Bridge of Spies Page #3

RECEPTIONIST (ON PHONE)

Watters, Cowan and Donovan, how may

I direct your call?

Alison, Donovan’s secretary, steps over with his mail.

DONOVAN:

Good morning, Alison.

ALISON:

Morning, Mr. Donovan. I moved your

nine a.m. with Prudential, sir.

DONOVAN:

Why did you do that?

WATTERS (O.S.)

I asked her to -

(CONTINUED)

12.17.14 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 8.

CONTINUED:

Donovan turns to find his senior partner, THOMAS WATTERS JR

(70s), watching him closely.

DONOVAN:

Everything alright, Tom?

WATTERS:

Why don’t you leave your stuff with

Alison, c’mon inside.

Donovan sets his briefcase, mail and hat down and follows

Watters.

WATTERS (CONT’D)

Something pretty important has come

up and there’s someone here to see

us. Natalie’ll get your coffee.

(To Watters’ secretary

Natalie)

Nescafé, no cream, two lumps.

Right?

DONOVAN:

That’s right, thanks.

He looks concerned.

WATTER’S OFFICE

Lynn Goodnough (50s), Chairman of the New York Bar, smiles as

Watters and Donovan enter. Goodnough shakes Donovan’s hand.

GOODNOUGH:

Jim, nice to see you again. How’s

the family?

DONOVAN:

Great, good, thanks. How’s Annie?

Natalie enters with Donovan’s coffee, sets in on desk.

GOODNOUGH:

Homicidal, we had the in-laws for

the holiday.

Watters sits on his desk.

DONOVAN:

Well, if she acts on it she’ll have

good representation.

Chuckles.

(CONTINUED)

12.17.14 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 9.

CONTINUED:

DONOVAN (CONT’D)

What’s up?

Natalie leaves. All three men take their seats.

GOODNOUGH:

Okay. Here’s the thing. The Soviet

spy they caught. We want you to

defend him. (pause) Here’s the

indictment.

Slap! -- he drops a thick document onto the coffee table.

Silence.

Donovan looks at it but doesn’t reach for it. He is

absorbing the news.

DONOVAN:

Well.

More silence.

DONOVAN (CONT’D)

...I’m not sure I should pick that

up.

WATTERS:

The accused doesn’t know any

lawyers. The Federal Court tossed

it into our lap. The Bar Committee

took a vote. You were the unanimous

choice.

GOODNOUGH:

It was important to us -- it’s

important to our country, Jim --

that this man is seen as getting a

fair shake. American justice will

be on trial.

DONOVAN:

Well, of course, when you put it

that way, it’s an honor to be asked.

But -- Lynn -- I’m an insurance

lawyer, I haven’t done criminal work

in years.

GOODNOUGH:

Well it’s like riding a bike, isn’t

it? You distinguished yourself at

Nuremberg.

(CONTINUED)

12.17.14 FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 10.

CONTINUED:
(2)

DONOVAN:

I was on the prosecution team.

GOODNOUGH:

Not the point:
you’re no stranger to

criminal law. Jim, look at the

situation. The man is publicly

reviled.

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