SALINGER

Damn it, Kenny. Goddamn it!

INT. RECEPTION HALL - SHERATON-BLACKSTONE - NIGHT

A big 100-dollar-a-plate dinner is in full swing to a dinner

band's tunes. The President and Chicago MAYOR RICHARD DALY

make the rounds among the fund raising CROWD. Kenny follows

them at a respectful distance, greeting old cronies.

Suddenly a MESSENGER hustles over to Kenny, hands him a note.

Kenny makes eye contact with the President, nods and leaves.

INT. HOTEL ELEVATORS - NIGHT

Kenny waits at the elevator. Scotty saunters up behind him.

He sizes Kenny up, clears his throat. Kenny turns around.

RESTON

There are major rail disruptions in the

South, two airborne divisions are on

alert. That exercise is an invasion.

KENNY

Well, you know how Bobby has it in for

the State of Mississippi.

RESTON

This is about Cuba.

Kenny freezes, then explodes.

KENNY

Cuba? You're fucking crazy. We are not

invading Cuba. Nobody gives a rat's ass

about Cuba. Not now, not ever.

If you print something like that, all

you're going to do is inflame the

situation. Nobody talks to assholes who

inflame situations. Assholes like that

can find themselves cut out of the loop.

Reston is taken aback. Stung silence for a beat. Kenny's

response is far louder than any "yes." Now Kenny realizes

it.

RESTON

You've never threatened me before.

And Kenny looks away, upset, but when he turns back to

Reston, all that's there is his poker face. The elevator

arrives.

RESTON (CONT'D)

All right. I'm not going to print

anything until I have another source.

But I promise you, I'll get one.

Kenny boards the elevator. The doors shut on Scotty.

INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

Kenny closes his eyes, sags against the wall, hating himself.

INT. KENNY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Kenny enters his hotel room. An Assistant waits with the

phone, hands it straight to Kenny.

KENNY

(to Assistant)

Tell Pierre I need to talk to him.

(to phone)

Bobby?