sticks his head in the door, a concerned, questioning look on
his face.
Adlai adjusts his tie. HIS HAND IS SHAKING. He notices it,
and manages a brave smile.
ADLAI (CONT'D)
I'm an old political cat, Jimmy.
(beat)
But I've got one life left.
INT. HALL, U.N. - CONTINUOUS
Adlai, briefcase in hand, marches down the hall at the hand
of his team: Staffers and Photo Interpreters with large
leather portfolio bags. The big double doors to the council
chamber loom, and he gestures to the Photo Interpreters.
ADLAI
Wait here.
And then a DOORMAN throws open the door for him.
INT. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
Adlai enters. He is instantly dwarfed by the enormous room.
Lights, T.V. cameras, the imposing circular arrangement of
delegation tables. And the entire world is watching.
Adlai pauses. Then as the first SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
begin to notice him, he heads for the vacant seats for the
American delegation. The ROMANIAN DELEGATE saws the air.
ROMANIAN DELEGATE
(through translator)
...we call upon the world to condemn
this purely American provocation...
But as the Romanian wheezes on, all eyes are on Adlai. Adlai
takes his seat, his Staffers behind him. They pass him up
papers, and he spreads them before him, taking no notice that
the entire room is staring at him.
Adlai finally glances up. Across the circle sits Zorin, in
the flesh, at the head of his own tough-looking DELEGATION.
He acknowledges Adlai with a superior smile.
ROMANIAN DELEGATE (CONT'D)
We, the people of Romania, stand in
solidarity with the people of Cuba and
their revolution in the face of this
American threat to world peace. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.
The Romanian Delegate leans back from his microphone. Zorin
leans forward, begins in Russian, and the Translator's voice
catches up with him. His tone, body language, composure are
all that of complete confidence.
ZORIN
(through translator)
We are glad you could join us, Mr.
Stevenson.
Adlai nods, returns to his notes, as Zorin continues.
ZORIN (CONT'D)
For the last couple of hours I have
heard nothing but questions from the
world here. The United States has led
us to the brink of calamity. The
peoples of the world want to know why.
We are told again and again of this so
called incontrovertible evidence of
offensive weapons in Cuba. Yet we are
not allowed to see this evidence. Are
your spy planes so secret you cannot
share this evidence with us? Some
planes?!
The audience laughs. Zorin basks in it. And then grows
stern.
ZORIN (CONT'D)
Or perhaps there is no such evidence.
Perhaps the United States is mistaken.
INT. SITUATION ROOM - WHITE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
EXCOM watches the coverage on the situation room's T.V.'s.
The President and Bobby sit side by side, Kenny just behind
them. Bobby checks his watch, looks at the President.
BOBBY
I make the call, and Adlai is out.
McCloy goes in.
Bobby looks back at Kenny.
THE PRESIDENT
Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
INT. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
Zorin stares at Adlai. Adlai studiously ignores him, works
on his own papers.
ZORIN
The United States has no facts in hand.
Falsity is what America has in its hands
- false evidence.
Zorin leans back in his chair. Adlai finally looks up. He
meets Zorin's icy bravura. He notes the cameras around the
room. This is the grandest stage of all.
ZORIN (CONT'D)
The chair recognizes the representative
from the United States.
And in that moment, Adlai becomes the spokesman for America.
ADLAI
Well, let me say something to you, Mr.
Ambassador, we do have the evidence. We
have it, and it is clear and
incontrovertible.
Adlai's tone is definitive. A tremor of interest passes
through the various delegations.
ADLAI (CONT'D)
And let me say something else. Those
weapons must be taken out of Cuba. You,
the Soviet Union, have created this new
danger, not the United States.
INT. SITUATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
EXCOM is transfixed by the continuing debate.
BUNDY
Come on, Adlai!
They all crowd the T.V. as if it were a title fight. Except
for Bobby. Kenny glances over at him. He has the phone
pinned between his ear and shoulder. Kenny looks back to the
T.V.
INT. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
Adlai fixes Zorin in his seat, his voice rising.
ADLAI
Mr. Zorin, I remind you that the other
day you did not deny the existence of
these weapons. But today, again, if I
heard you correctly, you now say they do
not exist.