Original subtitles

Go on, Mr. Dillon.

Funerals are so sad.

Yeah, well, look at it this way, Marcy. It's death that gives life its meaning.

Pete, what a profound thought.

You saw that on a sign at the funeral parlor.

Well, I think Dylan let the job of budget director get to him. He took the

for inflation, unemployment, high interest rates. That poor guy was hated

one end of the state to the other.

Somebody must have liked Dylan. Otherwise, where'd all those flowers

You sent them, sir.

Well, I thought he looked very peaceful. I think he looked very dead.

I didn't think he looked that dead.

Well, at least he didn't die of anything serious.

I'll be in my office.

You know something?

The poor man didn't even have any next of kin.

You're kidding.

Hey, I wonder if he left anything in his desk.

Well, I think Henry was a wonderful man and I'm going to miss him. Well, I will

too, of course.

However, the ship of state must sail on.

You're right about that, Clayton. Nothing will bring Henry back.

At least nothing that we know about.

What does that mean?

Well, if you knew anything at all, Benson, you'd know there is a

that people die and come back in another shape.

Well, let's hope you do better next time.

Sir, I think we should set aside our grief and mourning and get on with the

business at hand.

What business is that, Clayton?

Appointing a new budget director, sir. Now, I've given the matter a great deal

of thought. I've considered a number of highly qualified people, but I keep

coming back to one name.

Mine.

Oh, well, I'll certainly take it into consideration.

Well, you certainly won't regret it, sir. Good. I feel my qualifications

for themselves.

What did they say?

Why would Clayton want to go to a job where everybody's going to hate him?

Beats me. He's got that right here.

Clayton, I know how much you want this job, but you're just too valuable to me

as chief of staff.

Is that your final decision, sir? I'm afraid so.

Very well, Governor.

I can live with that.

Benson, you must have ESP. I was just thinking about you.

ESP, Governor? You sent for me.

Oh, well, that's why I was thinking about you.

Well, I figured you wanted to okay this request for the new security gate. Oh.

Sign there.

Uh, Benson, did I ever tell you the story about Jeb Holly used to work for

down at the mill? I wish I could say yes.

what happened? The first day Jeb was a lumberjack. I'm not about to try.

See, after we cut down the trees, we'd load them onto these big trucks and

them off to the mill. And one of the trucks got too many logs on the top, and

got jammed underneath a railroad trestle. Got wedged right in there.

budge it one way or the other.

That's one of your funniest stories.

Would you sign this? So we called in the highway department, the civil

engineers. Nobody could figure out how to get that darn truck out from

underneath that trestle. Then it's still there.

No, no, no.

Jeb Holley came up with the solution.

He pointed to the trucks. He says, why don't you let some of the air out of the

tires?

It worked!

The hell of a story, sir. Would you sign this?

So I really kept my eye on it.

And next year, I made him my foreman, and he did a wonderful job for me. And

that's why I want you to be my new state budget director.

I want you to be the state budget director.

aren't you?

Hi, Katie.

How was school?

Why? What did my father say?

Is he freaked out?

I don't think so. Why should he be freaked out?

No special reason.

Just the usual pressures of being governor. The stress of office.

My report card.

I got a D in history.

What do you think I should do?

Leave town.

Come on, Benson, this is serious.

Well, you better go in and talk to your father.

What can I say?

Tell him you'll study harder.

Well, I might as well give it a try.

That's the trouble with being desperate.

You go with the first crazy idea that comes along.

Hey, how's it going, Mr. Budget Director?

Come on, Pete, I'm still thinking about it. Okay, while you're thinking, check

this out.

What's this? It's your biography.

I'd like to have a press release ready, you know, just in case.

You spelled my last name wrong.

What? Benson Dubois. D -U -B -W -A -H.

How else would you spell it?

How about D -U -B -O -I -S?

No, that can't be right.

You telling me how to spell my name?

Oh, here. Well, okay, here. Give it to me again.

Dubois. D -U -B -O -I -S.

Shouldn't that be the boys? Shouldn't you be someplace else?

What is this?

What's what? I never attended Harvard University.

Sure you did.

Remember when they honored the governor? You were there.

I was also in Detroit. That doesn't make me a Buick.

Look, Benson, it's not easy building an image.

Especially for a man who doesn't have one.

Well, I got some great news.

The governor says I can become your aide when you take the job.

What are you talking about?

Well, he knows you're going to need somebody to help you get over the rough

spots. Well, I appreciate it, Marcy, but I haven't decided to take that job yet.

Benson, would you please consider the people of this state?

Now, suppose you refuse the job and the next budget director turns out to be

some insensitive, pompous jackass.

Well, then Clayton would have somebody to go to lunch with.

Good evening, Governor.

Good evening, Hudson.

Couldn't sleep, huh?

Right.

Been thinking about that budget director job.

Right. Thinking you might not accept it. Right.

That's why I couldn't sleep.

I got thinking that you'd be thinking exactly what you've been thinking.

Well, if I'd known you were thinking it, I would have gone to sleep.

Hudson, it's a terrific opportunity. Why don't you go for it?

Oh, Governor, what do I know about high finance?

Well, we've got experts for that.

But their decisions are always based on decimal points first and people second.

I know you'd do it the other way around.

But I don't have any practical experience.

That's exactly what you do have.

You brought this mansion in under budget for two years.

Well, how can you compare the mansion budget to the state budget?

Well, it's just a matter of size. If you can handle one budget, you can handle

the other.

All you do is add zeros.

Well, I don't know.

But you studied business management. You're taking courses toward a degree in

economics. Yeah, but suppose I didn't do a good job. It'd make you look bad.

And frankly, sir, you don't always look that good to begin with.

You know, Benson, that's what I like about you. Your honesty, which is why I

want you in there.

You sure about this?

Manson, there are safer men I could pick for this job, but I don't want somebody

who'll play it safe. I want somebody who'll play it straight.

And that's why I want you.

Will you do it?

Well, if you're willing to take the chance, so am I.

You know, Marcy wants to be your aide.

Yeah, yeah.

But if she works for me, what'll you do?

Oh, I'll stay governor.

Excuse me, Governor. Senator Chapman's here.

I'll send him in.

Governor. Right this way, sir.

Nice to see you, Senator.

Thank you. Sit down, please.

Oh, what can I do for you?

I thought we might discuss your nominee for budget director.

Ah, yes, Benson. Good man.

I don't want him.

Oh, now, really, Senator?

His job is running this mansion, and now you are nominating him to be budget

director for this state?

Well, I see nothing wrong with that. After all, don't we have an astronaut

basketball player in the United States Senate? I don't really want to debate

issue, Governor. I want to know why you rejected my candidate for the job.

Representative Harris.

The perfect choice.

Since he's been in the House of Representatives, he has made hundreds of

decisions, none of which I have disagreed with. Well, Benson's made

decisions, some of which I have disagreed with, but then Benson has a

his own. Are you implying that Representative Harris is my yes -man?

No, I'm not implying anything, Senator. I'm stating it loud and clear.

Well, I have something to tell you, Governor. My committee has to approve

nomination. And your Benson doesn't stand a chance in hell. I'm going to

him. I think you better leave.

Now!

Out of the way!

Who was that?

Senator Chapman.

Nasty sucker, isn't he?

What's his problem?

You.

The financial wizard is still cramming his head with facts and figures?

Mm -hmm. You've been at it for two weeks, Benson.

But then it must be slow going when you have to count on your fingers.

Krauss, please, I have to go before the committee tomorrow morning.

Forget it, Benson, you're wasting your time.

They say the last nominee who faced Chapman's committee went in as a college

professor and came out a Russian spy.

The only way Chapman can hurt me is if I fail to answer his questions about the

economy. I hope you're right, Benson.

Because if that committee approves your nomination, never again will we work

side by side in the kitchen.

So don't blow it.

You know, you always get a crowd like this when they smell blood.

Hey, look who just walked in.

Dracula and his bride.

Hello, Benson.

Surprised to see me?

Horribly.

Clayton, what are you doing here?

Well, the governor sent me to counsel Benson.

He'd leave you two alone for five minutes.

Here's the committee.

Which one is Chapman?

The one who looks like he just had a tooth pulled.

And liked it.

Hearing will come to order, please.

The matter before this committee is the confirmation of a new budget director.

Is the nominee present?

Yes, sir.

Good luck, Benson.

Don't embarrass the guys at Harvard.

Just get the job. Lie if you have to.

Senator Chapman, is there any objection to my acting as counsel for Mr. Dubois?

Not at all, Mr. Endicott. Thank you, sir.

Distinguished members of the committee, I stand before you today... Sit down,

Endicott. We're here to listen to the nominee.

Oh. Yes, of course.

That's why I arranged to have him present.

Thank you.

Mr. DeBasey?

Dubois, Senator.

You must have me confused with Count DeBasey.

The only... The only thing that I'm confused about is the governor's recent

budget cut of $22 million.

Now, won't that eliminate a number of state services?

You don't have to answer that. He's setting you up.

I hope I'm not paying you for this advice.

No, Senator, none of the state services will have to be eliminated.

But with such a drastic reduction in funds, how do you propose to keep these

services operating?

You walked right into that, Benson. You're on your own.

We can keep these services operating, Senator, by getting rid of some of the

things that the state doesn't need anymore.

Such as aid to the elderly?

No, Senator.

Such as private consulting firms duplicating state services. Such as

the legislature going to Hawaii at government expense.

Such as schools. Schools?

Yes, Senator.

Schools that are half empty.

Ten years ago, we had a lot more young people in our state. Today, we can

consolidate those schools and use the savings to help maintain aid to the

elderly and other services.

Well, we pulled out of that one very nicely.

Now, on July 15, 1952, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, weren't you arrested for

armed robbery?

That's a simple question, yes or no.

Well, yes.

Oh, no. But there's an explanation. There's always an explanation.

Recess. We want a recess. No, we don't want a recess, Clayton. I want to

about the arrest.

Well, while you're at it, why don't you explain why you were AWOL from the

United States Army? You left out the part about the nun.

Recess. Sit down in the cot. You're out of order.

I was AWOL because I was in jail.

Jail?

We throw ourselves on the mercy of the committee.

Clayton, I was in jail because I was arrested while thumbing my way back to

Dick after a three -day pass.

I hitched a ride with this nun.

At least I thought she was a nun. She drove until she saw the roadblock, and

then she pulled out a gun and said, you drive. Well, you know how difficult it

is to drive with your hands up.

The next thing I knew, the sheriff arrested us both. I was cleared. The nun

seven to ten.

I get a card from her every Christmas.

See, there was nothing to it.

And you must have known that, Senator.

Well, these questions have to be asked.

If they're causing the nominee any embarrassment, I'm sorry.

Senator, I know why you brought up my arrest.

So that in the public mind, there'd always be some sort of connection

and armed robbery.

Well, the damage has been done. But you're not the least bit sorry.

But I am.

I'm sorry that all the voters who put you in office weren't in this hearing

today, because if they were, you'd be out on your duff tomorrow.

Just a minute!

Just a minute!

You're not the first to abuse authority, Senator, and you certainly won't be the

last. That's why they were so careful with the Constitution, so that it would

work in spite of people like you.

Are you finished?

No, sir, I am not. These things had to be said, and if they cause the Senator

any embarrassment, I am delighted.

Now, why don't you go on with this hearing?

Why don't you go on with this hearing without me? And whatever you decide, I

know that I can do this job for the people because I'm one of them, which is

more than I can say for you, Senator.

Relax, Benson. The committee will call in their decision as soon as they can.

I shouldn't have let Chapman get to me, sir. I'm sorry.

Oh, my only regret is that I wasn't there to see it.

Yes. Oh, thank you, Marcy.

Hello, yes, I've been waiting for your call.

Oh.

No, I understand.

Oh, yes, yes, these things happen.

Well, of course, I'm disappointed, but I'll just have to find somebody else,

that's all. It's not the end of the world.

All right, thank you. Goodbye.

Well, that's it, huh?

Yeah, I guess so.

I'll just have to find another history tutor for Katie.

Governor, next time the phone rings, would you let me pick it up, please?

The committee sure is taking its time, isn't it?

Oh, Benson wants to take this, Marcy.

Hello?

Oh, just a minute.

It's for you, Marcy.

Sorry, I'll take it at my desk.

Why don't they call and get it over with?

Patience, Benson.

As the Chinese say, the oxen may pull the cart up the hill, but it's the bird

that makes its nest in the trees.

I'll try to live by that.

Oh, come on, sweetheart, don't tease me. Tell me the news.

They did?

I'm excited. I just didn't expect it to happen this fast.

Okay.

Yeah, all right. So you fill me in on the details when I get home.

Yeah, sure. We'll celebrate.

Okay, honey. Bye -bye.

Governor's Mansion.

Yes, one minute, please.

Yes, Marcy?

Well, it's about time. Hold your breath, Benson. Who's breathing?

Yes, sir?

Uh -huh.

Uh -huh.

All right, thank you.

Congratulations, Mr. Budget Director.

You got it, right?

Right, right, right.

That's wonderful.

Congratulations. And Miss Krause didn't think there'd be anything to celebrate.

But that's all right. I insisted that she put some champagne on ice, even

I knew Benson didn't have a chance.

Marcy,

I can't believe it. Well, I can.

I knew you'd get the job. Yeah, but now I gotta do it.

We've got our hands full.

Yeah. How about an early start in the morning?

Sure.

Okay, what's the matter?

I need to talk to you about something.

Come on, out with it.

Well, I... Dan and his partner have

bought a small ad agency.

That's terrific.

In Buffalo, New York.

Oh, too bad.

You've only been married a year. It's going to be tough not living together.

I'm going with him.

I'm the partner.

Oh, Marcy.

I was counting on you.

Lousy timing. I know. I'm sorry.

Well, that just means we'll have to get organized a lot faster.

How much time do we have before you leave?

Two weeks.

Two weeks?

Is that all you're going to give me is two lousy weeks?

Oh, come on, Benton. Please don't make me feel guilty. It's not my fault he

found the agency in Buffalo.

It is your fault.

Why don't you go and marry a gypsy?

What kind of a dumb excuse is that?

Now, wait a minute. You think it's easy for me to just pick up and leave people

that I care about?

Well, you're going, aren't you? Yes, I'm going. Well, the sooner the better. Oh,

that suits me fine. Me too.

I didn't mean a word of that, did you?

No.

I guess we're just trying to say we're going to miss each other.

Listen, I'm extremely happy for you.

And I'm extremely happy for you.

I'll see if the governor and Gretchen need any help. All right, all right.

I wish my mother were here to see

me.

She'd sure be proud of me.

If this don't beat all, this is dead.

Damn, this thing.

Oh, here's to you, Benson. To Benson, whose life

story reads like a fairy tale.

It will be by the time you get through with it.

I'd like to say the governor couldn't have picked a better man for the job.

Here, here.

Now that you hit the big time, Benson, don't forget your old friends. I will,

Katie. Does that include me?

Especially you.

Hey, Clayton, don't you want to make a toast?

Oh, yes,

of course.

Here's to permanent peace in the Middle East.

Okay, all right.

Krause, your turn.

Oh, yeah.

Um, to Benson.

At last he's out of my kitchen and out of my hair.

Nothing gets out of your hair, Krauss. I've seen things tried.