Linda Voz (Olá) Lyrics in English Péricles , Lucas Morato

These English lyric translations are not yet verified.

Ext. underwood residence night

Slowly pull in on the front door of a fashionable dc townhouse. off-screen, we hear the sound of screeching tires followed by a loud collision. a car alarm blares

After a moment, the door to the townhouse opens and a man emerges, curious to see what the commotion is outside. as the man comes into the light we see he's dressed in a crisp tuxedo with the collar unfastened, no tie. this is francis underwood richard iii, iago and hannibal lecter all rolled into one. he has intelligent eyes, mischievous lips and a deep baritone dripping with southern charm

Francis glances down the street. he see a car backing up then peeling from the parked car that it just hit. it disappears around the block

As francis heads purposefully toward the scene of the accident, we begin to hear a dog whimpering in pain. francis looks down at the ground. francis' security detail guy steve appears beside him

Francis: did you get a good look?

Steve: blue toyota camry. first two letters of the plate

Francis and steve gaze down at the suffering animal

Francis: the warton's dog

Steve: looks like a broken back

Francis: it's not gonna make it. go next door and see if they're home

Steve heads towards the neighbors' townhouse. francis kneels down beside the dog. it's in awful shape. he tenderly strokes the dog's head

Francis shhhh. it's okay…

Francis looks up at us. the sound of car alarm fades

Francis there are two kinds of pain. good pain the sort of pain that motivates, that makes you strong. then there's bad pain useless pain, the sort of pain that's only suffering. i welcome the former. i have no patience for the latter

With cool-headed deliberateness, francis calmly places a hand around the dog's neck and begins to put it out of its misery

Francis moments like this require someone like me. someone who will act. who will do what no one else has the courage to do. the unpleasant thing. the necessary thing

The dog's muffled whimpers cease. francis looks down

Francis there. no more pain

He lets go. the sound of the car alarm rises again. francis stands as steve approaches. the shook-up neighbors, jack and barbara warton, follow several yards behind

Francis we need to leave in ten minutes

Steve: car's ready

Francis turns his attention to the couple. he gently approaches them with endless sympathy in his eyes

Francis: it was a hit and run

Jack he must've jumped over the gate again

Barbara wells up. francis lays a hand on her shoulder

Francis: i'm so sorry. i'll have steve file a report. we'll track them down

Int. underwood residence bathroom a few minutes later

Francis stands at his sink, methodically washing his hands

Close on francis' hands zipping up the back of a woman's elegant evening gown

We pull back to see that the gown belongs to francis' wife claire underwood. she's the epitome of elegance and poise

Francis stunning

Claire you too

Francis looks composed, dignified. if we hadn't known, we never would have guessed what he was up to just moments before. he offers his arm to claire

Francis: ready?

Int. grand ballroom seconds until midnight

A loud, raucous count-down. dc's democratic party elite are watching the times square ball drop on massive monitors. three! two! one! noisemakers. applause. people kiss and hug. the sound fades as one face in the crowd, francis, turns to the camera

We pan to the stage to reveal a beaming garrett walker the apotheosis of leadership. he's flanked by his family wife patricia and two teenage sons. they lead the crowd in 'auld lang syne.'

Francis president-elect garrett walker. i might not like him, i might not believe in him, but it doesn't matter

The camera finds francis in the adoring crowd

Francis anyone who can get 70 million americans to vote for him deserves my respect. i helped get him elected. after twenty-five years in congress i can tell which way the wind is blowing

We cut to to walker's soon-to-be v.p. jim matthews and his large gaggle of a family

Francis jim matthews his vice president. former governor of pennsylvania. he did his duty delivering the keystone state. now they'll put him pasture. he has four years of obscurity and impotence ahead of him

Cut to walker's recently appointed chief of staff linda vasquez. she's in the back of the ballroom, being prepped with make-up for a tv stand-up interview

Francis linda vasquez walker's chief of staff. i like her even less than walker, but she's the gate keeper to the white house. if you don't want to be left standing out in the cold, you can't ignore the person holding the keys

The lights from the tv cam flip on, bathing her face in a bright glow. she instantly flashes a toothy smile

We cut back to francis standing in the crowd, his arm around claire's waist. she's singing along with the crowd

Francis: as for me i'm the house majority whip. in other words i get things done. when it comes to legislation i make the magic happen. i transform the impossible into the probable

We zoom in slowly on francis

Francis but it's time to move up a rung. i've paid my dues. i've backed the right man. and now that he's won i'll get my just reward. give and take, give and take, and so the

World spins

Tight on francis' face, filling the frame

Francis welcome to washington

Title and credits

Iconic shots of d.c. the capitol, the washington monument, lincoln memorial, reflecting pool, etc. but we see them from odd angles, cast in dark shadows or beneath moody skies. the feeling should be ominous.we shift to interiors dark hallways and restaurant booths where slow-motion, silhouetted figures conspire with one another

Interlaced with all of this are recurring shots of dextrous hands expertly shuffling a deck of cards and dealing them out. the final image should be of the dealer unveiling his hand to the camera: not four, but five one-eyed jacks

Int. francis's car night

Francis and claire ride in the back the suv. steve drives

Claire you should get a hair cut

Francis: you think?

Claire: just a little trim maybe. what suit are you going to wear?

Francis: for the meeting, or for the

Claire: for the announcement

Francis: my navy blue one, with the pin stripes

Claire: good. you look handsome in that suit

She leans into him, slips her hand between his thighs. she starts to kiss his neck

Francis we're only five minutes from the house

Claire: you're going to make me wait?

Francis patience is a virtue

Claire: i'm not feeling very virtuous tonight

He smiles, leans in and kisses her

Int. washington herald newsroom morning

A bustling bull-pen of writers, editors and assistants. mounted tvs blare with 24 hour news channels. the steady clacking of keyboards wafts from a sea of cubicles

Zoe barnes a strong and hungry young reporter weaves through the cubicles toward a corner office. inside lucas goodwin the deputy editor is talking to bob hammerschmidt (early 50s) the paper's grizzled editor-in-chief. zoe waits by the open door and listens in

Hammerschmidt: ...only a nine vote majority in the house. every bill that hits the floor will be a cock-fight

Lucas: yeah it'll be ugly

Hammerschmidt: any guess what's on the legislative agenda?

Lucas: no idea. all my regular sources won't say a word

Hammerschmidt: keep digging

Hammerschmidt gives him a slap on the back and exits, brushing past zoe, whom he barely notices

Zoe: morning mr. hammerschmidt

He tries to place a name to the face

Zoe zoe barnes

Hammerschmidt: metro

Zoe: that's right

Hammerschmidt: keep up the good work

He's gone. zoe leans against the doorway a tad provocatively

Zoe: did it take him over a year to remember your name?

Lucas: what can i do for you zoe?

Zoe: i'm sick of the city council

Lucas: i know you are. you tell me everyday

Zoe: move me online

Lucas: you want to schlep for the twitter feed? be my guest

Zoe: no. my own blog. five hundred words. first person. subjective

Lucas: not gonna happen

Zoe: give me some freedom. i'll go underground. win over staff members on the hill. give them an outlet to vent anonymously

Lucas: a glorified gossip column

Zoe: a forum for the underpaid and overworked. we'll lift the veil. tap into what's really going in

Lucas: this is the washington herald zoe, it's not tmz

Zoe: you know how many people watch tmz?

Lucas: i couldn't care less

Zoe: which is why print journalism is dying

Lucas: if it's gonna die, it'll die with dignity. at least at this paper

Zoe: you're stuck in the 20th century lucas. you lack imagination

Lucas: maybe so, but right now i'm not interested in imagination, i'm interested in copy

Zoe: you're telling me to get back to work

Lucas: i am

Zoe: but what you're really telling me is to fuck off

Lucas: i'm telling you both

Zoe is brimming with frustration but she's too cool of a cucumber to let it show. she turns on her heels and departs as quickly as she came

Int. russo's office morning

Christina malone sexy and headstrong ushers a humorless looking lobbyist into rep. peter russo's office. christina is russo's executive assistant. russo is smart and amiable, but a bit of rascal

Christina: mr. chapman, from horizon trust

Russo: henry. great to see you. thanks christina

She leaves, closing the door behind her. the two men sit

Russo how long are you in town for? staying for the inauguration? i can hook you up if you

Chapman: i'm not interested in parties. i'm interested in the zoning laws you promised to get changed in your district. we've got 12 million sitting in escrow for an empty lot we can't build on

Russo: yes, i know. and believe me, i'm on it. but you gotta understand, that's a local municipal issue. i can't just pick up the phone and

Chapman: you can't? that's not what you led us to believe when you begged for fifty grand in donations

Russo right. well

The phone rings. russo looks sympathetically to chapman

Russo one sec. christina i told you no calls. not while i'm meeting with mr. chapman. (pause) the president-elect?

Chapman's eyes widen

Russo put him through christina. mr. president-elect...thank you, we were pleased to win by double digits...absolutely, anything you need

Cut to christina at her desk outside the office. she's whispering into a receiver

Christina: i need you to put that long, wet, talented tongue of yours between my thighs and make me squeal like monica lewinsky

Cut back to russo on his phone. laughs boisterously

Russo: me too, me too...okay, thanks again mr. president-elect

And he hangs up. chapman is impressed

Russo i'm sorry what were we discussing?

Int. blair house office day

As the aide lets francis into the office, we see that it's vasquez, not walker, who is behind the desk. francis registers a whiff of surprise

Vasquez: thanks for coming frank. please

Francis will the president-elect be joining us?

Vasquez: no. he told me to apologize on his behalf. i'll brief him though

Francis has no other choice but to roll with the punches. he hands vasquez a manila folder

Francis: this is a memo i drafted on the middle east we've been developing. i think we need a more direct way to frame our approach. we'll steal from reagan trickle-down diplomacy. if we tackle--

Vasquez: frank, i'm going to stop you right there. we're not nominating you for secretary of state

A huge blow. francis stares at vasquezi in stunned silence

Vasquez: i'm sorry, i know he made you a promise, but circumstances have changed

Francis: the nature of promises, linda, is that they remain immune to changing circumstances

Vasquez: garrett has thought long and hard about this, and he's decided we need you to stay in congress

Francis: i built the campaign's foreign policy from the ground up. i briefed him, i prepped him for debates. and the deal we agreed upon was--

Vasquez: i'm sorry frank. if it had been up to me i would've handled this differently. i wouldn't have waited this long to tell you

Francis: so you knew this was what you were going to do

Vasquez: it's been an evolving discussion

Francis an evolving discussion

Vasquez: frank

Francis: i got fourteen conservative democrats in key states to endorse him. i was personally responsible for raising over six million dollars in contributions to the campaign, seven million for house races to keep hold of our majority in

Vasquez: you're right. we wouldn't have won without your help. but now we have to lead, and that means making tough choices. our first order of business is education reform. a complete federal overhaul. we want you in the house, doing what you do best counting votes and delivering legislation

Francis: i've paid my dues linda. i deserve this

Vasquez: there are lots of deserving people frank. we can't nominate them all

Francis: i'd like to speak with walker personally

Vasquez: the decision is made

The two stare each other down like gunslingers

Vasquez we need you frank. desperately. just not in the cabinet. i'm asking for your help here. are you going to stand beside us?

It takes every ounce of will to swallow his pride

Francis: yes. i will

Vasquez: i'm very glad to hear that

Francis: may i ask if not me, then who?

Vasquez michael kern

He says the following with a smile, but underneath the table we can see francis cracking his knuckles with rage

Francis: michael kern...that's an excellent choice

Int. clean water for america offices day

To establish: a large polished steel sign above a reception

Desk that reads: clean water for america

We track an older woman evelyn carrying a folder past side offices to claire's office. she knocks on the door, which is slightly ajar

Claire come in

Int. cwa offices claire's office day

Claire is behind her desk. evelyn sits across from her

Evelyn: maybe we should do this in steps. a couple people at first see how that goes, then if we decide

Claire: this isn't about operational efficiency, eveyln. this is about freeing up money. it's a new year. it's time to clean house a little. spring cleaning, right?

Evelyn: it's not spring it's january

Claire just stares at her. that was a stupid thing to say

Evelyn i just want to make sure we don't cripple our ability to function properly in the process

Claire: i hear you, but if i thought that was going to be an issue, i wouldn't be asking for this list in the first place

Evelyn okay

Claire feels the needs to address evelyn's discomfort. she leans forward, sympathetically

Claire: we went over this before the holidays

Evelyn: i know

Claire: you didn't mention anything then

Evelyn: i know

Claire: we want cwa to maximize it's potential, don't we?

Evelyn: of course

Claire: so can we agree it's time to reorganize? to raise the bar?

Evelyn: yes

Claire: good. put a proposal together

Evelyn stands and exits, closing the door behind her. claire glances at her watch. picks up her phone. dials. waits. no answer. leaves a message

Claire it's me. i feel like an idiot leaving messages like this. call me back

She hangs up. we linger on her for a moment. an expression of frustration and concern

Int. washington herald newsroom night

Janine skorsky hard-edged and ruthless is punching away at her computer. zoe leans over her cubicle partition, lingers for a moment

Janine what is it zoe?

Zoe: i know you're going to have your hands full at the white house, with the new administration and everything, so if you need somebody to do research, punch out background

Janine: i think i'll be fine

Zoe: but if things get hectic, if you need any help or

Janine: so you can blog about rubbing shoulders with the big boys?

Zoe: lucas told you

Janine: no offense, zoe, but i don't have time to ween you off your training wheels

Wham a slap in the face. zoe eats it

Zoe: okay. just thought i'd ask

She walks off, humiliated, fuming

Int. underwood residence living room night

Tight on claire sitting alone, stock still, face grim. we hear the front door open. in the background we see francis enter the room. he looks weary, spent

He comes into the foreground, sits down across from her. shame in his eyes. disappointment in hers

Francis: claire

Claire: you didn't call me

Francis: i was

Claire you didn't call me, francis

Before francis can defend himself she's on her feet, all the pent-up energy from waiting bursting forth. she's furious

Claire when you didn't call me right after i wondered. when i called and you didn't call back i knew

Claire you don't not call me. not when it's this big

Francis: you're right

Claire: when have we ever avoided each other?

Francis: i wanted to figure out a solution first

Claire: did you?

Francis: no

A long beat

Claire: so they lied to your face

Francis: for months

Claire: and you didn't see it coming?

Francis: it was always a possibility. my mistake wasn't in failing to consider this scenario; it was in miscalculating the risk. i thought it was almost impossible

Claire: you're usually good at sussing out liars

Francis: i am. but this time... hubris. ambition

Claire: those aren't bad things

Francis: they are when they blind you

Claire: aren't you angry?

Francis: of course i am

Claire: then where's your anger?

Francis: you want to me lash out at walker? at vasquez? you want me to go to the press and make mess of something i can't change?

Claire: i want more than what i'm seeing

Francis: how kind of you

Claire: i'm not doling out sympathy

Francis: i didn't ask for it

Claire: you're better than this, francis

Francis i'm sorry, claire

Claire: no. that i won't accept

Francis: what?

Claire: apologies

Claire looks hard at him. a typical wife might smother him with sympathy, but not claire. she knows that's the worst thing she could do for a man like francis

Claire my husband doesn't apologize, even to me

Claire walks out of the room toward the stairs. we follow her

As she ascend the stairs we hear a crash in the living room, something shattering. she pauses without turning, just a fraction of a moment, then continues up the stairs

Back on francis in the living room. rage in his eyes. we see an overturned coffee table. shards from a broken vase on the floor. he rights the table. bends down, picks up the larger shards and places them on top. he walks over to the side window. there's a pack of cigarettes and a lighter neatly placed on the sill. he raises the window. opens the pack. it's nearly full. he pulls out one of the cigarettes. perches himself on the sill. he turns to us, cooled down by now

Francis my wife and i don't smoke. once a week maybe. together at this window. it's our time to escape. to be ourselves

Lights the cigarette. takes a long drag

Francis but i'm alone now. (back to us) she's left me this way. to myself. to my thoughts. it's not a punishment; it's a challenge

He looks back out the window. takes another drag

Int. underwood residence bedroom dawn

Claire is in bed as morning light seeps in through the window. the bed is empty beside her. her eyes are open. she stares at the ceiling. the alarm beeps. she reaches over, turns it off

Int. underwood residence stairs morning

Claire descends the stairs in her bathrobe, freshly showered. when she gets to the bottom of the stairs she sees francis sitting beside the window just as he was when she left him the night before. he doesn't turn to her. she pauses for a moment, taking in the tableau, then walks to the kitchen without a word

Int. underwood residence kitchen morning

Tight on two cups in an espresso machine filling with steaming coffee

Int. underwood residence living room morning

Close on francis, taking a cigarette out of the pack. it's nearly empty now. he lights it. inhales. claire enters with the espressos. sits down beside him, places one of the cups at his side. a moment. he turns to her

Francis: did you sleep?

Claire: no

Claire waits for more. francis takes a drag

Francis: i know what i have to do

Claire: of course you do

Francis: we'll have a lot of nights like this

Claire: that doesn't worry me

Francis: i'm not sure how yet

Claire: but you will

Francis hands her the cigarette. picks up the espresso and downs it with one gulp

Francis: i should get to work

Claire: i laid a suit out for you upstairs. the navy blue one

He gives her a kiss on the forehead. heads for the stairs. we follow him as he ascends. he turns to us

Francis i love that woman. i love her more than sharks love the smell of blood

Int. underwood's office kaufberger's office day

Tight on screen. michael kern clean-cut and handsome is speaking at a lectern, flanked by walker and vasquez. the ticker-tape reads: kern nominated for sec. of state

Cut to doug stamper francis's well-connected, amoral and loyal chief-of-staff with nancy kaufberger francis's exec. assistant. they're watching the news on a flat screen in nancy's office

Nancy: he's had work done. a chin tuck. probably botox. he definitely dyes his hair. maybe the gop won't confirm him

Stamper: no, they'll confirm him. walker is riding high. it's not worth the political capital. they'll save the big guns for legislative battles

Nancy: hey doug

He looks up to see francis striding in from the main door. stamper grabs a folder. the boss is here. it's work time. stamper and nancy head out to intercept him

Stamper at 9:30 you're sitting down with

Francis cancel everything. stamper, you're with me

Stamper tosses a glance to nancy. she's on it. francis makes for his office. stamper follows

Int. francis's office day

Francis and stamper behind closed doors. stamper is trying to process it all

Stamper: how do we get there...?

Francis: we'll seize opportunities. we'll make opportunities. react. respond. this is a time for broad strokes

Stamper: i just don't understand how're we're going to

Francis: for now we keep focused on what's right in front of us

Stamper: kern

Francis: yes. and the education bill

Stamper: who's drafting it?

Francis: vasquez hasn't told me yet. but i'm guessing it'll be harry blythe

Stamper: he'll need to be handled

Francis: which is exactly why she wants me here instead of the state department

Stamper: i can start digging on kern

Francis: get me names first. let's have somebody to give them once kern is gone. and we should have a front man for that. in case we need to distance ourselves

Stamper: what do you want?

Francis: a lost child. somebody we can save from himself

Stamper: i'll keep my ear to the ground

Francis: okay, i'm going to get a bite to eat. i haven't eaten in two days

Int. capitol mess hall later

Francis waits at the checkout. junk food heaped on his tray. we hear some commotion. entering the mess hall is michael kern followed by a couple of aides. people are congratulating him. he's smiling like a pig in shit. francis makes eye contact with kern. smiles. gives him a big thumbs up. kern nods with appreciation. gets intercepted by another well-wisher. francis picks up his tray and turns to us, the smile on his face instantly gone

Francis a wink, a nod, a little warmth and grace and with that one wraps oneself in a cloak of civility. kern's not the sharpest knife in the rack, but he's not dull either. he knows i was up for the nomination. he knows i must be jealous. but he doesn't need to know the danger he's in. let him bask in the limelight for now. i'll sharpen my blade in the dark. he'll still be smiling when i slit his throat

Int. episcopal church morning

The service is chock full of dc's political heavyweights, including francis and claire seated near the back. a minister is in the midst of delivering a sermon

Minister 'and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.' matthew 23:12. i'd like to speak today on the subject of humility. a lot of you just won re-election. if you hadn't, you wouldn't be sitting here

A smattering of chuckles among the congregation. close on francis as the minister continues

Minister of course you should be enjoy your success, and be grateful for it. but never let your gratitude sour into pride. you'll have many challenges ahead over the next couple of years. and a person's character is not determined by how he or she enjoys victory, but rather how he or she endures defeat

Ext. episcopal church later

We're following francis and claire as everyone files out

Female voice claire

They're approached by another power couple: the longtime senator charles holburn and his socialite wife felicity, both immaculately groomed, styled and outfitted

Claire: hello felicity

Holburn gravitates toward claire, holburn toward francis

Holburn: frank

Francis morning charles

We track claire and felicity, a few paces ahead of the men

Felicity how are you?

Claire: terrific

Felicity: i'm sorry about the...you know

Claire: you mean the

Felicity: just awful. charles and i were so upset when we heard

Claire it's nothing. really. between you and me, i think francis is relieved. he feels much more at home in congress

We jump over to francis and holburn

Holburn: i would've bet a million dollars walker was going to choose you

Francis good thing you have a million dollars to spare

Holburn: but kern come on. that's a real insult, isn't it? he's got half the experience you do, and less than half the brain

Francis: he must've had his reasons

Holburn: this is bad for business. we needed a strong-man in the state department, not a straw man

Francis: we'll make do

Holburn: you're a bigger man than me. i'd be pissed as hell

Francis and claire catch each other's eyes. they appreciate the sympathy of the holburns, but they abhor sympathy as a concept. it feels humiliating

Int. russo's bedroom night

A cluttered high-rise apartment. russo and his secretary christina are having wild, wall-pounding sex. as soon as russo climaxes with a primal yawp, he rolls over and pours himself a drink from the night stand. takes a sip. he hands her the glass. grabs the bottle for himself. takes a swig. regards the bottle

Russo: this is nice, where'd you get it?

Christina: the speaker's holiday party. i snuck into the v.i.p. room and stole it

Russo: '92. wow. twenty years old

Christina: seems about right for you

Russo: funny

Christina i'm almost thirty. that's ancient in your book

Russo: i don't discriminate when it comes to age

Christina: when's the last time you hired a forty year old assistant?

Russo: that doesn't mean i haven't, or that i wouldn't

Christina: as long as they're good in bed

Russo: come on

Christina: you do have a reputation, peter

Russo: for being a good lover?

Christina: for fucking the help

Russo: where's this coming from?

Christina: you're not just gonna get your kicks, then toss me aside for some slut straight out of college?

Russo: i can't. you'd sue me for sexual harassment

Christina: i'm serious

Russo: so we're having that conversation now?

Christina: it's been six months. this isn't just a little office fling anymore

Russo: you want me to say the three magic words, don't you? one of which starts with an l. okay, i'll say them

Christina turns to him longingly. he takes her hand

Russo lick my balls

She slaps him playfully. he wrestles her to the bed. they're both laughing. now he's sincere

Russo i love you. i do. i love you christina

She smiles, rolls on top, kisses him

Christina: i love you too

Russo: so will you lick my balls now?

She pushes him down for round two

Int. kennedy center lobby night

A full lobby. opera-goers dressed to the hilt. a decidedly middle-aged crowd. gray haired men, matronly women

We zero in on francis and claire. people seem to be parting subtly around them a wide berth. francis got snubbed for the nomination and everyone knows it

And older man and his wife pass by. the older man gives francis a little double-pat on the shoulder a consolation. as francis turns the older man and his wife have already moved on. the older man gives francis a slight piteous nod

From francis' pov we see the older man whisper into his wife's ear. she looks back at francis and claire. francis' gaze shifts to small grouping of couples, all stealing glances his way and speaking in hushed tones to one another. the gossip is palpable

Francis: i need some air

Claire picks up immediately on his discomfort

Claire: i'll see you at the seats

She disappears through the doors to the auditorium as we follow francis toward the door

Ext. kennedy center night

Franics stands outside, scrolling through his blackberry, more to look like he's busy than because he is

A cab pulls up. zoe emerges. she's in a strapless black dress that hugs every curve. it isn't very fancy, but it sure gets the job done

It's cold. she's not dressed for the weather. her headlights are fully on. she turns to her date, brian, early 30s a typical capitol hill climber. he's getting out of the cab behind her

Zoe: gimme your jacket

He pulls off his jacket and hands it to her. she drapes it over the front of her dress and starts hurrying to main doors. she's not going to be late for this. as she climbs the steps francis notices her more out of instinct than interest. he glances at her ass ever so briefly as she passes. and it's an exceptional ass. we can tell from the form-fitting fabric that she's wearing a thong. once zoe has passed, francis turns to his attention back to the blackberry

Int. kennedy center opera night

Francis slips into the booth and takes his seat next to claire. she doesn't even look at him, but she reaches out and takes his hand

The sound of an orchestra tuning. the lights begin to fade. push into francis' face as the first subtle strands of music begin to play and we cut to

Int. underwood residence basement night

Still tight on francis' face, the music carrying us into the scene, we pull back to reveal that he's wearing a headset with a microphone. it's dim. blue light flickers in his eyes. as we pull back more we see that he's slumped in a chair, still in his tuxedo with an xbox controller in his hands. his thumbs and fingers deftly fly back and forth, but the rest of his body is totally motionless the calm and focus of a true gamer

A silhouette enters the frame. it's claire. she places her hand gently on francis's shoulder. he pulls the headset off. the music cuts out abruptly. from the headphones, we hear the

Distant, tinny sound of other online gamers

Things like a 12 year-old kid taunting: 'imma cap your ass muthafucka' and some redneck retorting: 'suck it dickless'. the lowest of low culture, if you can even call it culture

Francis: going to bed?

Claire: are you coming?

Francis: i'll be there in a bit

Claire: don't stay up all night

Claire leans down and kisses him on the forehead. leaves. francis puts his headset back on. the online taunts and exclamations resume, full-force

Cut to the flat-screen tv. it's grand theft auto a complete bloodbath. francis' avatar starts blowing people away. death. carnage. glorious vulgarity

Int. cab night

The cab pulls up in front of zoe's apartment. zoe and brian are in the back seat. zoe's got brian's jacket draped over her. she hands it to brian

Zoe: thanks so much. i'll call you

She gives him a platonic peck on the cheek. opens the door

Brian: wait

She turns back

Brian i thought you had a good time

Zoe: i did. i've never been to the opera before. i loved it

Brian: so...can i come up?

She just looks at him patiently

Brian i guess that's a no

Zoe: you're really sweet, brian. i'm sorry if i gave you the wrong idea

He looks dejected. she's not going to let this turn into a conversation

Zoe thanks again for inviting me. it was wonderful. have a good night

And she's out of the cab. she throws one last glance back at brian, a pity glance. then she's off. quick, clean, relatively painless

Int. zoe's apartment night

She dips the power bar directly into the yogurt as the computer screen jumps to life. her fingers fly over the keyboard. new window. email. password. inbox. mostly work stuff. but there's a new message at the very top

From: [email protected] subject: frank underwood ass-whipped

She clicks on the message. a photo fills the screen: francis checking out zoe's ass when she passed him on the steps of the kennedy center

There's text beneath the photo: if you want em to take you seriously, maybe wear more than g-string?

Command n. new window. keys punched at lightning speed. google search. 'frank underwood.' wikipedia comes up. click

The words 'house majority whip' stick out. zoe considers this for a moment. clicks back to the other screen. looks at the photo. hits reply. types quickly

He looks pretty serious to me

Send. boom. done

Int. underwood's office morning

Underwood is working at his desk. stamper knocks and peeks his head in the door

Stamper: she's here

Francis: show her in

Stamper disappears. francis turns to the camera

Francis: quite rare for a president's chief-of-staff to climb up the hill. a gesture of respect, no doubt which i appreciate, even if it comes at a cost. let's see if i was right about harold blythe

He cranes his head to see her approaching down the hall

Francis here she comes my lesser but necessary half

Vasquez enters carrying a folder. francis stands

Francis good morning linda. i appreciate you making the trip over

Vasquez: of course. my pleasure

Francis: i assume we're discussing education?

Vasquez: first things first

She places the folder on his desk and opens it

Vasquez the seating chart for the inauguration. do these work for you and claire?

Francis: wow

Vasquez: which comes with a complimentary set of tickets to the red and white ball

Francis: claire will be over the moon

Vasquez: good, i'm glad. so education. we have harry blythe drafting the legislation

Francis tosses us a quick glance. his guess was correct

Vasquez you can imagine the bind that puts us in

Francis: the bill's going to be too be two steps to the left of karl marx

Vasquez: education's been his baby for twenty years. we have to let him take the lead

Francis: it'll be hard to drum up much confidence

Vasquez: which is why i'm here

Francis: you want me to advise him. bring him toward the middle

Vasquez we need to this bill to pass smoothly

Francis: consider it done, linda

Vasquez: i know it's a lot to put on your plate

Francis: you've got 100 days before the honeymoon is over. anything you want to put on my plate, feel free

Int. underwood's office front door day

Francis opens the door for vasquez. as she's leaving

Vasquez: keep me posted?

Francis: let me talk to blythe. i'll check in with you later this week

Vasquez: terrific

Vasquez leaves. francis watches her go. he speaks to us

Francis: she's wary. i can see it in her eyes. walker's political capital rises or falls with the success of this bill. and i need to be at the center of it

He closes the door, walks back toward his inner office

Francis vasquez might not trust me as far as she can throw me. but she doesn't have to. if i prove myself indispensable, she can't afford to throw me very far

He pops his head into nancy kaufberger's office

Francis nancy, set up a call with harold blythe

Continues toward his office

Francis doug?

Stamper pops out from his

Francis you have a list for me?

Stamper: just finished

Francis: my office

Int. francis's office afternoon

Francis and stamper are having a brainstorming session

Stamper: ferguson?

Francis: too old

Stamper: willis?

Francis: too stupid

Stamper: boyd?

Francis: queer

Stamper: really?

Francis gives him a look

Stamper he's married with two kids

Francis: come on

Stamper: what about catherine durant?

A beat. francis leans back in his chair

Francis: interesting. catherine durant

Int. cwa office claire's office day

Claire at her desk. evelyn sits across from her. claire peruses a document

Claire: can we do any better?

Evelyn: not without totally crippling our day to day. and we might have to pull out of some of our impact studies

Claire okay, we'll go with this

Evelyn: we're losing some very good people. folks who have been with us from the beginning

Claire: this is a charity, but not for our employees. i can't keep people on just because they've been with us a long time

Evelyn: do you mind if i ask what we're going to use the money for?

Claire: an organization i want to bring in world water initiative. they've done nice work overseas big projects. very little budget

Evelyn: do we need to bring in a new organization? if you want to expand overseas can't we just

Claire: evelyn you're the office manager

Evelyn: i know

Claire: and you're an excellent one. but i need you trust that i know what i'm doing here

Evelyn: i do. i think

Claire: you have friends i understand. people you've spent years working with. it's hard to see them go

Evelyn nods

Claire should i bring somebody else in handle this?

Evelyn: no. i'm good. i can do it

Evelyn offers a resigned smile

Ext. underwood residence front door

Tight on a finger pushing the door bell. a moment later the door opens, revealing francis. we cut to zoe standing opposite, steve right beside her

Steve: sir, i'm sorry to bother you. this woman said you were expecting her

Francis: who are you?

Zoe: my name is zoe barnes. i'm a reporter at the washington herald

Francis: it's almost ten at night. this is my home. i don't

Zoe: we're part of a mutual appreciation club

She holds out her phone. we can't see what's on it, but francis can. he smiles

Francis: you're a fan of the opera

Zoe: more for the people watching than the music. same as you

Francis is impressed by her brassiness

Francis come in, ms. barnes

Int. underwood residence living room a few minutes later

Francis pours drinks from the liquor cabinet. hands one to zoe, then sits across from her. zoe takes a sip

Zoe: it's strong

Francis: you like it weak?

Zoe: no the stronger the better

She unwraps her scarf, revealing some impressive cleavage francis takes a quick glance, then finds her eyes again

Zoe there's no harm in looking

Francis: that's a cheap ploy, ms. barnes

Zoe: cheap but effective

Francis: if your goal is to distract me which you haven't

Zoe: i don't want you distracted i want you focused

Francis: you certainly have my undivided attention

Zoe: good, then i'll get straight to the point

Francis foreplay is over?

Zoe: i read somewhere that jfk never lasted more than three minutes

Francis: the point being?

Zoe: that time is precious. powerful people don't have the luxury of foreplay

He smiles, eyes narrowing

Francis: why are you here ms. barnes?

Zoe: because i need somebody i can trust, and someone who trusts me

Francis: you're in the wrong zip code for that

Zoe: maybe trust isn't the right word. an arrangement perhaps

Francis: as in

Zoe: you confide in me, to the extent that you're comfortable

Francis: and in return

Zoe: i protect your identity and print what you tell me. i serve you. i communicate what you can't publicly say yourself

Francis: what makes you think i don't already have such an arrangement with one of your colleagues?

Zoe: because if you did, you wouldn't have let me in the door

Francis smiles. he's enjoying the repartee

Francis: i've had a very long, very successful career avoiding this sort of intrigue with the press. i don't see any particular advantage in starting now

Zoe: is there any disadvantage?

Francis: sloppiness, for one

Zoe: i promise you absolute discretion

Francis: so we are talking about trust

Zoe: use whatever word you like. i don't care

Francis: words matter very much, ms. barnes. you should care more, given your profession

Zoe: then yes, your trust. because if i were to betray it i stand far less of a chance surviving the consequences

Francis: metro is killing you

She looks at him, impressed he knows this

Francis don't be flattered that i'm familiar with your work. i read everything

Zoe: i don't doubt it. and yes, metro is killing me

Francis how exactly can i help you?

Zoe: the administration's legislative agenda

Francis: i see

Zoe: you must know

Francis: i may

Zoe: immigration is too controversial. tax-reform isn't sexy enough. i'm thinking education

Francis: you very well might think that. i couldn't possibly comment

Zoe: all i need is a nod or a wink

Francis: it's late ms. barnes, and it's been a long day

Zoe: can we speak again?

Francis: a prudent man never makes a rash decision unless forced by necessity. and my only necessity at the moment is a pillow beneath my head. i hope you'll understand if i'd prefer to sleep on all of this

Int. underwood residence foyer moments later

Francis helps zoe put her coat on. steve is in the foyer with them. zoe hands francis a card

Zoe: my cell phone's on the back. personal, not work

Francis pockets the card without looking at it

Francis did you put ms. barnes in the visitors leger?

Steve: not yet

Francis: don't. needless to say

Zoe: needless. i get it

Francis smiles. she smiles back. his desire to make her visit 'disappear' is a good sign. he opens the door for her. claire is coming up the steps

Claire: oh...hello

Francis: claire, this is ms. zoe barnes, from the washington herald

Zoe: very nice to meet you mrs. underwood

They shake hands. claire offers a polite smile

Francis drive safe. there's lots of ice on the road

Zoe: i will. goodnight. and thank you

Francis and claire watch zoe walk off

Claire: a reporter?

Francis: a hungry reporter

Claire: aren't they all?

Ext. michigan avenue late at night

A bmw slows to a halt by the curb with a police car slowing to a stop behind it, lights flashing

Cut to: a police officer ambles up to the stopped bmw and aims a flashlight at the driver. it's russo. he looks wasted

Police officer: license and registration

Russo: the glove compartment sweetheart

We see that there's a call-girl in the passenger seat. she gets the registration out of the glove compartment while russo pulls out his license and hands it to the cop

Russo here you go

Police officer: this isn't your license. it's a starbucks card

Russo: oh...sorry about that

Police officer: sir have you been drinking?

Russo: no, i don't drink coffee at this hour

Police officer i'm going to need you to step out of the car

Russo: if i was speeding just write me a ticket and i'll

Police officer: sir, out of the car. right now

Russo: alright listen, i don't want to sound like a prick, but i'm a member of congress

Police officer: i don't care if you're the king of china

Russo: china doesn't have a king. it's a communist oligwock ola communist oligarchy. man, that's hard to say

The cop opens the door

Police officer: let's go. out. you too

Int. underwood residence bedroom later

The phone rings. francis groggily answers it

Francis: hello...?

Listens for a second. sits up, suddenly alert

Francis good let's think this through for a second

The door swings open, jangling a bell. in walks d.c. police commissioner barney hull a square-jawed career law enforcer. he glances around, doesn't see who he's looking for. takes a seat in one of the booths. a figure slowly spins around on one of the stools at the counters and faces hull. it's stamper

Stamper: mind if i join you?

Hull looks at him, perplexed. stamper gets off the booth and slides into the booth across from hull

Int. christina's car late morning

Christina is driving, russo's riding shotgun

Russo: it was just a few drinks

Christina: it was enough to get pulled over

Russo: but i was in control. i wasn't drunk drunk

Christina: were you alone?

Russo: yes

Christina: say it to my face

Russo: watch the road

Christina: say it to my face!

Russo: yes i was alone!

Christina: you can't keep doing this peter. it's gonna catch up with you

Int. underwood residence kitchen morning

Claire picks up two fresh cups of coffee from the espresso machine. meanwhile francis finishes slicing an apple, places half the slices on one plate, half on another. they meet at the kitchen table claire with the coffee, francis with the apple. sit down. their morning routine

Claire: do you think we can arrange two more at our table for the red and white ball?

Francis: for whom?

Claire: the holburns

Francis: why on earth would we want them there?

Claire: i'm going to need her money for the cwa at some point

Francis: the expansion?

Claire: the staff cuts will only get us halfway there. we'll need to fund new projects

Francis: i'll talk to vasquez

A beat

Claire how're we doing?

Francis: good

Claire: just good?

Francis: progress. irons in the fire

Claire i like irons. but i love fire

He downs his espresso. stands. gives her a peck on the forehead. and he's out the door

Int. blythe's office day

Francis holds up a document as harold blythe looks on

Francis this is the only hard copy?

Blythe: yes

Francis goes over to the shredder, starts feeding in pages

Blythe what are you

Francis has put too many pages in. the shredder jams. he yanks out the half devoured sheets and tosses them in the waste basket with the rest of the 600 page document

Francis: the bill is garbage, harry, and you know it. you've wasted your time and mine. i'm not happy

Blythe: i'm sorry frank

Francis: i don't want apologies, i want a passable bill. tax increases? the ban on vouchers? a federal oversight commission? how am i supposed to work with that? you

Have to help me help you

Blythe: i'll rewrite it

Francis: by the inauguration

Blythe: if you want something from scratch that's going to be

Francis: you have less than a week

Blythe: that was years worth of work

Francis: then get me a short-form draft. get me something i can put your name on. we can flesh out the long-form later

Francis points to the waste basket

Francis that version is dead. erase every copy on every computer

Blythe nods

Francis call me if you need anything

And francis is out the door. we follow him. he turns to us

Frank: busy work for poor old blythe. eventually i'll have to re-write the bill myself. not because i care what's in it. i only care about where it gets me. and if it gets me rubbing shoulders with walker again, it's served its purpose. but to do that i need a bill i can pass. ideology is for standing still on a soapbox. i never stand still. i want momentum

Int. hotel room night

Tight on the door. a knock. a moment later the door opens, revealing the call-girl we saw with russo the night before. she's wearing a long overcoat and heels. cut to to stamper

Stamper: come on in

The call-girl takes a look around the room, impressed. she unzips her overcoat. let's it fall to the ground. she's only wearing panties underneath. stamper pulls an enormous wad out of his jacket pocket. tosses it to her. she starts to flip through the wad

Stamper ten thousand dollars. what will that get me?

She eyes him, a little frightened

Call-girl: i mean i'm kinky, but i don't know if i'm the girl you're looking for

Stamper: you're definitely the girl i'm looking for

Call-girl this doesn't feel right

Stamper: all i want for that money is your silence

Call-girl: my silence...?

Stamper: the guy you were with last night, the one who was arrested. do you know who he was?

Call-girl: you mean the congressman?

Stamper: there was no congressman. there was no arrest. none of it exists. all that exists is the money you're holding. you understand?

Call-girl: yeah

Stamper: good

Stamper pulls out some more money from his jacket. folds it

Stamper open your mouth

She does, he gently slides the bills between her teeth

Stamper here's four hundred more. this last bit is for me

He takes off his jacket and starts to unbutton his shirt

Int. francis's office late morning

Francis sits across from catherine durant another conservative democrat from the south

Durant: secretary of state?

Francis: that's right

Durant walker just nominated kern

Francis: it's a long road to confirmation

Durant: kern is a boy scout

Francis: no one's a boy scout. not even boy scouts

Durant is intrigued by francis's tone. she presses

Durant: what do you have?

Francis: absolutely nothing

Durant: so what are we talking about here?

Francis: i'm just asking a simple question does the job interest you?

Durant: wouldn't you want it for yourself?

Francis: i turned it down

Durant: really? i heard that walker passed you over

Francis: i've let that story ride so he could save face. i haven't spent twenty years in congress to toss it aside for a four-year cabinet post

Durant: so why do you want kern gone?

Francis: i want him gone because he's a pretty face with an empty skull. the foreign relations committee needs a secretary i can work with. somebody brilliant. somebody tough. somebody who isn't afraid to stand up to walker when he's wrong. we need you catherine

Durant let's assume i'm interested

Francis: i don't want to assume i want to know

Int. rayburn bldg parking garage night

A black suv rounds a corner on the bottom floor of the garage, pulls into an empty spot. we can see that steve is driving. the back door opens. stamper gets out. he heads toward a set of dumpsters in the far corner. looks around. sees no one. opens the lid to one of the dumpsters

Int. newsroom day

Zoe is seated at her desk, looking miserable trapped, under appreciated, creativity stifled. she's got her land line phone to one ear and is taking notes she clearly doesn't give a rat's ass about

Zoe: uh-huh...uh-huh

Her cell phone vibrates. she glances at it. 'unknown number.'

Zoe: hold on

She answers the cell phone

Zoe: zoe barnes

After a beat she stiffens, suddenly alert

Zoe yes, anywhere you want. on my way

She ends the call

Zoe i'll call you back

She hastily grabs her purse and coat, heads for the elevator

Int. national gallery day

Francis and zoe sit side by side on a bench in front of a thomas eakins painting. it depicts two rowers in a skull

Francis: do the math, ms. barnes

Zoe: he needs a bill

Francis: sponsored by?

Zoe: somebody with legitimacy

Zoe thinks for a moment, then shakes her head

Zoe but the person with the most experience

Francis harold blythe

Zoe: ...is an old school tax and spend democrat. walker ran as a moderate. he's almost republican

Francis: exactly, which is why he needs me

Zoe: to steer the bill to the center

Francis: you were right about why walker kept me in congress

Zoe: do you think blythe would talk to me?

Francis: be smarter than that. he can't speak to the press about this

Zoe: maybe somebody in his office, if i butter them up. all i need is a few crumbs

Francis flips open a brief case. pulls out a bulky manila envelop and places it in zoe's lap

Francis: how about a five-course dinner?

She peeks inside the envelope

Zoe: is this what i think it is?

Francis points to the painting

Francis: i just love this painting, don't you?

Zoe looks up. tight on the two rowers in the painting. then back to the pair on the bench. francis turns to zoe

Francis we're in the same boat now, zoe. take care not to tip it over. if you do, i can only save one of us from drowning

Int. zoe's apartment afternoon

Zoe in her cramped, hopelessly messy apartment. she's flipping through blythe's original draft. making notes. utterly focused. she has something no one else on the planet has. her cell phone rings. she presses ignore without even looking at the number. a moment later it rings again. she presses ignore. nothing is going to distract her

Int. blair house vasquez's office day

Francis and vasquez across a desk from one another

Vasquez: we need a passable bill

Francis: and you'll have one

Vasquez: before the inauguration

Francis: i didn't choose harold blythe. you did. and that's fine. i had to send him back to the starting gates, but i can work with him. you don't have to micro-manage this, linda

Vasquez: the president-elect is concerned

Francis: he shouldn't be. and you shouldn't either. you're asking me to work a miracle. i understand that. and i'm telling you i'll work the miracle

Vasquez: alright, frank

Francis: i have a favor to ask, though.can you fit two more guests at our table? for the red and white ball?

Vasquez: of course. i can make that happen

Int. francis's office continuous

Francis shuts the door as russo takes a seat

Francis: drink?

Russo: sure...what do you got?

Francis: whiskey. bush mills

Russo: if you're offering

As francis pours him a drink

Francis: how are things in the city of brotherly love?

Russo: we're getting by

Francis: good, good

Francis hands him the drink

Francis so it seems you've been a bit...irresponsible

Russo: what...?

Francis: don't play dumb with me peter. save it for the house ethics committee

Russo freezes a deer caught in headlights

Francis drink up, you could use some courage right now

Russo: you're not having any?

Francis: it's a bit early in the day for me

Russo sets his drink down

Russo: is this about last night?

Francis simply stares at him. a stare which says 'yes.'

Russo how do you know about that?

Francis: because it's my job to know

Russo: look they let me off. there's no charges. it's all taken care of

Francis: honestly peter, do you really think these things take care of themselves?

Russo suddenly realizes francis was behind his release

Russo: it was just that once, frank. i swear to god

Francis: then you must hold god in very low esteem, because we both know that's a lie. drunk driving, prostitutes, cocaine you've got quite a long list of hobbies. i'm surprised you can find the time to represent your constituents. what i should really have done is hang you out to dry. but then you'd be of no use to me, would you?

Russo: what is it that you want?

Francis: your absolute, unquestioning loyalty

Russo anything. you name it, frank

Francis: not now but soon. there will be no shortage of things you'll be able to do for me

Int. washington herald newsroom afternoon

Zoe makes a b-line for lucas's office. as she barges in…

Zoe: where have you been? i've been calling you

Lucas: everybody's working double-time on the inauguration and you decide to just up and disapp

She plops a large ream of paper on his desk. he picks it up, starts to flip through

Lucas where did you get this?

Zoe: wrong question. the right question is how quickly can we get it up on the site?

Lucas: this is page one. i have to run it past bob

Zoe: then let's run it past bob

Int. washington herald hammerschmidt's office afternoon

Hammerschmidt, zoe and lucas serious shit going down

Hammerschmidt get legal on this make sure we're not breaking any laws. and i want a litigation assessment. you won't tell me your source?

Zoe: i can't do that

Hammerschmidt: fine. but if legal

Zoe: i understand. how long do you think that will take? we should get this online right away

Hammerschmidt: i'm not just going to scan a 600 page document and put it up before we've gone through every

Zoe: i did that already

Hammerschmidt: you read the whole thing?

Zoe: cover to cover. i've got excerpts. analysis. three thousand words ready for editing

Hammerschmidt glances at lucas. they're impressed

Hammerschmidt you start going over that. and let's get the online staff pitching in, working on graphs, charts, the whole nine yards. janine! (to zoe) what's the angle, five words or less?

Zoe: far left of center

Hammerschmidt: how far?

Zoe: very

Hammerschmidt: enough to put walker on his heels?

Zoe: forget his heels. this will put him on his ass

Janine enters. she doesn't see zoe in the corner

Hammerschmidt we've got a draft of the administration's education bill. you're going to work with zoe, do background copy

Janine zoe barnes?

Hammerschmidt: that's right. whatever she needs

Hammerschmidt nods in zoe's direction. janine sees zoe for the first time

Janine share a byline with her?

Hammerscmidt: no sharing. the byline is zoe's

Janine: but she's metro. i'm your chief political correspondent

Hammerschmidt: then you should've brought in the story yourself. zoe gets the byline. janine gets assisted credit

Janine: assisted? come on. you can't

Hammerschmidt: go. we've got 18 hours before tomorrow's print deadline

Janine glares at zoe

Zoe i'll see you at my desk

Zoe walks out. janine reluctantly follows

Ext. the mall morning

A wide pan of massive crowds gathered for the inauguration ceremony on a crystal clear, january morning

Francis power is like real estate. it's all about location, location, location

Cut to the rostrum on the capitol steps. walker has his hand raised as chief justice conducts the oath of office

Francis the closer you are to the source, the higher your property value

We zoom in on francis and claire sitting in the first row behind the lectern

Francis a hundred years from now, when people watch this footage, who will they see smiling just at the edge of the frame?

Francis gives a little wave to the camera

Chief justice: so help you god

Walker: so help me god

Ext. the rostrum ten minutes later

Tight on walker in the midst of his inaugural address

Walker: ...today is not simply about the next four years. it's about the next four decades. you've placed your faith in me, and i, in turn, choose to place that faith in our children. our children are the key to this nation's future, and that's why the first order of business for this administration will be a comprehensive education reform bill to properly fix, finance and strengthen our nation's schools

Huge cheers from the audience. quick cut to francis, clapping vigorously, staring right at us

Int. red and white ball night

A huge reception hall decorated to the hilt. the mood is festive. francis and claire are seated next to charles and felicity holburn at the vice-president's table

Felicity it was so nice of you to make this possible. when you called and

Claire: not another word

Shift to secretary of state nominee michael kern

Kern: ...'your dog must be a genius,' the guy says. 'nah,' says the other guy, 'he's pretty stupid. every time he's got a good hand he sniffs his ass.'

Everyone at the table laughs at the punch line, kern most of all. francis forces a laugh. claire leans into francis

Claire: go do your thing

He squeezes her hand. gets up. cut to blythe standing awkwardly alone eating a crab cake at the hors d'oeuvres table. francis approaches

Francis: maestro, i've been looking all over for you

Blythe fumbles with the crab cake, accidently spilling it on his lapel

Blythe: shit

In an instant francis has grabbed a napkin and begins dabbing the stain

Blythe thanks

Francis: truly outstanding work on the new draft. you're going to make history with that bill harry

Blythe: thanks for all your help frank. couldn't have done it without you

Out of the corner of his eye, francis spots catherine durant near the dance floor

Francis: catherine! excuse me harry

And francis glides over to catherine

Francis don't you look stunning

Durant: we southern girls clean up well when you get us out of the trailer park and into some vera wang

Francis: and we southern boys may be slow with our words, but we're fast on our feet

He half bows, takes her hand and kisses it

Francis may i have the honor?

Durant: you most certainly may

He leads her onto the dance floor and they waltz beautifully

Ext. pennsylvania avenue early morning

The streets are empty. sanitation workers sweep up the ticker tape from the previous day's celebration. police crews load barricades into flatbed trucks

Ext. freddy's bbq joint early morning

It's a bitterly cold, bright sunny day. francis arrives at the restaurant with a newspaper tucked under his arm. freddy the husky african american proprietor sees him approaching and opens the door for him

Freddy: mornin' frank

Francis: morning freddy. how are you?

Freddy: can't kick. come on in

Francis: actually, would you mind setting up a table for me outside?

Freddy: outside? it's freezing

Francis: i'll be fine. a little cold never hurt anyone

Freddy nods and heads inside. francis turns to the camera

Francis my one guilty pleasure is a good racks of ribs. even at 7:30 in the morning. i have the whole place to myself. freddy opens up just for me

Cut to: francis at a table, breath condensing in the cold air

Francis where i grew up in south carolina nobody had two pennies to rub together. a rack of ribs was a luxury, like christmas in july. i've had a weakness for them ever since

Freddy comes outside with a steaming plate of ribs. places them before francis. before digging in, francis glances at the newspaper he brought with him. zoe's breaking story, detailing the contents of the leaked education bill, occupies a huge swath of the front page. the headline reads

Education bill far left of center

We pan down to see zoe's byline in bold above the article

Quick montage

Blythe in his office staring at the article on his computer. complete horror

Vasquez in the back of an suv scrolling through her blackberry in even more horror

Zoe, lucas and hammerschmidt gathered around a computer where a tech guy is monitoring a graph

Tech guy: the web traffic is crazy

Janine watching zoe, hammer and lucas from a distance, eyes narrowed jealous

A cop car with its lights flashing beside a dented blue toyota camry the same car that hit the dog in the opening scene. two cops cuffing the mangy 20 year-old culprit

Ext. freddy's bbq joint morning

Francis' plate is empty. he wipes his hands and dabs his mouth with a napkin. freddy starts to clear francis's plate

Freddy: you want seconds?

Francis: i better not

Freddy starts off. scarcely a moment later…

Francis actually, yes. i'm feeling hungry today

Freddy goes inside. francis stares right at us, piercingly

Francis there are two kinds of pain, but only one kind of pleasure total, unstoppable, undeniable victory. (leans toward us) the minister was wrong about defeat. i wasn't put on this planet to endure. i was put on this planet to win

He closes his eyes again and leans back. basks in the sun and exhales a long, deep breath into the cold air. the serenity is shattered by sudden, thumping rock music. black out

The end

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