SALINGER
Damn it, Kenny. Goddamn it!
INT. RECEPTION HALL - SHERATON-BLACKSTONE - NIGHT
A big 100-dollar-a-plate dinner is in full swing to a dinner
band's tunes1. The President and Chicago MAYOR RICHARD DALY
make the rounds among the fund raising CROWD. Kenny follows
them at a respectful distance, greeting old cronies.
Suddenly a MESSENGER hustles2 over to Kenny, hands him a note.
Kenny makes eye contact with the President, nods and leaves.
INT. HOTEL ELEVATORS - NIGHT
Kenny waits at the elevator. Scotty saunters up behind him.
He sizes Kenny up, clears his throat. Kenny turns around.
RESTON
There are major rail disruptions in the
South, two airborne pisions are on
alert. That exercise is an invasion.
KENNY
Well, you know how Bobby has it in for
the State of Mississippi.
RESTON
This is about Cuba.
Kenny freezes, then explodes.
KENNY
Cuba? You're fucking crazy. We are not
invading Cuba. Nobody gives a rat's ass3
about Cuba. Not now, not ever.
If you print something like that, all
you're going to do is inflame4 the
situation. Nobody talks to assholes who
inflame situations. Assholes like that
can find themselves cut out of the loop.
Reston is taken aback. Stung silence for a beat. Kenny's
response is far louder than any yes. Now Kenny realizes
it.
RESTON
You've never threatened me before.
And Kenny looks away, upset, but when he turns back to
Reston, all that's there is his poker5 face. The elevator
arrives.
RESTON
All right. I'm not going to print
anything until I have another source.
But I promise you, I'll get one.
Kenny boards the elevator. The doors shut on Scotty.
INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
Kenny closes his eyes, sags6 against the wall, hating himself.
INT. KENNY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kenny enters his hotel room. An Assistant waits with the
phone, hands it straight to Kenny.
KENNY
Tell Pierre I need to talk to him.
Bobby?