Episode 98 - "Politics As Usual"



OPENING SEQUENCE


(Clip of Richard Nixon at a podium on stage.)

NIXON: I'm a lot more - less interested in my prestige, than I am in the future of this country.

(Clip of George McGovern at a podium, surrounded by supporters.)

McGOVERN: We're going to give Richard Nixon the retirement he so richly deserves. (Smiles.)

(His audience cheers.)

(Clip of Richard and Pat Nixon riding in a slow-moving convertible car moving through a large crowd which waves flags and cheers. Music "Happy Days Are Here Again" starts.)

Every four years, our country is gripped by a case...

(Clip of a crowd at night, with uplifted arms.)

Of temporary insanity. We call it...

(Clip of Richard Nixon at a podium, looking out toward a large crowd.)

The presidential election.

(Clip of a large hand-held sigh reading "Richard Nixon".)

It's democracy defined.

(Clip of Ricard Nixon waving from the sun-roof of a fast-moving car.)

A chance for politicians who know better...

(Clip of George McGovern and his wife waving to a crowd and smiling.)

To make promises they can't keep.

(The camera pulls back, showing them sitting in a convertible car, moving through a crowded street.)

And come November...

(Shot of a crowd in a wide downtown street. Many people wave and hold political signs.)

It's a chance for us to believe them.

Fade to

Int. Day - McKinley Auditorium

(Close shot of a man at a podium, wearing a Nixon button on his suit jacket. Music fades.)

MR. LEEGEE: In Richard Milhouse Nixon...you have a man...

(Shot from behind two men at podiums, with the more-or-less bored audience in the background.)

MR. LEEGEE: Who has devoted his lifetime...to an exemplary and spotless record...

(Wider shot of the two men at their podiums. A banner reading "Election '72" is in the background. There is a large b/w picture of George McGovern on one podium, and a b/w picture of Richard Nixon on the other.)

MR. LEEGEE: Of selfless service...to the American people.

(Close shot of the audience as the camera pans across a row.)

The nineteen-seventy-two campaign was no exception.

MR. LEEGEE (V/O): Our president....

That Fall was a time of excitement.

(The camera slows up on a boy with his head tilted back, sleeping with his mouth open.)

MR. LEEGEE (V/O): Promises...

Reflection.

(Shot of a couple kissing.)

MR. LEEGEE (V/O): To return to law and order...

A time of passion.

MR. LEEGEE (V/O): That made America great.

(Shot of Jeff and Kevin smiling and looking at something Jeff is holding.)

A time to examine the issues.

(Kevin and Jeff chuckle.)

(Shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Kevin...

(Wider shot of all three as Kevin and Jeff look at Winnie.)

WINNIE: Pay attention.

KEVIN: Sorry.

(Jeff raises his eyebrows and looks down.)

JEFF: Can't take him anywhere.

(Close shot of Mr. Leegee looking toward the audience off-screen.)

MR. LEEGEE: So that...(points)...you young people...can continue to enjoy the benefits of living in the greatest country on Earth!

But above all...

(Wide shot of the audience as few people slowly start to applaud.)

It was a time of debate.

(Close shot of Mr. Leegee looking toward the audience off-screen.)

Endless debate.

(Sound of some microphone feed-back.)

MR. LEEGEE: Thank you.

(Shot of Paul wearing a suit, standing at a microphone, looking toward Mr. Leegee off-screen.)

PAUL: Thank you, Mr. Leegee.

(Paul looks toward the audience off-screen.)

PAUL: And now...with an opposing viewpoint...(gestures)...the McKinley student council is pleased to welcome...

(Paul looks toward the men off-screen.)

(Close shot of the other debater looking at Paul off-screen. He wears a brown sports-coat and tie.)

PAUL (V/O): Mr. Michael Detweiler...

(Mike looks toward the crowd and nods slightly.)

PAUL (V/O): Head of the Tri-counties Citizens for McGovern office.

(Shot of Paul looking toward Mike off-screen.)

PAUL: Mr. Detweiler...(Gestures.)

(Shot of Jeff and Kevin as Jeff looks at his watch as scattered applause are heard.)

JEFF: Great.

KEVIN: Another speech...

(They look toward the stage off-screen.)

Face it. For those of us who hadn't turned eighteen yet...

(Wide shot of the stage as Mike slowly walks in front of the podiums.)

There was only one way to describe this charade.

(Mike pauses with his hands on his hips.)

(Closer shot of Mike looking toward the audience off-screen.)

MIKE: Politics is a lot of crap!

(Close shot of Jeff raising his eyebrows slightly and looking toward the stage off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the stage off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Anyone who stands up here talking to you about your future...

(Shot of the audience looking at each other and frowning.)

(Shot of Mike standing on stage, with Mr. Leegeee at his podium behind him.)

MIKE: Using words like...(gestures)..."moral values", and "law-and-order"...is just shovelling that crap.

(The audience murmurs off-screen.)

MR. LEEGEE: I'm afraid...

(Mike looks over his shoulder at Mr. Leegee.)

MR. LEEGEE: I have to take issue with that statement.

(Mike turns forward.)

MIKE: Like I said...

(Wide shot of the audience as many students laugh.)

(Close shot of Mr. Leegee looking toward the audience off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): And you guys just can't sit here and...

(Close shot of Mike looking toward the audience off-screen.)

MIKE: Listen to it...(gestures)...because it's your generation that they're shovelling it on.

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the stage off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): It's you guys that'll inherit the planet they've polluted.

(Close shot of Mike looking toward the audience off-screen.)

MIKE: It's you guys that're gonna get sent home in body-bags from their war.

(Close shot of Winnie looking toward the stage off-screen and frowning slightly.)

(Close shot of Mike looking toward the audience off-screen.)

MIKE: But it's also you guys that can help elect Senator McGovern...(gestures)...because he's the one guy I know, who will cut...the crap.

Maybe it was because he spoke about issues that involved us.

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie looking toward the stage off-screen.)

Or, maybe it was just the first time someone used the word "crap" in McKinley auditorium...

(Shot from behind Mr. Leegee and Mike of the audience.)

In any event...

(The students begin to cheer and applaud loudly.)

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie looking toward the stage off-screen. Winnie applauds enthusiastically, and Kevin barely.)

(Close shot of Mike looking toward the audience off-screen.)

There was something about that speech that grabbed us.

(Mike nods slightly and slowly moves toward his podium.)

(Shot of the audience applauding enthusiastically.)

Got us thinking. Wondering.

Cut to

Int. day - School Hallway

(Shot of Kevin and Jeff approaching the camera as the bell rings.)

Made us see politics in a way that we couldn't help but respect.

(They slow up near the camera, at the lockers. Jeff looks toward Mike in the background, who is surrounded by a group of girls. Jeff taps Kevin on the shoulder.)

JEFF: The guy probably gets the chicks...

(Shot of Jeff and Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

JEFF: Like crazy.

KEVIN: Well, look at that. (Gestures.)

(Closer shot of Mike and the girls.)

KEVIN (V/O): They're all over him.

You had to admit...

(Two girls turn to leave. Winnie is revealed, standing next to Mike.)

The guy had charisma.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at Mike off-screen.)

The guy had charm...

(Wide shot of Mike and Winnie.)

The guy had my girlfriend practically...

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at them off-screen.)

Drooling all over him.

(Kevin glances at Jeff, then approaches the camera, which rolls back. Jeff walks off down the hallway.)

MIKE (V/O): Why, you think it's a lost cause?

WINNIE (V/O): Well, no, I...

(Shot of Mike and Winnie as the camera approaches them.)

MIKE: Some of the greatest victories in politics have come out of lost causes.

(Shot past Mike and Winnie as Kevin appoaches them.)

Maybe it was time to interrupt this little caucus.

(Kevin glances at Mike, then looks at Winnie.)

KEVIN: Winnie?

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mike and Winnie turning toward him.)

WINNIE: Oh, hi, Kevin. (Smiles.) This is Mike.

(Winnie glances at Mike and smiles. Mike holds his hand out toward the camera.)

MIKE: Hey. Mike Detweiler.

(Shot past Mike and Winnie as Mike and Kevin shake hands.)

KEVIN: Kevin Arnold. (Smiles.)

(Kevin looks at Winnie.)

MIKE: So, uh...what did you think of the debate?

(Kevin and Winnie look at Mike.)

I tried to restrain myself.

(Kevin glances off and frowns slightly.)

KEVIN: Well...it was, uh...interesting. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: "Interesting"?

(Winnie looks at Mike off-screen.)

WINNIE: I thought it was wonderful.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen and frowning.)

MIKE (V/O): Yeah?

(Kevin looks toward Mike off-screen.)

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: Think I'll have to agree with Kevin, here - I was gettin' pretty bored of listening to myself talk, too. (Smiles.)

(Shot past Mike and Winnie of Kevin frowning slightly.)

Uh-huh...

KEVIN: Well, uh...it was really good meeting you.

(Kevin gestures toward his watch.)

KEVIN: But, we gotta go.

(Kevin looks at Winnie and reaches for her hand.)

WINNIE: Mike was saying he could really use our help in the election.

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: You bet. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): What do you say?

(Kevin looks at Winnie off-screen.)

KEVIN: Us? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Winnie smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Listen...

(Winnie looks toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Just because you're not old enough to vote...

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: That doesn't mean you can't help. Why don't you come down to headquarters sometime - check it out? (Shrugs.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Hey - you might even enjoy it.

(Shot of Mike and Winnie as Mike gestures toward Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: Cold pizza, warm soda. (Smiles.) All the, uh...(gestures)...envelopes you can stuff.

(Mike starts to turn away.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin as they look after Mike off-screen.)

KEVIN: Yeah, well, uh...(gestures)...we'll think about it. (Nods.)

MIKE (V/O): Great.

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: I hope I see you there.

(Mike turns away.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin as they look after Mike off-screen and smile.)

Yeah, I'd think about it.

(Kevin frowns, then looks at Winnie, who still looks after Mike off-screen.)

For about a minute and a half.

(Kevin frowns and looks after Mike, then back to Winnie, who is still looking after Mike off-screen and smiling. The bell rings.)

KEVIN: Winnie...

(He gestures expansively behind him.)

KEVIN: You coming?

(Winnie glances at him.)

WINNIE: Oh.

(Winnie glances toward Mike off-screen.)

WINNIE: Sure.

(Kevin looks toward Mike off-screen and frowns, as Winnie joins him looking over her shoulder at Mike off-screen. They turn and walk down the hallway.)

Or maybe I wouldn't think about it at all.

(Kevin puts his hand on Winnie's shoulder.)

Cut to

Int. Evening - Arnold Kitchen

(Close shot of the TV showing McGovern talking to a small group on the street.)

McGOVERN: We've spent a hundred and fifty billion...on Vietnam alone. We're spending eighty billion...

Unfortunately, in nineteen-seventy-two, that was hard to do.

(Shot from the TV's perspective of the Arnold's looking at it as they eat.)

People seemed to breathe, sleep, and eat...politics.

(Close shot of Jack looking toward the TV off-screen as he chews.)

My family included. My father, for example...

(Jack wipes his mouth with a napkin and continues to watch.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking down as he eats.)

Weighed all the arguments...

(Kevin looks toward Jack off-screen.)

And summed it up in one word.

(Close shot of Jack looking at the TV off-screen.)

JACK: Hnnnn...(Nods.)

NORMA (V/O): Ya know...

(Shot from the TV's perspective of Jack and Norma looking at it. Kevin is looking toward Norma, as Wayne eats.)

NORMA: Most of the kids I run into at the college are gonna vote for McGovern. (Nods.)

(Jack glances at her, then eats. Norma looks at him.)

NORMA: And, I like his stand on women's rights.

(Norma looks at Kevin and gestures.)

NORMA: He really respects the new position that women are achieving in society.

(She glances at Wayne, then Jack, then Kevin and nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Norma off-screen.)

My mother, on the other hand...

(Close shot of Norma nodding toward Wayne, then Jack off-screen.)

Had a more personal view.

(Shot past Norma of Jack forking the food on his plate.)

JACK: Great.

(Jack looks toward the center of the table.)

JACK: Any more potatoes, honey?

(Shot past Jack of Norma giving him a cold look.)

(Shot past Norma of Kevin glancing from Jack off-screen to Norma, and back to Jack.)

KEVIN: Uh...

(Kevin smiles and lifts the bowl of potatoes.)

KEVIN: I got 'em.

WAYNE (V/O): So, butthead...

(Close shot of Wayne glancing at Kevin off-screen as he eats.)

WAYNE: Who you gonna vote for?

(Wayne chews animatedly.)

Then there was my brother, representing...

(Shot past Wayne of Kevin looking at him.)

The great, unwashed, masses.

KEVIN: What are you talking about? (Gestures.) I'm not old enough to vote. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Wayne glancing down.)

WAYNE: Great.

(He looks at Kevin off-screen.)

WAYNE: Then I'll...sell ya mine, for five bucks.

(Shot past Wayne of Kevin looking at him.)

KEVIN: Pass the gravy, Nimrod. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Norma looking toward the TV off-screen.)

NORMA: Shhhh...

And there we were. All in all...

(Shot past Norma of Jack as he takes a bite of food and looks at the TV off-screen.)

A kind of a cross-section of America.

(Close shot of Wayne as he takes a bite of salad.)

Each of us with...

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Norma off-screen.)

Totally different interests.

(Shot from the TV's perspective of all the Arnold's looking at it.)

But all of us...interested.

Cut to

Ext. Night - The Point

(Shot from the rear seat of Kevin and Winnie facing each other in the car.)

KEVIN: You did what?! (Frowns.)

Well...all but one of us.

WINNIE: I signed us up to be volunteers. (Smiles.)

KEVIN: You did? (Frowns.)

WINNIE: He really needs us, Kevin.

KEVIN: Who, McGovern? (Frowns.)

WINNIE: No. Mike Detweiler.

RADIO: And on the national front...

(They turn toward the car radio.)

RADIO: Today's Gallup poll...

(Close shot of Kevin looking forward and frowning.)

RADIO: Shows the president with an impressive twenty-eight point lead.

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin glancing at her and frowning as he reaches toward the radio.)

RADIO: Pollers across the country are showing...

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie turning toward him with concern.)

WINNIE: You see? (Frowns.) It's important for us to get involved.

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her and smiling slightly.)

KEVIN: W- fine then. Let's get involved.

(He puts his arm around her shoulder.)

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie frowning at him, then turning forward.)

But I guess...

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at Winnie off-screen and sighing, then looking off.)

When it came to politics and humor...

KEVIN: Winnie...

(Kevin frowns and gestures toward Winnie off-screen.)

KEVIN: Do we really have to do this?

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Yes.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

I had a lot to learn.

(Doppler effect of one car horn, as another horn beeps twice.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - City Street

(Wide shot of Kevin and Winnie walking on the sidewalk in front of a large building decorated with some red, white and blue banners and signs.)

WINNIE: Well, here we are!

KEVIN: Great.

And so I agreed to throw my hat into the ring.

(They approach the door.)

Not that I really had a choice in the matter.

(Winnie enters, followed by Kevin.)

Cut to

Int. Day - Campaign Headquarters

(Shot of the doorway as Winnie and Kevin enter. The hand-held camera moves back with them as people and telephones are heard.)

Still, I kept telling myself this might not be so bad.

(Shot of numerous people at desks, or walking around, as the camera rolls forward.)

In fact, I might actually learn something, here.

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie approaching the camera slowly, which rolls back.)

After all, this was my chance to rub noses with people who cared.

(Winnie smiles at someone off-screen as they turn a corner around a desk.)

People like, say...

(Shot of Mike entering through an office doorway, looking down at a clipboard. He looks up and pauses.)

MIKE: Hey! Winnie!

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie as they pause, and look at Mike off-screen.)

WINNIE: Hey, Mike!

MIKE (V/O): Hey, Kevin.

PEGGY (V/O): Mike...

(Shot of Mike looking slightly startled as a woman approaches him, looking at something she holds off-screen.)

PEGGY: These finally came in from the printer.

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Mike off-screen and smiling slightly.)

PEGGY (V/O): I'll, uh, I'll put 'em in the back store room.

(Shot of Mike and Peggy looking at each other.)

MIKE: Thanks, Peg. (Smiles.)

(Peggy lifts Mike's clipboard up and walks past him as he watches her.)

PEGGY: Uh-huh...

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie looking at Peggy off-screen. Mike clears his throat.)

MIKE (V/O): Peggy Kimball. She's, uh...

(Close shot of Mike looking at Winnie off-screen.)

MIKE: Been my right hand in this campaign.

(He looks at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: So, Kevin...

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie looking at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): I'm glad you decided to join us.

(Kevin gestures and looks off.)

KEVIN: Yeah, well...

(He looks at Mike off-screen, as Winnie smiles at Kevin.)

KEVIN: I just thought I'd -

MIKE (V/O): You're doing it for Winnie, right?

(Kevin pauses, then looks off as Mike laughs off-screen.)

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: Hey, whatever brings you in, it's cool. Everybody's got their reasons.

(Mike looks off and points.)

MIKE: That guy's here...

(Shot of a man and a woman in the distance. He is holding a phone.)

MIKE (V/O): Because he wants pot legalized.

(The woman flips open a file and points to it.)

MIKE (V/O): He doesn't give a damn about...

(Close shot of Mike looking off.)

MIKE: Cuts in Medicare, which is why...

(Mike looks off and points.)

(Shot of an elderly woman at a desk, holding a phone and looking at a sheet of paper.)

MIKE (V/O): She's here. And neither of them could...

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie. Kevin looks at Mike off-screen as Winnie looks at the woman off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Care less about subsidized housing...

(Winnie smiles at Mike off-screen, then looks off.)

MIKE (V/O): Which is why...

(Shot of a black woman holding a manila file and looking at an open telphone book which sits on a small TV showing McGovern addressing an audience.)

MIKE (V/O): She's here.

(Close shot of Mike looking at Winnie off-screen.)

MIKE: Winnie's here 'cause she lost her brother...

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie. Winnie looks at Kevin, who is looking at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): You're here because of Winnie...The only thing that really counts, is...

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen and gesturing with a pencil.)

MIKE: That together, we're all doin' everything we can to elect the one person that cares about all these things.

(Close shot of Winnie smiling at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): See what I mean?

(Winnie looks at Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

KEVIN: Oh.

(He looks at Mike off-screen.)

And with that...

(He glances at Winnie off-screen.)

There was nothing more to say, except...

(He looks at Mike off-screen.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - Supermarket

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie facing away from each other, holding some leaflets.)

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern!

(Kevin holds one out toward a passing woman pushing a shopping cart.)

KEVIN: Vote for McGovern.

(The woman passes him. Some people pass by Winnie, heading toward the door. She follows one of them for a couple steps.)

WINNIE: Take one. Please!

(Winnie holds one toward a passing woman.)

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern.

MAN: No, thanks.

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern!

(More people pass by.)

(Another shot of Winnie and Kevin as Winnie holds a leaflet out toward some passing people.)

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern - he really wants to make a difference!

KEVIN: Vote -

(Kevin holds a leaflet toward a small child.)

KEVIN: Vote for -

(Kevin and Winnie look at each other.)

KEVIN: That was great - I almost got the whole thing out that time.

WINNIE: Nobody said it was gonna be easy, Kevin. (Frowns.)

(Winnie holds a leaflet out toward an approaching elderly woman and smiles.)

WINNIE: Excuse me. Ma'am!

(The woman takes the the paper and glances at it.)

WOMAN: Oh.

(She drops the paper and continues.)

WOMAN: I thought it was a coupon.

(Winnie sighs. Kevin frowns at the paper on the ground.)

Still, after two hours of passing out leaflets...

(Close shot of Winnie and Kevin looking after the woman off-screen.)

One thing seemed clear...

KEVIN: Look, Winnie...(Frowns.)

(Winnie turns toward Kevin.)

KEVIN: This is a total waste of time. I'm not going to stand out here and make a fool of myself.

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

KEVIN: No one's paying any attention - no one cares!

WINNIE: Then we have to make them care! (Frowns.)

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie as Winnie turns and looks off. Kevin looks off and frowns.)

Right...

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern!

(Wider shot of both as Winnie turns toward a woman with two small children.)

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern - he really wants to make a difference!

(The woman passes by without acknowledging Winnie. Winnie steps out of the shot as Kevin looks toward her.)

Face it...

(Kevin takes a few steps toward Winnie off-screen. The camera pans with him.)

My sweet innocent girlfriend was fighting a losing battle, here.

WINNIE (V/O): Wait!

(Kevin pauses.)

(Shot of Winnie gesturing with a leaflet toward a man. Kevin is is the background, watching them.)

WINNIE: This election may not seem important to you now, but what about your children? It's their generation that's gonna have to deal with all this stuff...(gestures)...if somebody doesn't start changing things now! Senator McGovern wants to stop the war.

(A few people start to gather around her.)

WINNIE: He wants to stop poverty. (Gestures.) He wants to stop pollution.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at them off-screen.)

WINNIE (V/O): He cares about people. People like us.

(Shot of Winnie and her small audience, and Kevin in the background.)

WINNIE: He needs your vote.

(A man approaches.)

MAN1: I'll take one of those.

(He takes a leaflet and looks at it.)

WOMAN1: Let me take one of those.

WOMAN2: Hey, thanks.

MAN2: Can I have one, next?

(Close shot of Winnie.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

It was like finding out you were dating Joan of Arc.

Cut to

Int. - Campaign Headquarters

(Close shot of Mike.)

MIKE: I am really proud of you.

(The camera pulls back. Mike is leaning on a table where Winnie is sitting. She smiles at him.)

WINNIE: Well, I just said what you told us.

Then again...

(Close shot of Kevin looking up from some papers he is holding toward them off-screen.)

You had to wonder how Joan of Arc's boyfriend felt about it.

(Kevin frowns slightly as he taps the papers on the table.)

(Shot of Winnie and Mike looking at each other.)

MIKE: You're a good campaigner, Winnie Cooper. (Nods.) You're a natural. (Smiles.)

WINNIE: Well...

(Winnie turns toward Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Kevin helped, too. (Smiles.)

(Mike looks toward Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: Oh, sure! (Nods.) Good job, Kev.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mike off-screen and smirking.)

Yeah. Keep the change.

(Shot of Winnie and Mike looking at each other.)

MIKE: Keep up the good work, Winnie.

WINNIE: Thanks.

(Mike straightens up and turns away. Winnie looks after him.)

MIKE: OK - let's get movin'!

(Close shot of Kevin looking down, then toward Winnie off-screen.)

Not that I begrudged her her moment of glory.

KEVIN: You know, uh...Winnie...(nods)...I'm really proud of you too. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Winnie looking down, then turning toward Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Huh?

OK...

(Close shot of Kevin sighing and frowning slightly at Winnie off-screen.)

Enough was enough.

(Kevin starts to stand up.)

(Wide shot of Winnie at her table as Kevin approaches from the next table behind her.)

KEVIN: So...(Gestures.)

(He pause next to her.)

(Closer shot past Winnie, who is looking at some papers, of Kevin leaning on the table. She glances at him, then looks at Mike off-screen.)

KEVIN: You want to go out and get a burger, or somethin'?

(She briefly half-glances toward Mike off-screen.)

WINNIE: Uh, sure. I just have to...(Gestures.)

(She looks at Kevin.)

WINNIE: Go ask Mike something about tomorrow.

(Winnie looks toward Mike off-screen as she stands up and exits past the camera. Kevin looks after her.)

(Shot of Winnie approaching Mike. They look at a paper she is holding. Some Snuffy guitar plays.)

WINNIE: Um, I was just...

(Mike puts one hand on her shoulder, and holds the paper with his other hand.)

Maybe it was the way...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at them off-screen.)

He looked at her. Maybe it was the way she looked at him. But suddenly...

(Closer shot of Winnie and Mike. She is looking at the paper and smiling.)

I realized something about this campaign.

(Shot of Mike and Winnie as they look at each other and smile.)

Maybe the names on the ballots were Nixon and McGovern...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at them off-screen.)

But what we had here...was a three-man race.

(Music fades.)

Cut to

(Clip of Richard Nixon at a podium.)

NIXON: It would be the most immoral thing I could think of...is to give amnesty to draft-dodgers...

(Clip of George McGovern addressing a group of people.)

McGOVERN: We gotta set a deadline for ending this war...

(Clip of Richard Nixon smiling and gesturing as he walks amid a crowd of people.)

As the campaign moved in to its final week...

(Clip of George McGovern shaking hands as he walks along a crowd of supporters.)

Tensions began to rise. There was a lot at stake, here.

Cut to

Int. Day - McGovern Headquarters

(High wide shot of the campaigners at work.)

The future. The country. My girlfriend...

(Shot of Mike approaching the camera.)

MIKE: OK. People - listen up.

(Shot of Winnie looking up from a stack of files she is carrying, toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Listen up!

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): OK!

(High wide shot of all as Mike steps onto a chair.)

MIKE: Uh...(laughs)...I know you're tired.

(Close shot of Mike looking at the campaigners off-screen.)

MIKE: I know you think you've given it everything you've got.

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): I know you think you don't have anything left.

(Close shot of Mike looking at the campaigners off-screen.)

MIKE: And I know you can do it.

WOMAN (V/O): We're with ya, Mike!

MIKE: Thank you. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Winnie smiling at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Thank you very much. Keep up the good work!

(Winnie and others begin to applaud.)

(Wider shot of Mike as he sets his foot on the chair and becomes engaged in conversation with another man, pointing to a file.)

And in the midst of it all was Mike Detweiler. Mr. Charisma.

(Close shot of Kevin looking down.)

Mr. Politico.

(Kevin looks at Winnie off-screen slightly surprised.)

(Shot of Winnie smiling admiringly toward Mike off-screen.)

Mr. Snake-My-Date.

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

It was clear I was in the race...

(Kevin looks toward Winnie again and starts to stand up.)

(Wider shot across some people at desks of Kevin as he stands up.)

Of my life, here.

(Kevin walks across the room.)

My opponent was ahead.

(He turns up an aisle between some desks and approaches the camera.)

And I had to do something to close that gap.

(The camera pans over slightly to Winnie as Kevin approaches behind her, and a man approaches in front of her.)

MAN: Here ya go.

(The man hands Winnie some papers.)

WINNIE: Thanks.

(The man exits as Kevin taps her on the arm.)

KEVIN: You know, Winnie...

(Winnie turns toward Kevin, who glances off and frowns, then looks at Winnie.)

KEVIN: We've been working here non-stop for the last three weeks. Ya know, why don't we...(shrugs)...take off early tonight and do something?

(Winnie smiles slightly and shakes her head.)

WINNIE: There's a lot of stuff going on -

KEVIN: Yeah, I know, but...maybe we can just spend some time together...just you and me.

WINNIE: Maybe you're right. (Smiles.)

KEVIN: Great. (Smiles.)

MIKE (V/O): Winnie!

(They turn toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Got a second?

WINNIE: Yeah, what's up?

(Close shot of Mike looking down slightly and frowning.)

MIKE: Listen, uh...

(Mike looks at Winnie off-screen.)

MIKE: Could you stay a little late, this evening?

(Close shot of Winnie frowning slightly at Mike off-screen.)

KEVIN (V/O): Uh...

WINNIE: Well...

(Kevin puts his arm around her shoulders and leans closer.)

KEVIN: Actually, uh...

(Kevin glances at Winnie then looks at Mike off-screen.)

KEVIN: We're kinda busy tonight.

MIKE (V/O): Oh...

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: Sure. I understand.

(Close shot of Kevin and Winnie looking at Mike off-screen.)

Heh-heh. Take that, buddy.

(Close shot of Mike looking down and smiling.)

MIKE: I-it's just...

(Mike looks at Winnie off-screen and gestures.)

MIKE: That we're having a meeting of the core group tonight, and...

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie looking at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): With all the work you've been doin'...I, I...I thought you realy should be part of it.

(Winnie smiles. Kevin glances at her and frowns, then looks at Mike off-screen.)

KEVIN: Yeah, well, that's great. But like I said...

(Close shot of Mike looking at Winnie off-screen.)

MIKE: What do ya say, Winnie?

(Close shot of Kevin frowning and looking from Mike to Winnie off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

WINNIE (V/O): Well...

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Mike off-screen and smiling slightly.)

WINNIE: If you really need me...(Nods.)

MIKE (V/O): Course I need you.

(Close shot of Mike looking at Winnie off-screen.)

MIKE: You're my right-hand guy.

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Mike off-screen and smiling slightly.)

WINNIE: OK. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Mike nodding at Winnie off-screen, then walking off.)

(Wide shot of Winnie, Kevin and Mike as Mike walks past Kevin and away from the camera. Kevin looks after him as Winnie steps toward the table.)

I couldn't believe it.

(Kevin looks at Winnie as she puts some papers on the table.)

KEVIN: "OK"?

(Kevin steps next to Winnie, then glances off.)

KEVIN: That's it? (Gestures.) What about our date? (Frowns.)

(Winnie hands Kevin a stack of papers.)

WINNIE: I'm sorry, Kevin.

(Winnie looks toward the table as she gathers more papers.)

WINNIE: But there're only four more days until the election, and you know how important this is to me.

(She picks up the papers and frowns as she walk past Kevin.)

WINNIE: I'm sure you understand.

What - was she joking?

(Winnie takes some papers from the black woman on the phone at the next table.)

You bet I understood.

(Kevin shuffles some papers together and frowns, then glances at the woman.)

Not that I'd ever actually come out and say it.

(Kevin leans on the corner of the table.)

KEVIN: You know, Winnie...

(Kevin points with the papers as Winnie looks at her clipboard.)

KEVIN: That guy's almost three times your age.

WINNIE: Who?

KEVIN: "Who"...Mike - that's who. (Gestures.) You know, the guy you've been practically hanging all over.

(Winnie frowns heavily.)

WINNIE: What?! (Gestures.)

(Winnie walks toward another table. Kevin follows.)

KEVIN: Oh, come on, Winnie - figure it out.

(Winnie gathers some papers off the table and Kevin stops close behind her and leans near her shoulder.)

KEVIN: Why do you think he wants you to stay late, tonight?

(Winnie looks toward Kevin.)

WINNIE: It's a campaign meeting.

(She takes more stuff from the table.)

KEVIN: Yeah, and I'll give you one guess as to what he's campaigning for.

(Winnie walks toward another table, followed by Kevin.)

WINNIE: I don't believe you, Kevin.

(Winnie slaps her clipboard down and turns toward Kevin, frowning.)

WINNIE: The future of our country is at stake...

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: And all you care about is your stupid ego?! (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

Now keep in mind, I was half-crazed with jealousy.

(Shot of both as Winnie frowns and puts some leaflets on the table.)

So I said something I'd regret the rest of my life.

KEVIN: What's so bad...(gestures)...about president Nixon, anyway?

(Winnie looks at Kevin as the surrounding people fall silent and look at him also. The phone rings. One black man walks slowly across the shot, looking at Kevin. Winnie looks toward the people.)

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen and shaking her head slightly as the phone rings again.)

WINNIE: Kevin, you sound like an idiot.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

KEVIN: I may be an idiot, but at least I'm not blind. (Frowns.)

(Shot of both as the phone rings again. The background people resume their activity.)

KEVIN: I'm outta here.

(Kevin tosses down his stack of papers and exits past the camera as Winnie looks after him.)

And with that...

(Winnie looks down, then looks at Kevin off-screen, and frowns and sighs as she sets her papers down.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - The Street

(Shot of the door as Kevin exits toward the camera.)

I quit politics.

(He walks along the sidewalk.)

For good. Once and for all.

(He slows briefly as he looks toward the window which has political posters in it, frowns, then quickly walks past the camera.)

Forever.

Cut to

Ext. Evening - The Street

(Close shot of Kevin's car pulling up to the curb.)

Until...about four hours later.

(Kevin stops the car across the street from the headquarters building. The camera pans up past Jeff who is riding in the passenger seat to the lighted building in the background.)

(Shot of Kevin and Jeff. Kevin frowns and looks toward the building off-screen as Jeff looks down.)

JEFF: You mind if I ask what we're doing here?

KEVIN: Hey, I just want to see what's going on, OK?

(Jeff looks toward the building off-screen, then down.)

JEFF: Alright. You know...

(Jeff looks toward the building off-screen.)

JEFF: I think I saw something like this on "Mission: Impossible".

(Jeff looks down.)

KEVIN: Look at that.

(Jeff looks toward the building off-screen.)

(Shot of the lighted building. Several people are walking around inside.)

KEVIN (V/O): What do you think they're doin' in there?

(Shot of Kevin and Jeff looking toward the building off-screen.)

My imagination was running wild. I saw passionate kisses. Steamy embraces.

(Kevin looks off and frown.)

Limbs...

(Shot of the lighted building.)

Entwining. Then...

(The lights dim to black.)

I saw the lights go out.

(Shot of Kevin and Jeff looking toward the building off-screen.)

KEVIN: I'm going in there.

(Kevin looks at Jeff, then opens his door.)

JEFF: That's great.

(Kevin exits the car.)

(Closer shot of the sidewalk and building as Kevin approaches.)

JEFF (V/O): Hey - could you bring me back a donut?

(Kevin glances over his shoulder and stage-whispers to Jeff off-screen.)

KEVIN: Can it!

(Kevin walks toward the door.)

It wasn't donuts I was after.

(The camera pans with Kevin as he turns into the front door and reaches toward the handle.)

It was...

(Close shot of the handle as Kevin's hand grabs and pulls it.)

Mike Detweiler.

(Kevin shakes the handle with both hands.)

(Wider shot of Kevin cupping his hands to thw window and peering in.)

It seemed obvious the guy intended to bring new meaning...

(Kevin walks over to another door and pulls on it.)

To the term "backroom politics".

(Kevin pauses.)

KEVIN: Great.

So...

(Shot of the alley behind the building, littered with trash cans and car tires. A cat hissee off-screen, and a dog barks off-screen.)

There was only one thing to do.

(Kevin approaches the camera slowly.)

Which is why, that night, at approximately twenty-two minutes past nine, I did something destined...

(Close shot of a door as Kevin grabs the handle and turns it.)

To make headlines in years to come.

(Wider shot of Kevin pushing on the door, which abruptly opens with a squeak.)

I, Kevin Arnold...

(Kevin tentatively enters.)

Broke in to McGovern headquarters.

(The door closes behind him.)

Cut to

Int. Night - McGovern Headquarters

(Shot of Kevin slowly crossing the dark room. The camera pulls back as he approaches it.)

Sure - maybe Mike thought he could take advantage of Winnie's enthusiam and naivete...

(The camera pans as Kevin approaches a lighted window.)

Twist it to satisfy his own sordid needs.

(Kevin crouches down slightly and walks along the windows.)

But Mike hadn't counted on one thing.

(Kevin walks faster and turns the corner to the office door.)

Mike hadn't counted on...

(Kevin grabs the door handle.)

(Shot of the office door as Kevin quickly enters toward the camera.)

KEVIN: Mike...

(Two men in dark suits block his path and reach into their jackets.)

MAN: Hold it.

(Close shot of Winnie looking up toward Kevin off-screen, surprised.)

(Shot of Mike looking toward Kevin off-screen as he quickly rises from his chair.)

(Shot of the two men blocking Kevin.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the two men.)

Or...maybe he had.

(Closer shot of Kevin glancing at the two men.)

MIKE (V/O): It's OK guys - he's cool.

(The men relax slightly.)

(Shot from behind Kevin. The two men are on each side, and a woman, Mike, Winnie, and a seated man are in the background.)

MIKE: What can I do for ya, Kevin?

(Shot of Kevin looking at the two men.)

KEVIN: Uh, I just came down here...

(He looks at Mike off-screen.)

KEVIN: To, uh...(gestures)...I mean...

(Close shot of Mike looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MIKE: Well, you're just in time. (Smiles.)

(Mike looks toward a man off-screen and gestures.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Kevin, I'd like you to meet senator McGovern.

(Shot from behind Kevin as "McGovern" rises and turns toward Kevin (who is blocking the man's face). Some Snuffy musaic plays.)

"McGOVERN": Hello, Kevin.

(Shot of Kevin and the two men as "McGovern" passes the camera and approaches Kevin. Kevin takes a couple small steps forward.)

"McGOVERN": It's a pleasure to meet you, son.

(Kevin looks toward Mike off-screen.)

(Shot of Mike looking toward "McGovern" off-screen.)

MIKE: Kevin's been workin' for ya, too, senator.

(Close shot past "McGovern" of Kevin looking toward him.)

"McGOVERN": Ya know, Kevin...

(He puts a hand on Kevin's shoulder.)

"McGOVERN: It's the dedication and conviction of young people like you, that's gotten us through this campaign.

("McGovern" steps backward out of the shot.)

(Kevin looks toward Winnie off-screen.)

"McGOVERN" (V/O): Keep up the good work.

(Kevin looks toward "McGovern" off-screen and smiles slightly.)

KEVIN: Thank you.

"McGOVERN" (V/O): You're welcome.

(He looks toward Winnie off-screen.)

(Close shot of Winnie smiling slightly at Kevin off-screen.)

And I guess that's when I realized...

(Shot past "McGovern" of Kevin and a security guy.)

What this one moment meant.

(Kevin smiles at "McGovern" and starts to back up. He bumps into the security guy and looks at him, startled.)

KEVIN: I'll uh...let myself out. (Smiles.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the security guys looking at him and squeezing together.)

It meant that I was part of history. It meant...

(Shot of the dark room as Kevin walks across it.)

That I was finally able to see the big picture. It meant I could never compete with Mike Detweiler.

(The camera pans with Kevin as he passes it.)

The guy had George McGovern in his back pocket.

(Music ends.)

Cut to

Int. Morning - Arnold Kitchen

(Close shot of the TV showing McGovern at a microphone.)

McGOVERN: When he says the President isn't telling us the truth...on this matter...

Tuesday, November seventh, nineteen-seventy-two.

(Shot of Norma, dressed nicely, pulling toast from a toaster.)

While the entire nation prepared...

(She sets the toast down and begins to butter it.)

To elect the man...

(Shot of Jack standing near the window, frowning as he adjusts his tie.)

Who would lead it through the next four years...

(Shot of Kevin looking at the side of a box of cornflakes he is holding.)

I was figuring out what riboflavin was.

(Kevin looks off, then sets the box down.)

(Shot of Wayne approaching, wearing a white shirt and tie, carrying his jacket over his arm.)

WAYNE: So, Dad - who you gonna vote for?

(Close shot of Jack frowning at Wayne off-screen as he adjusts his jacket.)

JACK: Lemme tell ya somethin', Wayne.

(Jack looks down as he adjusts his cuffs.)

JACK: When I walk into that booth...

(Shot of Wayne looking at Jack off-screen, then at Norma as she approaches and reaches for his unattached clip-on tie.)
JACK (V/O): I don't have to answer to anybody but myself.

(Wayne looks at Jack off-screen as Norma adjusts his tie.)

JACK (V/O): Neither will you.

(Close shot of Jack frowning as he tightens his tie.)

JACK: It's every American's right.

(Wider shot of Wayne and Norma as Norma smoothes his tie.)

WAYNE: Nixon, right?

(Shot from Kevin's perspective as Jack passes the camera.)

JACK: Let's get a move on.

(Jack grabs his briefcase and exits. Norma smiles and approaches with a plate of toast, putting it in front of the camera.)

NORMA: Don't be late for school, honey.

(Shot of Kevin looking at Norma off-screen.)

KEVIN: Right, Mom.

(Shot from Kevin's perspective as Norma exits. Wayne pauses and takes a piece of Kevin's toast.)

WAYNE: Yeah, so long, scrote.

(Wayne waves the toast at the camera, then leans forward.)

WAYNE: I'm off to elect the president. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Wayne off-screen.)

KEVIN: Just don't forget to pull the lever.

(Close shot of Wayne as he laughs, then takes a bite of toast and exits.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Wayne off-screen and frowning.)

And so...

(Kevin looks down.)

While my American family headed off to fulfill their...

(Kevin looks toward the door off-screen.)

God-given American civic duty...I stayed behind.

(Kevin looks at his spoon of cornflakes and sighs slightly.)

And sulked.

(Kevin turns the spoon over, dumping his cereal into the bowl.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - The Street

(Close shot of Kevin's car approaching as some Snuffy guitar plays.)

I was bitter.

(The camera pans with the car as it stops at the curb across the street from McGovern's headquarters. Winnie is on the curb outside, handing out leaflets.)

I'd seen politics for what it was. A game...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

Played by the power-hungry few who thought nothing about using innocent people as their pawns.

(Close shot of Winnie as she hands a leaflet to a passing couple.)

WINNIE: Vote for McGovern! Thanks. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

I felt disillusioned. Disenfranchised.

(He looks toward Winnie off-screen.)

Face it...

(Kevin frowns and starts to drive forward.)

(Shot of Winnie in front of the building as Kevin's car exits.)

I was way ahead of my time.

Cut to

Int. Evening - Kevin's Bedroom

(Shot of the wall as a yellow tennis ball bounces off it near a photo of Joe Namath and another player.)

Still, that evening, alone in my room...

(Shot of Kevin lying on his bed as he catches the ball, then throws and catches it again. Music fades.)

I found myself wondering. About Winnie. And Mike.

(Kevin looks at the ball, then throws it again.)

About what it really all meant.

(Kevin throws and cathes the ball.)

RADIO: And here's an FM one-oh-five election bulletin.

(Kevin reaches for the radio knob.)

RADIO: Senator McGovern has scored a stunning upset in the state of Massachussetts.

(Kevin looks off, slightly surprised, as the camera moves in slightly.)

RADIO: Early returns indicate that the Senator has also carried the District of Columbia. The high concentration of young, female and black voters in this area...

(Kevin looks toward the radio, then toward the ceiling.)

RADIO: Has given the senator this unexpected victory.

(Snuffy's guitar starts and plays through the nest few scenes.)

RADIO: A McGovern spokesman has said...

(Kevin looks toward the radio.)

And right at that moment, all out of nowhere...I got my answer.

(Kevin smiles slightly and gets up.)

Cut to

Ext. Night - The Street

(Shot through the windshield of Kevin.)

Driving down those streets...I saw the blue glow...

(Kevin glances off.)

Of the television sets in every window.

(Kevin looks forward and sighs slightly.)

And I began to understand some of what Winnie had been swept up in.

(Kevin looks off.)

Cut to

Ext. night - McGovern Headquarters

(Shot past a parking meter of Kevin approaching on the sidewalk. The camera rolls back with him.)

Across town...across America...

(Kevin smiles slightly and walks faster.)

People were watching a new chapter of history unfold.

(Kevin turns toward the door, opens it, and enters.)

Cut to

Int. Night - McGovern Headquarters

(Shot of Kevin smiling as he enters toward the camera.)

And I had helped write that chapter. And now I wanted to share...

(Kevin slows up and looks off as Snuffy's guitar ends.)

The thrill of victory.

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the crowded room. A TV is showing the news.)

TV: The early votes we have in, counted from places...

Or...

(Close shot of Kevin looking off and frowning slightly.)

The agony of defeat.

(Kevin looks off and walks forward slightly.)

TV (V/O): And the eastern, midwestern and southern states...

(Shot of the board showing the election results.)

And there it was, in black-and-white. In the time it had taken me to drive down there...

(Shot from behind Kevin as he walks forward and pauses next to the TV.)

Senator McGovern's victory had gone from landslide...to mudslide.

(In the background, Mike stands on a chair.)

MIKE: People!

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): Listen up!

(Shot across some supporters of Mike putting his hands on his hips and looking toward the crowd.)

MIKE: OK...I just got off the phone with headquarters. And the senator is about to officially concede.

(Shot of the group of supporters as they frown.)

GROUP: Oh...

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

MIKE(V/O): But even though we lost...

(Closer shot of Mike looking toward the group off-screen.)

MIKE: I know the senator would like to thank each and every one of you for what, what we've accomplished here.

(Close shot of a man in glasses looking at Mike off-screen.)

MIKE (V/O): We fought a good fight.

(The camera pans to another man.)

MIKE (V/O): We did some good...

(The camera pans to an older woman.)

(Shot of Mike looking toward the group off-screen.)

MIKE: And you guys should be proud of yourselves for that. I know I am.

(Shot of the group of supporters.)

MIKE (V/O): Thank you.

(The group begins to applaud. Some people hug.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mike off-screen.)

The funny thing is, at that moment...

(Kevin looks off.)

I knew I'd been wrong...

(Shot of Mike walking forward.)

About the guy.

(He shakes hands with a man and taps him on the shoulder.)

I could almost understand what Winnie had seen in him.

(Mike approaches another man and shakes his hand.)

WINNIE (V/O): Mike?

(A man exits, revealing Winnie looking at Mike, who pauses in front of her.)

WINNIE: How could this happen?

After all...

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward them off-screen.)

This man had held her dreams in his hands...

(Shot past Mike of Winnie frowning at him.)

Her values, her ideals.

MIKE: Hey, listen...

(Shot past Winnie of Mike looking at her and shaking his head.)

MIKE: It's nothing to kill yourself about - it's just politics.

(Shot past Mike of Winnie frowning at him.)

MIKE: Besides, we knew the guy never had a chance. Didn't we?

WINNIE: What? (Frowns.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mike and Winnie as Peggy approaches. Mike looks at her.)

MIKE: Hey. Let's get a drink.

(Mike puts his arm around Peggy and looks at Winnie off-screen.)

MIKE: Take care, OK?

(Mike looks at Peggy as they approach the camera.)

MIKE: I hear Kennedy may launch in 'seventy-four.

(The camera pans over slightly toward Winnie as Mike and Peggy exit.)

MIKE (V/O): Maybe we should give 'em a call.

(Winnie looks forward as Snuffy's guitar plays.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Winnie off-screen, then walking forward slowly.)

(Wider shot from behind Kevin as he walks toward Winnie in the background.)

I guess many hearts were broken across America that night.

(Shot past Winnie as Kevin pauses in front of her.)

But only one I really cared about.

KEVIN: I'm sorry.

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking down, then at Kevin.)

WINNIE: I guess...(frowns)...you must think I was pretty stupid, huh? (Nods.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

But somehow, it didn't seem important, anymore.

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie frowning, then looking off.)

Who was right, who was wrong.

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

All that really seemed to matter was...

KEVIN: You, uh...(shrugs)...want to go get a sandwich, or somethin'?

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

WINNIE: Thanks. (Smiles.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

McGOVERN (V/O): For years to come...

(Kevin puts his arm around her.)

(Shot of Kevin and Winnie as they turn and walk slowly toward the camera, which rolls back.)

After all, maybe in his own way, Mike was right.

(They look at each other.)

In politics, you live to fight another day. Sure, the 'sixties were gone, but sooner or later...

(They pass the camera. McGovern is shown on the TV.)

There'd be other battles to fight.

McGOVERN: No question at all, that we have pushed this country...

Cut to

Ext. Night - McGovern Headquarters

(Wide shot of the building as Kevin and Winnie step off the sidewalk into the street.)

McGOVERN (V/O): In the direction of peace...

(They slowly approach the camera, which pulls back.)

The thing is, that election forever changed the way my generation looked at politics. We discovered, no matter how painfully, that we could be part of the process. That we could believe. And even now, twenty years later, despite all the evidence to the contrary...

(They pass the camera.)

WINNIE (V/O): What a waste.

KEVIN (V/O): Nah...Wait'll next time. Then things'll be different.

I can remember that night. And still believe.

Fade to

CLOSING CREDITS

Supporting Cast
Mike Detweiller - Lance Guest
Bruce Leegee - Gordon Clapp
Jeff - Giovanni Ribisi

Music
"Happy Day Are Here Again"



Next Episode
Titles/Transcripts
Episode Info
Wonder Years Menu

12/08/00 11:15