Chappaquiddick Page #6

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A RED LIGHT from the volunteer fire house across the street

glows brightly, casting a red haze over the front lawn.

Kennedy's Oldsmobile creeps towards the entrance without asound just as Markham stumbles out the front door. Trailingsomewhat seductively behind him, MARYELLEN and NANCE LYONS,

27 & 26, laugh amongst themselves.

MARKHAM:

I know you two can keep a secret'cause you’re sisters. Sisters aregreat secret keepers.

Markham takes off his wedding ring and opens his front breastpocket. He hobbles backwards on his injured knee and fumblesthe gold band, which CLINKS down the wooden porch.

MARKHAM (CONT’D)

Oh, sh*t.

The rear passenger door opens. Ted's fine leather shoes stepdown onto the gravel next to the ring. He picks it up withhis free hand and holds a scotch on the rocks in the other.

Strolls over and gives the ring to Nance.

TED:

I trust you ladies to keep thissafer than the U.S. Attorney, here.

Ted steps past the Lyons sisters, who exchange a look ofquiet satisfaction at the shoulders they've just rubbed.

INT. LAWRENCE COTTAGE - MOMENTS LATER

Ted enters the foyer revealing an even more boisterous partythan it appeared from outside. He surveys the room with aquiet reticence at odds with his surroundings.

14.

Esther turns the knob on the radio, making the music louder.

She saunters past two girls her age flirting with a mucholder man as she makes her way to the main room.

Esther hops on top of the coffee table, joining a woman in amod mini dress and flashy, gold chain belt with her backfacing Ted. The two women dance without reserve, enjoyingtheir place at the center of attention.

Esther catches a glimpse of Ted looking their direction.

ESTHER:

Care to join us, Senator?

The other woman on the table spins around revealing Mary Jo,

equally stunning as before but with an elegance and easepreviously unseen. Ted locks eyes with her, magnetized.

ESTHER (CONT’D)

C'mon, Teddy. You should be used tolosing races by now. Have some fun.

TED:

It's not every year that my crewfinds a way to snatch defeat fromthe jaws of victory.

MARY JO:

Well, the captain's the leader.

TED:

Right. I lead. They listen.

Mary Jo stops dancing.

MARY JO:

Aren't more races won by leaders

who inspire their team?

(beat)

I don't know. I'm new to sailing.

Ted flashes a sly but appreciative smile. Gargan walks up toMary Jo with a tray full of hors d'oeuvres.

GARGAN:

Oh, don't worry. Ted knows I findhis insults very inspiring. Plus,

if he couldn't insult me, he'd havekicked me off the team years ago.

TED:

Joey, you’re family! I could never

kick my cousin off the team.

(beat)

My dad would never allow it!

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