November, 1963-November, 1964.
CS is a large oval playing area in the center of which is the President’s desk. On three sides surrounding the oval are elevated “witness boxes”—curved seating areas much like a Jury Box where the Acting Company, the WITNESSES, wait in full view of the audience until they enter the playing area. The Witnesses are not “in character” while they wait, but they are very much attentive to the action until they enter the scene. Witnesses may play several parts except for the actors playing LBJ and MLK.
Far US Center is a bank of TV screens, one piled on top of the other. This is our electronic tally board (TB), as well as a screen for live images broadcast directly from the stage, archival newsreel footage, statistics, maps, super titles, etc. Scenes should move quickly, flowing one into another, never stopping to settle.
ACT ONE
In the half-light, the company enters and takes their place in the witness boxes. LBJ moves DSC. The TB flickers to life with static like an old-fashioned black and white TV. The “Holding Pattern” appears—the famous American Indian Head. Then the countdown: TEN. NINE. EIGHT. SEVEN. SIX. FIVE. FOUR. THREE. TWO. ONE.
Screen goes white. Fades to Titles:
NOVEMBER, 1963
SPOT ON on LBJ.
LBJ I’m back in the Hill Country in the old days, hidin’ down in the root cellar while a Comanche war party searches through the house just over my head, huntin’ for me. It’s so dark down there; like a grave. For this terrible moment, I wonder if I’m dead already, or buried alive. I piss myself like an idiot child crouchin’ in the dirt knowing it’s only a matter of time now before they find the trap door; discover me; haul me, screaming, up into the light where their knives gleam . . .
The Witnesses simultaneously strike the stage three times. With each strike, another image of President Kennedy’s car entering Dealy Plaza appears on the TB. Last image fades out with SPOT on LBJ as . . .
LADY BIRD gently shakes LBJ’s shoulder.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON Lyndon? Wake up, honey. We’re about to land in Washington.
Lady Bird stands on one side of LBJ as WALTER JENKINS, his long-time aide, stands on the other. LBJ wipes the sleep off his face. They talk quietly; urgently.
LBJ You hear from Bobby?
WALTER JENKINS He’ll be waiting on the tarmac. There’ll be Reporters, too; you’ll be expected to make a statement. Something short. Then we’ll go straight to Blair House.
LBJ Reach out to the leadership as soon as we hit the ground; I wanta talk to each and every one of ’em. Today. Now.
WALTER JENKINS Yes, sir.
LBJ (to Lady Bird) You call Rose Kennedy?
LADY BIRD JOHNSON Yes.
LBJ Lord, what that woman’s been through. Your lipstick.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON What?
LBJ Fix your lipstick. How did John Connally’s surgery go?
LADY BIRD JOHNSON The doctors are optimistic.
LBJ Thank God for that. (glancing about cautiously) Jackie?
LADY BIRD JOHNSON Won’t change her clothes. Says she “wants them to see what they have done to Jack.”
LBJ See the way she stared at me when I was taking the oath?
LADY BIRD JOHNSON She’s upset, honey . . .
LBJ We’re all upset, Bird! (quieter) We’re all upset. (to Walter) A televised address to both Houses of Congress as soon as it seems decent.
Sound of plane landing as LIGHTS widen. We are now in the Senate chamber. As LBJ moves past the CONGRESSMEN, they each lower their heads and murmur respectfully . . .
WITNESSES Mr. President. Mr. President. Mr. President.
LBJ stops. He is now addressing the Senate.
LBJ All I have I would have given gladly not to be standin’ here today. The greatest leader of our time has been struck down by the foulest deed of our time. No words are sad enough to express our sense of loss. John F. Kennedy told his countrymen that our national work would not be finished in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime. But,” he said, “let us begin.” Today, I would say to all my fellow Americans, let us continue.
Applause.
We have talked long enough in this country about civil rights. We have talked for one hundred years or more. It is time now to write the next chapter in the books of law. I urge you again, as I did in ’57 and again in ’60, to enact a civil rights law so that we can move to eliminate from this Nation every trace of discrimination that is based upon race or color.
The SENATORS and REPRESENTATIVES are surprised. They begin to applaud, the applause grows wild and cuts off abruptly as LIGHTS SHIFT. Oval Office.
In contrast to the subdued, dignified nature of his House speech, LBJ is loud, aggressive, and multi-tasking. As LBJ fields phone calls and questions his aides, his TAILOR measures him for a new suit.
TB board reads: 11 MONTHS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
SECRETARY Senator Humphrey on One.
ADD SPOT on SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY on phone. LBJ picks up phone.
LBJ Hubert! You hear what that nigra comedian, Dick Gregory, said about me? “When Lyndon Johnson finished his speech, twenty million Negroes unpacked!”
LBJ and Humphrey laugh.
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY It was a fine speech, Mr. President, dear to my heart, but I know some people are wondering, did he really mean it?
LBJ You can tell that Liberal crowd of yours, I’m gonna out-Roosevelt Roosevelt and out-Lincoln Lincoln! But they need to get behind me and back me up ’cause you know Dick Russell and the Dixiecrats are gonna fight me tooth and nail on this civil rights stuff. (covering phone/to his Tailor) Not too tight in the bunghole, there, Manny. And gimme some extra room in the pockets there for my stuff, my knife and my keys, and leave me some slack for my nutsack. WALTER, GET ME DICK RUSSELL! (back on phone) But time is critical here, Hubert, you understand me? All I want to get done, and the election only eleven months away . . .
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY Well, if the Republicans are foolish enough to nominate Barry Goldwater, you’ll beat him with both hands tied behind your back!
LBJ Goldwater’s tougher than you think and I wouldn’t count out Nixon but first, I have to win the Democratic nomination.
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY Who else is there? George Wallace is a nobody . . .
LBJ A dangerous nobody, but it’s not Wallace I’m thinkin’ of.
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY Bobby? You don’t have to worry about Bobby.
LBJ Bobby Kennedy would just as soon cut my throat as smile at me.
LBJ’s secretary enters.
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY You know how strongly I feel about this civil rights bill, Mr. President . . .
WALTER JENKINS(quietly) Senator Russell on Two.
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY . . . If there is anything I can do . . .
LBJ I’ll keep it in mind, Hubert. We need to talk more about the bill. And the election! Give my love to Muriel . . .
SENATOR HUBERT HUMPHREY . . . I certainly will but I’d like to . . . .
LBJ punches the phone cutting Humphrey off. SPOT up on SENATOR RICHARD RUSSELL.
LBJ Uncle Dick.
SENATOR RUSSELL Mr. President.
LBJ Lyndon. Lyndon, please.
SENATOR RUSSELL No, Mr. President, it wouldn’t be respectful.
LBJ In public then, but nothing else changes between us. Hell, I owe everything I have to your good wisdom and generosity and don’t you think for a second I’ll ever forget it.
SENATOR RUSSELL Well, you did throw me for a bit of a loop last night. State this country’s in right now, a civil rights bill is about the last thing we need.
LBJ Aw, hell, Dick, I got to throw Humphrey and the rest of those Liberals a little bit of red meat now and again.
SENATOR RUSSELL For a hund
red years the Democratic Party has had a lock on the South. It’d be a foolish thing to throw that away.
LBJ Let me ask you something. You’ve finally got your heart’s desire, a Southern President, after how long now?
SENATOR RUSSELL Since 1849.
LBJ A hundred and fourteen years! So, if you want to blow me outta the water, go ahead and do it but you will never see another one again. I say what I need to say when I need to say it but we’re friends on the QT. Understand?
SENATOR RUSSELL So this is election year politics?
LBJ I’m an accidental President, Dick. I’ve got eleven months—eleven months ’til the election to establish myself as the man the people have chosen to hold this office. At the end of that time, would you rather have me in the White House talking about civil rights or Richard Milhouse Nixon?
SENATOR RUSSELL Well, you, of course but . . .
LBJ . . . There you go! I need you to hold the South for me, Uncle Dick. “Party Unity.” It’s gonna be critical. Lady Bird sends you her love and we’ll expect to see you for dinner on Thursday as usual.
SENATOR RUSSELL Oh, there’s no need for that anymore, Mr. President . . .
LBJ . . . Our Thursday dinners are sacred! Zephyr’s making stuffed peppers. Bring your swimsuit and you can paddle your milk-white ass around the White House pool before dinner. See you then!
LBJ hangs up. SPOT on Russell out.
SECRETARY Dr. Martin Luther King on 3.
LBJ angrily waves her away. To Walter.
LBJ Where’s the RSVP list to my . . .
Walter hands it to him.
WALTER JENKINS . . . Congressional dinner party. They’re all coming.
LBJ glances at list approvingly.
LBJ Damn well better. And you best get yourself a good afternoon nap, Walter, so you can dance with all the fat women! (calling out to Secretary) Get me Katharine Graham at the Washington Post!
SECRETARY J. Edgar Hoover on four.
LBJ punches #4 and picks up the phone. SPOT on J. EDGAR HOOVER, DIRECTOR FBI. The Tailor brings in colored ties which LBJ inspects while he talks to Hoover.
LBJ Jay!
J. EDGAR HOOVER Mr. President, the FBI is here to assist in any way we can.
LBJ Aw, hell, Jay, you’re more than the head of the Bureau—you’re my brother! I have more confidence in your judgment than anybody else in town. If the Bureau needs anything from me, anything at all, you let me know.
J. EDGAR HOOVER Well, in light of your announcement last night, we should have a discussion regarding Dr. King and company. I have recently acquired certain information which is deeply troubling . . .
LBJ “signals” Walter, who responds loudly, encouraging the Secretary and the Tailor to join him.
JENKINS/SECRETARY/TAILOR Mr. President!/Mr. President?/Mr. President!
LBJ Jay, I hate to interrupt but they’re pullin’ me six ways from Sunday. I’m very interested in this. We’ll talk soon, I promise.
LBJ hangs up. SPOT out on Hoover.
Did King screw his sister or somethin’? That man is obsessed.
WALTER JENKINS (quietly) I thought you were going to let Hoover go.
LBJ Knew a good ole boy once, caught a rattlesnake bare-handed on a dare. Stood there with that big ole thing wrapped around his arm, head snapping this way and that, with this stupid look on his face, saying “Wow! It’s a whole lot easier to catch one of these critters than it is to let it go!”
Secretary enters.
Don’t know exactly what Hoover had on Jack Kennedy but he sure had his balls in his desk drawer. Bobby’s too. (to Secretary) What? What?!
SECRETARY Robert McNamara on Line 1.
WALTER JENKINS He wants to resign.
LBJ punches phone #1. SPOT on ROBERT MCNAMARA, SEC. OF DEFENSE.
LBJ Robert? So glad you called; you were on the top of my list!
ROBERT MCNAMARA Thank you, Mr. President. I . . .
LBJ (interrupting) I hope you’re not even considering leaving the Cabinet right now. A man of your intelligence and knowledge is damn hard to replace; impossible! There’s nobody else knows the Russians like you do, the Middle East, this mess in Southeast Asia.
ROBERT MCNAMARA That’s flattering, Mr. President, but surely you’re going to want to bring in your own people . . .
LBJ . . . You are my people. I’m keeping President Kennedy’s entire Cabinet intact.
ROBERT MCNAMARA I didn’t know that, sir.
LBJ I’m just an accidental President, Robert. Continuity is what the country needs right now while we heal. Can I count on you? Can the country count on you?
ROBERT MCNAMARA Well, of course, Mr. President. I’d be honored.
LBJ Good! Good. Five o’clock this afternoon, my office. We gotta lot of work to do.
LBJ hangs up just as . . .
SECRETARY Katharine Graham on 2. And Doctor King is still on 3.
LBJ (fierce) I don’t need to be reminded of what I already know, Goddamnit! You’re fired! Go on, get outta here! WALTER!
The Secretary runs out in tears. Walter runs back in.
Get me another secretary who knows what she’s doin’, and one with some meat on her bones, for Christ’s sakes, not another one of these scrawny ole Washington bitties.
The Tailor begins holding up different shoes for LBJ’s approval. LBJ picks up the phone and purrs.
Katharine.
SPOT on KATHARINE GRAHAM.
KATHARINE GRAHAM Mr. President. What a wonderful speech!
LBJ I hear that sweet voice of yours and I’d like to be like one of those young animals on my ranch—jump a fence. I want you to know I’d still be honored to speak to that Press Association of yours . . .
KATHARINE GRAHAM . . . Well, that’s terrific . . . !
LBJ covers the phone. To the Tailor . . .
LBJ Christ, haven’t you got anything there that doesn’t make me look like a dago undertaker? (back to Katharine on phone) I gotta tough fight ahead of me, Katharine. Russell and the Southern bloc are gonna go after me hammer and tongs to keep this civil rights bill from even coming to the floor of the House. What I need is for the Washington Post to publicize as “racist” any member of Congress unwilling to give this bill a proper hearing. Can you do that for me, darlin’?
KATHARINE GRAHAM I think we can manage that, Mr. President.
LBJ You’re the best.
Tailor exits. As LBJ finally picks up Line 3, SPOT comes up on MARTIN LUTHER KING.
I wanta thank you, Dr. King, for your public expression of support.
MLK We were all very heartened by your speech last night, Mr. President.
LBJ Well, it isn’t going to be easy.
MLK It’s a difficult time, but . . .
LBJ . . . It’s just an impossible period. We’re all still in mourning but somehow we’ve got to get a Budget out, an Agricultural Bill, and civil rights and the clock is ticking.
MLK As you suggested, the greatest tribute we can pay in memory of President Kennedy is to enact his civil rights bill, especially Voting Rights.
LBJ You’re preachin’ to the choir, Reverend! We’re gonna pass that Bill “as is,” without changing a single word, but it ain’t gonna be easy. I’m going to have to have your help.
MLK Well, you know you have it, sir. Just feel free to call us for anything.
MLK Anything at all.
LBJ Thank you, Martin.
MLK (CONT’D) Regards to family.
LBJ Love to Coretta. Call me when you’re up here next time and let’s get together. And any suggestions you have?
MLK (CONT’D) Well, actually . . .
LBJ . . . Bring ’em in!
LBJ hangs up. LIGHTS down on LBJ. MLK hangs up. With h
im are his advisor, White businessman STANLEY LEVISON, his closest friend, RALPH ABERNATHY, and SCLC Accountant, JAMES HARRISON.
MLK He’s just blowing smoke up my ass.
STANLEY LEVISON He came out on the Senate floor and called for a civil rights bill.
MLK Kennedy made promises, too, Stanley, but he never delivered. (perfect mimicry) “Not this year, Reverend. The, uh, the timing isn’t quite right.” Lyndon doesn’t even have his charm.
RALPH ABERNATHY He’s no George Wallace.
MLK Are you so sure? He’s always been Senator Russell’s Golden Boy—so deep in Russell’s back pocket you’d have thought he was humping him. LBJ’s maiden speech on the Senate floor was against an anti-lynching bill.
RALPH ABERNATHY (wryly) He was not for lynching, Martin; he was just against the anti-lynching bill.
STANLEY LEVISON He passed the ’57 Civil Rights Act.
MLK After he gutted it first! Come on, Stanley, even Roy Wilkins cringed. Said that bill was like soup made from the bones of an emaciated chicken which had died of starvation!
STANLEY LEVISON Alright, he’s a Southern politician who’s spent his entire life trying to be President but he’s there now. For the first time he can do whatever he wants.
MLK That’s the question, isn’t it? What does Lyndon Johnson really want?
STANLEY LEVISON Whatever it is, eleven months from now he has to run for re-election and he will damn sure need the Negro vote to win.
MLK Yes, but if we support him and he doesn’t deliver, SCLC loses what’s left of our credibility and the Movement could fall apart.
STANLEY LEVISON But if you don’t support him . . .
RALPH ABERNATHY . . . we’re out of the game before it even starts, and without pressure from us…
MLK . . . he might well decide to just service his Southern base. I know! I know! (to Harrison) James, let’s hear your bad news.
JAMES HARRISON I’ve gone over the books very carefully and I think we can keep the doors open for probably another three months—if we let some people go.
RALPH ABERNATHY How is that possible?
JAMES HARRISON Membership is dropping; contributions have dried up.
MLK People are discouraged, Ralph, and I can’t say as I blame’em. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference hasn’t been providing much leadership. That’s my fault.
All the Way Page 3
