The Majestic

Peter Appleton: I'm sorry... but it occurs to me that there is a bigger issue today than whether or not I'm a Communist.

Elvin Clyde: Bigger issue? Mr. Appleton, there 'is' no bigger issue.

Peter Appleton: Actually, not to be contrary, I think there is... Gosh, I don't quite know what to say.

[Peter takes a drink of water]

Peter Appleton: The fact is I... I've never been a man of great conviction. I never saw the percentage in it... and quite frankly, I suppose I, uh... lacked the courage. See, I'm not like Luke Trimble. He had the market cornered on those things. I never met the guy, but I feel like I've gotten to know him. The thing is, I can't help wondering what he'd say... if he were standing here right now. You know, I think what I think he'd probably tell you: the America represented in this room... is not the America he died defending.

[the crowd noise in the background rises]

Peter Appleton: I think he'd tell you your America is bitter...

[Congressman Doyle begins banging his gavel]

Peter Appleton: and cruel... and small.

Congressman Doyle: The chamber will come to order!

Peter Appleton: I know for a fact that his America was big... bigger than you could imagine... with a wide open heart

[Congressman Doyle bangs the gavel again]

Peter Appleton: ... where every person...

Congressman Doyle: Mr. Appleton! You are out of order!

Peter Appleton: [Speaking over Congressman Doyle] ... has a voice! Even if you don't like what they have to say.

Congressman Doyle: Enough, Sir! You are out of order!

Peter Appleton: If he 'were' here, I wonder how you'd respond... if you could explain to him what happened to his America.

Congressman Doyle: Mr. Appleton, you are skating on the very thin edge of contempt.

Peter Appleton: Well that's the first thing I've heard today that I completely agree with!

Kevin Bannerman: Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman... Mr. Chairman, my client is clearly under an enormous strain as a direct result of the belligerent questioning of Mr. Clyde, and he is therefore not responsible for his comments. At this time, we wish to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Peter Appleton: No, no we don't.

Kevin Bannerman: Yes, Pete, we do.

Peter Appleton: No, Kevin, we don't, so knock it off!

[pounds his fist on the table for punctuation, quieting the crowd]

Peter Appleton: [in a quieter voice] Just shut the hell up and let me get through this.

[first lines]

Studio Executive: What about the kid?

Studio Executive: What kid?

Studio Executive: You know, the kid who rings the bell.

Studio Executive: What kid? What bell? What are you talking about?

Studio Executive: The kid. After the mine caves in. The kid. He runs up the hill. He rings the bell to alert the town.

Studio Executive: Is that in the script? What page are we on?

Studio Executive: What if we gave the kid - a disease.

Studio Executive: A disease?

Studio Executive: A *disease*. Braces on the legs, that sort of thing.

Studio Executive: But he runs up the hill.

Studio Executive: He could hobble.

Studio Executive: Hobble is good.