The First Lady (2022) s01e04 Episode Script
Cracked Pot
1
This land is your land ♪
This land is my land ♪
From California ♪
To the New York island ♪
From the redwood forest ♪
To the Gulf Stream waters ♪
I tell you ♪
This land ♪
Was made for you and me ♪
Yeah ♪
One bright sunny morning ♪
In the shadow of a steeple ♪
Down by the welfare office ♪
I saw my people ♪
I was wondering ♪
If this land ♪
Was made for you and me ♪
[HORSES WHINNYING.]
[VEHICLES PASSING.]
[CHURCH BELLS RINGING.]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
I was so nervous.
I needn't have been scared at all.
- [CHILDREN CHATTERING.]
- [GASPS.]
Oh, children.
[CHUCKLES.]
Does this sound desperate, Lucy? [CHATTERING CONTINUES.]
[ELEANOR.]
"Despite the many claims on your generosity, I cannot think of any cause more urgent than the care and well-being of our soldiers.
" No, I think that strikes just the right note.
Oh, good.
I can't tell sometimes.
[ELLIOT.]
Hickory, dickory, dock.
[GASPS.]
The mouse ran up the clock! I'll need you to draw up a list of the wealthiest patrons in town.
Oh, I have the list right here.
- The clock struck one.
- Ooh, very good.
Oh, Elliot, leave Lucy alone.
We're working.
The mouse ran down.
[BOTH.]
Hickory, dickory, dock! Oh, I also need the Oh, yes.
Uh, your speech for the Red Cross.
I don't know what I'd do without you, Lucy.
I made two small edits.
Um, Eleanor.
Eleanor, Secretary Daniels and his wife will be in town on Friday.
I mean, this could be good for Franklin if you have them over for lunch.
At lunch, she's touring the navy hospital.
- Are we free for dinner? - [LUCY.]
Yes, I believe so.
[COUGHS.]
Dinner, then.
Oh, Louis, that cough sounds terrible.
- It's fine.
- [FRANKLIN JR.
.]
Daddy's home! There you are! There you are, my little cubs.
[LAUGHS.]
I missed you too.
Take my hand.
Elliot, every time I turn my back, you grow.
- How is that possible? - Leave your father some room.
You'll topple him over.
- And I missed you.
- Me too.
[LUCY.]
I'll be on my way, Eleanor.
Thank you, Lucy.
John! [GRUNTS.]
Welcome home, Mr.
Roosevelt.
Ms.
Mercer.
[CHUCKLES.]
John.
[CHUCKLES.]
Children, follow me.
[FRANKLIN JR.
.]
He wants us here so bad.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hmm.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[LUCY.]
"Dear Franklin, as I lay in bed, awake at night", I wonder if you are thinking of me.
I see the stars outside my window, and in them trace our names with my finger.
They harmonize well together.
"I love you, your dearest Lucy.
" "Every day of missing you convinces me that our love is true.
" [ELEANOR CRYING.]
[LUCY.]
"I dream of starting our new life together.
" [SHOUTS.]
Eleanor? - [SOBBING.]
- What's the matter? Lucy! My Lucy? Of all the women in the world, you sleep with [SHOUTING.]
Why would you sleep with my Lucy? - Let me explain.
- I thought a man was supposed to sleep with his own secretary, not with his wife's! It was a mistake.
A-A fantasy.
I thought what we had was special.
It is.
Well, then why? I-I [SIGHS.]
I don't know.
I I-I felt lonely.
No.
Lonely? But I thought we had a future together! But you two have been plotting and planning! Why? I'm so sorry, Eleanor.
I While I was pregnant and nursing.
And bearing your children! All you could think of was running away with Lucy Mercer! [CONTINUES SOBBING.]
Who else knows? What does it matter? Who else knows, Franklin? Who knows? Louis, Steve Early, Mother.
Louis.
Louis! And your mother! [SOBBING.]
[SHOUTS.]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[SARA.]
There's never been a divorce in the Roosevelt family.
And that's not going to change now.
[ELEANOR.]
It had been going on for years.
Everyone knew.
You knew.
Eleanor.
When you marry a man, you can't be surprised when he acts like a man.
[ELEANOR.]
And, when you marry a capable woman, you can't be surprised when she acts like herself.
It's no use, Mother.
Eleanor has made her decision.
[SARA.]
Hmm.
If you file for divorce, I will cut you both off without a cent.
No house, not your rooms here.
Nothing.
Now, you will stay married.
And I will even, um not only support you, but pay an additional allowance for the pain that you are suffering.
I would rather earn my own money and keep my dignity.
[SARA.]
If you get a divorce, you will do neither.
The scandal will be too great to overcome.
For both of you.
I know that I'm experiencing a disappointment like I've never felt before.
But I'm sure that it can't possibly compare to the pain that you're experiencing.
You have my sympathy, darling.
However you will stay married.
You will be supported as you are now.
[SIGHS.]
And that's all I have to say.
Excuse me.
I am sorry.
I never thought it would come to this.
I will require two things.
Anything.
My life on it.
You will never have contact with Lucy Mercer ever again.
And we will never sleep in the same bed from this day forward.
What is a marriage without sharing a bed? We have the rest of our lives to find out.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
Now, for the war in Afghanistan.
The new US commander there believes that to win, he'll need a bigger Afghan army and billions in additional funding.
An American buildup is already underway with 17,000 new troops - Hey.
- Hey.
By year's end, US forces will total 68,000 [REPORTER CONTINUES, INDISTINCT.]
This war's really happening.
Could you imagine if they brought back the draft? Yeah, for sure.
I also hit the Powerball today.
We're millionaires now! Yeah.
[SIGHS.]
Yeah, that's really something.
Didn't hear a word I said, did you? My bad.
You know, we spent seven hours today debating if it's important that poor, Black and brown kids have access to clean drinking water.
Uh, it's fucking ridiculous.
Here's a thought.
How about you put politics on pause for now and maybe do something that doesn't make you such an Eeyore all the time? [STAMMERS.]
I'm not being a fucking Eeyore, all right? I care about my job Negro, please.
You're consumed.
I-I can't [CHUCKLING.]
I can't do this again, Mich.
I can't I'm too tired.
Exactly my point.
Okay? You're using up all your energy on What is it you want me to do? You want me to resign - Forget it.
- and take up some, what? Some bullshit, corporate, lawyer job like you? Because I'm pretty sure you're miserable.
At least my job pays the bills.
Our bills.
We actually get something out of it instead of banging my head against a wall, telling myself that I'm making a difference when I'm really not.
[SASHA CRYING.]
[WHISPERING.]
Sasha.
I'll get her.
I'ma sleep in the girls' room tonight.
Fine by me.
[CRYING CONTINUES.]
[SHUSHING.]
She won't stop crying.
Why won't she stop crying? Oh, she's burning up.
And her feet are cold.
- I called the pediatrician.
- We can't wait.
We have to go to the hospital.
I'm gonna call my mom.
All right, go.
Go, go, go.
[SHUSHING.]
[CHATTERING.]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
Hello, I'm Michelle Obama.
My pediatrician, Dr.
Morrison, said to come here? [RECEPTIONIST.]
Just a second, ma'am.
[SIGHS.]
- Excuse me? - Wait just one second, ma'am.
- Mrs.
Obama, follow me.
- [SIGHS.]
Thank you.
What's taking them so long? The important thing is that they rule out bacterial meningitis.
It's a spinal tap, Barack.
On a three-month-old.
I know what it is.
The man Can't they hurry up already? [BARACK.]
Mich, she's getting the best care in the city.
Last time I was here, my daddy was dying.
I know.
Look, she's gonna be all right.
I need a minute.
Hey, Mommy.
Still hasn't woken up yet? Still looking handsome, Daddy.
I wish you could have seen him when I first met him.
Juneteenth barbecue at your auntie Caroline's.
In walks this beautiful, brown-skinned man in a bright teal shirt.
I said, "Who is that man?" You auntie looked at me, said, "Girl, if you talkin' about Fraser Robinson" [BOTH.]
"You better get in that long line.
" [BOTH LAUGH.]
It was just a few seconds later, but I see your daddy looking at me.
Hadn't even gotten a drink yet, but there he goes, making a straight beeline to talk to me.
Well, he knew a real lady when he saw one.
[SNIFFLES.]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIGHS.]
Mr.
and Mrs.
Obama? - The doctor's right this way.
- [SASHA CRYING.]
Mr.
and Mrs.
Obama? I'm Dr.
Byrne.
We've done all the tests, and Sasha has bacterial meningitis.
- [SIGHS.]
- We've put her on ampicillin and gentamicin, two antibiotics.
We're confident she's going to recover.
Can we go in? The nurse will let you know when it's okay to go in.
[SASHA COOING, CRYING.]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[WHISPERS.]
Hi.
- She'll be all right.
- Yeah.
[NEWSCASTER.]
In January 1919, two months after the Great War ended, delegates of the Allied Powers arrived in Paris for the conference to agree on terms of peace for defeated Germany.
Sentiment across the board demanded guarantees that no war of such magnitude could ever happen again.
Thank you, Arthur.
It's good to be home.
- Welcome home, sir.
- Hello, Arthur.
Welcome home, ma'am.
[SIGHS.]
You think the children are up? Oh, I hope not at this late hour.
They're home, they're home! Daddy! - Oh, look at that.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [LAUGHS.]
James.
Anna.
- We stayed up for you.
- Tell us about France! - Did you get shot at? - Did you see dead bodies? [CHUCKLES.]
No, we're fine.
We're just a bit tired.
We were not shot at, nor did we see any dead bodies.
But we did see some very dramatic sights.
Did Lucy go with you? No, children, she did not go with us.
- Mother! - Welcome home, darling.
I'm so glad you're here.
Hello, Eleanor.
You must be starved after your long journey.
I I've made a roast for you.
- Thank you.
- [ELLIOT.]
If the war is over, why'd you have to go all the way to some country we don't even live in, to see where the war was? Because it's part of my job as Assistant Secretary to the Navy.
All right, children.
Now it's time for bed.
- Come along.
- [FRANKLIN.]
Good night.
[ELEANOR.]
If you don't mind, I'm going to head to bed myself.
Oh, I hope not.
I planned dinner for the three of us.
[FRANKLIN.]
Mmm.
Delicious, Mother.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, dear.
- [FRANKLIN.]
You spoil me.
- You deserve to be spoilt.
Well, was it, um, frightfully cold in Paris? - Yes, it was very - Nothing we couldn't handle.
bitter.
We've all had to endure hard winters before.
Oh, I remember the blizzard of '88.
The snow coming down, it just made the city so quiet.
Rather like this dinner, I should say.
[CHUCKLES.]
- I'm sorry, Mother.
[CHUCKLES.]
- I'm sorry, Mother Just a bit tired is all.
I think the trip went very well.
They didn't permit women to attend.
No, no.
That was unfortunate.
Did you know, that almost two million French soldiers were killed in the war? How dreadful.
Two million.
I do wish I had had the chance to serve.
Formally.
Nonsense! You did serve.
You are serving.
You have too bright a political future to risk losing your legs, have them blown off, or worse.
Still, I had planned to return to Europe as lieutenant commander next month.
And my political future would have been brighter sooner had I had the opportunity to serve in combat before this wretched thing was over.
What a pity the war didn't drag on to give you a leg up in your next political endeavor.
Eleanor! Franklin doesn't need a leg up.
He's a Roosevelt.
[CHUCKLING.]
Well I think I will retire.
- [FRANKLIN.]
Mother - Excuse me.
[FRANKLIN.]
Thank you for taking such good care of the children.
[SARA.]
It's a pleasure.
Good night, Eleanor.
Good night, dear.
Good night, Sara.
She's right, you know? The name Roosevelt does open doors.
Yes, it does.
I am a Roosevelt.
[CHUCKLES.]
You most certainly are.
I should use it.
To further the causes that I believe in.
I think you should.
People have always taken great comfort in your strength and your convictions.
I know I have.
I know I do.
Thank you.
It's two 2:00 a.
m.
in Paris.
[SIGHS.]
Good night.
[SIGHS.]
Good night, Eleanor.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hmm.
Good night.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
- [MICHAEL FORD.]
Polo! - [JOHN FORD.]
You cheated! [LAUGHING, CHATTERING.]
- He's cheating! He's cheating! - Marco! - Polo! - Polo! - Polo! - [JOHN.]
Marco! - [MICHAEL.]
Polo! - Polo! - Go for him! - If you can cheat, I can cheat! - [STEVEN SQUEALS.]
- [JOHN.]
Marco! Polo! Your eyes are open.
You're cheating.
Boys, time for dinner.
Boys! Mike? Steve, Jack.
Get your butts inside now, or you can go to bed hungry.
[BETTY.]
Clean up your messes and put your pets away.
Steven, put that alligator back in its cage.
After I poo! That lizard will escape if it has to wait that long.
I'll get it, Clara.
I've done it every night this week.
I don't know why tonight should be any different.
Lord those teeth.
[SIGHS.]
Why I ever agreed to this Come on, Pickles.
Time for bed.
- [HISSING.]
- Come on.
Oh, no! No, no, no! No! No! [GROANS.]
[SIGHS.]
I guess alligators don't like bedtime either.
[SIGHS.]
Steven! Jerry! Mr.
Ford is still on his work call.
Of course he is.
That's right.
You can't escape from me, you little Oh, Clara, it's gotten so big.
[CLARA.]
Let me help.
Oh, don't ever have children, Clara.
Just don't do it.
[CLARA.]
I've got my hands full with yours.
[BOTH STRAINING.]
[BOTH CHEERING, LAUGHING.]
- Just please never leave me.
- [GASPS.]
- Oh, God! - I'm not going anywhere.
[STEVEN.]
Mom! Mommy, there's a fire in the house! - The cake! - Come on! Mommy! Mommy! Shit.
Get back.
Get back, get back, get back.
Oh, we need some air in here.
Jerry! Jerry! Michael, don't touch it.
It's stuck! Daddy! No, Mom, it's painted shut! [SCREAMS.]
- [GROANS.]
- [MICHAEL.]
Mom! Mother! Watch out, Michael.
- Mommy! - [GERALD.]
You okay? [BETTY.]
Yeah, I'm okay, sweetheart.
I'm okay.
- Boys, help Clara.
- Okay, I'll clean.
Okay, okay.
Okay, watch your step.
Help me clean up the glass.
My goodness.
[GROANS.]
Ooh! [WINCES.]
How quickly does this work? Thank you.
I have important plans, and it's such a busy time of year for me.
Yes, my wife started spring cleaning herself this week.
- Hmm.
- I'm gonna also prescribe a painkiller.
I can call Jerry and discuss it with him.
- Oh, that won't be necessary.
- Very well.
You can fill the Darvon downstairs.
Take it every four hours around the clock.
Okay.
What about alcohol? I have to attend so many congressional events.
I occasionally enjoy a glass of wine.
Don't worry, Mrs.
Ford.
Alcohol and medications are two very different things with no relation to one another.
Enjoy away.
Thank you, Doctor.
[CHATTERING.]
But did you see it? Or weekends.
Forget about it.
I've heard that's terrible.
[CHATTERING CONTINUES.]
How about we switch? I'll do the dishes.
[WHISPERS.]
And you can go talk to them.
Thank you, Ma'am.
But I'd rather do the dishes.
[CHUCKLES.]
No.
Now, look.
That's a single crotchet but I'm pulling the needle through twice.
I heard they're crocheting bikinis now.
- What? - Oh, that's just silly.
[LAUGHTER.]
Yeah.
Sounds itchy if you ask me.
Who do you know wears a crotchet bikini? [BETTY.]
What about this? - [GUEST 1.]
Who brought that in? - [GUEST 2.]
Betty? [CHATTERING.]
Oh, surely I can't be the only one reading it.
- [GUEST 1.]
Well, I am not.
- [GUEST 2.]
I don't wanna know.
- I know all about this book.
- [BETTY.]
Do you? Yeah, this is a hysterical Jew threatening our Christian way of life.
So, you actually read it, Lilly.
No! No.
I I didn't read it.
I [GUEST 3.]
Those feminists are They're threatened by us.
Yes, they are.
They are.
And I happen to like housekeeping.
- I I find it calming.
- That's fine.
But what if we want to pursue creative or intellectual activities? Oh, well, who takes care of the children while we're all becoming self-actualized? I was going to be a dancer once - [CHUCKLING.]
Oh! - with Martha Graham in New York, and sometimes I wonder what I would've become if I hadn't given it up.
[CHUCKLES.]
You'd be unemployed and way too old.
- [ALL LAUGHING.]
- I'm sorry.
It's true.
[CHUCKLES.]
That's so mean! [GUEST 1.]
And now you're married to a handsome congressman with four lovely kids and full-time help.
[GUEST 2.]
Why would we want to get jobs? That would just upset the whole apple cart.
[GUEST 1.]
The last thing I want is my husband washing my clothes and making me dinner.
Can you imagine? [LAUGHS.]
That would be awful.
It's okay, Carol.
It won't bite.
Borrow it if you like.
[LAUGHS.]
Carol! [LAUGHING, CHATTERING CONTINUES.]
I just wanted to see what she looked like.
[GUEST 1.]
Oh, really? Oh, don't bother.
[CHUCKLES.]
[GUEST 2.]
Take it home, Carol.
[CHUCKLES.]
She's embarrassed.
[GUEST 3.]
No wonder she's a feminist.
[MARTHA.]
I want you to ask yourself one question.
"Will I ever be great enough to have interesting memories?" Being a dancer may make it so, but not all of you are dancers.
- [CLAPS.]
- Places! Let's begin! [PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[GROANS.]
Mrs.
Ford, do you need anything? No, thank you, Clara.
Come sit.
You've been working all day.
- Oh, I'm not quite finished.
- No, please.
Come sit with me.
I'll do the rest.
- Some tea? - No.
I'm good with this.
[SIGHS.]
Okay.
[SIGHS.]
- [BETTY SIGHS.]
- [CHUCKLES.]
Thank you, Clara.
[CLARA.]
Do you miss it? Hmm? Your life as a dancer.
[CHUCKLES.]
Clara! Oh, that was a lifetime ago.
Oh, I mmm, loved it, the way the music just took me away.
Living in New York City.
Oh! I don't know.
I Oh, I really thought I was going to do something with my life.
[SIGHS.]
Maybe we all thought that once.
- It's been a very long day.
- Mm-hmm.
[CLARA.]
And I can see that pain is acting up again.
Good night, Mrs.
Ford.
Good night, Clara.
Thank you again.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Okay.
[WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY.]
[BOTH HUMMING.]
[SASHA COOING.]
[MICHELLE CONTINUES HUMMING.]
[BARACK SIGHS.]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
[BARACK HUMMING.]
Mom just made some chicken.
- Oh, really? I am starving.
- Mm-hmm.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Huh? Hello, munchkin.
Munchkin.
Sweetie pie.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CHATTERING.]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
Well, they get good hospital coffee.
No, I mean seriously Excuse me.
Pardon me.
I'm looking for a nurse named Judith Olstrom.
She gave my baby excellent care here a few days ago.
My husband and I just wanted to show our appreciation.
Nothing but the best for all of our patients here at UChicago.
I don't think that's true.
We're actually one of the highest-ranked hospitals in the country based in a low-income community, so My daughter received good care because I'm an Ivy-league educated lawyer with good insurance trained to navigate through a tangle of red tape.
It's not like that for most folks around here.
Look around.
[LAWYER.]
Well, I'm the reception will have Folks who look just like me.
I've seen it with my own eyes.
I've been here under different circumstances with my own dad who was dying from MS.
And still couldn't see a doctor for five hours.
I think you can do way better.
Way better? Really? [SCOFFS.]
What's your name? Michelle Obama.
Michelle, may I have five minutes of your time, please, while we're waiting for the nurse? - [CHUCKLING.]
- [BARACK.]
Hey, honey! [MICHELLE.]
There's my baby.
Hi, munchkin.
- [SASHA COOING.]
- [MICHELLE CHUCKLES.]
[KISSING.]
Hi, my boo-boo.
[KISSES.]
So, I have some news.
- Are you pregnant? - No.
If so, I hope it's another girl.
- Please.
- [BOTH LAUGH.]
Uh-uh.
Also, when could that have happened? [CHUCKLES.]
I got a job.
Wha Oh, all right.
That I I didn't even realize you were looking.
I wasn't.
Uh, the job kind of just fell in my lap.
I went to go drop off those flowers for nurse Judith and sort of told off the CEO and head lawyer for the hospital.
- You what? - No, listen.
I didn't know who they were.
Anyway, they offered me a job to help them better serve the South Side, so, now I get to make a difference.
[CHUCKLES.]
Wow.
I mean, look at you.
- Yes! [CHUCKLES.]
- You're - Are you feeling all right? - Oh, please.
Very funny.
But it reminded me of why you're so passionate about politics.
Mm-mmm, we are celebrating you.
Congratulations.
This is amazing.
Whoa, look at you.
Would ya look at Mmm.
Yeah, Mama! Mmm, you still got it.
Mmm.
Never lost it.
- What? [BEATBOXES.]
- I never lost it.
[SASHA COOING.]
Mama got a job, munchkin.
All right.
["FAMILY AFFAIR" BY MARY J.
BLIGE PLAYING.]
[SINGING, SCATTING.]
Oh! [CHUCKLING.]
- I got moves.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Let's get it crunk up on ♪ Have fun up on up in this dancery ♪ [CHATTERING.]
- Are you out of your mind? - [CHUCKLING.]
No.
- Are you cooking tonight? - No, absolutely not.
- [BARACK.]
Hello, hello, hello! - Ah, Barack.
How you doing? Hey, babe.
Now, look, I gotta steal her away.
Oh, steal away but first admire her handiwork.
Oh, look.
Hey, it's a revolution! - [ALL CHUCKLE.]
- Okay.
- I'm taking you dancing.
- Good night, guys.
- You know I love this dress.
- Thank you.
Mmm.
Mmm! [RAGTIME MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CHATTERING, LAUGHTER.]
[ELIZABETH.]
Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! We have a very special guest lecturer tonight.
She is a member of the Women's Trade Union League - [CROWD.]
Aw.
- the League of Woman Voters.
[CROWD GASPS.]
Eleanor Roosevelt.
[CROWD CHEERING, WHOOPING.]
[ELEANOR.]
Good evening.
Hello.
Hello.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, thank you so much for having me to your Sapphist salon! [LAUGHTER.]
Well.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yes.
Well, I went to a girls' school when I was younger, in England, and to this day, it still remains one of the happiest and most formative times of my life.
[CROWD MURMURS IN AGREEMENT.]
[ELEANOR.]
Well, it is groups like yours, engaged, thinking, intelligent women who will assure that women's voices everywhere are heard.
[CROWD CHEERING, CLAPPING.]
[LORENA.]
So you're gonna infiltrate the governor's mansion with our message.
[LAUGHTER.]
Well, I don't need to infiltrate anything.
- I'm already there.
- [LAUGHTER.]
But you know, we must not only advocate for our rights but the rights and safety of the citizens of the world.
Women, children, men, all living beings.
- Human rights.
Human.
- Yes, human rights, Esther.
[LORENA.]
It's not gonna be easy when half the world is hell-bent on starting another war.
Well, there are just as many people hell-bent on building relationships between countries.
Ending isolationism, replacing it with one-world or something akin to a league of nations.
We have had the vote now for nine years and there are so many women who are not exercising that right.
Uh, worse, they are voting the way their husbands would have them vote.
But we must encourage them to find their own voices and most importantly, to become politically active.
[CROWD.]
Yes! Yes! The whole damn world would be much better off if the queers were running things.
[LAUGHTER.]
Don't mind my associate, Eleanor.
I can't control her.
[LAUGHS.]
Ladies, ladies, we have a buffet for all of you.
And um, who wants a drink? [CROWD CHEERS.]
- [CHATTERING.]
- [JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Lorena Hickok, Associated Press.
Yes, I gathered.
Hick.
I've read many of your articles.
- Thank you.
- Your campaign coverage was wonderful, excellent in fact.
You have such an original voice.
Oh, you've been known to speak your mind as well.
Yes, I've become quite a liability it seems.
[CHUCKLES.]
I like that in a woman.
Mrs.
Roosevelt, would you care to come have a bite to eat? Oh, uh, yes.
Thank you very much.
But you're right, you know.
The fight for internationalism is not going to be an easy one.
No, but I like friction.
[CHUCKLES.]
No conflict, no interest.
[CHUCKLES.]
I blame journalism and my unfortunate childhood.
Well, yes.
Well, it must be terribly interesting to write stories, news stories for the masses.
Always something new and interesting to learn about.
Or someone.
[GUEST.]
Hick, give me a light, would you? Unice hid the matches on me again.
[LORENA.]
I haven't got mine.
Gail Horn, tell me you have matches before I go into tobacco withdrawals.
- Come, come.
- I don't believe I've ever seen a woman smoke a pipe before.
Well, it's 1929.
Women are doing all kinds of things.
They certainly are.
Let's see what it says.
Oh, look at this bowl [MUTTERS.]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING.]
[WHEELCHAIR SQUEAKING.]
What are you doing on the floor? [ELEANOR.]
I was thinking about the world.
And I'm not on the floor, I'm on the stair.
Thought I was having some strange dream.
Why have you got your overcoat? Where are you going? I'm not going anywhere.
I just got in.
And I was taking a moment to savor a very stimulating evening.
Hmm.
Dare I ask? I was at Esther Lape and Elizabeth Read's women's salon on 11th Street.
For God's sakes.
All the way down in the Village? [ELEANOR.]
They have the most remarkable group of friends.
Were you aware that women smoke pipes? I was not.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
[CHUCKLES.]
They were all so singular.
You know, it is a miraculous thing.
Women have conformed to societal norms for so long.
- I certainly have.
- Hmm.
Should we listen to some music, Franklin? - It's half 10:00.
- Ah.
Ah, it's a fine time for Duke Ellington.
Here.
[CHUCKLES.]
Eleanor, I admire your enthusiasm.
It's what keeps me thriving and able.
But your associations, your actions, they matter now.
Yes.
And I shall use them for the greater good.
You are aware that you are married to the governor of the great state of New York? And you are the husband of a woman who has a mind and a life of her own, Franklin.
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING.]
I have my own interests.
Just like you have yours.
[CHUCKLES.]
Thank you.
Together but separate is how we'll be.
It's how we already are.
I have no intention of embarrassing you and I hope you won't embarrass me.
Right.
Cheers.
Good night, Eleanor.
You look lovely.
- Hi, Dad.
- [GERALD.]
Hey, champ.
Did you guys win the game this week? I didn't score but we won.
As long as you play, you're part of the winning team.
Where are you, Dad? Midland, Michigan, Steven.
Home of the Dow Chemical Company.
Okay.
Brown Sugar's pregnant, Dad.
Now hold on.
Isn't Brown Sugar a boy? I don't know.
Mom, is Brown Sugar a boy? No.
- Hi, Daddy.
- How's my little girl doing? Fine.
Me and Clara made fudge.
Oh, boy.
I love you, sweetie.
It's me, Jerry.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well, I love you too, sweetie.
See you Saturday.
All right, bye-bye.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[DR.
MCCARTEN.]
You and the family get out to Vail for the holidays? No, we skipped it this year.
Jerry had to work, so Well, your range of motion hasn't improved as much as I hoped it would over the last few months.
The only time I'm not in pain is when I'm asleep.
- If I sleep.
- How long's sleep been an issue? [CHUCKLES.]
Since I got married and had children.
Do you have children, Dr.
McCarten? I, um Let's do this.
Let's get you some mild sleeping pills.
And I think I'd like to up the Darvon a notch or two, so we can get that pain knocked out.
And finally a small amount of Valium should help with your day-to-day stress.
Um, say hi to Jerry for me.
Clara! Clara? [SIGHS.]
Oh, goddamn it.
Clara! Clara! [SIGHS.]
[GROANS.]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIGHS.]
[MARTHA.]
Nice.
Very nice.
Most of you have a lot of work to do.
That's enough for today.
You impressed me today, Betty Bloomer.
You work hard and you have ability.
The trouble is everyone here has ability.
A dancer needs confidence, self-esteem.
Do you have those? Mmm.
[TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[CHUCKLES.]
[LAUGHING, CHATTERING.]
Cheers.
[CHUCKLING.]
Stop! Why would a dancer treat her body with such disdain? You will do it again.
And then again.
And again.
And again.
[SUSAN.]
Uh.
[STEVEN.]
Mom, I'm hungry.
[SUSAN.]
Is Clara here? Can I have a sandwich? - [STEVEN.]
Close the door.
- [JOHN.]
I know.
- [GROANS.]
- [SUSAN.]
Are you sleeping? [GROANS.]
No.
No, honey.
I'm just Just resting.
[GROANS.]
[CLATTERING.]
Mom, I've got some friends coming over later.
No, Michael.
Not today.
But you said yes earlier.
I already invited them over.
Hey! These are mine.
[CLATTERING CONTINUES.]
Do you want to play Barrel of Monkeys with me? No, sweetie.
Not now.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Steven, turn the music down.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[PANTING.]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIGHS.]
S Steven! [CRIES.]
Steven! Open the door! - Open the door! - [ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES.]
- [POUNDING ON DOOR.]
- Steven! [SOBBING.]
[PANTING.]
[CRYING.]
[SUSAN.]
Mommy? Go Go Go pack your things, Susan.
Go on.
Susan! Susan! Come on.
Let's go, Susan.
Come on.
Let's go.
Come on.
[SNIFFLES.]
Mom.
Mom, what's happening? I'm taking Susan to the beach.
Are you sure that's a good idea? - [SUSAN.]
Mom, what's going on? - [MICHAEL.]
What if we just wait - till Dad comes home? - [SUSAN.]
Mom, what's wrong? Mom? Wait for Dad to get home! - [SUSAN.]
Mom.
Mom.
- It'll be okay.
I promise.
- If this is about the music - Oh, please.
we can turn it down.
We'll clean the house.
We can do whatever you like.
Mom, please don't do this.
- Mom, please don't do this.
- Michael, let go of the door! Where are the keys? Did you take the keys? Michael, did you take them? Did you take them? Where did you put them? What is Clara.
Did you call Clara? - Mrs.
Ford.
- What did you do? [CLARA.]
I'm here, Mrs.
Ford.
I came right back as soon as you needed me.
Are you okay, Mrs.
Ford? [CRYING.]
I don't I don't I don't Mrs.
Ford, I'm here.
Oh, my What did you do? What did you do? Clara, I'll take care of it.
- Betty.
- Mom.
Michael, take care of your brother and sister.
Children, come here.
I know you're scared.
Your mom loves you all very much.
And, uh, she's just very, very tired.
She's gonna get help from a doctor and he's gonna help her get better.
You okay, Michael? You did good.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
Jerry.
Please tell the children that I'm sorry.
I will, Mother.
You sleep now, okay? I love you.
You've all auditioned very well and I'm appreciative of your efforts.
I'm sorry to say, none of you are great, but some of you do show promise.
Meg, you're in.
Elizabeth, you're in.
Callie, you're cut.
Helen, in.
Betty, you're out.
If you can care for yourself, maybe you can come back and try again.
Trudy, you're in.
Jennifer, in.
Natalie, in.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[VEHICLES PASSING.]
[CHURCH BELLS RINGING.]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
I was so nervous.
I needn't have been scared at all.
- [CHILDREN CHATTERING.]
- [GASPS.]
Oh, children.
[CHUCKLES.]
Does this sound desperate, Lucy? [CHATTERING CONTINUES.]
[ELEANOR.]
"Despite the many claims on your generosity, I cannot think of any cause more urgent than the care and well-being of our soldiers.
" No, I think that strikes just the right note.
Oh, good.
I can't tell sometimes.
[ELLIOT.]
Hickory, dickory, dock.
[GASPS.]
The mouse ran up the clock! I'll need you to draw up a list of the wealthiest patrons in town.
Oh, I have the list right here.
- The clock struck one.
- Ooh, very good.
Oh, Elliot, leave Lucy alone.
We're working.
The mouse ran down.
[BOTH.]
Hickory, dickory, dock! Oh, I also need the Oh, yes.
Uh, your speech for the Red Cross.
I don't know what I'd do without you, Lucy.
I made two small edits.
Um, Eleanor.
Eleanor, Secretary Daniels and his wife will be in town on Friday.
I mean, this could be good for Franklin if you have them over for lunch.
At lunch, she's touring the navy hospital.
- Are we free for dinner? - [LUCY.]
Yes, I believe so.
[COUGHS.]
Dinner, then.
Oh, Louis, that cough sounds terrible.
- It's fine.
- [FRANKLIN JR.
.]
Daddy's home! There you are! There you are, my little cubs.
[LAUGHS.]
I missed you too.
Take my hand.
Elliot, every time I turn my back, you grow.
- How is that possible? - Leave your father some room.
You'll topple him over.
- And I missed you.
- Me too.
[LUCY.]
I'll be on my way, Eleanor.
Thank you, Lucy.
John! [GRUNTS.]
Welcome home, Mr.
Roosevelt.
Ms.
Mercer.
[CHUCKLES.]
John.
[CHUCKLES.]
Children, follow me.
[FRANKLIN JR.
.]
He wants us here so bad.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hmm.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[LUCY.]
"Dear Franklin, as I lay in bed, awake at night", I wonder if you are thinking of me.
I see the stars outside my window, and in them trace our names with my finger.
They harmonize well together.
"I love you, your dearest Lucy.
" "Every day of missing you convinces me that our love is true.
" [ELEANOR CRYING.]
[LUCY.]
"I dream of starting our new life together.
" [SHOUTS.]
Eleanor? - [SOBBING.]
- What's the matter? Lucy! My Lucy? Of all the women in the world, you sleep with [SHOUTING.]
Why would you sleep with my Lucy? - Let me explain.
- I thought a man was supposed to sleep with his own secretary, not with his wife's! It was a mistake.
A-A fantasy.
I thought what we had was special.
It is.
Well, then why? I-I [SIGHS.]
I don't know.
I I-I felt lonely.
No.
Lonely? But I thought we had a future together! But you two have been plotting and planning! Why? I'm so sorry, Eleanor.
I While I was pregnant and nursing.
And bearing your children! All you could think of was running away with Lucy Mercer! [CONTINUES SOBBING.]
Who else knows? What does it matter? Who else knows, Franklin? Who knows? Louis, Steve Early, Mother.
Louis.
Louis! And your mother! [SOBBING.]
[SHOUTS.]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[SARA.]
There's never been a divorce in the Roosevelt family.
And that's not going to change now.
[ELEANOR.]
It had been going on for years.
Everyone knew.
You knew.
Eleanor.
When you marry a man, you can't be surprised when he acts like a man.
[ELEANOR.]
And, when you marry a capable woman, you can't be surprised when she acts like herself.
It's no use, Mother.
Eleanor has made her decision.
[SARA.]
Hmm.
If you file for divorce, I will cut you both off without a cent.
No house, not your rooms here.
Nothing.
Now, you will stay married.
And I will even, um not only support you, but pay an additional allowance for the pain that you are suffering.
I would rather earn my own money and keep my dignity.
[SARA.]
If you get a divorce, you will do neither.
The scandal will be too great to overcome.
For both of you.
I know that I'm experiencing a disappointment like I've never felt before.
But I'm sure that it can't possibly compare to the pain that you're experiencing.
You have my sympathy, darling.
However you will stay married.
You will be supported as you are now.
[SIGHS.]
And that's all I have to say.
Excuse me.
I am sorry.
I never thought it would come to this.
I will require two things.
Anything.
My life on it.
You will never have contact with Lucy Mercer ever again.
And we will never sleep in the same bed from this day forward.
What is a marriage without sharing a bed? We have the rest of our lives to find out.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
Now, for the war in Afghanistan.
The new US commander there believes that to win, he'll need a bigger Afghan army and billions in additional funding.
An American buildup is already underway with 17,000 new troops - Hey.
- Hey.
By year's end, US forces will total 68,000 [REPORTER CONTINUES, INDISTINCT.]
This war's really happening.
Could you imagine if they brought back the draft? Yeah, for sure.
I also hit the Powerball today.
We're millionaires now! Yeah.
[SIGHS.]
Yeah, that's really something.
Didn't hear a word I said, did you? My bad.
You know, we spent seven hours today debating if it's important that poor, Black and brown kids have access to clean drinking water.
Uh, it's fucking ridiculous.
Here's a thought.
How about you put politics on pause for now and maybe do something that doesn't make you such an Eeyore all the time? [STAMMERS.]
I'm not being a fucking Eeyore, all right? I care about my job Negro, please.
You're consumed.
I-I can't [CHUCKLING.]
I can't do this again, Mich.
I can't I'm too tired.
Exactly my point.
Okay? You're using up all your energy on What is it you want me to do? You want me to resign - Forget it.
- and take up some, what? Some bullshit, corporate, lawyer job like you? Because I'm pretty sure you're miserable.
At least my job pays the bills.
Our bills.
We actually get something out of it instead of banging my head against a wall, telling myself that I'm making a difference when I'm really not.
[SASHA CRYING.]
[WHISPERING.]
Sasha.
I'll get her.
I'ma sleep in the girls' room tonight.
Fine by me.
[CRYING CONTINUES.]
[SHUSHING.]
She won't stop crying.
Why won't she stop crying? Oh, she's burning up.
And her feet are cold.
- I called the pediatrician.
- We can't wait.
We have to go to the hospital.
I'm gonna call my mom.
All right, go.
Go, go, go.
[SHUSHING.]
[CHATTERING.]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
Hello, I'm Michelle Obama.
My pediatrician, Dr.
Morrison, said to come here? [RECEPTIONIST.]
Just a second, ma'am.
[SIGHS.]
- Excuse me? - Wait just one second, ma'am.
- Mrs.
Obama, follow me.
- [SIGHS.]
Thank you.
What's taking them so long? The important thing is that they rule out bacterial meningitis.
It's a spinal tap, Barack.
On a three-month-old.
I know what it is.
The man Can't they hurry up already? [BARACK.]
Mich, she's getting the best care in the city.
Last time I was here, my daddy was dying.
I know.
Look, she's gonna be all right.
I need a minute.
Hey, Mommy.
Still hasn't woken up yet? Still looking handsome, Daddy.
I wish you could have seen him when I first met him.
Juneteenth barbecue at your auntie Caroline's.
In walks this beautiful, brown-skinned man in a bright teal shirt.
I said, "Who is that man?" You auntie looked at me, said, "Girl, if you talkin' about Fraser Robinson" [BOTH.]
"You better get in that long line.
" [BOTH LAUGH.]
It was just a few seconds later, but I see your daddy looking at me.
Hadn't even gotten a drink yet, but there he goes, making a straight beeline to talk to me.
Well, he knew a real lady when he saw one.
[SNIFFLES.]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIGHS.]
Mr.
and Mrs.
Obama? - The doctor's right this way.
- [SASHA CRYING.]
Mr.
and Mrs.
Obama? I'm Dr.
Byrne.
We've done all the tests, and Sasha has bacterial meningitis.
- [SIGHS.]
- We've put her on ampicillin and gentamicin, two antibiotics.
We're confident she's going to recover.
Can we go in? The nurse will let you know when it's okay to go in.
[SASHA COOING, CRYING.]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[WHISPERS.]
Hi.
- She'll be all right.
- Yeah.
[NEWSCASTER.]
In January 1919, two months after the Great War ended, delegates of the Allied Powers arrived in Paris for the conference to agree on terms of peace for defeated Germany.
Sentiment across the board demanded guarantees that no war of such magnitude could ever happen again.
Thank you, Arthur.
It's good to be home.
- Welcome home, sir.
- Hello, Arthur.
Welcome home, ma'am.
[SIGHS.]
You think the children are up? Oh, I hope not at this late hour.
They're home, they're home! Daddy! - Oh, look at that.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [LAUGHS.]
James.
Anna.
- We stayed up for you.
- Tell us about France! - Did you get shot at? - Did you see dead bodies? [CHUCKLES.]
No, we're fine.
We're just a bit tired.
We were not shot at, nor did we see any dead bodies.
But we did see some very dramatic sights.
Did Lucy go with you? No, children, she did not go with us.
- Mother! - Welcome home, darling.
I'm so glad you're here.
Hello, Eleanor.
You must be starved after your long journey.
I I've made a roast for you.
- Thank you.
- [ELLIOT.]
If the war is over, why'd you have to go all the way to some country we don't even live in, to see where the war was? Because it's part of my job as Assistant Secretary to the Navy.
All right, children.
Now it's time for bed.
- Come along.
- [FRANKLIN.]
Good night.
[ELEANOR.]
If you don't mind, I'm going to head to bed myself.
Oh, I hope not.
I planned dinner for the three of us.
[FRANKLIN.]
Mmm.
Delicious, Mother.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, dear.
- [FRANKLIN.]
You spoil me.
- You deserve to be spoilt.
Well, was it, um, frightfully cold in Paris? - Yes, it was very - Nothing we couldn't handle.
bitter.
We've all had to endure hard winters before.
Oh, I remember the blizzard of '88.
The snow coming down, it just made the city so quiet.
Rather like this dinner, I should say.
[CHUCKLES.]
- I'm sorry, Mother.
[CHUCKLES.]
- I'm sorry, Mother Just a bit tired is all.
I think the trip went very well.
They didn't permit women to attend.
No, no.
That was unfortunate.
Did you know, that almost two million French soldiers were killed in the war? How dreadful.
Two million.
I do wish I had had the chance to serve.
Formally.
Nonsense! You did serve.
You are serving.
You have too bright a political future to risk losing your legs, have them blown off, or worse.
Still, I had planned to return to Europe as lieutenant commander next month.
And my political future would have been brighter sooner had I had the opportunity to serve in combat before this wretched thing was over.
What a pity the war didn't drag on to give you a leg up in your next political endeavor.
Eleanor! Franklin doesn't need a leg up.
He's a Roosevelt.
[CHUCKLING.]
Well I think I will retire.
- [FRANKLIN.]
Mother - Excuse me.
[FRANKLIN.]
Thank you for taking such good care of the children.
[SARA.]
It's a pleasure.
Good night, Eleanor.
Good night, dear.
Good night, Sara.
She's right, you know? The name Roosevelt does open doors.
Yes, it does.
I am a Roosevelt.
[CHUCKLES.]
You most certainly are.
I should use it.
To further the causes that I believe in.
I think you should.
People have always taken great comfort in your strength and your convictions.
I know I have.
I know I do.
Thank you.
It's two 2:00 a.
m.
in Paris.
[SIGHS.]
Good night.
[SIGHS.]
Good night, Eleanor.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hmm.
Good night.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
- [MICHAEL FORD.]
Polo! - [JOHN FORD.]
You cheated! [LAUGHING, CHATTERING.]
- He's cheating! He's cheating! - Marco! - Polo! - Polo! - Polo! - [JOHN.]
Marco! - [MICHAEL.]
Polo! - Polo! - Go for him! - If you can cheat, I can cheat! - [STEVEN SQUEALS.]
- [JOHN.]
Marco! Polo! Your eyes are open.
You're cheating.
Boys, time for dinner.
Boys! Mike? Steve, Jack.
Get your butts inside now, or you can go to bed hungry.
[BETTY.]
Clean up your messes and put your pets away.
Steven, put that alligator back in its cage.
After I poo! That lizard will escape if it has to wait that long.
I'll get it, Clara.
I've done it every night this week.
I don't know why tonight should be any different.
Lord those teeth.
[SIGHS.]
Why I ever agreed to this Come on, Pickles.
Time for bed.
- [HISSING.]
- Come on.
Oh, no! No, no, no! No! No! [GROANS.]
[SIGHS.]
I guess alligators don't like bedtime either.
[SIGHS.]
Steven! Jerry! Mr.
Ford is still on his work call.
Of course he is.
That's right.
You can't escape from me, you little Oh, Clara, it's gotten so big.
[CLARA.]
Let me help.
Oh, don't ever have children, Clara.
Just don't do it.
[CLARA.]
I've got my hands full with yours.
[BOTH STRAINING.]
[BOTH CHEERING, LAUGHING.]
- Just please never leave me.
- [GASPS.]
- Oh, God! - I'm not going anywhere.
[STEVEN.]
Mom! Mommy, there's a fire in the house! - The cake! - Come on! Mommy! Mommy! Shit.
Get back.
Get back, get back, get back.
Oh, we need some air in here.
Jerry! Jerry! Michael, don't touch it.
It's stuck! Daddy! No, Mom, it's painted shut! [SCREAMS.]
- [GROANS.]
- [MICHAEL.]
Mom! Mother! Watch out, Michael.
- Mommy! - [GERALD.]
You okay? [BETTY.]
Yeah, I'm okay, sweetheart.
I'm okay.
- Boys, help Clara.
- Okay, I'll clean.
Okay, okay.
Okay, watch your step.
Help me clean up the glass.
My goodness.
[GROANS.]
Ooh! [WINCES.]
How quickly does this work? Thank you.
I have important plans, and it's such a busy time of year for me.
Yes, my wife started spring cleaning herself this week.
- Hmm.
- I'm gonna also prescribe a painkiller.
I can call Jerry and discuss it with him.
- Oh, that won't be necessary.
- Very well.
You can fill the Darvon downstairs.
Take it every four hours around the clock.
Okay.
What about alcohol? I have to attend so many congressional events.
I occasionally enjoy a glass of wine.
Don't worry, Mrs.
Ford.
Alcohol and medications are two very different things with no relation to one another.
Enjoy away.
Thank you, Doctor.
[CHATTERING.]
But did you see it? Or weekends.
Forget about it.
I've heard that's terrible.
[CHATTERING CONTINUES.]
How about we switch? I'll do the dishes.
[WHISPERS.]
And you can go talk to them.
Thank you, Ma'am.
But I'd rather do the dishes.
[CHUCKLES.]
No.
Now, look.
That's a single crotchet but I'm pulling the needle through twice.
I heard they're crocheting bikinis now.
- What? - Oh, that's just silly.
[LAUGHTER.]
Yeah.
Sounds itchy if you ask me.
Who do you know wears a crotchet bikini? [BETTY.]
What about this? - [GUEST 1.]
Who brought that in? - [GUEST 2.]
Betty? [CHATTERING.]
Oh, surely I can't be the only one reading it.
- [GUEST 1.]
Well, I am not.
- [GUEST 2.]
I don't wanna know.
- I know all about this book.
- [BETTY.]
Do you? Yeah, this is a hysterical Jew threatening our Christian way of life.
So, you actually read it, Lilly.
No! No.
I I didn't read it.
I [GUEST 3.]
Those feminists are They're threatened by us.
Yes, they are.
They are.
And I happen to like housekeeping.
- I I find it calming.
- That's fine.
But what if we want to pursue creative or intellectual activities? Oh, well, who takes care of the children while we're all becoming self-actualized? I was going to be a dancer once - [CHUCKLING.]
Oh! - with Martha Graham in New York, and sometimes I wonder what I would've become if I hadn't given it up.
[CHUCKLES.]
You'd be unemployed and way too old.
- [ALL LAUGHING.]
- I'm sorry.
It's true.
[CHUCKLES.]
That's so mean! [GUEST 1.]
And now you're married to a handsome congressman with four lovely kids and full-time help.
[GUEST 2.]
Why would we want to get jobs? That would just upset the whole apple cart.
[GUEST 1.]
The last thing I want is my husband washing my clothes and making me dinner.
Can you imagine? [LAUGHS.]
That would be awful.
It's okay, Carol.
It won't bite.
Borrow it if you like.
[LAUGHS.]
Carol! [LAUGHING, CHATTERING CONTINUES.]
I just wanted to see what she looked like.
[GUEST 1.]
Oh, really? Oh, don't bother.
[CHUCKLES.]
[GUEST 2.]
Take it home, Carol.
[CHUCKLES.]
She's embarrassed.
[GUEST 3.]
No wonder she's a feminist.
[MARTHA.]
I want you to ask yourself one question.
"Will I ever be great enough to have interesting memories?" Being a dancer may make it so, but not all of you are dancers.
- [CLAPS.]
- Places! Let's begin! [PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[GROANS.]
Mrs.
Ford, do you need anything? No, thank you, Clara.
Come sit.
You've been working all day.
- Oh, I'm not quite finished.
- No, please.
Come sit with me.
I'll do the rest.
- Some tea? - No.
I'm good with this.
[SIGHS.]
Okay.
[SIGHS.]
- [BETTY SIGHS.]
- [CHUCKLES.]
Thank you, Clara.
[CLARA.]
Do you miss it? Hmm? Your life as a dancer.
[CHUCKLES.]
Clara! Oh, that was a lifetime ago.
Oh, I mmm, loved it, the way the music just took me away.
Living in New York City.
Oh! I don't know.
I Oh, I really thought I was going to do something with my life.
[SIGHS.]
Maybe we all thought that once.
- It's been a very long day.
- Mm-hmm.
[CLARA.]
And I can see that pain is acting up again.
Good night, Mrs.
Ford.
Good night, Clara.
Thank you again.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Okay.
[WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY.]
[BOTH HUMMING.]
[SASHA COOING.]
[MICHELLE CONTINUES HUMMING.]
[BARACK SIGHS.]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
[BARACK HUMMING.]
Mom just made some chicken.
- Oh, really? I am starving.
- Mm-hmm.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Huh? Hello, munchkin.
Munchkin.
Sweetie pie.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CHATTERING.]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA.]
Well, they get good hospital coffee.
No, I mean seriously Excuse me.
Pardon me.
I'm looking for a nurse named Judith Olstrom.
She gave my baby excellent care here a few days ago.
My husband and I just wanted to show our appreciation.
Nothing but the best for all of our patients here at UChicago.
I don't think that's true.
We're actually one of the highest-ranked hospitals in the country based in a low-income community, so My daughter received good care because I'm an Ivy-league educated lawyer with good insurance trained to navigate through a tangle of red tape.
It's not like that for most folks around here.
Look around.
[LAWYER.]
Well, I'm the reception will have Folks who look just like me.
I've seen it with my own eyes.
I've been here under different circumstances with my own dad who was dying from MS.
And still couldn't see a doctor for five hours.
I think you can do way better.
Way better? Really? [SCOFFS.]
What's your name? Michelle Obama.
Michelle, may I have five minutes of your time, please, while we're waiting for the nurse? - [CHUCKLING.]
- [BARACK.]
Hey, honey! [MICHELLE.]
There's my baby.
Hi, munchkin.
- [SASHA COOING.]
- [MICHELLE CHUCKLES.]
[KISSING.]
Hi, my boo-boo.
[KISSES.]
So, I have some news.
- Are you pregnant? - No.
If so, I hope it's another girl.
- Please.
- [BOTH LAUGH.]
Uh-uh.
Also, when could that have happened? [CHUCKLES.]
I got a job.
Wha Oh, all right.
That I I didn't even realize you were looking.
I wasn't.
Uh, the job kind of just fell in my lap.
I went to go drop off those flowers for nurse Judith and sort of told off the CEO and head lawyer for the hospital.
- You what? - No, listen.
I didn't know who they were.
Anyway, they offered me a job to help them better serve the South Side, so, now I get to make a difference.
[CHUCKLES.]
Wow.
I mean, look at you.
- Yes! [CHUCKLES.]
- You're - Are you feeling all right? - Oh, please.
Very funny.
But it reminded me of why you're so passionate about politics.
Mm-mmm, we are celebrating you.
Congratulations.
This is amazing.
Whoa, look at you.
Would ya look at Mmm.
Yeah, Mama! Mmm, you still got it.
Mmm.
Never lost it.
- What? [BEATBOXES.]
- I never lost it.
[SASHA COOING.]
Mama got a job, munchkin.
All right.
["FAMILY AFFAIR" BY MARY J.
BLIGE PLAYING.]
[SINGING, SCATTING.]
Oh! [CHUCKLING.]
- I got moves.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Let's get it crunk up on ♪ Have fun up on up in this dancery ♪ [CHATTERING.]
- Are you out of your mind? - [CHUCKLING.]
No.
- Are you cooking tonight? - No, absolutely not.
- [BARACK.]
Hello, hello, hello! - Ah, Barack.
How you doing? Hey, babe.
Now, look, I gotta steal her away.
Oh, steal away but first admire her handiwork.
Oh, look.
Hey, it's a revolution! - [ALL CHUCKLE.]
- Okay.
- I'm taking you dancing.
- Good night, guys.
- You know I love this dress.
- Thank you.
Mmm.
Mmm! [RAGTIME MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CHATTERING, LAUGHTER.]
[ELIZABETH.]
Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! We have a very special guest lecturer tonight.
She is a member of the Women's Trade Union League - [CROWD.]
Aw.
- the League of Woman Voters.
[CROWD GASPS.]
Eleanor Roosevelt.
[CROWD CHEERING, WHOOPING.]
[ELEANOR.]
Good evening.
Hello.
Hello.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, thank you so much for having me to your Sapphist salon! [LAUGHTER.]
Well.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yes.
Well, I went to a girls' school when I was younger, in England, and to this day, it still remains one of the happiest and most formative times of my life.
[CROWD MURMURS IN AGREEMENT.]
[ELEANOR.]
Well, it is groups like yours, engaged, thinking, intelligent women who will assure that women's voices everywhere are heard.
[CROWD CHEERING, CLAPPING.]
[LORENA.]
So you're gonna infiltrate the governor's mansion with our message.
[LAUGHTER.]
Well, I don't need to infiltrate anything.
- I'm already there.
- [LAUGHTER.]
But you know, we must not only advocate for our rights but the rights and safety of the citizens of the world.
Women, children, men, all living beings.
- Human rights.
Human.
- Yes, human rights, Esther.
[LORENA.]
It's not gonna be easy when half the world is hell-bent on starting another war.
Well, there are just as many people hell-bent on building relationships between countries.
Ending isolationism, replacing it with one-world or something akin to a league of nations.
We have had the vote now for nine years and there are so many women who are not exercising that right.
Uh, worse, they are voting the way their husbands would have them vote.
But we must encourage them to find their own voices and most importantly, to become politically active.
[CROWD.]
Yes! Yes! The whole damn world would be much better off if the queers were running things.
[LAUGHTER.]
Don't mind my associate, Eleanor.
I can't control her.
[LAUGHS.]
Ladies, ladies, we have a buffet for all of you.
And um, who wants a drink? [CROWD CHEERS.]
- [CHATTERING.]
- [JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Lorena Hickok, Associated Press.
Yes, I gathered.
Hick.
I've read many of your articles.
- Thank you.
- Your campaign coverage was wonderful, excellent in fact.
You have such an original voice.
Oh, you've been known to speak your mind as well.
Yes, I've become quite a liability it seems.
[CHUCKLES.]
I like that in a woman.
Mrs.
Roosevelt, would you care to come have a bite to eat? Oh, uh, yes.
Thank you very much.
But you're right, you know.
The fight for internationalism is not going to be an easy one.
No, but I like friction.
[CHUCKLES.]
No conflict, no interest.
[CHUCKLES.]
I blame journalism and my unfortunate childhood.
Well, yes.
Well, it must be terribly interesting to write stories, news stories for the masses.
Always something new and interesting to learn about.
Or someone.
[GUEST.]
Hick, give me a light, would you? Unice hid the matches on me again.
[LORENA.]
I haven't got mine.
Gail Horn, tell me you have matches before I go into tobacco withdrawals.
- Come, come.
- I don't believe I've ever seen a woman smoke a pipe before.
Well, it's 1929.
Women are doing all kinds of things.
They certainly are.
Let's see what it says.
Oh, look at this bowl [MUTTERS.]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING.]
[WHEELCHAIR SQUEAKING.]
What are you doing on the floor? [ELEANOR.]
I was thinking about the world.
And I'm not on the floor, I'm on the stair.
Thought I was having some strange dream.
Why have you got your overcoat? Where are you going? I'm not going anywhere.
I just got in.
And I was taking a moment to savor a very stimulating evening.
Hmm.
Dare I ask? I was at Esther Lape and Elizabeth Read's women's salon on 11th Street.
For God's sakes.
All the way down in the Village? [ELEANOR.]
They have the most remarkable group of friends.
Were you aware that women smoke pipes? I was not.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
[CHUCKLES.]
They were all so singular.
You know, it is a miraculous thing.
Women have conformed to societal norms for so long.
- I certainly have.
- Hmm.
Should we listen to some music, Franklin? - It's half 10:00.
- Ah.
Ah, it's a fine time for Duke Ellington.
Here.
[CHUCKLES.]
Eleanor, I admire your enthusiasm.
It's what keeps me thriving and able.
But your associations, your actions, they matter now.
Yes.
And I shall use them for the greater good.
You are aware that you are married to the governor of the great state of New York? And you are the husband of a woman who has a mind and a life of her own, Franklin.
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING.]
I have my own interests.
Just like you have yours.
[CHUCKLES.]
Thank you.
Together but separate is how we'll be.
It's how we already are.
I have no intention of embarrassing you and I hope you won't embarrass me.
Right.
Cheers.
Good night, Eleanor.
You look lovely.
- Hi, Dad.
- [GERALD.]
Hey, champ.
Did you guys win the game this week? I didn't score but we won.
As long as you play, you're part of the winning team.
Where are you, Dad? Midland, Michigan, Steven.
Home of the Dow Chemical Company.
Okay.
Brown Sugar's pregnant, Dad.
Now hold on.
Isn't Brown Sugar a boy? I don't know.
Mom, is Brown Sugar a boy? No.
- Hi, Daddy.
- How's my little girl doing? Fine.
Me and Clara made fudge.
Oh, boy.
I love you, sweetie.
It's me, Jerry.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well, I love you too, sweetie.
See you Saturday.
All right, bye-bye.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[DR.
MCCARTEN.]
You and the family get out to Vail for the holidays? No, we skipped it this year.
Jerry had to work, so Well, your range of motion hasn't improved as much as I hoped it would over the last few months.
The only time I'm not in pain is when I'm asleep.
- If I sleep.
- How long's sleep been an issue? [CHUCKLES.]
Since I got married and had children.
Do you have children, Dr.
McCarten? I, um Let's do this.
Let's get you some mild sleeping pills.
And I think I'd like to up the Darvon a notch or two, so we can get that pain knocked out.
And finally a small amount of Valium should help with your day-to-day stress.
Um, say hi to Jerry for me.
Clara! Clara? [SIGHS.]
Oh, goddamn it.
Clara! Clara! [SIGHS.]
[GROANS.]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIGHS.]
[MARTHA.]
Nice.
Very nice.
Most of you have a lot of work to do.
That's enough for today.
You impressed me today, Betty Bloomer.
You work hard and you have ability.
The trouble is everyone here has ability.
A dancer needs confidence, self-esteem.
Do you have those? Mmm.
[TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[CHUCKLES.]
[LAUGHING, CHATTERING.]
Cheers.
[CHUCKLING.]
Stop! Why would a dancer treat her body with such disdain? You will do it again.
And then again.
And again.
And again.
[SUSAN.]
Uh.
[STEVEN.]
Mom, I'm hungry.
[SUSAN.]
Is Clara here? Can I have a sandwich? - [STEVEN.]
Close the door.
- [JOHN.]
I know.
- [GROANS.]
- [SUSAN.]
Are you sleeping? [GROANS.]
No.
No, honey.
I'm just Just resting.
[GROANS.]
[CLATTERING.]
Mom, I've got some friends coming over later.
No, Michael.
Not today.
But you said yes earlier.
I already invited them over.
Hey! These are mine.
[CLATTERING CONTINUES.]
Do you want to play Barrel of Monkeys with me? No, sweetie.
Not now.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Steven, turn the music down.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[PANTING.]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING.]
[SIGHS.]
S Steven! [CRIES.]
Steven! Open the door! - Open the door! - [ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES.]
- [POUNDING ON DOOR.]
- Steven! [SOBBING.]
[PANTING.]
[CRYING.]
[SUSAN.]
Mommy? Go Go Go pack your things, Susan.
Go on.
Susan! Susan! Come on.
Let's go, Susan.
Come on.
Let's go.
Come on.
[SNIFFLES.]
Mom.
Mom, what's happening? I'm taking Susan to the beach.
Are you sure that's a good idea? - [SUSAN.]
Mom, what's going on? - [MICHAEL.]
What if we just wait - till Dad comes home? - [SUSAN.]
Mom, what's wrong? Mom? Wait for Dad to get home! - [SUSAN.]
Mom.
Mom.
- It'll be okay.
I promise.
- If this is about the music - Oh, please.
we can turn it down.
We'll clean the house.
We can do whatever you like.
Mom, please don't do this.
- Mom, please don't do this.
- Michael, let go of the door! Where are the keys? Did you take the keys? Michael, did you take them? Did you take them? Where did you put them? What is Clara.
Did you call Clara? - Mrs.
Ford.
- What did you do? [CLARA.]
I'm here, Mrs.
Ford.
I came right back as soon as you needed me.
Are you okay, Mrs.
Ford? [CRYING.]
I don't I don't I don't Mrs.
Ford, I'm here.
Oh, my What did you do? What did you do? Clara, I'll take care of it.
- Betty.
- Mom.
Michael, take care of your brother and sister.
Children, come here.
I know you're scared.
Your mom loves you all very much.
And, uh, she's just very, very tired.
She's gonna get help from a doctor and he's gonna help her get better.
You okay, Michael? You did good.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]
Jerry.
Please tell the children that I'm sorry.
I will, Mother.
You sleep now, okay? I love you.
You've all auditioned very well and I'm appreciative of your efforts.
I'm sorry to say, none of you are great, but some of you do show promise.
Meg, you're in.
Elizabeth, you're in.
Callie, you're cut.
Helen, in.
Betty, you're out.
If you can care for yourself, maybe you can come back and try again.
Trudy, you're in.
Jennifer, in.
Natalie, in.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING.]