Jackie

FADE IN:

EXT. HYANNIS BEACH -DAY

JACKIE KENNEDY. Jet-black bouffant, regal bearing, perfectsymmetrical features.

But the light behind her eyes has gone out.

She walks alone, shuddering against a frigid wind.

FADE TO BLACK.

SUPER:
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts 1963

FADE IN:

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND -LIVING ROOM

Jackie --black trim slacks, beige pullover sweater --pacesat the window.

Finally, a cab pulls into the driveway.

INT. KENNEDY COMPOUND -FOYER

A JOURNALIST --handsome yet rumpled --stands uneasily inthe doorway.

JOURNALIST:

Mrs. Kennedy? They told me to come

up.

She studies his unkempt appearance, but doesn't answer. TheJournalist is perplexed but strains to be gentle...

JOURNALIST (CONT'D)

I-I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jackie takes a long moment --her voice raw...

JACKIE:

Have you read what they've beenwriting? Krock and Merriman and

all the rest?

JOURNALIST:

Yes. I have.

2.

JACKIE:

Merriman is such a bitter man.

It's been just one week and alreadythey’re treating him like somedusty old artifact, to be shelved

away.

(beat)

That’s no way to be remembered.

JOURNALIST:

And how would you like him

remembered, Mrs. Kennedy?

Suddenly stern, authoritative -

JACKIE:

You understand that I will be

editing this conversation?

(beat)

Just in case I don’t say exactlywhat I mean.

JOURNALIST:

With all due respect that seemsvery unlikely, Mrs. Kennedy.

Jackie stares at him, polite but firm.

JOURNALIST (CONT’D)

Right. Okay. So this will be yourown version of...what happened.

Holding his gaze, she refocuses, preparing for a performanceof sorts.

JACKIE:

Exactly. Come in.

EXT. KENNEDY COMPOUND -DECK

Jackie and the Journalist sit across from each other at a

table. She smokes a cigarette, lost in the horrible memory.

JACKIE:

I thought it was another backfire.

(beat)

I very nearly didn’t go. What if

I’d been here, or out riding inVirginia somewhere?

(beat)

Thank God I was with him...

She trails off.

3.

JOURNALIST:

Why, thank God?

Instead of an answer-

JACKIE:

Do you know what I think ofhistory?

JOURNALIST:

Of history?

JACKIE:

I've read a great deal. More than

people realize. The more I read,

the more I wonder: When somethingis written down, does that make it

true?

JOURNALIST:

It's all that we have.

JACKIE:

Had. We have television now. Now

people can see with their own eyes.

JOURNALIST:

That tour of the White House youdid a couple of years ago, for CBS,

I always assumed you did thatfor...a purpose? No? After the

fashion magazines? You even won anEmmy...

JACKIE:

I didn’t do that program for me.I

did it for the American people.

JOURNALIST:

That program was my first glimpseinto the White House and for

whatever it’s worth, I thought youwere excellent, very poised.

JACKIE:

Thank you.

An afterthought...

JOURNALIST:

You could have had a career as a

broadcaster. I’m sure.

4.

JACKIE:

What?

The Journalist looks up from his notes.

JOURNALIST:

I’m sorry?

JACKIE:

What did you say?

JOURNALIST:

(nervous)

I said...you could have had acareer as a broadcaster.

JACKIE:

Are you giving me professionaladvice?

He shakes his head, embarrassed...

JOURNALIST:

I’m not.

(beat)

But I’m sure that the whole countrywould like to know what you’regoing to do next.

JACKIE:

I can assure you --not television.

She takes another drag of her cigarette.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY -WHITE HOUSE (1962)

Jackie is a year younger --at the height of her legendarybeauty --wearing a floor-length, scarlet gown.

JACKIE:

Welcome to the White House.

Behind her are LIGHTS and BOOM MIC’s --a full-blown

TELEVISION PRODUCTION.

She stands face to face with NANCY TUCKERMAN, her social

secretary. Life-long friends, Nancy is Jackie's lessstylish, less successful sister.

Displeased with the sound of her voice, Jackie lifts hershoulders, her posture more erect. She tries again.

5.

JACKIE (CONT’D)

Welcome to the White House. We’re

so proud to call it home.

Her brow furrows, still dissatisfied.

NANCY:

Why don’t you try ‘the people’shouse’? Make it more personal.

Jackie considers the suggestion. And now --with thatnotorious, breathy diction...

JACKIE:

Welcome to the people's house.

We're so proud to call it home.

(beat)

Better?

Nancy nods.

JACKIE (CONT’D)

When will Jack join us?

NANCY:

They want to hear from you.

Jackie is skeptical -

JACKIE:

They think I’m a fool --one yearin office, wasting their money.

NANCY:

That’s why you need to show themwhat you’ve done.

Nancy can tell Jackie is still uneasy.

NANCY (CONT’D)

The President will join you in theMonroe Room. At the end of the

tour. You'll be great.

Jackie smiles, grateful and takes a deep breath.

JACKIE:

Stay close.

NANCY:

Of course. You look beautiful.

Jackie walks onto set and the TV LIGHTS turn ON.

6.

INT. STAGING ROOM -WHITE HOUSE (1962)-CONTINUOUS

**This is the legendary White House tour, broadcast by CBS onFebruary 14, 1962, to an audience of 56 million people**

CHARLES COLLINGSWOOD of CBS NEWS narrates over black and

white footage.

COLLINGSWOOD (V.O.)

This is the White House as seen

from its South Lawn. For the next

hour Mrs. John F. Kennedy invitesyou to visit the President’s Houseand see some of the restorations

she’s made in its interior. Mrs.

John F. Kennedy, third youngest ofthe twenty-nine wives to live inthe White House.

Rate this script:3.3 / 3 votes