Episode 7 The Kennedys

Previously...

I feel much better now I'm not doing those shots.

Maybe you should think about stopping.

Well, I'm not a kid any more, but I keep acting like one.

It was humiliating.

I'm taking the kids to Virginia in the morning.

I'll stay a while and do my work from there.

Did Bobby send you here to fix my marriage?

He doesn't know I'm here.

I want the attack wing prepared for wheels up

the second the president gives his directive.

WHISPERS: I'm glad you're here.

From Dallas, Texas - the flash apparently official -

president Kennedy died AT 1:00pm

Central Standard Time.

2:00 Eastern Standard Time.

Some 38 minutes ago.

MAN: 'As many as 50,000 people

'are expected to greet President and Mrs Kennedy

'as they motorcade through downtown Dallas later today.

'The President spent the night at a Texas Hotel in Fort Worth.

'The trip marks the unofficial beginning

'of Mr Kennedy's re-election campaign.

'He's coming to the Lone Star State

'to try to bridge the bitter divide between

'the liberal and conservative wings

'of the Texas Democratic Party.

'In other news, a strong low-pressure system

'in the American Midwest is causing concerns of tornadoes...'

EXHALES DEEPLY

I just have to tell you, Mr President,

it's humiliating to me

that you had to come down here in the first place,

that you think I can't handle these boys in my own state.

It's not that I don't think you can handle it.

But I'm the President. They need to hear it from me.

It just makes it seem like all the rumours

I've been hearing are true.

What rumours?

That you don't want me on the ticket next year.

I've heard all that, Lyndon. And it's not true.

Well, I wish you'd tell Bobby,

cos I think he's the one that's spreading them.

SIGHS: what do you Really want?

Just tell me the truth.

If I'm not gonna be on the ticket,

tell me now so I can make a graceful exit.

Save me some shred of dignity after what has been

the unhappiest period of my life.

Yeah, I know it's not always been easy for you.

And I appreciate your loyalty to me

and I believe you've served the country very well overseas.

So, er, I'll tell you right now, you are on the ticket.

Thank you, Mr President.

The only thing I ask is, er,

if you do end up President someday,

you don't revoke my brother's citizenship.

LAUGHS

Oh, er, how's Jackie?

She's good.

We were all so distraught when you lost the baby.

You tell her from me,

we got a ballroom full of people downstairs

just waiting to welcome her back.

OK.

Well, if it's a boy,

how 'bout Patrick?

Patrick Joseph, for your father?

No, I was thinking of, er, Patrick Bouvier for yours.

Thank you.

It's beautiful up here, isn't it?

Stay a few more days.

No, I can't.

They can run things without you.

I stay a few more days, they'll figure that out.

CHUCKLES

I don't think this is what the president had in mind

when we got involved in this struggle.

Sir, our objective over there is still-

If changing the regime increases loyalty to Saigon

and motivates the South Vietnamese to fight

and to sacrifice for their own country,

I think it ought to be considered.

You don't switch horses in midstream.

We're over there to beat the Commies, pure and simple.

Well, once again, your tremendous grasp of the obvious

is contributing nothing here.

On the contrary, if you had a better grasp of the obvious,

we'd get some work done, General.

Well, if we are to consider a regime change,

I think one of the, er, first-

< I'm sorry, Mr President.

Dr Walsh is on line two. Mrs Kennedy went into labour.

Doctor? Is my wife all right?

And the baby?

It's a boy. CHUCKLES

Wait, what?

This way, sir.

Right here.

MONITORS BEEPING

(Ventilator clicking and hissing)

MAN: Premature infants often have hyaline membrane disease.

It causes the air sacs to collapse with each breath.

The ventilator will hopefully force the sacs to stay open

and oxygenate his blood.

Does my wife know?

She knows there's a problem.

But she doesn't know how serious?

No, sir.

Mm-hmm.

I'm sorry, sir.

He didn't make it.

We did everything we could, but...

I'm sorry, Mr President.

Thank you.

Jack.

SIGHS DEEPLY

He just couldn't hang on.

WHISPERS: No.

VOICE BREAKS: No.

VOICE BREAKS: No.

CRIES

MAN: It has been a successful visit for President Kennedy,

who has been warmly received throughout the state of Texas.

The political climate in Dallas has raised concerns

for his safety,

and special security measures have been taken.

Nothing must occur that is disrespectful.

And the law enforcement agencies in this area

are going to do everything within their power

to ensure that no untoward accident or incident occurs.

GRUNTS

What did Lyndon want?

EXHALES: Love.

Poor thing.

I hope you gave it to him.

Well, yeah. Piled it on pretty good.

You like?

You look terrific.

Are the exercises helping?

Well, I think they are. I feel better.

It's kept me off Jacobson for a while.

I'm so glad, Jack.

How about you? Are you all right?

I'm just a little...

nervous.

Well, it's a big crowd down there,

if you'd rather not go.

I'll be there.

OK.

You'll be great.

APPLAUSE

VOICE AMPLIFIED: Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Ladies and gentlemen,

distinguished guests,

it's a great honour for my wife and I to be here.

She's upstairs organising herself.

Takes her a little longer,

but she, er, looks so much better than I do. LAUGHTER

So, er...

Suppose it was, um, two years ago...

AUDIENCE MURMURS

APPLAUSE

You look great.

You OK?

Hi.

Two years ago in Paris, I introduced myself

as the man who accompanied Mrs Kennedy to Paris...

LAUGHTER ..and I'm having that, er, same sensation

as I travel around Texas a little bit here. LAUGHTER

Nobody wonders what Lyndon and I wear.

APPLAUSE

Come on. We're late.

What you got there, Lee?

Some curtain rods.

And it-it's reliable?

All right, I-I-I appreciate that, Dave. Thank you.

It's my turn for car pool.

And then I've gotta go to the...

What's going on?

A friend of mine at the AP... SIGHS

..said they're digging into Marilyn's estate.

They found evidence linking her to Jack.

SIGHS: Oh, God.

It's been a year and a half since she died.

They just won't let it go.

They going public with it?

They'd like to. He was just giving me a heads-up.

I gotta make some calls.

In other words, clean up after Jack...again?

Yeah, if-if you wanna put it like that. I suppose.

You're Attorney General, Bobby.

You don't find it a little degrading?

No, I-I don't find it degrading.

It's my job. Uh, it's my job to protect my brother.

Besides, I-I recall, er, at the time,

you telling me to be Attorney General.

Exactly. Not Jack's Mr Fixit.

You can't keep doing this.

It's beneath you. And it's eating you up.

No, no. It's not eating me up...

I can see that it is.

But clearly, it's-it's eating at you.

Listen, when-when he comes under attack,

er, that-that-that becomes my responsibility.

OK. Wh-what do you want me to say?

He's my brother.

And you're his. He owes you a little respect.

He shouldn't be asking you to do this kind of thing.

After all this time,

I thought you understood what it meant to be a Kennedy.

I've given you eight children.

Just when do I qualify?

DOOR OPENS

DOOR CLOSES

Want me to liven up that soda pop for you? Maybe a cherry?

No, no, no. I'm fine, Peter.

Don't let him tease you, Bobby.

He's just playing the part of Peter Lawford.

It's a part I play rather well.

Well, maybe Sinatra will hire you for his next picture.

WOMAN LAUGHS

BOBBY: Pat, why didn't you tell Me Marilyn Monroe would be here?

She's always here.

Well, then I shouldn't be here.

You're my brother. Why wouldn't you be here?

She's been with Jack.

If we stopped seeing everyone who's been with Jack,

we'd have no friends. Marilyn!

No, peter-

Pat, I don't wanna- This is a bad idea.

Oh, enjoy yourself, Bobby.

It's a great party, kids. Marilyn...

Hi.

Meet Monsignor Kennedy.

How are you?

Hello, Mr Attorney General.

Well, I, er, I-I admire your work.

Let's all have a drink.

Uh, Bobby doesn't drink,

um, he doesn't smoke,

and he doesn't cheat on his wife.

Are you sure you're Jack's brother?

CHUCKLES

LAUGHS

What's it like being the Attorney General?

Oh, it's, um, challenging,

certainly, er, difficult at times, but, er...

I-I find it, er, very- very gratifying, really.

Oh, I was just kidding, silly. I don't care. LAUGHS

How is, um, how is it for you,

being, er, being an actress?

Is that what I am?

Well, I-I think so.

Come on. Relax, Mr Attorney General.

My-my dad was, um, a-a producer...

in the '20s... Mm-hmm.

In, er, Hollywood.

Really?

In fact, I, er, I once, er, I received a six-gun

and holster from Tom Mix. Ooh!

And, er,

he would, er, come home, er, from Hollywood

and tell us, er, all sorts of stories.

Oh. Like what?

Well, um...

Just how, er, people in your business

are different from everyone else.

If we were the same,

no-one would pay to see us.

Whoops. What?

Oh, no. What did you-

I think I lost my earring.

Oh. I don't, er...

WHISPERS: I-I should- I should go.

GASPS: Oh, there it is. LAUGHS

Good. You found it.

There you are. Thank you, Bobby.

ENGINE TURNS OFF

Here, take my hand.

Ooh. You're sweet, taking me home.

There you are.

MARILYN LAUGHS

I'll just be a minute. MAN: yes, sir.

Ooh. It's chilly.

EXHALES DEEPLY

I think I'm gonna build a fire...

A nice, big fire.

And then I'm gonna take off all my clothes...

cos there's nothing better than lying buck naked

in front of the fire...

Don't you think?

LAUGHS

Aren't you gonna come in and help me build that fire?

No, I-I should, um...

Ed and I should...

To, er...

I-I really...I...

Oh, you can send him back. You can get a cab later.

Marilyn, I can't do this.

Come on. You can't say no to me. You can't.

I-I really should, er...go.

You can fight it all you want, but...

sooner or later, we'll get you.

BOBBY: Jack?

What's going on? Is everything OK? Marilyn's driving me crazy.

She is crazy. She called me 15 times this week...

Each time less coherent.

It's bizarre. She says that, er, sleeping with the President

is her, er, patriotic duty.

She wants to be a, er, a good soldier.

So tell her to go join the Marines.

And then...

she sends me this Goddamn thing.

I mean, Bobby, that is just- that's way out of line.

Goddamn. It says, "Jack, with love always."

I know what it says. Just get rid of it.

Melt it down. Hide it. I don't care.

Jack, she is too volatile. You need to end it with her.

I tried, of course.

I can't call her. It'd be on the White House log.

Can you talk to her, Bobby?

She likes you. She'll listen to you.

No way. This is your mess. You deal with it. Bobby.

No, no. I-no.

I live in the real world, Jack, where-where wives get upset

when, er, their husbands visit Marilyn Monroe. I'll never ask you

to do something like this for me again. God.

You have my word.

SIGHS

He said he wants to leave Jackie. No, no.

He told me again just the other- No, he-

He says I'm all that he lives for!

No, he never said any of those things, Marilyn.

SIGHS: Were you there?

CHUCKLES: You don't know what he wants...

CHUCKLES: And you're turning him against me, because...

WHISPERS: Because you're jealous.

Because he's with me, and you're not.

No, no. That's all make-believe.

You're living in a dream world, Marilyn.

I'm not making it up, Bobby.

I know what you're feeling in your heart,

and I know you think it's real,

but what he says to you in passion

and what he really means are two different things.

You're a beautiful, gifted girl. SIGHS

You need to focus on your career.

VOICE BREAKING: He said We would get married. No.

No, he promised me, Bobby. No, there's no marriage.

SIGHS: It's over.

I wanna hear it from him.

CRYING: I wanna hear it From him.

I wanna hear it!

Look at me. Listen to me. No, I know what you-

What, you think this is a secret? CHUCKLES

NORMAL VOICE: Jack and me-

Everyone in town knows about us.

That's why you can't see him any more.

It's over, Marilyn.

You need to forget about Jack.

VOICE BREAKING: You're asking me to forget

about the man I love, the man I want to have babies with.

There is no future for you and Jack.

You need to accept that. You need to accept that.

Bobby, can you just let me talk to him, please?

Listen to me!

If you try to reach him, we will turn this around on you.

We'll make him innocent, and you'll be the home-wrecker

who's trying to blackmail the president.

No studio will hire you.

It's over, Marilyn.

CRYING: But he loves me, Bobby.

Goodbye.

MAN: 'But with midterm elections only three months away...' CHILDREN LAUGH

If you guys don't stop it, we're gonna just tickle you!

CHILDREN LAUGH

'In Los Angeles, the body of Marilyn Monroe was found

'by her housekeeper in the early morning hours...

Shh. Shh, shh, shh.

'The victim of an apparent suicide.

'The 36-year-old film star, who tantalised millions

'throughout her career but who was herself troubled

'by alcohol and drug use, had slipped,

'according to close friends, into a deep despondency,

'for reasons that are at the moment unclear.'

MAN: Mr President!

Mr President, how are you gonna get the southern democrats

to support your civil rights legislation?

I believe that civil rights is a moral issue, and I certainly

hope that our friends in the south will adopt that view.

Sir, what about Vietnam? Are you considering a troop withdrawal?

I, er, I'm committed to stopping the Communists,

but, er, the war is in the hands of the Vietnamese. They're gonna

have to win or lose that for themselves. Thank you.

MAN: Over here, Mr President!

MAN: What happens if the legislation stays stuck in the senate?

MAN: Mr President.

MAN: Is this still a war We can win, sir?

MAN: Excuse me, Can you tell us...

Mr President, Mrs Kennedy,

we'll be landing in Dallas in a couple of minutes.

Good. Weather any better?

It's cleared up, sir.

OK. Why don't you have 'em put the, er, top down on the car?

Yes, sir.

Lady Bird's very excited for us to be spending the weekend

at the ranch. Yes, I'm thrilled.

It's going to be fun, Jack. Yeah, it's gonna be fun for you.

You're gonna be out there riding horses with, er, Lady Bird.

I'm gonna be up there listening to Lyndon compl- Complain about Bobby?

Yeah. That's right. CHUCKLES

Why don't you try changing the subject?

Oh. I never thanked you. For what?

Just for, er, you know, making the trip...

Coming with me.

Sure.

Staying with me.

It hasn't always been easy,

but it's never been boring.

Well, it's been a hell of a thing,

watching you go through these last couple of months.

I don't... SIGHS

I don't want to see you suffer like that again.

I'm gonna do everything I can to be the man you deserve.

I love you, Jack.

I love you, too.

I've never been so happy in my life.

What are you doing home?

I work here this afternoon.

Some of the guys from the office are coming by.

Besides that, I...

I didn't want to apologise to you over the phone.

Ethel, I-I'm so sorry for...

what I said to you.

To say that you weren't a Kennedy...

VOICE BREAKS: That hurt me More than I can tell you.

I know.

The almighty Kennedys.

That may have been true once when Dad was Dad,

but I...

I don't know any more.

Bobby, this is our time.

SIGHS: I know.

I belong to you and the children.

You're the Kennedys to me.

Listen to me.

When Jack comes back from Texas,

I'm gonna tell him,

I'll manage the reelection campaign,

but that's it. I'm through. No more Mr Fixit.

I'm done.

If that means we have to leave Washington,

then so be it.

Are you OK with that?

I know you love dancing at the White House.

BOTH CHUCKLE

And I have done it, and it was great.

I also love watching a ball game at Fenway park.

WHISPERS: I love you.

SIGHS: Mm.

MAN COUGHS

MEN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY

Hey, Lee. We're all headed down to the knoll,

see if we can get a good look at Kennedy.

Why don't you save me a spot?

Sure thing.

MAN: 'The President looks tanned and fit.' Great to see you.

'The First Lady is dressed in a pink outfit and matching hat.' For me? Thank you.

Hello there.

MEN: Mr President.

Hi there. Hello.

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

JACK: thank you. How are you doing? Hello.

WOMAN: Mr President, Can I get you to...

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

Thank you. MAN: Whoo!

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

(Gulls cry, waves crash)

MAN: 'You know How much I love you.' WOMAN: 'I think I do.'

Uncle Joe, please.

You can watch the television later.

We're gonna get you to stand today.

Won't that be wonderful,

to stand all on your own?

Now let me help you.

I know you can do it. You just have to try.

Now come on. Uncle Joe.

SIGHS: Uncle Joe. Please.

ROSE: Joe, that's enough.

I want to speak to him, Ann, alone.

Your behaviour is an embarrassment.

SIGHS

Next week is Thanksgiving.

The children are coming in.

Do you want them to see a pathetic cripple

< or a man with the courage to fight? CRYING

Look at me.

Joe, look at me this instant.

SNIFFLES

Kennedys don't cry.

SOBS

Isn't that what we always taught them?

Hmm?

INHALES DEEPLY

SIGHS: Oh, Joe.

I know how hard this has been for you,

being held prisoner in your own body,

but...

We have to bow to God's plan

and carry on.

We have to set an example...

SNIFFLES

that the children and their children

will always remember.

SIGHS

You're going to stand up and greet them

when they come for Thanksgiving.

That will be your gift to them,

the gift of courage.

SIGHS

I'll help you.

SIGHS

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

DRUMS PLAYING MARCH

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

DRUMS PLAYING MARCH

WHISTLING

SIGHS

All right, Joe.

Stand up.

HE GRUNTS Leave him alone, Ann.

He's not strong enough. He can't-

Ann, dear, stop talking.

MEN SPEAK INDISTINCTLY

Thank you.

You're welcome. What are you waiting for, boys. Dig in. Thanks, Ethel. Thank you.

MAN: The motorcade is Nearing the downtown area,

where people have been gathering since early morning

to get a glimpse of President and Mrs Kennedy.

You can do it, dear. You have to try.

Picture the children here, Joe.

Jack, Bobby-

they all want to see you stand.

...Very Texas-sized welcome.

People are applauding and waving,

ten-deep in places on the Dallas sidewalk.

The crowds are growing more enthusiastic

with each succeeding block,

and the President and First Lady

are clearly enjoying their reception.

Any concerns about embarrassing incidents seem

to have melted away in the warm Texas sun.

CROWD CHEERING

APPLAUSE

WHISTLING

Bless us, oh, Lord,

for these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive,

from Thy bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

You can do it, Joe, if you try.

You're not trying. Try, Joe.

Please, Aunt Rose, stop. It's too much.

Nothing is too much for Joseph Patrick Kennedy. GRUNTING

He can do anything.

CROWD CHEERING

GRUNTS

(Tires screech, engine roars)

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

They're going to be so proud of you. GRUNTS AND PANTS

MAN: 'Here is a bulletin From CBS news.

'In Dallas, Texas, three shots were fired

'at president Kennedy's motorcade in downtown Dallas.

'The first reports say that president Kennedy

'has been seriously wounded by this shooting.'

TELEPHONE RINGS: I just want to be there when they cart him off to jail.

ETHEL: Hello? CHUCKLES

That'll be a good day. Hang on. Telephone, Bobby. It's Hoover.

Oh. Maybe he's calling to resign.

MEN LAUGH

How are you?

I have news for you.

The President has been shot.

When I get more details,

I'll call you back.

DIAL TONE DRONING

Oh, my God.

Baby? SIGHS

Oh, my God.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello?

Bobby. This is Lyndon.

My heart goes out to you and your family.

Thank you.

'I'm on the plane.

'They're bringing the casket on board'

and Mrs Kennedy.

The Secret Service told me to leave for my own safety,

but I said,

"no, I'm not leaving without that casket

"and Mrs Kennedy."

That's, er...

I'm sure she appreciates that.

I'm not sure whether we're looking

at some kinda...

international communist conspiracy or what it is,

but I think it's important that we have a president,

so I was wondering if it'd be all right with you

'if I took the oath of office before we get in the air.'

I, er, I s-

I suppose that would be the right thing to do.

Now there's, er, some question about the oath-

er, who can administer it.

Uh, does it have to be the Chief Justice?

INHALES DEEPLY

I can get that for you.

And, er...

could you get me the correct wording?

Uh-huh.

I'll, er, look into that, and I'll get back to you.

Thank you, Bobby. I appreciate that.

SIGHS

(Ethel, lowered voice): Hey. Shh, now.

It's OK.

SIGHS

GIRL CRYING

Shh.

SIGHS

SIGHS DEEPLY

CRYING

SNIFFLES

Daddy...

does this mean that you're gonna be president now?