From a cluster of folding metal chairs, Kenny, Bobby, Rusk
and Sorensen watch a TELETYPE hammer out the message as it
comes off the wire. It's painfully slow, like watching a bad
typist type a manuscript. Ten pages of this is an eternity1.
To TOP it off, it's in Russian. A TRANSLATOR reads it off,
word by word to a TRANSCRIBER2.
TRANSLATOR
...two...of...us...pull...on...the...
knot...of...war...
INT. CABINET ROOM - NIGHT
Kenny slams a page of Khruschev's letter on the table. He
jabs his finger at it. EXCOM listens, intent.
KENNY
It's ten pages of sentimental3 fluff, but
he's saying right here. He'll remove
the missiles in return for a no-invasion
pledge. It looks like Fomin's overture4
was genuine.
The President turns to McCone.
MCCONE
Our early analysis says this was
probably written by Khruschev himself.
It's a first draft, and shows no signs
of being polished by the foreign
ministry6. In fact, it probably hasn't
been approved by the Politburo. They
wouldn't have let the emotionalism go
by. The analysts7 say it was written by
someone under considerable stress.
EXCOM chuckles8.
THE PRESIDENT
Glad to hear we're not alone.
The President eyes the EXCOM members one by one, an incipient9
smile on his face.
THE PRESIDENT
Well, gentlemen, I wasn't planning on
invading Cuba anyway. I think we can
live with the terms of this deal.
There are mostly nods of assent10, big smiles around the table.
Except from McCone and Taylor. The President takes his copy
of the letter, flips11 through it. He shakes his head, almost
unable to believe that Khruschev has given in. A long beat.
THE PRESIDENT
Ted12, I want you to draft our acceptance.
EXT. O'DonNELL DRIVEWAY - NIGHT
A long, black car sTOPs at the end of Kenny's driveway. The
door opens, and Kenny steps out. He says an inaudible
goodnight to the driver, and the car pulls off. He turns,
facing the white two-story house with the neat front yard,
the lights out. And he smiles. Home at last.
EXT. O'DonNELL PATIO13 - NIGHT
A screen door squeaks14 open. Kenny steps out into the
darkness of the back yard. And there, in her robe, sitting
startled on a lawn chair, lit only by the dim glow of the
kitchen window, is Helen. Kenny stands there tired, his coat
slung15 over his shoulder.
KENNY
Hi.
Helen rises, her own care-worn face turned to his. For a
silent moment they gaze at each other, searching in the lines
of each others' face for the changes of a long separation.
They see them. But they've been married a long time, and the
awkwardness passes.
HELEN
Hi, O'Donnell. You look old.
Kenny drops his coat on a table as Helen comes up and folds
herself into his arms.
HELEN
This job's going to kill you. If I
don't first.
They kiss, comfortable. But not too long, and he lets her
go. She looks at him again, sees he's suppressing a smile.
HELEN
If you're home it means either Jack16 and
Bobby have finally figured out what a
con5 man you are and fired you, or --
KENNY
-- we got a back channel communication
from Khruschev this evening feeling us
out about a deal. He confirmed it just
a little while ago in a letter to the
President. I think we've won.
HELEN
A thing like this... who could even
think of winning?
INT. HALL OUTSIDE KENNY'S OFFICE - DAY
SUPER: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH. DAY 12.
Kenny, in his overcoat, steps aside as a pair of Duty
Officers race past him, almost bowling17 him over.
He slows as he nears the doors to his office and the Oval
Office, DISCOVERING:
TOTAL CHAOS18. EXCOM guys, Assistants, dart19 to and from the
offices and halls. On all their faces grim expressions.
Kenny stands there a beat in confusion. And then Bobby
swings out of Kenny's office. There's a desperate edge to
Bobby's voice.
BOBBY
Where've you been? We've been trying to
find you all morning.
KENNY
Helen and I went out for breakfast.
EXCOM's not supposed to convene20 til
eight.
BOBBY
We just got a second letter from
Khruschev. The deal's off.
INT. HALL OUTSIDE CABINET ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kenny and Bobby walk fast for the cabinet room, Kenny still
in his coat.
BOBBY
We're getting everyone together as fast
as we can.
KENNY
What does the letter say?
BOBBY
They want us to take our missiles out of
Turkey along with the no invasion
pledge. It looks like Fomin was a ploy21
after all, and they were just stalling
for time.
Kenny is stunned22.
BOBBY
It gets worse.
Kenny gives Bobby a sharp look as they enter --
INT. CABINET ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The President, in shirtsleeves, no tie, glances up at Kenny
as he and Bobby enter. Kenny can only bear his look for a
second: he blew the call on Fomin. But the President is
clearly relieved to see him, gives him a faint smile.
Half of EXCOM, including McNamara, McCone, Rusk, and Taylor
barely notice them as they're already there arguing.
Kenny sits down hurriedly, shucks off his coat as he joins
the conversation in mid-stream.
MCCONE
My specialists are in agreement: this
morning's letter is not Khruschev. Last
night's letter was.
The evidence supports only one
conclusion: there has been a coup23, and
Khruschev was replaced overnight.
