White House Plumbers (2023) s01e04 Episode Script
The Writer's Wife
1
(E. HOWARD HUNT BREATHING HEAVILY)
Saint? St. John?
Wake up, Saint! (PANTS) Can I trust you?
- What's going on?
- Can I trust you?
- Uh, I
- Just answer me!
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- You can trust me, Papa.
I fucked up.
(BREATHES HEAVILY) I
fucked up so so badly.
- Is Mom okay?
- Listen to me.
Remember, back in Mexico,
I told you I worked
- for the State Department?
- Uh-huh.
I was CIA. Station Chief
of the Mexico City office.
- What?
- I'm a spy.
A job just went FUBAR. Top
secret for the White House.
- And my people got arrested.
- How could you not tell us?
I need your help.
Things could get hairy
for me real quick.
I need you to do whatever
I ask without question.
Can I trust you?
Of course, Papa. (BREATHES SHAKILY)
- Good boy.
- (CHUCKLES)
Get Windex and gloves.
Okay.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
FRAN LIDDY: Mm.
How was work?
G. GORDON LIDDY: Ooh!
Comme ci, comme ça.
There is a chance I
will be going to prison.
Wait, what?
LIDDY: Don't worry.
Go back to sleep. Kids'll be up soon.
Oh, now, where are those
little soaps I got you
from the Watergate?
- They may be used as evidence.
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (CRICKETS CHIRPING)
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
HOWARD: Hurry!
(PANTS)
(GRUNTS)
(VEHICLE APPROACHING)
Fuck! Squat down!
Make it look like we're fixing a flat.
(GRUNTS)
Thank you!
(PANTS) Get the sides, the bottom.
- Wipe down everything.
- Yes, Papa!
HOWARD: All over! No
prints. Keep rubbing.
Good. Wipe it all down.
- Why the typewriter?
- The less you know the better.
Okay. (GRUNTS) Grab everything. Hurry.
(PANTS)
Never tell anyone that you did this,
or we're both in big trouble.
(GRUNTS)
- (PANTS)
- (HOWARD GRUNTS)
- (ST. JOHN HUNT PANTS)
- HOWARD: My boy. My boy, my boy.
(BOTH PANT)
Oh. Hotel key.
It's the little things.
- Oh, we didn't wipe that down!
- (GRUNTS)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(THEME MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
- (MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- OFFICER: Turn to your right.
- (SPEAKS SPANISH)
Turn to your right.
- No sé.
- OFFICER: Derecho.
Derecha.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
Turn to your right, please.
(STRONG AMERICAN ACCENT) No sé, señor.
OFFICER: Turn to your right.
- Do you speak English?
- Yeah.
OFFICER: Turn to your right.
- OFFICER: Gracias.
- You're welcome.
RICHARD KLEINDIENST: Fore!
Goddamn it. (SIGHS)
(CICADAS CHIRPING)
- LIDDY: Mr. Kleindienst?
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Hello?
LIDDY: I am behind
the tree to your right.
My name is Gordon Liddy.
I'm the Head Counsel
for the Committee to
Re-Elect the President.
What the hell are you
doing on my golf course?
Five men were arrested
last night at the DNC.
They were conducting a
clandestine intelligence
- gathering operation.
- I heard.
McGovern is floundering.
What kind of morons break
into the goddamn DNC?
Those men work for me.
Oh, hell.
One of the men, Jim
McCord, is Head of Security
- for the Committee.
- RICHARD: Oh, fuck.
Does Mitchell know?
I did not take over this job
just to clean up his bullshit.
Yes.
In fact, Mr. Mitchell has a request.
If you could get McCord
released immediately,
- we would be
- RICHARD: On what grounds?
Are you all out of your minds?
Do you have any idea
what something like this
could do to the president?
Sir, if the world finds out
that the Head of Security
for the Committee was arrested,
think about what that would do
- to the president.
- Oh, Christ.
LIDDY: McCord has fake ID.
But as a former FBI agent, he
has his fingerprints on file,
so it's only a matter of
time before they find out
who he is and where he works.
What the fuck did you people
think you were doing in there?
Saving the country from communism, sir.
The clock is ticking.
By my count, we have 48
hours before they figure out
- who he is.
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I stake my reputation on that.
(SIGHS)
(BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)
OFFICER 1: (WHISTLES,
- Come on. Oh, sí, sí.
- (BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)
- (SPEAKS SPANISH)
- OFFICER 2: Name?
- Eat shit.
- Address?
- I wanna speak to my attorney.
OFFICER 2: Phone number?
FRANK STURGIS: I wanna
speak with my attorney.
Okay, let's start from the top. Name?
Look, Mr. Martin, I'm
trying to help you out.
Just tell us your real
name, or bail's gonna be
100 grand at least.
I want to have an attorney present.
- TED GLENDON: Jim?
- (SIGHS)
Jimmy?
- Wait, you know this guy?
- Yeah, this is Jim McCord.
He does security for John Mitchell.
- No. Not anymore.
- Wow, really?
- Hey there, Ted.
- Hey.
Jim McCord. Thanks, Ted.
Yeah, thanks, Ted.
Could you spell your last name for me?
Yes, A-T-T-O-R-N-E-Y.
HOWARD: The perfect
French omelet is baveuse.
Now, where are the chives?
We have, uh, oranges,
pickles, oyster stew, olives,
no chives.
When do we ever have oyster stew?
We have everything.
We have tomato juice,
but we have no goddamn chives!
- It's okay, Papa.
- So stupid.
Don't worry about it. I don't need
- I don't need chives.
- Okay. Fine. Fine!
It'll be fine. (STUTTERS)
It's fine without the chives.
- It's fine.
- ST. JOHN: Um.
- Okay.
- ST. JOHN: You remember, my, um,
my, uh, teacher,
um, at my old school, the one who, um
Yes, I remember.
Well, I told Mama about
it, and then the next day,
he, uh, vanished.
Your mother told me what had happened.
And that night, I threw
two, three guns into the car.
And your mother got scared,
called the school to warn them,
and the pervert stole
off into the night.
- Were you gonna kill him?
- Kill who?
What are you doing here?
Why aren't you dressed and showered?
It's Saturday. I don't go in till 3:00.
- Saturday.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
Right! Saturday.
I'm gonna make you an omelet.
- Hunt residence.
- HOWARD: Of course, there's no chives.
- BOB WOODWARD: Howard Hunt, please.
- LISA HUNT: Mm-hmm.
Yep. One second. For you.
Howard Hunt here.
BOB: This is Bob Woodward
from The Washington Post.
Yes. Yes, what is it?
BOB: I was just kind of wondering
why your name was on an envelope
found on one of the men arrested
- at the Watergate?
- Good God.
BOB: Do you care to comment?
In view that the matter
is under adjudication,
uh, I have no comment.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- Wrong number.
- What? They asked for you.
I'm going to be in my office all day.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Don't answer it!
And if anyone comes to
the house, I'm not here.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Good evening.
We have a mystery
story out of Washington.
Five people have been arrested
and charged with breaking
into the headquarters of the
Democratic National Committee
in the middle of the night.
GARRICK UTLEY: Among those five persons
apprehended at the
Watergate was this man.
James W. McCord, a former CIA employee
who now owns his own
private security firm.
And guess what else he is?
A consultant to
President Richard Nixon's
re-election campaign committee.
(MACHINERY WHIRRING LOUDLY)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- (DOOR OPENS)
- JEB MAGRUDER: Gordon!
- (DOOR CLOSES)
Morning, Jeb.
- How's tricks?
- Gordon, this whole thing is exploding.
I'm getting calls from the FBI.
Why are you shredding money?
The cops found cash with
sequential serial numbers
on our guys.
Ergo, they can trace it
back to the bank and to us.
Cuban imbeciles were supposed to use it
as bribe money.
I'm sorry, are you shredding soap?
You have used up your daily quota
of moronic questions, you towel snapper.
And it is only 9:17 a.m.
You're our chief counsel! I
need to know what to do here!
BOTH: Get the fuck out!
My legal advice to you is
to hire your own attorney.
Then what in the high holy
fuck are we paying you for?
Jeb
I want you to know something.
This maelstrom of shit
we are in right now
it's all your fault.
I have to call a lawyer.
Now, you're getting it, Dummkopf.
Oh, my God.
FBI AGENT: Mr. Hunt. This is the FBI.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (HOWARD BREATHES HEAVILY)
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- MCNEIL: Mr. Hunt.
Let's come back.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
NEWS ANCHOR: (OVER RADIO) Earlier today,
the White House Press Secretary,
Ron Ziegler, had this to say
about the Watergate break-in.
RON ZIEGLER: (OVER RADIO)
My remark yesterday,
regarding a third-rate burglary
attempt, related to the fact
that I wasn't gonna comment
every time someone tries
to break in somewhere,
and I'm gonna reject
every attempt in questioning
to inject this matter
into the White House.
(LAUGHS)
- DOROTHY HUNT: Merci.
- (SPEAKS FRENCH)
Bonjour, oui.
I'd like to place an international call.
- Mama?
- Hey, honey, it's early.
Go back to sleep, okay? Yes, I'll hold.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
HOWARD: Were you followed?
Undoubtedly.
But I lost them.
HOWARD: Excellent.
Nice bomb shelter.
Thanks. It came with
the house. Hurry up!
(GRUNTS)
(HATCH SLAMMING)
LIDDY: Did you hear that child, Ziegler?
Called it a third-grade burglary.
(HOWARD SCOFFING)
Right this way.
FBI paid me a little visit today.
- Oh! And what did you tell them?
- Well, I didn't answer the door.
I'm, uh, laying low, playing it cool.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Do not answer that!
(BREATHES HEAVILY, MUMBLES
INDISTINCTLY) It's probably Dorothy,
but I just can't bring
myself to talk with her.
Good. Because your
phones are tapped by now.
Bastards. They don't tap my phone!
I tap their goddamn phones!
That is my métier. Here.
LIDDY: Hmm.
- How much cash do we have left?
- LIDDY: Zero.
I shredded it.
You shredded our money?
The money was a direct
link to the Committee.
- What else could I have done?
- Well, I don't know.
Hide it, bury it, launder
it. You do not shred money!
Christ! This is all McCord's fault.
Why did he leave that tape?
- (BREATHES HEAVILY)
- Do not panic.
We will figure this out.
I'm as cool as a polar
bear's privates, amigo.
The guy shredding money
is the one who panicked.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Let it ring!
Did you talk to Dean?
We need more money.
LISA: Shall I get that?
- Do not pick up!
- Why are you having a freak-out?
You're not strapped for cash, are you?
Not me.
The Cubans. They need
to take care of us.
- Um, them.
- Listen to me.
Well, if you come under pressure,
you just say
you worked for me.
'Cause I can take whatever these SOBs
- can dish out.
- I do not work for you, Gordon.
What are you gonna say?
That you worked for the White House?
(EXHALES HEAVILY)
- They better take care of us.
- They will.
Now, you and I just need
to keep our mouths shut
'til after the election.
Then Nixon can pardon us without so much
as a second thought
and we are home free.
Nixon is a man who values loyalty.
You're goddamn right he does.
Oh, uh, should I take
the bookcase, Dr. No,
- or is there a trap door?
- (CHUCKLES)
(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Two former White House aides
with electronic receiving devices
were in the room
of the Watergate Hotel
on the early morning
of June 17th, when five
men with bugging gear
were found in Democratic
headquarters here
in the Watergate building.
The men are G. Gordon Liddy,
at that time counsel
to the Finance Committee
to Re-Elect the President.
And E. Howard Hunt, a former
White House consultant.
REPORTER 1: Mrs. Hunt! Mrs. Hunt!
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
REPORTER 1: Mrs. Hunt,
have you seen your husband?
REPORTER 2: What do you know
about the break-in at the DNC?
Mrs. Dorothy Hunt, Agent
Dwyer, Agent McNeil, FBI.
- What is happening?
- DOROTHY: Kevan, take David inside, okay?
MCNEIL: This is private
property. Let's go.
Mrs. Hunt, we'd like a
word with your husband,
but we've been unable to track him down.
I'm sorry, I've been in Europe.
I haven't heard from my husband.
- He could be anywhere.
- Well, if you do see him,
could you please tell him to call us?
If I see him.
- (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (DOOR BANGS SHUT)
- DOROTHY: Howard!
Oh, bonjour, Kev!
- How was your month in Paris?
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
Oh, by the way, do not answer the phone.
W is Papa okay?
- Hey! Look who's here!
- Papa!
Anyone for pancakes? Chocolate chip!
Why is the FBI here?
Oh, well, they just wanted
to ask me a few questions,
but I'm not feeling
terribly chatty. (CHUCKLES)
Of course, he's a spy.
But he's not a spy!
I am.
No. Don't you You
work for the White House.
Think about it, Kev.
It makes so much sense.
All the lies, all the manipulations,
all the mind games. God!
This entire time we
believed that he just wrote
- shitty spy books.
- They're not shitty.
(SIGHS) Thank you, Saint.
That might be my best review.
So, am I getting
chocolate chip pancakes?
In a bit. First, I want
a word with your father.
GOVERNMENT WORKER:
Yeah, it's a disaster.
You gotta talk to those
guys in the morning.
Hmm. No, uh, tell them to
talk to Haldeman about it.
- I don't want that on my desk.
- Yeah.
- John!
- Jesus, Gordon.
Are you the action officer
in charge of damage control?
- You and I
- Don't look at me.
Just look straight ahead.
You and I cannot be talking, Gordon.
The FBI is crawling up our asses.
I'm in contact with Director Gray.
We're on top of it.
- Are you?
- Hmm.
They have Felt running
the investigation.
Mark Felt was at the
first Plumbers meeting.
- You're joking.
- Oh, I wish I were.
Please tell me this
meeting didn't take place
at the White House.
I wish I could.
Okay, Gray's our guy.
He'll ride herd on Felt
and his FBI cronies.
You guys just need to
keep your mouths shut.
You need to know something.
The DNC break-in is not the problem.
Our infiltration into Dan Ellsberg's
psychiatrist's office in
Beverly Hills last year
Ooh, that's the problem.
That order came from
inside the White House.
You know what? You didn't tell me that.
Because this conversation
never happened.
How does this thing keep
finding ways to get worse?
Ehrlichman okayed it.
And worse.
Hunt and I are prepared
to take the fall,
but we expect to be taken care of,
"company style."
Public disavowal, private funding.
I really hope that you understand
the scope and scale of this thing.
How dangerous this
could be to the country,
to the president.
The Committee has a
policy that every member
must cooperate fully
with the investigation.
Therefore, I will be tendering
my resignation tomorrow.
And if the president wants
you just tell me what
corner to stand on.
You hire a sniper and
I will take the bullet.
I am prepared to die for this president.
Are you?
Go home, Gordon.
Get some sleep.
Name the time and the place.
Just make sure it's a clean head shot!
Oh, I will, Gordon.
What, d'you bring back the
Eiffel Tower? (CHUCKLES)
You've had a long flight.
Uh, how about I whip you
up a few fluffy flapjacks?
What's going on, Howard?
HOWARD: We have eggs, we
have bacon, we have, uh
What have you done?
(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC
PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
It wasn't my fault.
I tried and tried to talk
them out of going in again,
but Gordon kept pushing and pushing,
and that idiot McCord left the tape
Our lives, Howard. Our house, our kids.
This was not the deal.
It's going to be okay.
I I have a plan.
You take that stupid fucking apron off.
I can't even look at you.
Okay. We, uh, we take
the kids to Florida.
We tell them we're going
to Walt Disney World.
But uh, we we
actually fly into Miami.
And there's that abandoned air strip
outside of Opa-locka,
we we used in '61.
- Then what?
- Then, we get Somoza to send
a Nicaraguan National Guard airplane.
And then what?
And then I do what I do.
(STUTTERS) I work with
Nicaraguan intelligence.
Uh, liaise with the Company.
Uh, it'll be like Mexico.
- You loved Mexico.
- Do you hear yourself, Howard?
Do you hear how insane you sound?
You need a lawyer. We need a lawyer.
No!
Somoza owes me big.
You know what we did down there.
They all owe me, those
greasy sons of bitches.
- They owe me!
- If our salvation hinges
on a tin-pot dictator's
sense of rectitude,
we are well and truly fucked, Howard.
I'll call a lawyer.
Thank you.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
WILLIAM O. BITTMAN:
Sweetheart, bring us some coffee
and some of those yummy
Stella D'Oro cookies,
- you you know? Thank you.
- Yes, sir.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Anyway, as I was saying,
this has jumped from a misdemeanor
to multiple felonies.
Now, unless you've
got some way of proving
that the Democrats bugged themselves
(CHUCKLES) we have
a problem, Howard.
You have to understand something.
I have never worked on US soil before.
When something goes wrong overseas,
they yank you out. They protect you.
What, then, is your endgame here?
I don't know. Uh, stay out of jail?
- DOROTHY: Hmm.
- Liddy is meeting today with Fred LaRue,
the president's lawyer.
You mean, the president's bagman.
Well, I assume they will
be discussing clemency.
The president will not forget us.
(DOROTHY SCOFFS)
I'm not a betting man,
but the odds of a pardon,
- uh, one in a thousand.
- What kind of deal might he get?
Dot, please. I'm the client.
What kind of deal can I get?
With every passing day,
the deal gets worse.
You play ball now,
I can probably keep you out of jail.
- I am not naming names.
- (DOROTHY GROANS)
Let me be clear, I am not naming names.
- No names will be named.
- So, it's a no on the names?
That doesn't leave me much to work with.
So, what, Howard? You're
just gonna go to jail?
That's your plan?
- Well, no, that that's
- No!
It's absolutely unacceptable.
I assume you're in communication
with the White House lawyers.
- Now, hold on. Ma'am
- You give them a message
from Howard.
You tell them loyalty
is a two-way street.
I know how this game is
played, and those spineless,
two-faced politicians need to hear it.
Dot, please, you can't just
I was on the last train
out of Shanghai in '49
with a .25 caliber strapped to my thigh,
dressed as a peasant.
If we're taking the fall,
we're not going down alone.
You tell them.
- Understand?
- Yes, ma'am.
DOROTHY: Let's go, Howard.
I better go.
- We're looking for 2500.
- (UPBEAT POP SONG PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
That's 2117, so a little
farther. Keep going.
Why doesn't he wanna just
meet you at his office?
LaRue cannot be seen
with me. Nobody can.
That's why I'm taking
the service elevator
up to his apartment.
And Howard thinks this a good idea?
He does. Unless Dorothy
convinced him otherwise.
I would never ask you about your work.
I'm only driving
because you asked me to.
I have it all under control.
Blame the whole break-in on the CIA.
And then they will deny it.
But no one's going to believe them
because they're a
bunch of double-dealing
panty-sniffers.
And Dean will tell the FBI
to stop the investigation
because it compromises
national intelligence.
It's just really as
simple Oh, fuck! (GRUNTS)
- FRAN: What is it, Gordon?
- (LIDDY GRUNTING, LAUGHING)
The president's lawyer's apartment is
at the Watergate. Oh, that is perfect.
- Should we go home?
- Oh, no. Proceed as planned.
- Just take a left here.
- Roger that.
- LIDDY: Turn signals, turn signals.
- FRAN: Sorry.
Don't forget I have a roast in the oven.
REPORTER 1: I'm reporting
from Witches Island
REPORTERS: (OVERLAPPING) Mr. Bittman?
- (REPORTERS CLAMORING)
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
- (CAR HONKS REPEATEDLY)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Morning.
So I spoke with the prosecutor
who said he is willing, uh
("CAMELOT" BY RICHARD
BURTON PLAYING OVER STEREO) ♪
- to discuss the
- I am not naming names.
- Yeah, I know!
- I say, I am not naming names!
- We can't hear a word, Howard!
- The house is bugged!
Anything we say is protected
under attorney-client privilege!
What?
As long as he's here,
they can't use anything!
- I
- The winter is forbidden 'til December ♪
I know.
And exits March
the second on the dot ♪
You hear that, Felt?
I'm not naming names!
I, uh, I did come with
a spot of good news.
DOROTHY: Hmm.
A guardian angel of yours sent me
25,000 dollars in cash.
See? They do fear me.
How soon can we get that?
Oh, you can't.
Uh, but my fees are
covered for the time being
so that should be something of a relief.
Now, right after the cash arrived,
I got a call from a Mr. Rivers,
who said he wanted to talk.
Okay, I'll need a secure phone.
Could you get our guest
some cookies or something?
WILLIAM: Well, he
didn't wanna talk to you.
His exact words were, "I wanna talk
to the writer's wife."
- Me?
- Her?
WILLIAM: Mm.
I'm gonna need a secure phone.
WILLIAM: Yes, of course.
Now, Howard, did you say something
about cookies?
They're in the cupboard, dear.
- Is chocolate chip okay?
- Yeah.
Chocolate chip, Howard.
HOWARD: Yes, dear.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
This is Howard Hunt. What should I
MR. RIVERS: (OVER TELEPHONE)
Put your wife on the phone,
and wait in the car, Mr. Hunt.
It's for you.
- DOROTHY: Mr. Rivers?
- MR. RIVERS: Yes.
Your husband's continued loyalty
to his country is appreciated.
I'll send further instructions
through Bittman. Stay tuned.
DOROTHY: And what about the others?
- The Cubans, Gordon Liddy?
- MR. RIVERS: Cubans?
They'll be looked after.
Liddy, he's on his own.
DOROTHY: Just so we're
clear, Mr. Rivers,
25,000 dollars is not
going to cut the mustard.
It's chicken feed.
MR. RIVERS: I understand.
Just be patient.
(SCOFFS) My husband and
I are as short on patience
as we are on money. Pass
that along, Mr. Rivers.
Good day.
They wanted me to tell you how much
they appreciated your loyalty.
How gratifying.
There is going to be nothing for Gordon.
Sons of bitches. (SIGHS)
We'll have to take care of him.
- How? Out of our end?
- He's my partner.
(CHUCKLES) Believe me. I know.
And we can't let him know
that it's coming out of our cut
- or he won't take it.
- (SIGHS)
HOWARD: First things
first, how do we spread
the money around?
Gordon and I are both
under investigation.
I suppose I can handle that too.
("NIXON NOW RALLY SONG" BY
MIKE CURB CONGREGATION PLAYING) ♪
Reaching out to find a way ♪
To make tomorrow a brighter day ♪
Making dreams reality ♪
More than ever Nixon
Now for you and me ♪
Nixon Now, Nixon Now ♪
He's made the difference ♪
He's showed us how ♪
Nixon Now, Nixon Now ♪
More than ever, Nixon Now ♪
Listen, America, Nixon Now ♪
("GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF"
BY EDDIE KENDRICKS PLAYING) ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
One for the money ♪
Two for the show ♪
Light me up, darling ♪
See how brightly I can glow ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
You're the switch that turns me on ♪
Light me up, baby ♪
See how brightly I can burn ♪
Burn, burn, burn, burn ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
Thank you.
Everything that I require ♪
From the top to the bottom ♪
Girl, you know you got 'em ♪
- Fran.
- FRAN: Hi, Dorothy.
Do you wanna come in and
Thank you.
I can burn all night long, long ♪
Long ♪
Oh, fire, fire ♪
When you speak my name ♪
Raging higher ♪
You're the queen of my flame ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
Girl, you know you got it ♪
Everything that I require ♪
From the top to the bottom ♪
Girl, you know you got 'em ♪
Every match that lights my fire ♪
So light me up, baby ♪
See how brightly I can burn ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SONG CONTINUES OVER CAR STEREO) ♪
Ooh ♪
Ooh ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
Turn me on, baby ♪
I don't understand.
What are we doing here?
For the 100th time, it's a goddamned fun
family outing. Stop touching the radio!
- See? Monuments.
- ("SUNSHINE" BY JONATHAN EDWARDS PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
She's gonna turn around ♪
Brand-new bells will be ringing ♪
HOWARD: Get in the back.
DAVID HUNT: Can we get ice cream now?
Of course! Let's go.
- What did you just take from under the phone?
- Nothing.
Did you just use the fun family outing
to cover up some weird spy shit?
Absolutely not. Let's go, Howard.
- Bullshit! Bullshit!
- Lisa! Enough.
Oh, okay, what are
you gonna do, Mr. CIA?
You're gonna send me
back to the insane asylum?
This family is living a charade of lies!
I said enough!
("THAT'S LIFE" BY JAMES BROWN) ♪
That's life ♪
That's what the people say ♪
DOROTHY: This is all there was.
Goddamn it.
After Bittman, we are
left with only 5,000.
Don't forget the Liddys.
I'm gonna change that, too ♪
(SIGHS)
When I'm back on top in June ♪
Say that's life ♪
Oh, Mr. Hunt, you must know,
the tennis courts are privileges
- for people
- Don, listen to me. I I
- who have paid their dues.
- I tried to send you a check.
- You have to leave, sir.
- And someone didn't mail it!
Six months in a row,
someone has forgotten
to mail your checks, sir.
You are embarrassing
me in front of everyone!
I'm sorry I have to do this, sir.
But this is my job.
Go down to the neighborhood bar ♪
It's not fair, Don.
It's not fair.
("DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME"
BY THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS PLAYING) ♪
- (DOORBELL DINGS)
- How's the soup, Jim?
Substandard.
Basically, hot tomato
juice. Might even be ketchup.
The payments have stopped. I'm sorry.
Well, it's not surprising.
The money's the most
incriminating thing.
I can't believe Mitchell
would just abandon you.
- He seemed so
- What? Loyal?
Hmm. Well, he had the Plumbers hire you
- after his wife, you know?
- After Martha had me fired?
Yeah. He didn't do it out of loyalty.
He was afraid of what
I know about his family.
That's all that motivates these people.
Fear and power. Mainly
the fear of losing power.
But we're so close to the election.
You have to understand
something, Dorothy.
These people we work for,
their cause is righteous,
but their souls are
- rotten.
- Then why get involved?
The same as Howard. It's a job.
(DOROTHY SCOFFS)
It's
it's not a job to him. This, uh
war against the Left. (SCOFFS)
It's like a religion.
(SIGHS) Hmm.
Thanks for the soup.
GEORGE MCGOVERN: (OVER TV)
The Democratic bugging case
is now in the courts.
But Mr. Nixon and his
political operatives
have done what no Democrat could do.
Through their evasiveness
and their delaying tactics,
they have made this case
of political espionage
a major issue in this
important presidential campaign.
Are you ready for the arraignment?
Can anyone ever be
ready for an arraignment?
That's fair.
Got
fired by Mullen this week.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER TV)
Cowards.
(EXHALES SHARPLY) My
boss's son works at the DNC.
McCord tapped his phone.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- (CHUCKLES)
- It's not funny.
- (CHUCKLES) Come on!
(BOTH LAUGH)
- FRAN: Dinner's served!
- HOWARD: Look at that!
- Oh, lovely
- You are in for a treat!
How about a toast to better days?
To better days.
Prost!
So, now, we just wait for
Nixon to get re-elected.
Fingers crossed.
- (LIDDY CHUCKLES)
- Well, e even then
What are you trying to say there, Dot?
- Well
- HOWARD: She's No. Nothing.
She's not trying to say anything.
No. I I was just
saying, even if Nixon wins,
there's no guarantees
that you all get pardons.
Right, Howard?
- (CHUCKLES)
- Go on, honey.
Tell them your idea.
Well, there there's plenty of time
for that after dinner. Few more drinks.
- Tell them, dear.
- Here's the thing.
Uh, no matter what we say or don't say,
the story is going to come out.
So, why don't we tell
our side and, uh, and make
- a tidy profit doing it?
- Tell them how much.
HOWARD: Well, my agent thinks
there'll be a bidding war.
And, uh, we're looking
at half a million dollars.
- Maybe more.
- What?
- That much for a book?
- (CHUCKLES)
Unequivocally
no.
(CHUCKLES) Wait. So, just no?
How the hell are we supposed to live?
Pay for lawyers, schools, groceries?
I've I've, uh, I've
gone back to teaching.
Franny can stretch a chicken
like nobody's business.
- We're fine.
- Oh, you're you're fine.
This honor-among-thieves nonsense
all but guarantees your reputations
will be destroyed by others
who have far less to lose than you.
But you're fine.
Gordon, we will be laughed at
as third-rate burglars forever.
Or with a flick of my typewriter,
we can restore our honor, right?
Right.
We were hired to win
a goddamned election,
and to protect this
country from the Reds.
So, please, tell me how writing
a tell-all book will do that?
- Hmm?
- Gordon, just consider it.
(SHUSHES)
We never implicate the president.
We just tell our side.
People need to understand
that we're not a bunch
of incompetent boobs, we're patriots
who are acting in the
country's best interests.
- A book, huh?
- A book.
LIDDY: Like that book
that you gave that pretty stewardess
on our way back from Los Angeles?
(WINE POURING)
I I I don't, uh,
recall any stewardess.
Well, she certainly
recalled you, Mr. Hamilton.
Matter of fact, she saw your picture
- in the paper.
- DOROTHY: Hmm.
LIDDY: Called the FBI.
Apparently, she received
a copy of your latest pot boiler
and a nice handwritten note
on White House stationery.
On our children's lives,
Dorothy, I have no recollection
of this alleged person.
Probably just a, uh,
an admirer of my work.
(CHUCKLES) Mm-hmm.
For those that need reminding
my loyalty's is not for
sale, and I am not the type
to talk.
Don't.
No need for that.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Oh for Christ's sake, Gordon!
Do you two know where your money's
been coming from? Us. Not
the White House, not CREEP.
From our own pockets. The Hunts!
- Did you know this?
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I can show you the
ledgers, down to the cent.
Do you know how much the White House,
and your beloved Führer
Nixon put aside for you,
and your five children?
Zero. Nada. Nothing.
And now, we are broke.
Come on, Dot, that's not necessary.
Dead flat broke. They
need to know, Howard.
The people we are
protecting are bad people.
So let's drop this loyalty bullshit.
We are the only ones in
this whole situation
who've been looking out for you.
HOWARD: The food looked delicious, Fran.
(DOOR OPENS)
Goodnight, Gordon.
I'm so sorry.
Sit down, Francis. It's dinner time.
(DOOR CLOSES)
And never apologize.
- Makes us look weak.
- Right.
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (GAVEL BANGING)
- JUDGE JOHN SIRICA: Order, order.
Pre-preliminary hearing to be set
within ten court days. Thank you.
Charges are, one count of conspiracy,
two counts of burglary and three counts
of eavesdropping.
Would anyone care to be heard on bail?
PANEL: No, your honor.
JUDGE SIRICA: Bail is
set at 10,000 dollars.
- (GAVEL BANGS)
- Gordon.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Gordon.
Pay the clerk the ten
percent and you can go.
Blood from a stone.
Don't leave town.
Goes for you, too.
Oh, I'm not going anywhere.
My bail bondsman is also my mother.
Pay the man, Mother.
- Gordon, can we talk?
- LIDDY: Come on.
- REPORTER 1: Oh, Gordon! Gordon!
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
REPORTER 2: Would you
care to make a comment?
How is everybody doing today?
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (LAUGHS)
REPORTER 3: Mr. Hunt! Mr. Hunt!
Howard, how does it feel to
be called a third-rate burglar
- by the White House?
- Mr. Hunt!
Come on, any comment?
Any comment at all?
Would you like to make a comment for
WILLIAM: What part of no
comment don't you understand!
Now, scram!
Pass on another message
to the White House.
Politely remind them about what I have
in my safe on Fielding.
And if they don't come
through with more money,
I'm going to blow them out of the water.
I know things about presidents past,
and present, and a
little event in Dallas
that could tear this country apart.
- (BREATHES HEAVILY)
- I'll I'll pass it on.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (CAMERAS SHUTTER CLICKING)
(CICADAS CHIRPING)
ST. JOHN: Mama, are we in trouble?
You?
No. Why Why would you be in trouble?
What about Papa?
I don't know.
(SIGHS) I am so sorry.
This is all my fault.
You're all paying for my mistakes.
- No.
- I should have put my foot down.
- I know better. And now
- It's not your fault.
You know, I came back
from Paris to leave him.
I've tried to leave him so many times.
And then the accident,
I I didn't think Lisa
could handle the divorce. I'm so dumb.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Mama, it's okay.
- You kept the family together.
- (SCOFFS) And here we are.
I know how seductive Papa can be.
DOROTHY: What's that supposed to mean?
- Oh, no nothing.
- DOROTHY: Then what?
What What are you talking about?
We just, um, did some stuff together.
What stuff?
Um I, uh, you know? Nothing, really.
I just helped him, you know
clean clean some
equipment. And, uh
it it was microphones and and, uh,
tape tape recorders.
And, um, it was the
morning after the arrests.
Oh, my God. (SCOFFS)
He had you destroy evidence?
I don't know. It was his typewriter,
- and
- DOROTHY: Mm-hmm.
Um, I We just threw
it all into the river.
Thank you for for telling me.
ST. JOHN: You know, it's
actually kind of far out.
We've been getting along
a lot better lately.
Well, your father is always
at his best when it's too late.
DOROTHY: (CLICKS TONGUE) Go.
Here. (CLICKS TONGUE)
Make sure they give him fresh carrots.
He knows when they're fresh, okay?
Will do, Mrs. Hunt. Don't worry.
They've got a fine new home.
HARRY REASONER: (OVER TV)
Reporting from CBS News'
election headquarters in New York.
Here is correspondent Walter Cronkite.
WALTER CRONKITE: (OVER TV)
We can now say on the basis
of our sample precincts
from South Dakota
that Senator McGovern has
not won his home state.
- (LIDDY LAUGHS)
- CRONKITE: But President Nixon will win
- LIDDY: This This gives me hope!
- South Dakota
when all the votes are
in by 55 to 45 percent.
Whatever trials and tribulations
I have been through
- it was worth it.
- Have you met the president yet, Dad?
No, Son. But the
president once gave a memo
- I wrote an A-plus.
- What kind of memo?
Well, I suggested he
replace J. Edgar Hoover
as head of the FBI.
And I felt that Hoover
was lacking judgment,
and I questioned his loyalty.
The president called it the
best memo he'd ever read.
- Wow.
- Goddamn.
That was a hell of a memo.
- (THUDDING)
- (GASPS)
- Oh, goddamn it!
- (YELPS)
HARRY: (OVER TV) And there's the senator
approaching the podium.
FRANK REYNOLDS: (OVER TV) Senator McGovern's
speech tonight will most certainly be
the most effective
- of his whole campaign.
- Oh, real effective, dummy.
(LISA SHUSHES)
HOWARD: Who did you vote for?
- None of your business.
- (CHUCKLES)
We need the president to win
so that he can pardon Papa.
- What's a pardon?
- Nothing.
FRANK: (OVER TV) And 496 electoral votes
in comparison to McGovern's two states
- resulting in 17
- Well, it was all for nothing.
- Come on, Dot.
- Hmm.
All of your Watergate (CHUCKLES)
was for nothing.
What are you talking
about? This Th
(SIGHS) is a victory for America
- Mm-hmm.
- for democracy, for freedom,
for law and order and we
are on the winning side.
- Now, Nixon can do it.
- Oh, my God, Howard, wake up!
Nixon isn't going to do anything,
because now, he doesn't fucking have to.
And our whole world is broken.
Just like your stupid typewriter.
- Honey, trust me, Nixon
- Oh, fuck Nixon!
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER TV)
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- Your mother didn't mean that.
- Sounded like she meant it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Fresh cash is a hopeful
sign. It means they care.
Sure.
Are you nervous about the trip?
It's just a quick stop in Chicago
Howard, when I get
back I'm taking David,
and we're leaving. I want a divorce.
Listen, I know I know
I've made mistakes
Save it, Howard.
Dorothy, please, I
You know, there's
something I never told you.
Back when we first got together,
my station chief pulled me
into his office and showed me a file.
Your file.
They were concerned that
your, uh, visceral hatred
of racism made you vulnerable
to Communist recruitment.
- Idiots.
- They gave me a choice.
Leave you or cut off all
ties with any friends of mine
who were overt racists.
This is supposed to change my mind?
It was a lot of people!
You have always come
first with me, Dot. Always.
And now, your partner is a Nazi.
Ex-partner.
That should tell you
all you need to know
about the current state of our marriage.
You know, you're no angel yourself.
All that running around in Uruguay
with your Italian gigolo, Quagliotti.
Yeah. I found the
letters. Real spicy stuff.
So, while you were screwing your way
through Latin America, I was supposed
to sit happily at
home, changing diapers,
and knitting an American flag?
- (SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- On my worst day
I would not have used
one of our children
to aid and abet in
the felony destruction
of evidence.
What?
St. John told me about
the typewriter, and all the rest.
You tracked your shit into our house.
(SIGHS) I am so sorry.
- I
- I have a flight to catch.
I Let me help you carry your bag in.
Chivalry is the last thing
I want from you right now.
Dorothy, please. It can't end like this.
It All because of a
goddamn little piece of tape!
Oh, Howard
our marriage ended 11 years
ago on a beach in Cuba.
I have been holding this family together
with spit and glue, hoping
you would come around.
But I am done.
We're done.
(SIGHS)
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Mrs. Hunt, Michelle Clark.
Thanks for agreeing to speak in person.
DOROTHY: Yes, of course.
Does your husband know
you're talking to me?
- Hi, there. Champagne?
- DOROTHY: Thank you.
Thank you.
I don't need his permission.
PILOT: (OVER PA) Chicago approaching.
United 553, ten miles
south with Uniform,
inbound for landing.
I kept meticulous records
of the incoming funds,
- and the disbursements. It
- PILOT: (OVER PA) Ladies and gentlemen,
we'll be landing in just a few minutes.
Please extinguish all cigarettes
and put your seat backs
in an upright position.
It goes all the way
into the White House.
- The Oval Office.
- Why come forward now?
I'm doing this for my children.
People need to know
they're the offspring
of a decorated patriot, not some
bumbling third-rate burglar.
Yeah.
PILOT: (OVER PA) Flight attendants,
please prepare for landing.
Completely off the record,
I assume you've heard
all the wild JFK rumors
about your husband.
- (SEAT BELT RATTLING)
- I have.
He was questioned
about the assassination
by the Warren Commission.
And he told the Warren Commission
that on November 22nd,
1963, he was home with me,
making dinner.
Was he?
The truth is
- Howard was in
- (PASSENGERS SCREAMING)
("THE CANDY MAN" BY SAMMY
DAVIS JR. PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
- Who can take a sunrise? ♪
- Who can take a sunrise? ♪
- Sprinkle it with dew ♪
- Sprinkle it with dew ♪
Cover it with chocolate
and a miracle or two ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- HOWARD: Who wants pancakes?
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
HOWARD: David?
Lisa?
St. John, let's go!
Makes the world taste good ♪
- Who can take a rainbow? ♪
- Who can take a rainbow ♪
- Wrap it in a sigh ♪
- Wrap it in a sigh ♪
Soak it in the sun and
make a groovy lemon pie ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- (WATER RUNNING)
(TELEPHONE CONTINUES RINGING)
- The Candy Man can ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
The Candy Man can 'cause
he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
Makes the world taste good ♪
The Candy Man makes
everything he bakes ♪
Satisfying and delicious ♪
Now, you talk about
your childhood wishes ♪
You can even eat the dishes ♪
- Oh, who can take tomorrow ♪
- Who can take tomorrow ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
Separate the sorrow and
collect up all the cream ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- Oh, the Candy Man can ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
The Candy Man can 'cause
he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
Makes the world taste good ♪
The Candy Man makes
everything he bakes ♪
Satisfying and delicious ♪
Talk about your childhood wishes ♪
You can even eat the dishes ♪
Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
- Who can take tomorrow? ♪
- Who can take tomorrow ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
Separate the sorrow and
collect up all the cream ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
The Candy Man can 'cause
he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
Yes, the Candy Man can
'cause he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
A Candy Man, a Candy Man ♪
- A Candy Man ♪
- Makes the world taste good ♪
A Candy Man, a Candy Man ♪
(SONG CONCLUDES) ♪
(E. HOWARD HUNT BREATHING HEAVILY)
Saint? St. John?
Wake up, Saint! (PANTS) Can I trust you?
- What's going on?
- Can I trust you?
- Uh, I
- Just answer me!
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- You can trust me, Papa.
I fucked up.
(BREATHES HEAVILY) I
fucked up so so badly.
- Is Mom okay?
- Listen to me.
Remember, back in Mexico,
I told you I worked
- for the State Department?
- Uh-huh.
I was CIA. Station Chief
of the Mexico City office.
- What?
- I'm a spy.
A job just went FUBAR. Top
secret for the White House.
- And my people got arrested.
- How could you not tell us?
I need your help.
Things could get hairy
for me real quick.
I need you to do whatever
I ask without question.
Can I trust you?
Of course, Papa. (BREATHES SHAKILY)
- Good boy.
- (CHUCKLES)
Get Windex and gloves.
Okay.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
FRAN LIDDY: Mm.
How was work?
G. GORDON LIDDY: Ooh!
Comme ci, comme ça.
There is a chance I
will be going to prison.
Wait, what?
LIDDY: Don't worry.
Go back to sleep. Kids'll be up soon.
Oh, now, where are those
little soaps I got you
from the Watergate?
- They may be used as evidence.
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (CRICKETS CHIRPING)
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
HOWARD: Hurry!
(PANTS)
(GRUNTS)
(VEHICLE APPROACHING)
Fuck! Squat down!
Make it look like we're fixing a flat.
(GRUNTS)
Thank you!
(PANTS) Get the sides, the bottom.
- Wipe down everything.
- Yes, Papa!
HOWARD: All over! No
prints. Keep rubbing.
Good. Wipe it all down.
- Why the typewriter?
- The less you know the better.
Okay. (GRUNTS) Grab everything. Hurry.
(PANTS)
Never tell anyone that you did this,
or we're both in big trouble.
(GRUNTS)
- (PANTS)
- (HOWARD GRUNTS)
- (ST. JOHN HUNT PANTS)
- HOWARD: My boy. My boy, my boy.
(BOTH PANT)
Oh. Hotel key.
It's the little things.
- Oh, we didn't wipe that down!
- (GRUNTS)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(THEME MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
- (MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- OFFICER: Turn to your right.
- (SPEAKS SPANISH)
Turn to your right.
- No sé.
- OFFICER: Derecho.
Derecha.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
Turn to your right, please.
(STRONG AMERICAN ACCENT) No sé, señor.
OFFICER: Turn to your right.
- Do you speak English?
- Yeah.
OFFICER: Turn to your right.
- OFFICER: Gracias.
- You're welcome.
RICHARD KLEINDIENST: Fore!
Goddamn it. (SIGHS)
(CICADAS CHIRPING)
- LIDDY: Mr. Kleindienst?
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Hello?
LIDDY: I am behind
the tree to your right.
My name is Gordon Liddy.
I'm the Head Counsel
for the Committee to
Re-Elect the President.
What the hell are you
doing on my golf course?
Five men were arrested
last night at the DNC.
They were conducting a
clandestine intelligence
- gathering operation.
- I heard.
McGovern is floundering.
What kind of morons break
into the goddamn DNC?
Those men work for me.
Oh, hell.
One of the men, Jim
McCord, is Head of Security
- for the Committee.
- RICHARD: Oh, fuck.
Does Mitchell know?
I did not take over this job
just to clean up his bullshit.
Yes.
In fact, Mr. Mitchell has a request.
If you could get McCord
released immediately,
- we would be
- RICHARD: On what grounds?
Are you all out of your minds?
Do you have any idea
what something like this
could do to the president?
Sir, if the world finds out
that the Head of Security
for the Committee was arrested,
think about what that would do
- to the president.
- Oh, Christ.
LIDDY: McCord has fake ID.
But as a former FBI agent, he
has his fingerprints on file,
so it's only a matter of
time before they find out
who he is and where he works.
What the fuck did you people
think you were doing in there?
Saving the country from communism, sir.
The clock is ticking.
By my count, we have 48
hours before they figure out
- who he is.
- (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I stake my reputation on that.
(SIGHS)
(BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)
OFFICER 1: (WHISTLES,
- Come on. Oh, sí, sí.
- (BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)
- (SPEAKS SPANISH)
- OFFICER 2: Name?
- Eat shit.
- Address?
- I wanna speak to my attorney.
OFFICER 2: Phone number?
FRANK STURGIS: I wanna
speak with my attorney.
Okay, let's start from the top. Name?
Look, Mr. Martin, I'm
trying to help you out.
Just tell us your real
name, or bail's gonna be
100 grand at least.
I want to have an attorney present.
- TED GLENDON: Jim?
- (SIGHS)
Jimmy?
- Wait, you know this guy?
- Yeah, this is Jim McCord.
He does security for John Mitchell.
- No. Not anymore.
- Wow, really?
- Hey there, Ted.
- Hey.
Jim McCord. Thanks, Ted.
Yeah, thanks, Ted.
Could you spell your last name for me?
Yes, A-T-T-O-R-N-E-Y.
HOWARD: The perfect
French omelet is baveuse.
Now, where are the chives?
We have, uh, oranges,
pickles, oyster stew, olives,
no chives.
When do we ever have oyster stew?
We have everything.
We have tomato juice,
but we have no goddamn chives!
- It's okay, Papa.
- So stupid.
Don't worry about it. I don't need
- I don't need chives.
- Okay. Fine. Fine!
It'll be fine. (STUTTERS)
It's fine without the chives.
- It's fine.
- ST. JOHN: Um.
- Okay.
- ST. JOHN: You remember, my, um,
my, uh, teacher,
um, at my old school, the one who, um
Yes, I remember.
Well, I told Mama about
it, and then the next day,
he, uh, vanished.
Your mother told me what had happened.
And that night, I threw
two, three guns into the car.
And your mother got scared,
called the school to warn them,
and the pervert stole
off into the night.
- Were you gonna kill him?
- Kill who?
What are you doing here?
Why aren't you dressed and showered?
It's Saturday. I don't go in till 3:00.
- Saturday.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
Right! Saturday.
I'm gonna make you an omelet.
- Hunt residence.
- HOWARD: Of course, there's no chives.
- BOB WOODWARD: Howard Hunt, please.
- LISA HUNT: Mm-hmm.
Yep. One second. For you.
Howard Hunt here.
BOB: This is Bob Woodward
from The Washington Post.
Yes. Yes, what is it?
BOB: I was just kind of wondering
why your name was on an envelope
found on one of the men arrested
- at the Watergate?
- Good God.
BOB: Do you care to comment?
In view that the matter
is under adjudication,
uh, I have no comment.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- Wrong number.
- What? They asked for you.
I'm going to be in my office all day.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Don't answer it!
And if anyone comes to
the house, I'm not here.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Good evening.
We have a mystery
story out of Washington.
Five people have been arrested
and charged with breaking
into the headquarters of the
Democratic National Committee
in the middle of the night.
GARRICK UTLEY: Among those five persons
apprehended at the
Watergate was this man.
James W. McCord, a former CIA employee
who now owns his own
private security firm.
And guess what else he is?
A consultant to
President Richard Nixon's
re-election campaign committee.
(MACHINERY WHIRRING LOUDLY)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- (DOOR OPENS)
- JEB MAGRUDER: Gordon!
- (DOOR CLOSES)
Morning, Jeb.
- How's tricks?
- Gordon, this whole thing is exploding.
I'm getting calls from the FBI.
Why are you shredding money?
The cops found cash with
sequential serial numbers
on our guys.
Ergo, they can trace it
back to the bank and to us.
Cuban imbeciles were supposed to use it
as bribe money.
I'm sorry, are you shredding soap?
You have used up your daily quota
of moronic questions, you towel snapper.
And it is only 9:17 a.m.
You're our chief counsel! I
need to know what to do here!
BOTH: Get the fuck out!
My legal advice to you is
to hire your own attorney.
Then what in the high holy
fuck are we paying you for?
Jeb
I want you to know something.
This maelstrom of shit
we are in right now
it's all your fault.
I have to call a lawyer.
Now, you're getting it, Dummkopf.
Oh, my God.
FBI AGENT: Mr. Hunt. This is the FBI.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (HOWARD BREATHES HEAVILY)
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- MCNEIL: Mr. Hunt.
Let's come back.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
NEWS ANCHOR: (OVER RADIO) Earlier today,
the White House Press Secretary,
Ron Ziegler, had this to say
about the Watergate break-in.
RON ZIEGLER: (OVER RADIO)
My remark yesterday,
regarding a third-rate burglary
attempt, related to the fact
that I wasn't gonna comment
every time someone tries
to break in somewhere,
and I'm gonna reject
every attempt in questioning
to inject this matter
into the White House.
(LAUGHS)
- DOROTHY HUNT: Merci.
- (SPEAKS FRENCH)
Bonjour, oui.
I'd like to place an international call.
- Mama?
- Hey, honey, it's early.
Go back to sleep, okay? Yes, I'll hold.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
HOWARD: Were you followed?
Undoubtedly.
But I lost them.
HOWARD: Excellent.
Nice bomb shelter.
Thanks. It came with
the house. Hurry up!
(GRUNTS)
(HATCH SLAMMING)
LIDDY: Did you hear that child, Ziegler?
Called it a third-grade burglary.
(HOWARD SCOFFING)
Right this way.
FBI paid me a little visit today.
- Oh! And what did you tell them?
- Well, I didn't answer the door.
I'm, uh, laying low, playing it cool.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Do not answer that!
(BREATHES HEAVILY, MUMBLES
INDISTINCTLY) It's probably Dorothy,
but I just can't bring
myself to talk with her.
Good. Because your
phones are tapped by now.
Bastards. They don't tap my phone!
I tap their goddamn phones!
That is my métier. Here.
LIDDY: Hmm.
- How much cash do we have left?
- LIDDY: Zero.
I shredded it.
You shredded our money?
The money was a direct
link to the Committee.
- What else could I have done?
- Well, I don't know.
Hide it, bury it, launder
it. You do not shred money!
Christ! This is all McCord's fault.
Why did he leave that tape?
- (BREATHES HEAVILY)
- Do not panic.
We will figure this out.
I'm as cool as a polar
bear's privates, amigo.
The guy shredding money
is the one who panicked.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Let it ring!
Did you talk to Dean?
We need more money.
LISA: Shall I get that?
- Do not pick up!
- Why are you having a freak-out?
You're not strapped for cash, are you?
Not me.
The Cubans. They need
to take care of us.
- Um, them.
- Listen to me.
Well, if you come under pressure,
you just say
you worked for me.
'Cause I can take whatever these SOBs
- can dish out.
- I do not work for you, Gordon.
What are you gonna say?
That you worked for the White House?
(EXHALES HEAVILY)
- They better take care of us.
- They will.
Now, you and I just need
to keep our mouths shut
'til after the election.
Then Nixon can pardon us without so much
as a second thought
and we are home free.
Nixon is a man who values loyalty.
You're goddamn right he does.
Oh, uh, should I take
the bookcase, Dr. No,
- or is there a trap door?
- (CHUCKLES)
(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Two former White House aides
with electronic receiving devices
were in the room
of the Watergate Hotel
on the early morning
of June 17th, when five
men with bugging gear
were found in Democratic
headquarters here
in the Watergate building.
The men are G. Gordon Liddy,
at that time counsel
to the Finance Committee
to Re-Elect the President.
And E. Howard Hunt, a former
White House consultant.
REPORTER 1: Mrs. Hunt! Mrs. Hunt!
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
REPORTER 1: Mrs. Hunt,
have you seen your husband?
REPORTER 2: What do you know
about the break-in at the DNC?
Mrs. Dorothy Hunt, Agent
Dwyer, Agent McNeil, FBI.
- What is happening?
- DOROTHY: Kevan, take David inside, okay?
MCNEIL: This is private
property. Let's go.
Mrs. Hunt, we'd like a
word with your husband,
but we've been unable to track him down.
I'm sorry, I've been in Europe.
I haven't heard from my husband.
- He could be anywhere.
- Well, if you do see him,
could you please tell him to call us?
If I see him.
- (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (DOOR BANGS SHUT)
- DOROTHY: Howard!
Oh, bonjour, Kev!
- How was your month in Paris?
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
Oh, by the way, do not answer the phone.
W is Papa okay?
- Hey! Look who's here!
- Papa!
Anyone for pancakes? Chocolate chip!
Why is the FBI here?
Oh, well, they just wanted
to ask me a few questions,
but I'm not feeling
terribly chatty. (CHUCKLES)
Of course, he's a spy.
But he's not a spy!
I am.
No. Don't you You
work for the White House.
Think about it, Kev.
It makes so much sense.
All the lies, all the manipulations,
all the mind games. God!
This entire time we
believed that he just wrote
- shitty spy books.
- They're not shitty.
(SIGHS) Thank you, Saint.
That might be my best review.
So, am I getting
chocolate chip pancakes?
In a bit. First, I want
a word with your father.
GOVERNMENT WORKER:
Yeah, it's a disaster.
You gotta talk to those
guys in the morning.
Hmm. No, uh, tell them to
talk to Haldeman about it.
- I don't want that on my desk.
- Yeah.
- John!
- Jesus, Gordon.
Are you the action officer
in charge of damage control?
- You and I
- Don't look at me.
Just look straight ahead.
You and I cannot be talking, Gordon.
The FBI is crawling up our asses.
I'm in contact with Director Gray.
We're on top of it.
- Are you?
- Hmm.
They have Felt running
the investigation.
Mark Felt was at the
first Plumbers meeting.
- You're joking.
- Oh, I wish I were.
Please tell me this
meeting didn't take place
at the White House.
I wish I could.
Okay, Gray's our guy.
He'll ride herd on Felt
and his FBI cronies.
You guys just need to
keep your mouths shut.
You need to know something.
The DNC break-in is not the problem.
Our infiltration into Dan Ellsberg's
psychiatrist's office in
Beverly Hills last year
Ooh, that's the problem.
That order came from
inside the White House.
You know what? You didn't tell me that.
Because this conversation
never happened.
How does this thing keep
finding ways to get worse?
Ehrlichman okayed it.
And worse.
Hunt and I are prepared
to take the fall,
but we expect to be taken care of,
"company style."
Public disavowal, private funding.
I really hope that you understand
the scope and scale of this thing.
How dangerous this
could be to the country,
to the president.
The Committee has a
policy that every member
must cooperate fully
with the investigation.
Therefore, I will be tendering
my resignation tomorrow.
And if the president wants
you just tell me what
corner to stand on.
You hire a sniper and
I will take the bullet.
I am prepared to die for this president.
Are you?
Go home, Gordon.
Get some sleep.
Name the time and the place.
Just make sure it's a clean head shot!
Oh, I will, Gordon.
What, d'you bring back the
Eiffel Tower? (CHUCKLES)
You've had a long flight.
Uh, how about I whip you
up a few fluffy flapjacks?
What's going on, Howard?
HOWARD: We have eggs, we
have bacon, we have, uh
What have you done?
(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC
PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
It wasn't my fault.
I tried and tried to talk
them out of going in again,
but Gordon kept pushing and pushing,
and that idiot McCord left the tape
Our lives, Howard. Our house, our kids.
This was not the deal.
It's going to be okay.
I I have a plan.
You take that stupid fucking apron off.
I can't even look at you.
Okay. We, uh, we take
the kids to Florida.
We tell them we're going
to Walt Disney World.
But uh, we we
actually fly into Miami.
And there's that abandoned air strip
outside of Opa-locka,
we we used in '61.
- Then what?
- Then, we get Somoza to send
a Nicaraguan National Guard airplane.
And then what?
And then I do what I do.
(STUTTERS) I work with
Nicaraguan intelligence.
Uh, liaise with the Company.
Uh, it'll be like Mexico.
- You loved Mexico.
- Do you hear yourself, Howard?
Do you hear how insane you sound?
You need a lawyer. We need a lawyer.
No!
Somoza owes me big.
You know what we did down there.
They all owe me, those
greasy sons of bitches.
- They owe me!
- If our salvation hinges
on a tin-pot dictator's
sense of rectitude,
we are well and truly fucked, Howard.
I'll call a lawyer.
Thank you.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
WILLIAM O. BITTMAN:
Sweetheart, bring us some coffee
and some of those yummy
Stella D'Oro cookies,
- you you know? Thank you.
- Yes, sir.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Anyway, as I was saying,
this has jumped from a misdemeanor
to multiple felonies.
Now, unless you've
got some way of proving
that the Democrats bugged themselves
(CHUCKLES) we have
a problem, Howard.
You have to understand something.
I have never worked on US soil before.
When something goes wrong overseas,
they yank you out. They protect you.
What, then, is your endgame here?
I don't know. Uh, stay out of jail?
- DOROTHY: Hmm.
- Liddy is meeting today with Fred LaRue,
the president's lawyer.
You mean, the president's bagman.
Well, I assume they will
be discussing clemency.
The president will not forget us.
(DOROTHY SCOFFS)
I'm not a betting man,
but the odds of a pardon,
- uh, one in a thousand.
- What kind of deal might he get?
Dot, please. I'm the client.
What kind of deal can I get?
With every passing day,
the deal gets worse.
You play ball now,
I can probably keep you out of jail.
- I am not naming names.
- (DOROTHY GROANS)
Let me be clear, I am not naming names.
- No names will be named.
- So, it's a no on the names?
That doesn't leave me much to work with.
So, what, Howard? You're
just gonna go to jail?
That's your plan?
- Well, no, that that's
- No!
It's absolutely unacceptable.
I assume you're in communication
with the White House lawyers.
- Now, hold on. Ma'am
- You give them a message
from Howard.
You tell them loyalty
is a two-way street.
I know how this game is
played, and those spineless,
two-faced politicians need to hear it.
Dot, please, you can't just
I was on the last train
out of Shanghai in '49
with a .25 caliber strapped to my thigh,
dressed as a peasant.
If we're taking the fall,
we're not going down alone.
You tell them.
- Understand?
- Yes, ma'am.
DOROTHY: Let's go, Howard.
I better go.
- We're looking for 2500.
- (UPBEAT POP SONG PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
That's 2117, so a little
farther. Keep going.
Why doesn't he wanna just
meet you at his office?
LaRue cannot be seen
with me. Nobody can.
That's why I'm taking
the service elevator
up to his apartment.
And Howard thinks this a good idea?
He does. Unless Dorothy
convinced him otherwise.
I would never ask you about your work.
I'm only driving
because you asked me to.
I have it all under control.
Blame the whole break-in on the CIA.
And then they will deny it.
But no one's going to believe them
because they're a
bunch of double-dealing
panty-sniffers.
And Dean will tell the FBI
to stop the investigation
because it compromises
national intelligence.
It's just really as
simple Oh, fuck! (GRUNTS)
- FRAN: What is it, Gordon?
- (LIDDY GRUNTING, LAUGHING)
The president's lawyer's apartment is
at the Watergate. Oh, that is perfect.
- Should we go home?
- Oh, no. Proceed as planned.
- Just take a left here.
- Roger that.
- LIDDY: Turn signals, turn signals.
- FRAN: Sorry.
Don't forget I have a roast in the oven.
REPORTER 1: I'm reporting
from Witches Island
REPORTERS: (OVERLAPPING) Mr. Bittman?
- (REPORTERS CLAMORING)
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
- (CAR HONKS REPEATEDLY)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Morning.
So I spoke with the prosecutor
who said he is willing, uh
("CAMELOT" BY RICHARD
BURTON PLAYING OVER STEREO) ♪
- to discuss the
- I am not naming names.
- Yeah, I know!
- I say, I am not naming names!
- We can't hear a word, Howard!
- The house is bugged!
Anything we say is protected
under attorney-client privilege!
What?
As long as he's here,
they can't use anything!
- I
- The winter is forbidden 'til December ♪
I know.
And exits March
the second on the dot ♪
You hear that, Felt?
I'm not naming names!
I, uh, I did come with
a spot of good news.
DOROTHY: Hmm.
A guardian angel of yours sent me
25,000 dollars in cash.
See? They do fear me.
How soon can we get that?
Oh, you can't.
Uh, but my fees are
covered for the time being
so that should be something of a relief.
Now, right after the cash arrived,
I got a call from a Mr. Rivers,
who said he wanted to talk.
Okay, I'll need a secure phone.
Could you get our guest
some cookies or something?
WILLIAM: Well, he
didn't wanna talk to you.
His exact words were, "I wanna talk
to the writer's wife."
- Me?
- Her?
WILLIAM: Mm.
I'm gonna need a secure phone.
WILLIAM: Yes, of course.
Now, Howard, did you say something
about cookies?
They're in the cupboard, dear.
- Is chocolate chip okay?
- Yeah.
Chocolate chip, Howard.
HOWARD: Yes, dear.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
This is Howard Hunt. What should I
MR. RIVERS: (OVER TELEPHONE)
Put your wife on the phone,
and wait in the car, Mr. Hunt.
It's for you.
- DOROTHY: Mr. Rivers?
- MR. RIVERS: Yes.
Your husband's continued loyalty
to his country is appreciated.
I'll send further instructions
through Bittman. Stay tuned.
DOROTHY: And what about the others?
- The Cubans, Gordon Liddy?
- MR. RIVERS: Cubans?
They'll be looked after.
Liddy, he's on his own.
DOROTHY: Just so we're
clear, Mr. Rivers,
25,000 dollars is not
going to cut the mustard.
It's chicken feed.
MR. RIVERS: I understand.
Just be patient.
(SCOFFS) My husband and
I are as short on patience
as we are on money. Pass
that along, Mr. Rivers.
Good day.
They wanted me to tell you how much
they appreciated your loyalty.
How gratifying.
There is going to be nothing for Gordon.
Sons of bitches. (SIGHS)
We'll have to take care of him.
- How? Out of our end?
- He's my partner.
(CHUCKLES) Believe me. I know.
And we can't let him know
that it's coming out of our cut
- or he won't take it.
- (SIGHS)
HOWARD: First things
first, how do we spread
the money around?
Gordon and I are both
under investigation.
I suppose I can handle that too.
("NIXON NOW RALLY SONG" BY
MIKE CURB CONGREGATION PLAYING) ♪
Reaching out to find a way ♪
To make tomorrow a brighter day ♪
Making dreams reality ♪
More than ever Nixon
Now for you and me ♪
Nixon Now, Nixon Now ♪
He's made the difference ♪
He's showed us how ♪
Nixon Now, Nixon Now ♪
More than ever, Nixon Now ♪
Listen, America, Nixon Now ♪
("GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF"
BY EDDIE KENDRICKS PLAYING) ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
One for the money ♪
Two for the show ♪
Light me up, darling ♪
See how brightly I can glow ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
You're the switch that turns me on ♪
Light me up, baby ♪
See how brightly I can burn ♪
Burn, burn, burn, burn ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
Thank you.
Everything that I require ♪
From the top to the bottom ♪
Girl, you know you got 'em ♪
- Fran.
- FRAN: Hi, Dorothy.
Do you wanna come in and
Thank you.
I can burn all night long, long ♪
Long ♪
Oh, fire, fire ♪
When you speak my name ♪
Raging higher ♪
You're the queen of my flame ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
Girl, you know you got it ♪
Everything that I require ♪
From the top to the bottom ♪
Girl, you know you got 'em ♪
Every match that lights my fire ♪
So light me up, baby ♪
See how brightly I can burn ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SONG CONTINUES OVER CAR STEREO) ♪
Ooh ♪
Ooh ♪
Go on with your bad self ♪
Turn me on, baby ♪
I don't understand.
What are we doing here?
For the 100th time, it's a goddamned fun
family outing. Stop touching the radio!
- See? Monuments.
- ("SUNSHINE" BY JONATHAN EDWARDS PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
She's gonna turn around ♪
Brand-new bells will be ringing ♪
HOWARD: Get in the back.
DAVID HUNT: Can we get ice cream now?
Of course! Let's go.
- What did you just take from under the phone?
- Nothing.
Did you just use the fun family outing
to cover up some weird spy shit?
Absolutely not. Let's go, Howard.
- Bullshit! Bullshit!
- Lisa! Enough.
Oh, okay, what are
you gonna do, Mr. CIA?
You're gonna send me
back to the insane asylum?
This family is living a charade of lies!
I said enough!
("THAT'S LIFE" BY JAMES BROWN) ♪
That's life ♪
That's what the people say ♪
DOROTHY: This is all there was.
Goddamn it.
After Bittman, we are
left with only 5,000.
Don't forget the Liddys.
I'm gonna change that, too ♪
(SIGHS)
When I'm back on top in June ♪
Say that's life ♪
Oh, Mr. Hunt, you must know,
the tennis courts are privileges
- for people
- Don, listen to me. I I
- who have paid their dues.
- I tried to send you a check.
- You have to leave, sir.
- And someone didn't mail it!
Six months in a row,
someone has forgotten
to mail your checks, sir.
You are embarrassing
me in front of everyone!
I'm sorry I have to do this, sir.
But this is my job.
Go down to the neighborhood bar ♪
It's not fair, Don.
It's not fair.
("DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME"
BY THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS PLAYING) ♪
- (DOORBELL DINGS)
- How's the soup, Jim?
Substandard.
Basically, hot tomato
juice. Might even be ketchup.
The payments have stopped. I'm sorry.
Well, it's not surprising.
The money's the most
incriminating thing.
I can't believe Mitchell
would just abandon you.
- He seemed so
- What? Loyal?
Hmm. Well, he had the Plumbers hire you
- after his wife, you know?
- After Martha had me fired?
Yeah. He didn't do it out of loyalty.
He was afraid of what
I know about his family.
That's all that motivates these people.
Fear and power. Mainly
the fear of losing power.
But we're so close to the election.
You have to understand
something, Dorothy.
These people we work for,
their cause is righteous,
but their souls are
- rotten.
- Then why get involved?
The same as Howard. It's a job.
(DOROTHY SCOFFS)
It's
it's not a job to him. This, uh
war against the Left. (SCOFFS)
It's like a religion.
(SIGHS) Hmm.
Thanks for the soup.
GEORGE MCGOVERN: (OVER TV)
The Democratic bugging case
is now in the courts.
But Mr. Nixon and his
political operatives
have done what no Democrat could do.
Through their evasiveness
and their delaying tactics,
they have made this case
of political espionage
a major issue in this
important presidential campaign.
Are you ready for the arraignment?
Can anyone ever be
ready for an arraignment?
That's fair.
Got
fired by Mullen this week.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER TV)
Cowards.
(EXHALES SHARPLY) My
boss's son works at the DNC.
McCord tapped his phone.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
- (CHUCKLES)
- It's not funny.
- (CHUCKLES) Come on!
(BOTH LAUGH)
- FRAN: Dinner's served!
- HOWARD: Look at that!
- Oh, lovely
- You are in for a treat!
How about a toast to better days?
To better days.
Prost!
So, now, we just wait for
Nixon to get re-elected.
Fingers crossed.
- (LIDDY CHUCKLES)
- Well, e even then
What are you trying to say there, Dot?
- Well
- HOWARD: She's No. Nothing.
She's not trying to say anything.
No. I I was just
saying, even if Nixon wins,
there's no guarantees
that you all get pardons.
Right, Howard?
- (CHUCKLES)
- Go on, honey.
Tell them your idea.
Well, there there's plenty of time
for that after dinner. Few more drinks.
- Tell them, dear.
- Here's the thing.
Uh, no matter what we say or don't say,
the story is going to come out.
So, why don't we tell
our side and, uh, and make
- a tidy profit doing it?
- Tell them how much.
HOWARD: Well, my agent thinks
there'll be a bidding war.
And, uh, we're looking
at half a million dollars.
- Maybe more.
- What?
- That much for a book?
- (CHUCKLES)
Unequivocally
no.
(CHUCKLES) Wait. So, just no?
How the hell are we supposed to live?
Pay for lawyers, schools, groceries?
I've I've, uh, I've
gone back to teaching.
Franny can stretch a chicken
like nobody's business.
- We're fine.
- Oh, you're you're fine.
This honor-among-thieves nonsense
all but guarantees your reputations
will be destroyed by others
who have far less to lose than you.
But you're fine.
Gordon, we will be laughed at
as third-rate burglars forever.
Or with a flick of my typewriter,
we can restore our honor, right?
Right.
We were hired to win
a goddamned election,
and to protect this
country from the Reds.
So, please, tell me how writing
a tell-all book will do that?
- Hmm?
- Gordon, just consider it.
(SHUSHES)
We never implicate the president.
We just tell our side.
People need to understand
that we're not a bunch
of incompetent boobs, we're patriots
who are acting in the
country's best interests.
- A book, huh?
- A book.
LIDDY: Like that book
that you gave that pretty stewardess
on our way back from Los Angeles?
(WINE POURING)
I I I don't, uh,
recall any stewardess.
Well, she certainly
recalled you, Mr. Hamilton.
Matter of fact, she saw your picture
- in the paper.
- DOROTHY: Hmm.
LIDDY: Called the FBI.
Apparently, she received
a copy of your latest pot boiler
and a nice handwritten note
on White House stationery.
On our children's lives,
Dorothy, I have no recollection
of this alleged person.
Probably just a, uh,
an admirer of my work.
(CHUCKLES) Mm-hmm.
For those that need reminding
my loyalty's is not for
sale, and I am not the type
to talk.
Don't.
No need for that.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Oh for Christ's sake, Gordon!
Do you two know where your money's
been coming from? Us. Not
the White House, not CREEP.
From our own pockets. The Hunts!
- Did you know this?
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I can show you the
ledgers, down to the cent.
Do you know how much the White House,
and your beloved Führer
Nixon put aside for you,
and your five children?
Zero. Nada. Nothing.
And now, we are broke.
Come on, Dot, that's not necessary.
Dead flat broke. They
need to know, Howard.
The people we are
protecting are bad people.
So let's drop this loyalty bullshit.
We are the only ones in
this whole situation
who've been looking out for you.
HOWARD: The food looked delicious, Fran.
(DOOR OPENS)
Goodnight, Gordon.
I'm so sorry.
Sit down, Francis. It's dinner time.
(DOOR CLOSES)
And never apologize.
- Makes us look weak.
- Right.
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (GAVEL BANGING)
- JUDGE JOHN SIRICA: Order, order.
Pre-preliminary hearing to be set
within ten court days. Thank you.
Charges are, one count of conspiracy,
two counts of burglary and three counts
of eavesdropping.
Would anyone care to be heard on bail?
PANEL: No, your honor.
JUDGE SIRICA: Bail is
set at 10,000 dollars.
- (GAVEL BANGS)
- Gordon.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Gordon.
Pay the clerk the ten
percent and you can go.
Blood from a stone.
Don't leave town.
Goes for you, too.
Oh, I'm not going anywhere.
My bail bondsman is also my mother.
Pay the man, Mother.
- Gordon, can we talk?
- LIDDY: Come on.
- REPORTER 1: Oh, Gordon! Gordon!
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
REPORTER 2: Would you
care to make a comment?
How is everybody doing today?
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (LAUGHS)
REPORTER 3: Mr. Hunt! Mr. Hunt!
Howard, how does it feel to
be called a third-rate burglar
- by the White House?
- Mr. Hunt!
Come on, any comment?
Any comment at all?
Would you like to make a comment for
WILLIAM: What part of no
comment don't you understand!
Now, scram!
Pass on another message
to the White House.
Politely remind them about what I have
in my safe on Fielding.
And if they don't come
through with more money,
I'm going to blow them out of the water.
I know things about presidents past,
and present, and a
little event in Dallas
that could tear this country apart.
- (BREATHES HEAVILY)
- I'll I'll pass it on.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (CAMERAS SHUTTER CLICKING)
(CICADAS CHIRPING)
ST. JOHN: Mama, are we in trouble?
You?
No. Why Why would you be in trouble?
What about Papa?
I don't know.
(SIGHS) I am so sorry.
This is all my fault.
You're all paying for my mistakes.
- No.
- I should have put my foot down.
- I know better. And now
- It's not your fault.
You know, I came back
from Paris to leave him.
I've tried to leave him so many times.
And then the accident,
I I didn't think Lisa
could handle the divorce. I'm so dumb.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Mama, it's okay.
- You kept the family together.
- (SCOFFS) And here we are.
I know how seductive Papa can be.
DOROTHY: What's that supposed to mean?
- Oh, no nothing.
- DOROTHY: Then what?
What What are you talking about?
We just, um, did some stuff together.
What stuff?
Um I, uh, you know? Nothing, really.
I just helped him, you know
clean clean some
equipment. And, uh
it it was microphones and and, uh,
tape tape recorders.
And, um, it was the
morning after the arrests.
Oh, my God. (SCOFFS)
He had you destroy evidence?
I don't know. It was his typewriter,
- and
- DOROTHY: Mm-hmm.
Um, I We just threw
it all into the river.
Thank you for for telling me.
ST. JOHN: You know, it's
actually kind of far out.
We've been getting along
a lot better lately.
Well, your father is always
at his best when it's too late.
DOROTHY: (CLICKS TONGUE) Go.
Here. (CLICKS TONGUE)
Make sure they give him fresh carrots.
He knows when they're fresh, okay?
Will do, Mrs. Hunt. Don't worry.
They've got a fine new home.
HARRY REASONER: (OVER TV)
Reporting from CBS News'
election headquarters in New York.
Here is correspondent Walter Cronkite.
WALTER CRONKITE: (OVER TV)
We can now say on the basis
of our sample precincts
from South Dakota
that Senator McGovern has
not won his home state.
- (LIDDY LAUGHS)
- CRONKITE: But President Nixon will win
- LIDDY: This This gives me hope!
- South Dakota
when all the votes are
in by 55 to 45 percent.
Whatever trials and tribulations
I have been through
- it was worth it.
- Have you met the president yet, Dad?
No, Son. But the
president once gave a memo
- I wrote an A-plus.
- What kind of memo?
Well, I suggested he
replace J. Edgar Hoover
as head of the FBI.
And I felt that Hoover
was lacking judgment,
and I questioned his loyalty.
The president called it the
best memo he'd ever read.
- Wow.
- Goddamn.
That was a hell of a memo.
- (THUDDING)
- (GASPS)
- Oh, goddamn it!
- (YELPS)
HARRY: (OVER TV) And there's the senator
approaching the podium.
FRANK REYNOLDS: (OVER TV) Senator McGovern's
speech tonight will most certainly be
the most effective
- of his whole campaign.
- Oh, real effective, dummy.
(LISA SHUSHES)
HOWARD: Who did you vote for?
- None of your business.
- (CHUCKLES)
We need the president to win
so that he can pardon Papa.
- What's a pardon?
- Nothing.
FRANK: (OVER TV) And 496 electoral votes
in comparison to McGovern's two states
- resulting in 17
- Well, it was all for nothing.
- Come on, Dot.
- Hmm.
All of your Watergate (CHUCKLES)
was for nothing.
What are you talking
about? This Th
(SIGHS) is a victory for America
- Mm-hmm.
- for democracy, for freedom,
for law and order and we
are on the winning side.
- Now, Nixon can do it.
- Oh, my God, Howard, wake up!
Nixon isn't going to do anything,
because now, he doesn't fucking have to.
And our whole world is broken.
Just like your stupid typewriter.
- Honey, trust me, Nixon
- Oh, fuck Nixon!
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER TV)
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- Your mother didn't mean that.
- Sounded like she meant it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Fresh cash is a hopeful
sign. It means they care.
Sure.
Are you nervous about the trip?
It's just a quick stop in Chicago
Howard, when I get
back I'm taking David,
and we're leaving. I want a divorce.
Listen, I know I know
I've made mistakes
Save it, Howard.
Dorothy, please, I
You know, there's
something I never told you.
Back when we first got together,
my station chief pulled me
into his office and showed me a file.
Your file.
They were concerned that
your, uh, visceral hatred
of racism made you vulnerable
to Communist recruitment.
- Idiots.
- They gave me a choice.
Leave you or cut off all
ties with any friends of mine
who were overt racists.
This is supposed to change my mind?
It was a lot of people!
You have always come
first with me, Dot. Always.
And now, your partner is a Nazi.
Ex-partner.
That should tell you
all you need to know
about the current state of our marriage.
You know, you're no angel yourself.
All that running around in Uruguay
with your Italian gigolo, Quagliotti.
Yeah. I found the
letters. Real spicy stuff.
So, while you were screwing your way
through Latin America, I was supposed
to sit happily at
home, changing diapers,
and knitting an American flag?
- (SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- On my worst day
I would not have used
one of our children
to aid and abet in
the felony destruction
of evidence.
What?
St. John told me about
the typewriter, and all the rest.
You tracked your shit into our house.
(SIGHS) I am so sorry.
- I
- I have a flight to catch.
I Let me help you carry your bag in.
Chivalry is the last thing
I want from you right now.
Dorothy, please. It can't end like this.
It All because of a
goddamn little piece of tape!
Oh, Howard
our marriage ended 11 years
ago on a beach in Cuba.
I have been holding this family together
with spit and glue, hoping
you would come around.
But I am done.
We're done.
(SIGHS)
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Mrs. Hunt, Michelle Clark.
Thanks for agreeing to speak in person.
DOROTHY: Yes, of course.
Does your husband know
you're talking to me?
- Hi, there. Champagne?
- DOROTHY: Thank you.
Thank you.
I don't need his permission.
PILOT: (OVER PA) Chicago approaching.
United 553, ten miles
south with Uniform,
inbound for landing.
I kept meticulous records
of the incoming funds,
- and the disbursements. It
- PILOT: (OVER PA) Ladies and gentlemen,
we'll be landing in just a few minutes.
Please extinguish all cigarettes
and put your seat backs
in an upright position.
It goes all the way
into the White House.
- The Oval Office.
- Why come forward now?
I'm doing this for my children.
People need to know
they're the offspring
of a decorated patriot, not some
bumbling third-rate burglar.
Yeah.
PILOT: (OVER PA) Flight attendants,
please prepare for landing.
Completely off the record,
I assume you've heard
all the wild JFK rumors
about your husband.
- (SEAT BELT RATTLING)
- I have.
He was questioned
about the assassination
by the Warren Commission.
And he told the Warren Commission
that on November 22nd,
1963, he was home with me,
making dinner.
Was he?
The truth is
- Howard was in
- (PASSENGERS SCREAMING)
("THE CANDY MAN" BY SAMMY
DAVIS JR. PLAYING OVER RADIO) ♪
- Who can take a sunrise? ♪
- Who can take a sunrise? ♪
- Sprinkle it with dew ♪
- Sprinkle it with dew ♪
Cover it with chocolate
and a miracle or two ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- HOWARD: Who wants pancakes?
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
HOWARD: David?
Lisa?
St. John, let's go!
Makes the world taste good ♪
- Who can take a rainbow? ♪
- Who can take a rainbow ♪
- Wrap it in a sigh ♪
- Wrap it in a sigh ♪
Soak it in the sun and
make a groovy lemon pie ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- (WATER RUNNING)
(TELEPHONE CONTINUES RINGING)
- The Candy Man can ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
The Candy Man can 'cause
he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
Makes the world taste good ♪
The Candy Man makes
everything he bakes ♪
Satisfying and delicious ♪
Now, you talk about
your childhood wishes ♪
You can even eat the dishes ♪
- Oh, who can take tomorrow ♪
- Who can take tomorrow ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
Separate the sorrow and
collect up all the cream ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- Oh, the Candy Man can ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
The Candy Man can 'cause
he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
Makes the world taste good ♪
The Candy Man makes
everything he bakes ♪
Satisfying and delicious ♪
Talk about your childhood wishes ♪
You can even eat the dishes ♪
Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
- Who can take tomorrow? ♪
- Who can take tomorrow ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
- Dip it in a dream ♪
Separate the sorrow and
collect up all the cream ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
- The Candy Man can ♪
The Candy Man can 'cause
he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
Yes, the Candy Man can
'cause he mixes it with love ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
And makes the world taste good ♪
A Candy Man, a Candy Man ♪
- A Candy Man ♪
- Makes the world taste good ♪
A Candy Man, a Candy Man ♪
(SONG CONCLUDES) ♪