House of Cards Page #5

VASQUEZ:

You’re right. We wouldn’t have won

without your help. But now we have

to lead, and that means making

tough choices.

(half beat, now she has

the initiative)

Our first order of business is

Education Reform. A complete

federal overhaul. We want you in

the House, doing what you do best -

counting votes and delivering

legislation.

FRANCIS:

I’ve paid my dues Linda. I deserve

this.

13.

VASQUEZ:

There are lots of deserving people

Frank. We can’t nominate them all.

FRANCIS:

I’d like to speak with Walker

personally.

VASQUEZ:

The decision is made.

The two stare each other down like gunslingers.

VASQUEZ (CONT’D)

We need you Frank. Desperately.

Just not in the cabinet. I’m asking

for your help here. Are you going

to stand beside us?

It takes every ounce of will to swallow his pride.

FRANCIS:

Yes. I will.

VASQUEZ:

I’m very glad to hear that.

FRANCIS:

May I ask - if not me, then who?

VASQUEZ:

(hesitates, then...)

Michael Kern.

He says the following with a smile, but underneath the table

we can see Francis cracking his knuckles with rage.

FRANCIS:

Michael Kern...That’s an excellent

choice.

INT. CLEAN WATER FOR AMERICA (CWA) OFFICES - DAY

TO ESTABLISH:
A large polished steel sign above a reception

desk that reads:

CLEAN WATER FOR AMERICA

We TRACK an older woman (50s) - EVELYN - carrying a folder

past side offices to CLAIRE’S OFFICE. She knocks on the

door, which is slightly ajar.

14.

CLAIRE (O.S.)

Come in.

INT. CWA OFFICES - CLAIRE’S OFFICE - DAY

Claire is behind her desk. Evelyn sits across from her.

EVELYN:

Maybe we should do this in steps.

A couple people at first - see how

that goes, then if we decide -

CLAIRE:

This isn’t about operational

efficiency, Eveyln. This is about

freeing up money. It’s a new year.

It’s time to clean house a little.

Spring cleaning, right?

EVELYN:

It’s not spring - it’s January.

Claire just stares at her. That was a stupid thing to say.

EVELYN (CONT’D)

I just want to make sure we don’t

cripple our ability to function

properly in the process.

CLAIRE:

I hear you, but if I thought that

was going to be an issue, I

wouldn’t be asking for this list in

the first place.

EVELYN:

(shifts in her chair)

Okay...

Claire feels the needs to address Evelyn’s discomfort. She

leans forward, sympathetically.

CLAIRE:

We went over this before the

holidays.

EVELYN:

I know...

CLAIRE:

You didn’t mention anything then.

15.

EVELYN:

I know...

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