Chappaquiddick Page #4

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MARY JO:

Well, if the state secret is that

Ted Kennedy has a heart, then I’mguilty as charged.

Ted CHUCKLES and offers a conciliatory shrug. Mary Jo gets up

and embraces him with a warm hug. A very warm hug.

ESTHER:

How’re the kids, Senator?

Ted clinches his jaw and speaks through gritted teeth.

TED:

Fine. Just fine. Thanks for asking,

Esta’.

ESTHER:

And your wife?

TED:

At home on bedrest, I’m afraid.

Doctor’s orders. Say, wouldn’t youlike to go for a swim with theother girls?

ESTHER:

Mary Jo, want to come along?

MARY JO:

I...

(glances at Ted)

I actually can’t swim.

ESTHER:

Suit yourself. Good luck in therace this afternoon, Senator.

10.

Esther shoots Ted a glib smile and heads for the water,

joining Gargan and her friends. Mary Jo snickers as Ted laysdown on his stomach next to her.

TED:

That was a hell of time working onBobby’s campaign together.

(beat)

So, why haven’t you found your nextrace yet?

Ted flashes her a signature Kennedy smile. Mary Jo looks awayand Ted's smile fades quickly.

MARY JO:

It’s never going to be the same.

TED:

I know.

(beat)

The offer I made still stands. Come

to Washington. Work on my staff.

MARY JO:

I’ve got too many memories there.

TED:

We can make new ones.

MARY JO:

I can’t work on another

presidential campaign.

TED:

I don’t know that you have to.

Mary Jo sets her head on Ted’s shoulder but continues tostare out into the distance.

TED (CONT’D)

The race this afternoon...

He puts his arm around her.

TED (CONT’D)

I want you to know...I’m racing forBobby.

Mary Jo looks up at him and smiles.

EXT. EDGARTOWN HARBOR - DAY

A dozen sailboats navigate the choppy waters, circling themarks in the Annual Edgartown Yacht Club Regatta. A row ofspectator boats filled with men in cotton suits and women infashionable dresses look on with great anticipation.

11.

A large swath of locals hold signs reading, “KENNEDY #1”,

“KENNEDY TO VICTORY”, and “AMERICA NEEDS TED”.

The bow of the Victura crashes through the waves. Tedskippers the 26-foot sloop, with Gargan and PAUL MARKHAM, 39,

and HOWIE HALL, 12, as his crew.

TED:

Ready to jibe!

GARGAN/MARKHAM

Ready!

They approach the reach mark with great speed.

TED:

Jibing!

Ted pulls the tiller towards him and quickly ducks as theboom swings over his head. Gargan and Markham pull ropes andtie knots in expert harmony, as the Victura makes a perfectlyexecuted turn.

Ted peers around the main sail -- No other boats in front ofhim, the leeward mark is in his sights. He looks behind him.

The Victura has a comfortable lead, but Ted remains uneasy.

Ted squeezes the tiller so tightly the blood rushes to hishands. He takes a swig from his beer and makes eye contactwith no one as he barks out more orders.

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