MCNAMARA (CONT'D)
This isn't a blockade.
McNamara, trembling with anger, awe, whirls to Anderson. And
his burgeoning insight is born - clear, hard and cold.
MCNAMARA (CONT'D)
This, all this, is language, a new
vocabulary the likes of which the world
has never seen.
This is President Kennedy communicating
with Secretary Khruschev.
McNamara JABS HIS FINGER OUT AT the plot, and --
-- the CAMERA RACES DOWN, TRACKING OVER IT, across the vast
ebb and flow of information, the delicate ballet of symbols
and numerology, this language of steel and human life.
INT. KENNY'S OFFICE - DAY
SUPER: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. DAY 11.
On Kenny's T.V. Walter Cronkite reads the news to footage of
a BOARDING PARTY going up a ladder to the freighter MARCULA.
WALTER CRONKITE (V.O.)
At 7:29 this morning, the U.S.S. Joseph
Kennedy stopped and boarded the Soviet
charter vessel Marcula.
The Boarding Party wears dress whites and is UNARMED.
WALTER CRONKITE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
After a 3-hour inspection, the Kennedy
signaled no contraband found. Cleared
to continue. Pentagon spokesmen expect
the next encounter.
Kenny, who turns from the T.V. as the door to his office
opens. Rusk walks in.
RUSK
Kenny, we need to see the President.
Something's happened.
Kenny reacts to Rusk's enigmatic expression. And out from
behind Rusk steps JOHN SCALI, the ABC News Correspondent.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - DAY
OFF THEIR REACTIONS, the CAMERA FINDS an under-strength, ad
hoc EXCOM - Kenny, Bobby, Taylor, Bundy, Sorensen, McCone,
Ball and the President. Guarded hope all around. The short,
balding, pugnacious Scali looks discomfited.
SCALI
I have lunch with him maybe once a
month. Way he talks, he acts like he
knows Khruschev personally, but he's
never elaborated. I've used him as a
source in a couple of stories.
Kenny paces behind the gathered men around the President's
desk, listening, mind going a million miles an hour.
RUSK
The FBI has identified this Alexander
Fomin as the Soviet Resident, the KGB
equivalent of one of our station chiefs.
He's their highest ranking spy in this
country. And he knows John's a friend
of mine.
BUNDY
All the trademarks of a back-channel
overture.
Kenny eyes Bundy, makes him uncomfortable. The President
sizes Scali up.
THE PRESIDENT
So they'll remove the missiles, and
we'll pledge not to invade Cuba,
destabilize Castro or assist anyone who
plans in doing so...
Nobody dares speak. It's as if the possibility of a
settlement will vanish into thin air if anyone moves.
BOBBY
I think... this may be our first real
message from Khruschev.
MCCONE
The alternative, Mr. President, is that
this could be a trap.
KENNY
Dangle a settlement, tie us down in
negotiations, we come up short...
MCCONE
Why else would they approach us in this
way? It's deniable. The Soviets have
done nothing but lie to us. This could
be more of the same.
KENNY