FARRAGUT NORTH by Beau Willimon

Author:Beau Willimon [Willimon, Beau]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Dramatists Play Service
Published: 2009-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

End of Act One

ACT TWO

Scene 1

An event in Cedar Rapids later that day. Stephen is standing outside an elementary school gym talking with Frank, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times. Ben is waiting just off to the side. Occasionally we hear the muffled cheers of the event inside the gym.

STEPHEN. Of course they’re tightening. That’s what happens a week out.

FRANK. And you’re not worried?

STEPHEN. No. We’ve held the lead for three months. Our base is strong. Ninety-five percent of the people who are going to vote have already made their choice. You’re just seeing a few undecided going the other way.

FRANK. But your numbers are sliding. This isn’t just a few undecideds suddenly —

STEPHEN. Three points? That’s hardly a slide, Frank. Like I said, we’re a week out. You’ve covered these things before. The race tightens. That’s how it goes.

FRANK. It keeps going like this, you’ll be within the margin of error by Friday.

STEPHEN. So let it. We started out as the underdog and proved everyone wrong, we’ll do it again. You know and I know that half of this shit is the press. You all want a tight race, so you’ve been slamming us, and now you’re getting your tight race.

FRANK. You can’t blame this on us.

STEPHEN. I sure as hell can. When’s the last time you wrote an article that had anything to do with one of our events?

FRANK. I write about your events.

STEPHEN. A line. Maybe two, on a good day. Then you regurgitate Pullman’s oppo for the next three columns.

FRANK. You’re not being fair.

STEPHEN. Don’t talk to me about fair, Frank. None of this shit is fair. If you all were being fair, I’d wake up to a much different stack of papers every morning.

FRANK. What’s gotten into you, Stevie?

STEPHEN. Nothing’s gotten into me.

FRANK. I ask you a few questions — you blow up at me.

STEPHEN. You’re missing the event, Frank.

FRANK. Is something going on?

STEPHEN. The event — right through those doors.

FRANK. Off the record.

STEPHEN. Nothing. Really. Now please, go watch this event. I’d still like our line or two in tomorrow’s paper.

FRANK. There’s only so many ways I can cover a stump speech, Stevie. It’s the same speech every time. (A massive cheer of the crowd is heard within.)

STEPHEN. You hear that? It’s the same speech because it works. This guy is gonna be the next president of the United States, and you’re standing out here talking to me. Go in there and do your job. You oughtta be listening to him instead of hounding my ass about the cracking polls. Don’t you think the people of Los Angeles deserve to get a little accurate reportage? Or do they even read the paper?

FRANK. (He’s had enough.) You want me to soften up on you guys — bitching me out isn’t exactly the best way to go about it.

STEPHEN. Well, I’m tired of sucking your cock.

FRANK. Jesus, Steve — you need to get some sleep. (Frank exits into the event. Ben approaches Stephen.)

BEN. Steve.

STEPHEN. Why the fuck are you always lurking around? (Beat.

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