The American President

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT T H EA M E R I C A NP R E S I D E N T Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin -------------------------------------------------------------- FADE IN: As the OPENING TTTLES ROLL against a series of shots of statues and paintings of former presidents, we HEAR shards of dialogue from various presidential speeches. MAIN TITLES END ON EXT. BEAUTIFUL ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE WHITE HOUSE - DAY It's an early November morning, and the sun has just come over this extraordinary building. WE HOLD on this for a moment before we CUT TO: INT. A CORRIDOR IN THE RESIDENCE - DAY A SECRET SERVICE AGENT presses the button by the private elevator as he talks into his shirt cuff. AGENT COOPER Liberty's moving. Another AGENT rounds the corner into the corridor and is followed a step or two later by PRESIDENT ANDREW BENJAMIN SHEPHERD. SHEPHERD's walking with his personal assistant, JANIE, a shy, professional and incredibly efficient 25-year-old. JANIE The 10:15 event's been moved inside to the Indian Treaty Room. SHEPHERD (to Janie) The 10:15 is American Fisheries? JANIE Yes, sir. They're giving you a 200-pound halibut. SHEPHERD Janie, make a note. We need to schedule more events where somebody gives me a really big fish. JANIE starts to make a note. JANIE Yes, sir. SHEPHERD Janie, I was kidding. JANIE Of course, sir. SHEPHERD (to the AGENT at the elevator) Hey, Cooper. AGENT COOPER 'Morning, Mr. President. SHEPHERD and JANIE enter the elevator. As the doors close... JANIE Mr.