EXCOM files past Bobby out of George Ball's conference room.
BOBBY
Bring him back.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE SHERATON-BLACKSTONE HOTEL - DAY
SUPER: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH. DAY 5
The President emerges from the hotel, a HAT on his head. The
Press and a CROWD surge forward, crying out for the
President's attention. Kenny slides into the limo first as
the President waves to the crowd.
Salinger waits on the sidewalk, and after the limo pulls
away, the Press pushes in on him. Pierre's face is pale -
he's just been told everything.
SALINGER
The President has a cold. He is
cancelling the remainder of this trip
and is returning to Washington on the
advice of his doctor.
INT. WHITE HOUSE MANSION - OVAL ROOM - DAY
The White House Oval ROOM: opulent, filled with priceless art
and furniture, but cramped. EXCOM members crowd around the
center coffee table and the President. Kenny stands behind
him with Bobby. Rusk rises from his seat, formal.
RUSK
Mr. President, our deliberations have
led us to the conclusion that, for the
moment, a blockade of offensive weapons
to Cuba is our best option. But we'll
still need a strong showing of support
from the Organization of American States
to give us an umbrella of legitimacy.
At long last... Kenny looks at Bobby, relieved. They've
bought time to find a settlement. Bobby smiles a small
smile: what were you so worried about?
MCNAMARA
A blockade is technically an act of war,
therefore we recommend calling the
action a quarantine.
McNamara folder in hand, opens it, SMASH CUTTING US TO:
EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN - DAY
A SOVIET FREIGHTER churning its way south.
MCNAMARA (V.O.)
There are between 20 and 30 Soviet ships
underway to Cuba at this time.
The CAMERA races along its side, discovering TARPULINED
OBJECTS on deck, and on its stack, the RED HAMMER AND SICKLE.
MCNAMARA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
800 miles out, the navy will stop them,
board, and any vessels containing
weapons will be turned back.
CUT TO:
The Destroyer U.S.S. JOHN R. PIERCE putting out to sea,
SAILORS racing over its deck, through hatches to its 5-inch
gun turrets. The ship races by, AMERICAN FLAG streaming from
its stern distaff, FILLING THE SCREEN, WIPING TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE MANSION - OVAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The President. He listens, looks over the briefing papers as
McNamara continues. Everyone watches the President.
MCNAMARA
A quarantine prevents more missiles from
reaching Cuba, but it doesn't remove the
ones already there. It gives the
Soviets a chance to pull back without
war. If they refuse to remove the
missiles before they're operational, we
retain the option to strike or invade.
BOBBY
We believe that a surprise attack would
be counter to what the United States
stands for. We believe that an attack
leaves us no room for maneuver, and the
inevitable Soviet response will force us
into a war we do not want. A war that,
this time, will really end all war.
MCCONE
Mr. President, there are still those of
us who believe we should proceed with
the strikes. With the blockade, we lose
strategic surprise and we run the risk
of a first strike if the Soviets decide
they have to use the missiles or lose
them.