speak to him?

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

You want to speak to Duane?  Well, he's under the house.  Just a minute.

 

He sets down the phone.

 

JENNIFER

Under the house?

 

INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY

 

Jennifer lets out a deep breath.  This wasn't an easy phone call to make.

 

EXT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DAY

 

Under his umbrella, Wellworth bends down at the side of the house.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Duane?  Jennifer is on the phone!

 

EXT. UNDER THE HOUSE - DAY

 

Duane is struggling with the same pipe as before.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Jennifer Barrington is on the phone!

 

At the sound of Jennifer's name, Duane stops.  He looks more than surprised - he's visibly stricken, as if the sound of her name is the last thing he expected to hear, or wants to hear.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Duane?

 

DUANE HANSEN

I can't stop here!  Take a message!

 

He starts lugging at the pipe, working with new fury.

 

INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY

 

Jennifer is getting the news.

 

JENNIFER

Tell him I'll see him at the reunion.  Tell him I look forward to it.

 

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY

 

The limo moves down the highway.

 

Behind it, the small sedan is following.

 

INT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - COFFEE BAR - DAY

 

Duane enters the house, soaked, finding the professor sipping coffee at the kitchen bar.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Done.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Did you know Jennifer was coming to the reunion?

 

DUANE HANSEN

No, I didn't.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

She married a senator.  Which one was it?

 

DUANE HANSEN

The distinguished Republican from Pennsylvania.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

She told me she's looking forward to seeing you.

 

This lights a fire under Duane.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Listen, I've got a couple other stops.  I'll send you a bill.

 

He heads for the door.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

I was going to pay you in cash.

 

DUANE HANSEN

There's no rush.

 

And Duane is gone.

 

Wellworth looks concerned, as if he knows exactly what Duane's problem is.

 

EXT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

 

Duane rushes in the rain to the van, where he puts away his tools.

 

Then he gets in.

 

INT. DUANE'S VAN - DAY

 

He slips behind the wheel and inserts the key into the ignition.  But he doesn't start the engine.

 

He is deep in thought.

 

Suddenly he hits the steering wheel.

 

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY

 

The limo is still being followed by the sedan.

 

INT. SEDAN - DAY

 

Cameron is lost in his own thoughts.

 

INT. LIMO - DAY

 

Jennifer opens her purse to take out a manila envelope - and finds a surprise. One of the envelopes looks wrong.

 

She pulls out the "wrong" manila envelope, which is stuffed with something.  Curiously, she opens it.

 

INSERT DOCUMENT

 

The document in the envelope is the photocopy of the same SECRET DOCUMENT from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee that we saw before.

 

BACK TO SCENE

 

She starts reading, then skimming.  The contents of the document shock her.

 

Jennifer returns the document to the envelope.  She stuffs it back into her purse.

 

She looks troubled and confused.

 

How did a top secret senate document end up in her purse?

 

INT. SENATE BLDG - HALLWAY - DAY

 

Senator Jenner is walking with his press secretary, Sheila.

 

SENATOR JENNER

I've been brainstorming with Cameron, and I think I'm going to announce soon.  What do you think?

 

Sheila is someplace else.

 

SENATOR JENNER

Sheila?  Hello?

 

SHEILA

I'm sorry.  Yes, I've always thought the sooner the better.

 

SENATOR JENNER

Good.  Are you all right?

 

SHEILA

Of course.

 

She smiles, trying to cover the fact that something else is on her mind.

 

The senator takes her arm and stops her.

 

SENATOR JENNER

I'm worried about you.

 

SHEILA

I couldn't sleep last night.  I'm just a little tired.

 

SENATOR JENNER

Sheila, if you find yourself being tempted, even if you relapse, you'll come to me first, okay?  Sometimes it takes a couple tries to kick the habit.  You're important to me.

 

SHEILA

I'm okay, Russell.

 

They continue walking down the hallway.

 

EXT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY

 

Workers stream out of the building at the end of the day.

 

Sheila comes out.  She is in a hurry.

 

INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

Sheila enters a cocktail lounge.  The bartender recognizes her.

 

BARTENDER

Your usual, Sheila?

 

SHEILA

Yes, thanks.

 

She heads for the women's room.

 

INT. WOMEN'S ROOM - DAY

 

Sheila enters.  Only one other woman is there, at the mirror.

 

Sheila goes into a stall.

 

She takes a deep breath and opens her large purse.  She takes out the 9x12 manila envelope.

 

Something is wrong.  Concern darkens her face.

 

She quickly opens the envelope and pulls out a photograph.

 

INSERT PHOTOGRAPH

 

of a teenage boy wearing earrings.  He looks like he carries a grudge against the world.

 

INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

Sheila rushes by the bar on her way out.

 

BARTENDER

Sheila, don't you want your drink?

 

EXT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

Sheila comes out in a panic, moving quickly down the street.

 

INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

TWO MEN, 40s, enter from the restaurant side.  They approach the bar.

 

Both men wear suits that don't quite fit.  They speak in thick Slavic-accented English.

 

MAN #1

We have appointment with Sheila.

 

BARTENDER

She just left.  Didn't even touch her drink.

 

The men exchange a look. They dart outside.

 

EXT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - DAY

 

The men look up and down the street.

 

She's nowhere to be found.

 

EXT. FIELDSDALE - STREET - NIGHT

 

It is raining.

 

The limo enters the small town of Fieldsdale.

 

As before, the sedan follows.

 

EXT. FIELDSDALE HIGH SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

 

A TV van is parked outside the school gym.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS, 30s, a reporter, and JIM, 20s, a camera man, are huddled together under one huge umbrella, waiting for Jennifer to arrive in her limo.

 

A crowd of former students and teachers also waits.

 

Suddenly the limo is spotted by someone, who yells, "She's here!"

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

Crunch time.

 

Jim moves out from under the umbrella, getting his camera ready.

 

Peggy maneuvers through the crowd to get close to the curb for the limo's arrival.

 

INT. LIMO - NIGHT

 

Jennifer sees the crowd waiting for her.  She manages to smile.

 

EXT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

Duane's van is parked in the driveway, glistening under the downpour.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - NIGHT

 

Duane has just finished shaving.  He is way behind schedule for getting to the reunion on time.

 

He towels himself off and moves into the living room.

 

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

 

The TV is on, showing the arrival of Jennifer in her limo.  She is being interviewed by Peggy.

 

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT

 

JENNIFER

This is so heart-warming!  I can't believe how many people are here.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

Will Senator Jenner be making an appearance tonight?

 

JENNIFER

No, he couldn't fit it in.

 

Down the street, the sedan is parked.

 

INT. SEDAN - NIGHT

 

Cameron is snapping photographs of the interview.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

Duane is still watching the interview on TV.

 

JENNIFER

(on TV)

This is what America is all about, isn't it?  I'm so thrilled to be here.

 

Duane frowns at hearing this. He shuts off the TV.

 

The phone starts ringing.

 

Duane stares at it, as if trying to will it into silence.

 

It still rings.

 

And rings.

 

Finally it stops.

 

Duane lets out a long, deep breath.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Christ.

 

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT

 

A mediocre band is on stage, trying to recapture the music of a bygone era.

 

Dancers crowd a makeshift dance floor, oblivious to how bad the band is.

 

A swarm of former classmates hovers around Jennifer.  She corners MARY, 30s, an old girlfriend.

 

JENNIFER

Have you seen Duane?

 

MARY

Not yet.  Has anybody seen Duane?

 

No one has.  A few eyebrows raise, as if in recognition of some special meaning to the question.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

Duane stands at a mirror, putting on his tie.

 

The phone starts ringing again.  And once again, Duane tries to stare it down.

 

INT. GYM - PAY PHONE - NIGHT

 

Jennifer is making the call.

 

The phone rings and rings.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

The phone rings.  Rings.  And stops.

 

Instant relief crosses Duane's face.

 

He looks at himself in the mirror.  He shakes his head and suddenly rips off his tie.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Fuck it.

 

No high school reunion for him.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

Later Duane is watching a movie on TV when the phone starts ringing again.

 

DUANE HANSEN

(to the phone)

Get the goddamn message, Jennifer!

(to himself)

There's no point.  No point.

 

INT. GYM - PAY PHONE - NIGHT

 

Jennifer gives up more easily this time.  She hangs up.

 

Moving away from the phone, she starts looking for someone she knows well enough to ask a favor of.

 

FINALLY:

 

JENNIFER

Jerry!  Jerry McIntire!

 

EXT. GYM - BACK ENTRANCE - NIGHT

 

Jennifer leads JERRY, 30s, out the back entrance of the gym.  He thinks he is going to get to smooch with a senator's wife and makes his move.

 

But Jennifer holds him off.

 

JENNIFER

Hey!  That's not what we're doing.

 

JERRY

We're not?

 

JENNIFER

Do you have a car?

 

Jerry smiles, thinking it's going to be even better than he thought.

 

JERRY

This way.

 

JENNIFER

You drive it here.  I want you to take me to Duane Hansen's.

 

JERRY

Duane?

 

JENNIFER

Can you do that for me?

 

She is giving him her warmest, sexiest smile.

 

JERRY

Why do I have to bring the car back here?

 

JENNIFER

Because I don't want my chauffeur to know where I'm going.

 

She kisses him on the cheek.

 

JENNIFER

It's important.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

Duane is dozing in front of the TV when the doorbell rings.  He awakes with a start.

 

The doorbell rings again.

 

He goes to the door and opens it.

 

Jennifer has moved inside, closing the door behind her, before Duane fully realizes what has just happened.

 

Suddenly he looks self-conscious in slacks and a T-shirt, wearing socks with a hole in one toe.

 

JENNIFER

Hello, Duane.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Jennifer . . .

 

JENNIFER

You weren't going to come, were you?

 

He just looks at her.

 

JENNIFER

Is it because I was there?

 

He doesn't answer.

 

JENNIFER

I was told you've been to every reunion up to now.

 

DUANE HANSEN

I just had a bad day, is all.  So can I fix you a drink or something?

 

JENNIFER

Do you have any white wine?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Just beer, bourbon, vodka.

 

JENNIFER

A beer.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Make yourself at home.  Let me turn this off.

 

He clicks off the TV and heads for the kitchen.

 

Jennifer moves around the living room.  She carefully inspects everything, as if trying to piece together the kind of life that would be lived within these walls.

 

Then she stops.

 

She takes the "wrong" manila envelope out of her purse and looks around the room, looking for a place to hide it.

 

But she hears Duane coming and stuffs the envelope away.

 

Duane returns with two beers, one in a glass.  This he hands to Jennifer.

 

JENNIFER

No photographs.

 

DUANE HANSEN

You're right.

 

JENNIFER

No wife and kids.  I learned that, too.

 

DUANE HANSEN

No complaints.  In fact, I'm doing really great, Jennifer.  I know you are.  You made it to the big time, just like you always wanted.

 

JENNIFER

Is that what I wanted?  It seems so long ago.

 

Another silence.

 

JENNIFER

I have an ulterior reason for being here.

 

Duane just looks at her.

 

JENNIFER

Don't you want to know what it is?

 

DUANE HANSEN

I'm not sure.

 

JENNIFER

I debated whether I should tell you or not.  I even debated whether I should let myself get involved or not.  The situation is more complicated, let us say, because my husband would not approve of what I'm doing.

 

Jennifer reaches into her purse and takes out a manila envelope (the "right" one), handing it to Duane.

 

Duane stares at the envelope, then finally opens it.  He takes out a photograph.

 

INSERT: PHOTOGRAPH

 

It's another print of the same photograph Sheila found: a small color photograph of TOMMY WALLER, age 15, a boy who is looking at the camera as if daring it to take his picture.

 

BACK TO SCENE

 

Duane swallows.

 

DUANE HANSEN

He's a nice looking boy. Who is he?

 

JENNIFER

I had him after graduation.  Do you hate me for not telling you?

 

DUANE HANSEN

He's yours?  Ours?

 

She nods.

 

DUANE HANSEN

I don't understand.

 

JENNIFER

It's why I broke up with you, Duane.  I wasn't ready to be a mother.  And I knew you'd want to get married.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Of course, I would.  I don't believe this.  What's his name?

 

JENNIFER

Tommy Waller.  He lives in Alexandria.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Have you seen him?

 

JENNIFER

No.  I didn't even know where he was until last week.  You thought I went away to college, but I lived with my aunt for almost a year.  I gave him up for adoption and assumed that would be the end of it.  He tracked me down.  He wants to see me.

 

DUANE HANSEN

He looks a little like you.

 

JENNIFER

I thought the same thing about you.  I want to see him, of course, but I can't let Russell know.  He'd never accept this.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Why not?

 

JENNIFER

Any number of reasons.  The political ones matter most.

 

Duane waits for more.

 

JENNIFER

Tommy is evidence that his wife slept with someone in high school.  Oh, he doesn't care about such things, but some of his constituents do. And his enemies.  They'd turn me into a slut if they found out.

 

DUANE HANSEN

But he wants to meet you.

 

JENNIFER

Duane, there's just no way I can risk meeting him right now.  I was hoping you'd go in my place.

 

DUANE HANSEN

And share the details, something like that?  Boy, the life on Capitol Hill has taken its toll, hasn't it?  Don't get me wrong.  Of course I'll see him.  I want to see him.  He's my son, for Christ's sake.  But no, I'm not going to see him in your place, as some favor to you.  I'm going to see him because I want to see him, because I have an obligation to see him.  Especially since he made the first move.  So maybe you can tell me how I can do that.

 

JENNIFER

Don't be angry.

 

Duane stares her down.

 

JENNIFER

There's a phone number in the envelope.  Duane, I'm not as insensitive as you imagine.

 

DUANE HANSEN

You won't see the son who wants to see you.  So what do you call that, Jennifer?

 

JENNIFER

I'm scared.  You don't know Russell.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Make I ask you something really basic?  If you're so scared, why are you still married to him?

 

JENNIFER

We're practically divorced.  He's up for reelection, and I promised I'd stay with him until after the campaign

 

DUANE HANSEN

How thoughtful of you.

 

She finishes her beer.

 

JENNIFER

Then you'll see Tommy?

 

DUANE HANSEN

How could I not see him?

 

JENNIFER

You haven't changed.  You always do the right thing.  I'm glad.  Will you come back to the reunion with me?

 

Duane looks at her and starts to refuse.  But he can't bring himself to say it.

 

JENNIFER

Please?

 

She still has his number.

 

EXT. GYM - PARKING LOT - NIGHT

 

Duane's van pulls into the parking lot and swings into a space.  Duane, dressed in a suit, and Jennifer get out and head for the gym.

 

Jennifer turns, looking for Cameron's sedan, but doesn't see it.

 

Cameron, in fact, has parked out of sight and now hides behind a car, peering up to snap photographs as the couple moves to the gym.

 

INT. GYM - DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT

 

Duane and Jennifer are dancing.

 

There is a visible physical energy that is drawing them together, an old chemistry that is being recalled in the nostalgia of the place and the music.

 

Finally Jennifer can't resist any longer and rests her head against his shoulder.

 

JENNIFER

I was such a stupid, silly girl in high school.  I didn't know what I wanted.

 

DUANE HANSEN

I didn't win any prizes myself.  Comes with being a teenager.

 

JENNIFER

Did you ever wish you could start all over again?  Maybe get it right for a change?

 

Duane looks away.  It's a question he's often thought about - but not with Jennifer in his arms.

 

INT. GYM - HALLWAY - NIGHT

 

Duane and Jennifer are in an embrace, kissing.  Duane is the one who breaks it.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Jennifer . . .

 

JENNIFER

I know.

 

DUANE HANSEN

You're married.

 

JENNIFER

Legally.  No other way, Duane.  Not for over a year now.

 

She looks at him with eyes that he can't resist, and they embrace and kiss again.

 

EXT. GYM - NIGHT

 

The party is over, and people are leaving the gymnasium.

 

Duane and Jerry stand together.

 

JERRY

You've got testicles the size of bowling balls.

 

DUANE HANSEN

They're practically divorced.

 

JERRY

This isn't some motel hanky-panky you're getting involved in, man.  The guy's a senator. They play for keeps.

 

DUANE HANSEN

You've been watching too many movies.

 

INT. LADIES ROOM - NIGHT

 

Jennifer and Mary are freshening up.

 

MARY

Do you still love him?

 

JENNIFER

My husband?

 

MARY

Duane!  I mean, this is a lot to go through if you don't, isn't it?

 

JENNIFER

I don't know, Mary.  Maybe it's just an adventure.

 

EXT. GYM - NIGHT

 

Peggy and Jim are finishing up their story on the reunion, Peggy talking on camera.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

It's been an exciting night, a 15th class reunion with an added twist of glamor by the appearance of the former Jennifer Barrington, who is now married to Republican Senator Russell Jenner. This is Peggy Sommers reporting.

 

A pause.

 

JIM

That it?

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

That's it.

 

She sees Duane and Jerry across the way.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

I'll meet you in the van.

 

She walks across the lawn to join Duane.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

How's it going, Duane?

 

DUANE HANSEN

All right.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

That's it?  No nostalgic heart throb?  You two used to be quite an item.

 

DUANE HANSEN

That was a very long time ago, Peggy.

 

Duane moves off to enter the gym.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

Touchy.

 

INT. GYM - NIGHT

 

Duane comes inside the gym, looking for Jennifer.  He sees her and Mary coming down the hallway.

 

DUANE HANSEN

What's going on?

 

JENNIFER

I'll tell Juan I'm spending the night with Mary.

 

DUANE HANSEN

What if he doesn't believe you?

 

JENNIFER

He'll love not having to drive back tonight.  Especially when I tip him.

 

INT. SEDAN - NIGHT

 

Cameron yawns.  He's watching the hordes of people leave the gym, looking for Jennifer.

 

And finally he sees her.  He grabs his camera and gets out.

 

EXT. GYM - NIGHT

 

Duane, Jennifer, and Mary come out, joining Jerry.  Jennifer moves away from the others.

 

She goes to the limo and talks to the chauffeur a minute.  Then she rejoins the group.

 

JENNIFER

It's all set.

 

JERRY

You guys.

 

MARY

I think it's so romantic.

 

JERRY

Where to?

 

Mary elbows him.

 

INT. SEDAN - NIGHT

 

Cameron is getting all of this on film.

 

EXT. GYM - NIGHT

 

MARY

Will I see you before you go?

 

JENNIFER

Probably not.  But I'll call you, I promise.

(to Duane)

Pick me up behind the gym.

 

Jennifer turns and heads up the steps to go back inside.

 

JERRY

I thought we were all going somewhere.

 

Mary gives him a "they don't want company, you idiot" look.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

Duane and Jennifer are making love.

 

They let their passion run free, making love with an energy that hasn't found release for a very long time.

 

EXT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

The van is in the driveway.

 

The sedan slowly cruises by.

 

INT. SEDAN - NIGHT

 

Cameron stares out at the light in the bedroom window.  He looks very upset.

 

INT. WASHINGTON D.C. - SHEILA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

 

There's loud pounding on the door.

 

Sheila enters in her robe.

 

MAN #1

(O.S.)

Hey, open up!  You want me to wake whole building up, I will!

 

Sheila unlocks the door and cracks it open.  It's still locked by the chain.

 

SHEILA

I'm sorry, something came up.  I couldn't make it today.

 

The two Slavic men crash through the door, ripping out the chain lock.  Sheila is terrified.

 

SHEILA

I can get it to you next week!

 

Man #1 slaps her hard, sending her sprawling across the room.

 

EXT. DUANE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

 

All the lights in the house are out.

 

The sedan is still parked down the street.

 

INT. SEDAN - NIGHT

 

Cameron is in a trance, staring out at the house.

 

INT. BEDROOM - LATER - NIGHT

 

Duane wakes up - and discovers he's in an empty bed.  He gets up and puts on a robe.

 

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

 

Jennifer, fully dressed, is hiding the "wrong" manila envelope in the seat cover of a chair cushion.

 

She hears something and finishes quickly.

 

Duane enters the living room to find Jennifer looking out the window.

 

JENNIFER

I called a cab. I told Juan to get me a room at the hotel.

 

She moves to him.

 

JENNIFER

I didn't expect this to happen.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Neither did I.

 

JENNIFER

A part of me felt so young tonight.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Can I see you again?

 

JENNIFER

That could be difficult.

 

DUANE HANSEN

I'd like us to see Tommy together.

 

JENNIFER

That would be impossible to arrange right now.

 

DUANE HANSEN

This sucks, Jennifer.

 

JENNIFER

It's not a perfect world, is it?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Why don't you live the life you want to live?  What do you want out of life, Jennifer?

 

JENNIFER

What do I want?  All the money I'd ever need, and a little house in a villa north of Paris.  I fell in love with it and go back as often as I can.  But vacations aren't reality, are they?

 

Duane starts to speak but she stops him with an index finger on her lips - and Jennifer blows him a kiss.

 

JENNIFER

Be sure to call me.  I want to hear everything you can tell me about him.

 

She turns and leaves.

 

Duane watches her go.

 

EXT. FIELDSDALE - HOTEL - NIGHT

 

The cab pulls in front of the local hotel and Jennifer gets out.

 

The sedan pulls up.  Cameron gets out and hurries after Jennifer.

 

CAMERON

Jennifer!

 

Jennifer turns at the hotel entrance.  She is surprised to see Cameron.

 

JENNIFER

This is not the time nor place to talk. I'm going to bed.

 

CAMERON

What about us?

 

Jennifer doesn't reply.

 

CAMERON

Did you sleep with him?

 

JENNIFER

Did you take any pictures of Duane and I together?

 

Cameron doesn't answer.  Jennifer goes to him and slaps his face.

 

JENNIFER

You sonofabitch.

 

She goes into the hotel, leaving Cameron to rub his cheek.

 

EXT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - DAY

 

Duane's van pulls into the professor's driveway.  Duane gets out and goes to the side door.

 

INT. PROF. WELLWORTH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN BAR - DAY

 

Wellworth is pouring coffee.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Either you came to collect your bill or something's on your mind.  Did you see Jennifer last night?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Yes, I did.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

And that has something to do with the visit, am I right?

 

Duane nods.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Oh, my.

 

DUANE HANSEN

She was pregnant when she left town.  She had my baby.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

She kept it?

 

DUANE HANSEN

No.  He's 15 now and looked her up.  He wants to see her.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

I see.  And she's the wife of a very conservative senator.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Exactly.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

She's also unhappily married?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Yes.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

Which means, you want to get together with her again.

 

DUANE HANSEN

It can't happen.  She made a deal with the senator to help him get reelected or something.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

You want my advice?

 

DUANE HANSEN

That's why I'm here.

 

PROF. WELLWORTH

I suggest one step at a time.  Do you want to see the boy?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Of course.  He's my son.

 

The professor smiles.  Duane just answered his own question.

 

INT. SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - DAY

 

Cameron is showing the senator the photographs he took.

 

INSERT PHOTOGRAPHS

 

various pictures of Jennifer and Duane outside the gym at the reunion.

 

BACK TO SCENE

 

SENATOR JENNER

Who is he?

 

CAMERON

I don't know.

 

Jenner looks up from the photographs.

 

SENATOR JENNER

Well, find out.

 

EXT. DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY

 

The van is in the driveway.

 

INT. DUANE'S HOUSE - DAY

 

Duane is on the phone, waiting for someone to answer.  The photo of Tommy is on the table next to the phone.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Yes, I'm trying to reach Tommy Waller. . . . Thank you.

 

INT. ALEXANDRIA - APARTMENT - DAY

 

MURIEL WALLER, 40s, is an unkempt alcoholic woman on welfare.

 

MURIEL

Tommy!  You got a phone call!  You gonna pick it up in there?

 

INT. TOMMY'S BEDROOM - DAY

 

TOMMY WALLER, 15, is a street-wise kid with cockiness oozing out of every tattooed and pierced pore of his skin.

 

He picks up the phone.

 

TOMMY

Yeah?

 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

DUANE HANSEN

Tommy?

 

TOMMY

Yeah?  Who is this?

 

DUANE HANSEN

I'm Duane Hansen, Tommy.  You don't know me.

 

TOMMY

So why're you calling me?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Your phone number was given to me by Jennifer Barri-- . . . I mean, Jennifer Jenner.  The First Lady.

 

There is a silence.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Tommy?

 

TOMMY

Why the hell you calling me anyways?

 

DUANE HANSEN

I understand you want to meet your birth mother.

 

TOMMY

Shit, is that what this is about?  I thought she was going to call me herself.  Who the fuck did you say you were?

 

DUANE HANSEN

I'm your . . . well, I'm your father.

 

TOMMY

What the fuck you talking about, man?  My dad's a strung-out asshole, a total loser. I'm not talking to you no more.

 

He hangs up.

 

Duane holds the phone, stunned.

 

INT. FIELDSDALE - SMALL TV STATION - DAY

 

Duane enters the local TV station, which is so small that a receptionist isn't even on duty.

 

He looks around the small interior, quickly finding who he is looking for.

 

Peggy Sommers is at her desk and sees him approach.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

And to what do I owe this honor?

 

DUANE HANSEN

Have you had lunch yet?

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

It's your lucky day, I haven't.

 

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY

 

Duane and Peggy sit in a booth.

 

DUANE HANSEN

She didn't go away to college at all.  She stayed with a relative and had the kid.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

Who is foul-mouthed and rude.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Sounded like it to me.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

So am I a shoulder to cry on?  Which is fine.  Or do you have something else in mind?

 

DUANE HANSEN

You know about doing research.  I want to know as much about him as you can find out.  Who his parents are, what they do, how he's been raised.

 

Peggy smiles - but there is sadness in it.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

May I ask you a personal question?  Retract that.  I'm asking it anyway.  Are you still in love with her?

 

Duane avoids the question.

 

DUANE HANSEN

It would mean a lot to me if you could do this, Peggy.

 

PEGGY SOMMERS

I'll see what I can do.

 

INT. SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

Jennifer is reading in bed when the senator appears in the doorway.

 

SENATOR JENNER

You haven't said much about your reunion.

 

JENNIFER

It was a lot of fun.  You should try it sometime.

 

SENATOR JENNER

More your style than mine, dear.  Goodnight.

 

JENNIFER

Goodnight.

 

He leaves.  Jennifer goes back to reading.

 

INT. SENATE BLDG - SEN. JENNER'S OFFICE - NIGHT

 

A flashlight finds the filing cabinet in the dark office.

 

A gloved hand opens it and looks for a file.  The file is lifted out and put on a desktop.

 

Sheila opens it - but the file is filled with blank paper.  The original document is missing.

 

She panics and goes back to the cabinet.  She starts rummaging through the rest of the files.

 

Several other folders are filled with blank paper.

 

She opens another cabinet drawer and does the same thing.

 

No luck.  She SLAMS the cabinet drawer shut.

 

The sound echoes like a gunshot in the still office.

 

INT. JENNIFER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

The bedside phone rings.  Jennifer picks it up.

 

JENNIFER

Hello?

 

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

 

Duane is on the other end, calling from home.

 

DUANE HANSEN

It's Duane.

 

JENNIFER

I asked you not to call me here at night.

 

DUANE HANSEN

We need to talk.  I'm taking tomorrow off and coming to D.C.  Where can I meet you?

 

Panic floods Jennifer's face.  Her tone lowers and becomes harsher.

 

JENNIFER

You can't come here!

 

DUANE HANSEN

Too late, I already rearranged my schedule.  I can show up on your doorstep if you like.

 

JENNIFER

No, not here.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Where?  I'll arrive tomorrow evening.

 

EXT. SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - DAY

 

Jennifer comes out and gets into a BMW that is parked in the circular driveway.

 

Cameron gets out of a sedan parked on the street and trots to the car, standing in front of it so Jennifer can't drive out.

 

Then he moves to the window to talk to her.

 

CAMERON

I need to see you alone.

 

JENNIFER

It's over, Cameron.

 

CAMERON

You're dumping me for this high school flame, is that it?

 

JENNIFER

I'm not seeing anyone.

 

She pulls away.

 

Cameron regains his composure and heads for the house.

 

INT. SEN. JENNER'S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - DAY

 

The senator is meeting with Cameron and Sheila.

 

SENATOR JENNER

If this gets out, I'm dead before I get off the ground.

 

SHEILA

May I make a suggestion?

 

All eyes are on her.

 

SHEILA

It takes two to tango, so to speak.  He might be the more easily dissuaded.

 

SENATOR JENNER

Dissuaded.  I like that word.  Cameron?

 

CAMERON

How far can I go?

 

SENATOR JENNER

As far as it takes.

 

EXT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY

 

Employees come out at the end of the day.

 

The two Slavic men are waiting outside the building.  They see Sheila and move quickly to her, one on each side.

 

They speak in quick urgent tones as they move down the street.

 

SHEILA

It wasn't there.  It must have been entered into the hearing and stored with the testimony.

 

MAN #1

That's not good.

 

MAN #2

What about other copy?

 

SHEILA

There was an accident, and some envelopes got exchanged.  I think maybe the First Lady ended up with it.

 

MAN #2

The First Lady!

 

SHEILA

Don't worry, I'm sure I can salvage the situation. But you have to give me some breathing room.  You have to trust me.  It's my life on the line here.

 

MAN #1

I'm glad you understand that.

 

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - CAFE - NIGHT

 

A cab lets Duane off and he enters a small cafe.

 

INT. CAFE - NIGHT

 

Duane looks around for Jennifer but can't find her.  A WAITER arrives.

 

WAITER

Table for one, sir?

 

DUANE HANSEN

For two.

 

WAITER

Very good.  This way.

 

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - NIGHT

 

The limo is in traffic.

 

INT. LIMO - NIGHT

 

Jennifer is looking out the rear-view window.  Then she turns to speak to the driver.

 

JENNIFER

Juan, I think we're being followed

 

JUAN

It's Cameron, Mrs. Jenner.

 

JENNIFER

Can you lose him?

 

The driver smiles.

 

INT. CAFE - NIGHT

 

Duane looks at his watch.

 

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - STREET - NIGHT

 

The limo is continuing down a street.

 

Suddenly, the limo darts across traffic, takes a sharp turn and speeds up.

 

INT. SEDAN - NIGHT

 

Cameron can't make the turn and watches the limo disappear.  He pounds the steering wheel, then turns sharply himself, trying to regroup and pick up the trail.

 

INT. CAFE - NIGHT

 

Jennifer arrives at Duane's table.

 

JENNIFER

I can't stay long.  I'm being followed.

 

She sits down.

 

DUANE HANSEN

Tommy won't see me.  He says his father is a strung-out asshole.

 

JENNIFER

He told you that?

 

DUANE HANSEN

No, Jennifer, I'm making it up.

 

JENNIFER

He hurt you.  I'm so sorry.

 

DUANE HANSEN