This Is My Affair

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This is General Sheridan's grave...

the Civil War cavalryman.

Born Albany New York, March 6, 1831.

Died Nonquitt, Massachusetts, August 5, 1888

Is there anything there

about Lieutenant Richard L Perry?

No, he's not listed.

Then, sister... why is he buried here?

Well, no doubt he did some

unusual service for his country.

They all did.. or they wouldn't be

buried in Arlington.

Now don't you behave

like all those other young officers.

Tell me about Manilla!

Well I'm afraid it's all been told.

The Spaniards had their navy...

We had Admiral Dewey.

I suppose you know the admiral

is very very fond of you.

Although he says you're

an incorrigible young rascal!

Are you?

Well, of course I had my training

under the admiral!

Talking about ME?

Eavesdropper!

Now repeat it to my face!

Now you two run along

and dance.

This young lady thinks I'm more at home

on a battleship than in a ballroom.

I do not...

I love to dance with you.

You should be with

the Diplomatic Corps!

Now, run along.

Remember you're going to tell me

more about Manilla!

Perhaps the Admiral will tell you...

he was there too, you know!

Oh... so you were!

Fight!

I'm sorry sir!

That was Teddy!

Yes!

Thanks Mrs Karne, that was bully! Bully!

Well...?

Lieutenant Perry?

Yes?

Mr Andrews would like

to see you, sir.

Mr Andrews?

Yes sir, follow me please.

- Will you excuse me please?

- Of course.

- Lieutenant Perry?

- Yes sir.

I'm Andrews, Mr McKinley's secretary.

I know sir.

Come in please,

the president will see you now.

The president?!

I'm afraid you've made a mistake, sir.

I am Richard L. Perry.

Yes, I know. The president

wants to talk to you.

Mr President, Lieutenant Perry.

Good evening, Lieutenant.

Good evening Mr President.

Now, pull up that chair a

little closer.

Thank you, sir.

How's the reception going?

Very well, sir.

Everybody having a good time?

I think so... I know I was.

I wish I could say the same

for myself.

But that's the way it is with White House parties...

they rush me in... and rush me out again.

I give them, and the vice-president

has all the fun.

Yep... I bet Mr Roosevelt

hasn't missed a dance!

Lieutenant...

I've just been going over

your record.

You have, sir?

I asked General Miles and Admiral Dewey to send me

reports on half a dozen of you young men...

who more or less distinguished yourselves

in the service of your country.

Yours is quite interesting.

In fact... amazing!

I thought I'd explained all those "scrapes"

to Admiral Dewey.

So you have...

and I congratulate you.

I don't know when I ran across a young man

so adept at worming his way out of his difficulties.

Well, thank you, sir!

Now, that brings me

to why I sent for you.

Are you familiar with these?

Yes... I've seen the newspapers

of course.

What alarms me is why our Secret Service

is unable to find out who's behind these robberies.

I've had Bradley Wallace and his men

working night and day.

But every move they've made

seems to have been anticipated.

The only thing they HAVE found out

is that all these robberies are committed

in exactly the same manner.

The robbers enter the bank

with pass keys...

Once in, they seem to know...

not only about the alarm systems...

...but the safe combinations as well.

That fact leads to

only one conclusion...

Yes sir.

Obviously these men are being furnished

with vault combinations

and other vital information.

What is it you wish me to do,

Mr President?

I want you to find out who

the actual bandits are.

And through them the name of the man or men

furnishing them with information

that makes it possible to circumvent

the Secret Service.

I see.

As long as leaks occur,

no government department is secure.

Our military and naval secrets...

our relations with foreign governments...

The most intimate details of the

executive department are in jeopardy.

I understand, sir.

I've gone as far as I can,

using the regular channels of the law.

Now something else

has to be done.

That's why I sent for you.

Will you arrange for my

leave of absence?

You'll have to get out of the Navy

without anyone knowing why.

Not even our friend Admiral Dewey.

In fact, no one must know about this,

except you and me.

You'll have to change your identity.

Drop out of sight completely.

Even your intimate friends

mustn't know where you are.

Or what you're doing.

Very well, sir.

It may take you months...

or you may fail... entirely.

In any event, this is OUR game.

Yours and mine.

But I don't want you to even

communicate with me.

Unless you have some vital information.. or

...or your life is in danger.

You must act on your own,

independent of all else.

Now, when it IS necessary

for you to reach me...

Put this mark on your envelope.

And I'll instruct Mr Andrews

to deliver it to me unopened wherever I am.

Yes, sir.

Until I receive an envelope from you

with this mark on it, you and I have never met.

This meeting never occurred.

You simply attended the ball

at the White House, and I was alone.

In my study.

I understand, sir.

I'll do my best.

I'm sure you will.

- Goodnight Mr President.

- Goodnight Lieutenant.

You want to play?

Yeah... don't mind if I do...

if you don't make it too steep.

What about 25?

Jake with me!

I gotta carry it for protection.

Yeah... with all these bank robberies going on,

I don't blame you.

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