"Senator Samuel Foley died a minute ago here at St. Vincent's." "At the bedside was political sidekick Senator Joseph Paine." "Senator Joseph Paine speaking." "I want the Governor's residence, Jackson City." "Hello?" "Oh, Joe!" "Oh no!" "It couldn't have happened at a worse time." "Tell Jim Taylor I'm coming home." " Yes, Joe." "Right away." " What is it?" "Sam Foley's dead." "Of all times..." "Foley had to go and die on us." " Who are you calling this late?" " Taylor, my dear." " What's up?" " Sam Foley died tonight." "That's too bad." "Don't get excited." "Is Paine coming?" "Yes, Jim." "Yes, Jim." "Yes, Jim." "He'd drop dead if you ever said no to him." "This is no time for jokes." "I've got to appoint a new senator." "The Governor will see all committees." "The Governor will see all committees." "Tell the governor I won't wait any longer." "I guess Taylor's telling him what to do." "Tell them to wait." "I'll see them immediately." "I've got to see those citizens." "They want a say in who goes to the Senate." " Ten to one they've got a man." " Relax, Happy." "Stop having kittens." "Tell Jim Taylor and Joe Paine they have one more minute to make up their minds." " You go and tell Jim Taylor." " I will tell him." "It's high time I told Jim Taylor a thing or two." "If you and Joe'll gab on about this appointment, I'll see the committees." " See them when we're finished." " Yes, Jim." "But hurry, will you?" "We'll hurry." "That's telling him, old boy." "With this Willet Creek dam coming up,   the man who goes to the Senate can't ask any questions or talk out of tone." " We have to be absolutely sure of him." " I say Horace Miller." "He'll take orders all right." "Suppose we don't go through with this dam?" "Postpone it until next session of Congress." "Or drop it all together." "That would be a crime, Joe..." "After all the work we put in on it." "Burying it in this deficiency bill as nice as you please,   having it approved." "It's rolling along..." "like taking candy from a baby." "Is it worth the risk of a scandal?" "What's the matter with you?" "I wouldn't take the slightest risk   now you've made such a great reputation for yourself in the Senate." "Look at the campaign I've started for you in all of my papers" " It's a little obscure, isn't it?" " I don't know..." "Maybe." "But after all, you're the logical man from the West for the national ticket." "At the convention anything can happen." "If what you say about the future is possible, why not drop this dam?" "We can't do it." "We've been quietly buying up all the land around it." "Holding it in dummy names." "If we drop it now, it'll bring about an investigation." "It will show that we were going to sell it to the state under phony names." "The smartest thing for us to do is to push it through the way it's going." "All right." "Appoint Miller if you are sure he will take orders." "Don't worry." "He'll take orders." "Come on." " Just one more minute." " Happy, we've got your man." " Horace Miller." " Horace Miller?" "!" "A born stooge!" "Horace'll perform like a trained seal." " What did I tell you, Joe?" " But if I throw a party man like..." "For reasons I can't go into now, it has to be Horace Miller." "I've given you the man, make out your ticket." "But I have to see those angry committees first!" "Work for harmony!" "Considering the candidates who answer to the high qualifications of senators,   one name shone out like a beacon." " The honorable Horace Miller." " No!" " He's Taylor's stooge!" " The veterans'll have no part of him!" "The New Citizens Committee won't stand for him!" "So... they named their own candidate." "Who?" " You won't like him." " Who?" " Henry Hill." " That crackpot, that longhead!" " You should have killed that so fast." " I couldn't." "Those men..." "Never mind." "Forget it." "That bunch is out for blood..." "I said:" "Forget about them." "Horace Miller goes to the Senate." " I won't send Horace Miller." " Oh, you won't?" "No, I won't." "I won't let you stand there callously and wreck my political future." "Your political future?" "I gave it to you as a present." "I can grab it back so fast it'll make your head swim." "You've got a nerve worrying about your future when we're in this spot." "The man is Miller." "Hello, Dad." "Is it getting you down?" " Is what getting me down?" " You're in a pickle, Pop." " Looks like Henry Hill or else..." " No, it's Horace Miller or else!" "I wouldn't appoint an old twerp like Miller." "Taylor or no Taylor." " What's Taylor got to do with this?" " He's still running the show, ain't he?" "I won't have this conversation carried on by the children." "Won't you listen to them for a change?" "No doubt my children could make this appointment." " That's easy, Dad." "Jefferson Smith!" " He's the only senator to have." " He ought to be president." " I like Jeff Smith." " Me too." " Now everybody's been heard from." "Forgive my ignorance, but I don't know him from a hole in the ground." " Head of the Boy Rangers." " A boy?" "No, Jeff's a man." "Biggest expert we got on wild game, animals and rocks." "Right now he's the greatest hero." "It's all over the headlines." "Didn't you see about the forest fire all around Sweetwater?" "Jeff put that out." "Himself." " If you really want a senator..." " I do not want a senator." " No more of this nonsense!" " He's the greatest American we got." "He knows what George Washington said by heart and Boy Stuff is swell." " What stuff?" " That's the name of Jeff's paper." "Look, here's one." "It's great!" "Everybody reads it." "A million kids." " Let me read you..." " I'm in no mood for childish prattle." " Prattle!" "You're all wet." " You couldn't do better." " Better than what?" " Jeff for senator!" "You want to get out of your pickle." "50,000 kids with two folks a piece!" "And they vote!" " You want to do some good." " If you'll ever stand up like a man..." "That settles it." "I will not be belittled by my own children." "All my nerves are strained to the breaking point." "Henry Hill, Horace Miller..." "Miller, Hill..." "Hill, Miller." "Heads Hill, tails Miller." "That's good enough for me." " Good evening." " Is Jefferson Smith at home?" "Yes." "Won't you step in?" "A boy ranger to the Senate?" "A simpleton." "A big-eyed patriot." "Knows Lincoln and Washington by heart." "Stands at attention in the Governor's presence." "Even collects stray boys and cats." "You know what I mean." "A perfect man." "Never in politics in his life." "Wouldn't know what it was all about in two years, let alone two months." "This was the genius of the stroke:" "It means votes." "The hero of 50,000 boys and 100,000 parents." "Just look over those congratulations." "I tell you, gentlemen..." " You made the appointment without me." " When the lightning struck..." "You didn't ask me!" "Wait a minute, Jim." "Happy may have hit on something tremendous here." "Do you really think you can handle him in Washington?" "That it's all right?" "I think it's all right." "A young patriot." "Recites Lincoln and Jefferson." "Turned loose in our nation's capital." "Yes..." "I think it's all right." "Turn the ballyhoo boys loose." "It's the greatest appointment ever made." " Give a banquet and declare a holiday." " A star-spangled banquet!" "Who did your governor grant that honor?" "Some wealthy, influential citizen merely to curry favor?" "No!" "Did he give it to some unworthy political hireling?" "No!" "What did he do?" "He went down among the people." "And there he found..." "a nugget." "We are gathered here tonight   to acclaim and wish God's speed to Senator Jefferson Smith." "Thank you, I..." "I can't help feeling there's been a big mistake somehow." "Of course I never could see why we needed two senators from this state   when we have a man like Joseph Paine representing us already." "He probably doesn't remember me." "He knew my father well." "Clayton Smith." "They went to school together and were very good friends." "Just to sit here with him is a very great honor for me." "Because Dad used to tell me Joe Paine was the finest man he ever knew." "Get up, Joe." "Take a bow." "I don't think I'll be much help to you down in Washington, Senator." "I'll do my best." "Although, with all my might..." "I can promise you one thing:" "I'll do nothing to disgrace the office of United States Senator." "Senator Jefferson Smith." "The boy rangers are very proud to take this oppor... occasion..." "We are happy to take this opportunity..." "To present." "...to resent this... small token of our affection and esteem." " To the best..." "...friend, friend!" "Oh, heck." "It's a briefcase, Jeff." "To carry your laws when you get to Washington." "It isn't much, but if you insist." "Here's this week's." "Boy Stuff." "Printer's ink runs in your veins, Jeff." "You're just like your father." "Even to the hat." "Same old dreamer too." "One look at you and I can see him." "Back at his old desk, hat and all, getting out his paper." "Always kept his hat on, so he was ready to do battle." "Clayton Smith, editor and publisher." "Champion of lost causes." "Dad always said those were the only worthy causes." "You don't have to tell me." "We were a team." "The struggling editor and the struggling lawyer." " The twin champions of lost causes." " Ma has told me a thousand times." "His last fight was his best." "He and his little four page paper against that mining syndicate." "And all to defend the right of one small miner who stuck to his claim." "They tried everything." "Bribery, intimidation..." "And then..." "Yes, Ma found him slumped over his desk that morning..." "Shot in the back." "I was there..." "I can see him." "At that old roll-top desk, still with his hat on." "Still with his hat on." "I know..." "I suppose when a fellow bucks up against a big organization like that,   one man by himself can't get very far." "No." " Washington, huh?" " Yes, Senator, for the fifth time." " I'd better see about my pigeons." " They're coming along." "My head is like a balloon." "Two whole days!" "I never knew there was so much American history." " I got them." "They're all right." " That ends that crisis." "Come along." "Hello, father." "Let me get to him." " Susan, this is Jefferson..." " I don't care, I want my money now." "One dollar each for the milk fund." " That's five dollars." " Yes." " You've got five dollars?" " Can't seem to find anything but keys." " Jeff, this is my daughter Susan." " Not the new senator?" "He's marvelous." "What have you got there, Senator?" "They're pigeons to carry messages back to Ma." "The one that makes it home in the best time I'll enter in the nationals." " Hello, Joe!" " I'm glad to see you." "Meet Mr. Cook and Mr. Griffith, members of our state headquarters here." "A pleasure." "You'll do the state proud." "Welcome." "The wildlife here is not like you're used to." "They wear high heels." "We must see a lot of you and your little feathered friends." "Thank you very much." " Come on, father." " Chick." " I've got him." "We'll be along." " Good luck, Senator." " Things sure happen fast around here." " You must get yourself out of low gear." "Let's get these bags and livestock together." " Look!" "There it is!" " Who?" "What?" " The capitol dome." " It's been there a long time, sir." "Yes, sir." "This way, Senator." "Maybe we ought to meet him in short pants with hatchets." "What did he bring his pigeons for?" "Suppose there's a storm, all the lines are down, how will you reach Ma?" "This way, Senator." "Where is he?" "I told that cookie to..." "Come along." "Let's find him." " Positively not in the station." " What happened to him?" "Did you look in the inn?" "I'll brain that guy." "Call Paine, call Saunders." "Call the marines, call somebody." "Call the marines, call somebody." "Saunders, it's McGann." "Has Smith shown up at his office yet?" " What do you mean?" "What's so funny?" " Nothing." "Try a butterfly net." "If he does show up, Paine's waiting with the newspaper men." "Let him know right away." "Sure, I'll hang a light in the belfry." "One, if by land." "Two, if by sea." "Diz, what do you think?" "Daniel Boone's lost." "Lost in the wilds of Washington." "If your boyfriend'll blaze trails, I'll go to the press club." "Stick around." "He might want to go hiking." "Don't miss out on the exercise." "Every time I think of exercise, I have to lie down until the feeling leaves me." " Wouldn't it be fun if he was lost?" " The boy ranger?" "He'll show up." "He must have a compass with him." "Where would I go if I was a boy ranger?" " Boy, am I tired!" " Call all the hospitals." "Hurry up." " Get me a bed while you're at it." " Will you hold this a minute, please?" "Come back, here!" ""...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion   to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion   that we here highly... resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." "That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of   freedom   and that government of the people, by the people, for the people   shall not perish from the earth."" "Why don't they try the police, call out some bloodhounds or Indian guides?" "The one place he knows is the office." "You stay there and wait." "All right, Senator." "Just one half hour more." " Why don't I quit?" " Eight to five he's plastered." "When Foley died, why didn't I clear out?" "I'm fed up with politics   and now I've let them talk me into staying." "Secretary to a leader of squirts." "Because I need the job and a new suit of clothes." " Would you settle for a husband?" " I sure would." "You know my standing offer." "Diz Moore, poet of Washington correspondents." " That again." " I'd cherish you and I'd stay sober." "Diz, you're a wonderful egg." "Maybe if I saw you once with your hair combed." " I don't think even that would do it." " No point in combing my hair then." "Honorary appointment." "They just need a dope here for a couple of months." "Yes?" "Yes!" " What do you want?" " Office of Jefferson Smith?" "No." " The man downstairs..." " No!" "They must have picked the prize dummy." "Say, wait a minute." "That wouldn't be Daniel Boone?" " Say, mister." "What's your name?" " Jefferson Smith." "Come right in, Mr. Smith." "Right this way." "Hold everything." "Stay there." "Now don't move!" "Helen, get me the Madison." "Senator Paine." "Hurry up." " Is anything the matter?" " Oh, no." "No!" "Dear Senator, it may be customary on the prairie to not show up for five hours." "I'm very sorry about that, Miss..." "You are Miss Saunders, aren't you?" "Yes, I'm Saunders." "This is Mr. Moore, member of the press." " Meet the senator." " I'm very happy to know you, sir." "You cut your way through that forest." "Senator Paine, we've got him." "He's right here and he's sober." "Yes, I'll have him right over there." "I'm awfully sorry." "It wasn't until I was fairly well along on the bus..." " Did you say bus?" " It was one of those sightseers." "I've never been called absent-minded before." "But there it was all of a sudden." "Staring right at me at the station." " There what was?" " The dome." "The capitol dome." "Big as life." "Sparkling away under the old sun." "I just started to go towards it, and there was a bus outside,   and I just naturally got aboard." "Most natural thing in the world." "I don't think I've ever been so thrilled in my life." "And that Lincoln memorial..." "Gee whiz!" "Mr. Lincoln, there he is." "He's just looking straight at you as you come up those steps." "Just... sitting there like he was waiting for somebody to come along." " Well, he's got nothing on me." " I'm sorry." "If you're ready, we'll go over to the hotel." "Paine's waiting for you." " Is this my office?" " No, you have a private office." "A private office, huh?" "In there?" "Right in this door?" "All right, Senator." "Where is he?" "Has he gone out again?" "He's in there." "See you later." "I'll go out and drink this over." " Whose statue is that?" " I wouldn't know in the daytime." "Look, the capitol dome!" "It's all lighted up!" "You better relax, Senator." "You'll get yourself plumb wore out." "Gee whiz, so many things happening all at once." " What time does the Senate..." "...convene." "Twelve noon." "Boy, that'll be something." " You know what I'll do in the morning?" " What will you do?" "I'll go out to Mount Vernon." "It will be a fine thing to do." "Visit Washington's home before walking into the Senate for the first time." "Wonderful." "It'll put you right in the mood." "What's that?" "!" "Oh, movie houses..." "I'm still asking myself?" "What is he:" "Animal, vegetable or mineral?" "Me sitting around playing straight for that phony patriotic chatter." "Carrying bibs for an infant with little flags in his fist." " I can't take it." "I quit." " Take it easy, simmer down." "Here." "Take this." "You know what he'll do tomorrow before taking that Senate seat?" "Go to Mount Vernon to get in the mood." "A warm-up." "Your boss?" "A nut?" "I knew there was a story in that guy." "Go chase an ambulance." "Let me at him, five minutes." "I'll make it right with you." "Here's what I'll do." "A World Series pass." "In a month it'll be worth 15 bucks." " Well..." " You're not talking to this guy." "What do you say?" " Your pals want to get in on this?" " I want a scoop." "Either it's lots of reporters and lots of tickets or..." " Call them before I change my mind." " Okay." "I'll see you right here." " What are you gonna do?" " Get my fall outfit and quit in style." "You've got more sense than to put Nosey on to that guy." "That's it!" "Open your eyes!" "That's it!" "Open your eyes!" " Tell us about yourself." " I hear you've got a boys club." "Have you got any special axe to grind?" "Pet idea..." "Save the buffalo, pension bill?" "You must have one idea for the good of the country." "Well, I have got one idea..." "I think it would be a wonderful idea   to have a national boys camp out in our state." "If we could get the poor kids off the streets for a few months every summer   and let them learn something about nature and American ideals." "What would this set the government back?" "Nothing at all." "My idea is that the government lends us the money   and then the boys pay it back by sending pennies and nickels." "The government's got enough on its hands already without..." "That's great." "The government's putting dough in too many places." "Senator, what do you think of the girls in this town?" "Four of them came up and kissed me when I got off the train." "Were they pretty?" "That Miss Susan Paine is about the prettiest girl I ever did see." "How about some more pictures?" "You're a nature lover." "Can you handle some sign language?" "Do you know any bird calls?" " Can you make a sound like an eagle?" " Well, here's one..." "I'm the only one in the state who knows this one." "His first whiff of Washington?" " Do I actually see this?" " What is it?" " Did you want to see me?" " What's this about you quitting?" " I'm not a registered nurse." " How did this happen?" "The ranger's notices." "I haven't the slightest idea." "I merely took him home." "It's not my job to tuck him in." "McGann's out of his mind." "Smith's gone again." "He went to Mount Vernon to give himself a patriotic address." "Stop this nonsense." "Go back to Smith's office   and get him to the Senate by twelve." "I wasn't given a brain to tell a boy ranger what time it is." "If certain things happen, you'll get one of the biggest jobs in Washington." "When I came here, my eyes were big blue question marks." " Now they're big green dollar marks." " Smart girl." "Finish this job properly and you'll get a handsome bonus." "Keep Smith away from anything that smacks of politics." "Including Willet Creek dam?" "Including Willet Creek dam." "Go back to your work." " This is it, Senator." " The United States Senate." " Mr. Carson, this is Senator Smith." " How do you do, Senator?" "Glad to see you." "Show Senator Smith to his seat." "Yes, sir." "Right this way, sir." " Well, goodbye." " Wish me luck." " That's the boy wonder?" " What is the Senate coming to?" " You got Daniel Boone in all right." " Daniel in the lion's den." "Nice job you and the ambulance chasers did in the papers this morning." "Here you are, Senator." "Not a bad desk." "Daniel Webster used to use it." "Daniel Webster sat here?" "Give you something to shoot at." "If you'll do any talking." " I'll just sit around and listen." " That's the way to get re-elected." "This is the calendar for the day." "You'll find the Senate manual in here." "Anything else you want, just snap for a page." " Where's the majority leader?" " Right over there." "Senator Agnew." "Next to Senator Barnes, the minority leader." " Where's the press gallery?" " Above the Vice- president's chair." " Front row is the big news services." " What's that up there?" "That corner is for guides and sightseers who come in to rest their feet." "Over there the Senators' friends sit." "Front row, the empty one, is for the president and White House guests." "Back there is the diplomatic section." "They and the page boys are the only real class in the place." " I'll take your hat to the cloak room." " I'll give you a boy ranger button." " Swell!" " What's your name?" " Richard Jones." " Dick, thanks ever so much." "Good luck, Senator." " See you in the White House, Joe." " No kidding." "Sorry, I was in committee." "I see you had a little publicity..." "Have you got your credentials?" " Saunders gave them to me." " That's... that's fine." "When the Vice-president calls you, I'll meet you in the center aisle." "This is Daniel Webster's desk." "Did you know that?" "He won't mind." "Well..." "The Senate will come to order." "The chaplain will pray." "Oh, God, our heavenly Father." "In these critical days, when our beloved country labors with   such grave and disturbing problems, look upon us, we beseech Thee,   and give us the light and strength to be just and merciful." "So that we may best serve our people and our fellow men everywhere." "Amen." "I ask that the reading of the journal be dispensed with and stand approved." "Is there objection?" "The journal stands approved." "Mr. President..." "I suggest the absence of a quorum." " The clerk will call the roll." " Mr. Agnew?" "Mr. Albert?" "88 senators answered." "A quorum is present." "I present the credentials of honorable Jefferson Smith   who has just been appointed senator by the governor of my state." "The senator is present." "I ask that the oath of office be administered to him." "If the senator designate presents himself at the desk,   the oath will be administered." "Mr. President, I rise to a question of order." "I seek to ascertain if the gentleman about to be sworn in   is fully aware of the responsibilities of his high office." "I refer to his shameless performance for the newspapers." "A performance that his party no doubt will applaud." "But one that brings him down to the level of a sideshow entertainer   and reflects on the sincerity and sanity of the highest body of lawmakers." "Is this the gentleman's conception of the nature of his office?" "I don't understand..." "The designate has no voice until the oath of office has been administered." "I will answer." "My colleague was innocent in the matter referred to." "He was completely misquoted." "I know Mr. Smith and personally vouch for him." "He has the greatest possible respect for his office." "Mr. President..." "The swearing in of the senator is the order of business." "The gentleman will raise his right hand." "Do you solemnly swear to support and defend the constitution of the USA   against all enemies, foreign and domestic,   and that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same?" "That you take this obligation freely without mental reservation   and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of the office   upon which you are about to enter, so help you God?" "I do." "You can talk all you want to now." "Meet the majority leader." "He'll be a good friend." "Any friend of Joe's is a friend of mine." "Don't worry about the others, they're just senators." "The shameless way in which the deficiency bill has been delayed   is nothing short of criminal." "The country agencies are in desperate need of these funds." "The prime business of this body is the immediate passage of..." " Who let you in?" " Why aren't you chasing ambulances?" "Smith is punching everybody he meets." "Oh, Tarzan!" "Boys, meet Senator Smith." " You have something on your mind?" " Why don't you tell the truth for once?" " The truth!" " The man wants the truth!" ""What is the truth?" said jesting pilot and would not stay for an answer." " You want it dished out or in a bottle?" " What do people read in the paper?" "This morning they read that an incompetent clown had arrived,   parading like a member of the Senate." "If you thought as much about being honest as you do about being smart..." "We're the only ones who can afford to be honest." "We don't have to be re-elected." "We tell them when phonies come to make their laws." " You don't get the truth in the Senate." " What do you know about making laws?" " I don't pretend to know." " Then what are you doing in the Senate?" "Honorary appointment!" "When the country needs men who have courage like never before,   he's just gonna decorate a chair and get himself honored." "He'll vote, sure." "Just like his colleague tells him to." "Yes, sir!" "Like a Christmas tiger." "He will nod and vote yes." "You're not a senator!" "You're an honorary stooge." "You ought to be shown up." " Have a drink, Senator?" " It will taste better than the truth." "Hey, Senator..." "don't let it get you down." "A hundred years from now, nobody will know the difference." "The point is, they're right." "I'm just decorating a chair." "If I'm going to vote, I ought to study some of the bills." " The bills?" " Otherwise I'm just a Christmas tiger." "These bills are put together by legal minds after long study." "I can't understand half of them and I used to be a lawyer." "Forget it." "I'll advise you how to vote." "I know you will, that's just the point." "There's no reason for me to be here." "Didn't you talk about a boys camp?" "You were earnest about that." " Yes." " Why don't you do it?" "Get a bill started." "Present it to Congress." "It'll be great experience for you." "I've been aching to mention it to you." "If I could just do that one thing..." "I'd feel..." "What's to stop you?" "Saunders'll help." "I will do it." "I knew that if anyone could help me, you could." "Thank you again for your time, sir." "Good night." " Where are you running off to?" " I'm anxious to get back to the office." " Oh, the man on the front page." " He just dropped in for a minute." "How do you do, Miss Paine?" "I'm on my way to the office." " How are the pigeons?" " They're fine." "I released one this morning." "He flew straight up in the air   and went around the capitol dome and then he headed west like a bat..." "Just like a rifle shot." "By this time he's probably over Kentucky." "Isn't that wonderful, father?" "And was the letter to your girl?" "Oh, no..." "I don't have a girl." " I'd better hold this for you." " No, I'd better go." "Good night." "Doggone!" "I'm sorry, sir." "That's all right." " Gee, I'm sorry." "Good night." " Good night, Jeff." "Oh, father." "Oh, dear me." "At the expense of the furniture, you've made another conquest." " Not old Honest Abe." " And with Honest Abe's ideals." "A rare man these days, Susan." "We're going right ahead with my bill for a national boys' camp." " Where's my briefcase?" " You're going to present a bill?" " Yes, Senator Paine and I decided..." " Senator Paine decided this with you?" "It was his idea." "Dear Senator, have you got any idea what it takes to get a bill passed?" " No." "You're going to help me." " If I were triplets I could." "Senator Paine said you'd help me." "Now, what books do we have to have?" "May I give you a rough idea of what you're up against?" "A senator has a bill in mind." "Now, what does he do?" "He has to sit down and write it up." "Why, when, where, how?" " That takes time." " But this one is so simple." "And with your help..." "It's simple and I'm helping,   so we knock it off in three or four days." " A day." " A day?" "!" "Just tonight." "I don't want to complain, but there's an institution called dinner." "I'm sort of hungry myself." "Couldn't we have something brought in on trays like big executives?" "Sure." "Dinner comes in on trays." "We're big executives." "We finish the bill before morning." "It's dawn." "Your bill is ready." "You introduce it." "You get to your feet in the Senate, take a long breath and start spouting." "Not too loud, a couple of the Senators might want to sleep." "Then a pageboy takes it to the desk where a long-faced clerk reads it,   refers it to the right committee." "Why?" "Committees are small groups of senators who sift a bill down and report back." "You can't take a bill nobody's heard of and discuss it among 96 men." " I see that." " Good." " Where are we?" " Some committee's got it." "Days are going by, Senator." "Days, weeks." "Finally they think it's quite a bill." "It goes to the House of Representatives   for debate and a vote." "But it has to wait its turn on the calendar." "That's the order of business." "Your bill has to stand in line   unless the steering committee thinks it's important." "What's the steering committee?" " Do you think we're getting anywhere?" " Oh, yes, Miss Saunders." " What's the steering committee?" " Committee of the majority leaders." "They decide if it's important and should be moved up on the list." " This is." " Pardon me... this is." " Where are we now?" " Over in the House." "More amendments and the bill goes back to the Senate." "The Senate doesn't like what the House did." "The House doesn't like what the Senate did... stymied." "They appoint men from each House to go into conference." "They battle it out." "Finally, if your bill is still alive,   it comes to a vote." "Yes, sir." "The big day finally arrives   and Congress adjourns." "Catching on, Senator?" "Shall we start right away or order dinner first?" " Pardon me?" " I said, shall we start..." "Sure." "Why not?" "Do you mind if I take the time to go and get a pencil?" " Go right ahead." " Thank you very much." "And lots of paper too." "Have you ever had so much to say you just couldn't say it?" "Try sitting down." "Let's get down to particulars." "How big is this thing?" "Where should it be?" " You have to have all that in it." " Yes, and something else." "The spirit of it." "The idea... how do you say it?" "That's what has got to be in it." "The capitol dome." " On paper?" " It should come to life for every boy." "All lighted up too." "Boys forget what their country means   by just reading "Land of the Free" in history books." "Men forget even more." "Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books." "Men should hold it up in front of them every single day and say:" ""I'm free... to think and to speak." "My ancestors couldn't." "I can." "And my children will."" "Boys ought to grow up remembering that." "That steering committee have to see it like that." "I know Senator Paine'll help." "He's a wonderful man." "He knew my father very well." "We need a lot more like him." "His kind of characters, his ideals." "Let's get on with this." " This camp is gonna be in your state." " About 200 of the most beautiful acres." "You've never been there, Miss Saunders?" "I've been over every single foot." "You have to see it for yourself." "The prairies, wind leaning on the grass." "Lazy streams, angry little midges of water up in the mountains..." "Cattle moving down the slope against the sun, campfires and snowdrifts..." "Everybody ought to have some of that." "My dad had the right idea." "He had it all worked out." "He said:" ""Son, don't miss the wonders that surround you." "Every tree, every rock, every anthill, every star   is filled with the wonders of nature."" "He said, "Have you ever noticed how grateful you are to see daylight   after coming through a long dark tunnel?"" ""Well," he said, "always try to see life as if you'd just come out of a tunnel."" " Where do you come from?" " I've always lived in a tunnel." " You mean here?" " Baltimore." "Pure city-dweller." " You've always had to work?" " Since I was about sixteen." "Your parents couldn't...?" "No, father was a doctor." "He thought more about ethics than collections." "Speaks well for father, but it wasn't so..." "We'd better get back to this." " It hasn't been easy, has it?" " No complaints." " For a woman you've done awfully well." " Have I?" "I've never known anyone as capable and intelligent." "I don't know where I'd be with this bill if it wasn't for your help." " I don't know where you are with it..." " Oh, yes." "Gee whiz, we gotta get going." "All right, now." "Let's see." "Everybody calls you plain Saunders, why can't I?" "Saunders..." "Hello, Saunders." "Good morning, Saunders." "Much better." " How's the bill coming, Saunders?" " Terrible." "I've got that Saunders business straightened out now." " What's your first name?" " Why?" " Everybody just calls you Saunders." " I also answer to whistles." " You have a first name, haven't you?" " Yes, but we'd better forget about it." "Darn it..." "I was just curious." "A picture popped into my mind of a pump without a handle." " I know what it is..." "Violet." " No, it isn't." " Abigail?" " No." "Letitia?" "Lena?" " No, stop it." " You might as well tell me." "All right." "You win." "It's Clarissa." "All right, Saunders." "Let's go." " Susan's an awfully pretty name." " Susan Paine?" "Oh, that's beautiful." "She's a beautiful woman." "She's probably the most beautiful girl I've ever..." "No, Saunders." "We've got to get started on this." "Get set, I'll talk faster than you write." "Are you ready?" "The location of this camp." "About 200 acres situated in Terry Canyon   running on either side of Willet Creek." " What?" " Willet Creek." "Just a little stream." " In Terry Canyon?" " You don't know it, do you?" " You couldn't." "You've never been there." " You've discussed this with Paine?" "No." "Why?" "Nothing." "There's no reason to talk it over with him." ""A quarter of a mile on either side of Willet Creek..."" "The land to be bought by the contributions from the boys,   the money to be loaned by the government of the United States." " What did you get me out of bed for?" " The show is about to commence." " Mind telling me what's going on?" " There's the principal actor." "Don Quixote Smith." "Man with a bill." "Over here, one of the supporting actors." "That gorilla in man's clothing, McGann." " You mean puss in boots?" " Yes, mostly puss." "Another prominent character." "The Silver Knight." " Soul of honor on a tight rope." " You wouldn't be a little bit goofy?" "Don Quixote with bill will speak two important words:" "Willet Creek." "The knight will fall off his tightrope;" "Puss will jump out of his boots." "Introduction of new bills and joint resolutions." "Mr. President!" "The chair recognizes the..." "rather strong-lunged junior Senator." "Mr. Smith." " I'm sorry, I have a bill..." " Speak a little louder, Senator." "But not too loud." "I have a bill to propose, sir." "Order, gentlemen." "Our junior senator is about to make a speech." "You may proceed, Senator." "Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives   that there be appropriated as a loan a sum sufficient   to create a national boys' camp to be paid back   to the United States Treasury by contributions from boys of America." "This camp, to be situated on the land at and adjacent to the stream   known as Willet Creek in Terry Canyon " " for the purpose of bringing together boys of all walks of life,   from various parts of the country." "Boys of all creeds, kinds and positions   to educate them in American ideals and to promote mutual understanding   and to bring about a healthful life to the youth of this beautiful land." "The Senator'll make a good orator when his voice stops changing." "I'm getting leery of this guy." "He keeps winding up in our hair." "When he finds out our dam is at his boys camp   he'll start asking questions." "Quiet." "I have to think." "This deficiency bill will be read tomorrow." "He'll hear that section on the Willet dam." "He can't be there!" "I'm taking him out to see monuments." "Might hit him on the head with one." "It won't work." "This boy's honest, not stupid." "Susan." "My daughter doesn't carry out assignments like that." "Senator Smith, if you'll let me handle publicity..." "Sit down, everybody." " Who are all those people?" " Washington plagues, office seekers..." "Now, this machine creates a fever ten miles away, it'll make your fortune." "Long distance fevers..." "A woman out there has composed a song to replace "The Star-spangled Banner"." "I feel like a house on fire." "Even went down to see Mr. Lincoln again." "How did I do?" "My heart was right up to here." " What do you think Paine thought?" " He must have been tickled pink." " What's all this?" " Contributions from boys." "Already?" "Those are local." "Wait till they start pouring in from all over the country." "We'd better open one up." "What does it say here?" "Look, money!" ""Dear Senator Smith." "I would like to come to your camp." "I shine shoes at the station and here's nine cents."" "Isn't that wonderful?" "And he signs it:" ""Yours truly, Stinky Moore"." "Isn't it marvelous?" "If there's money in each one..." "What are we going to do with it?" " Here you are." " That's perfect." "You see how important this bill's going to be?" " Do I have any paper around here?" " Second drawer." " I'll be pretty busy tonight." " Not another bill?" "No, letters." "I'm busting with news!" "I introduced a bill!" " I got up and spoke in the Senate!" " You want to dictate them?" "No, I couldn't talk letters, I have to sit here and scratch them down." "I'm going to tell Ma all about you." "If I tell it right, you'll get the best jar of preserves you ever tasted." " Thank you very much." " Oh, and Saunders..." " Gee whiz, I forgot to thank you." " Don't mention it." "No, no, without you I couldn't have..." "I mean..." " Who?" " Susan Paine." "How do you do?" "I can talk." "Go right ahead." "Sorry to bother you, but I'm elected to snatch Smith from the Senate tomorrow." "I'm to take him out and turn my glamour on for him." "Take him out and buy some clothes and a hat that he can hang on to." "A manicure and a haircut wouldn't do any harm." "I hate to ask you to do this, but..." " As one woman to another, of course." " Thanks, Saunders." " Just a minute." "Miss Paine." " Susan Paine?" " She wants to talk to me?" " Yes." "Holy mackerel." "Hello, Miss Paine." "How are you?" "Yes..." "Fine." "What?" "Would escort you?" "Yes, I'd be... delighted." "Yes, all right."