Original subtitles

When the enemy attacked, you ran away. That's treason. Now it's time to

splatter your brains everywhere.

Please, please, don't kill me.

Shut up. Die like a man.

But I have a wife and family.

That's what happens to cowards. Hey, shh.

You have to keep it down. There's an important meeting going on.

Sorry. I'll set you up in the copy room. You won't be in the way there.

This is going to be a close vote. Most of your colleagues are not going to want

to spend this amount of money in just 25 districts. Try persuasion first.

Talking points are in your packets.

And if you want more detailed information, research, statistics, you

can contact Jillian or myself.

And when it comes to doling out favors, talk to Doug. If favors don't work, come

to me directly. Peter?

I'll be campaigning in Pennsylvania.

All my events this week will be in counties within the watershed, so I'll

be working the media angle. But if you need me to get on the phone with

anybody... Reach out to Christina. She'll work it into my schedule. I have

to say, Frank, $200 million is going to be a hard sell. The natural gas lobby's

already putting up a big fight. We need to make this about jobs. But the

drilling industry can offer far more jobs than this bill can.

This bill doesn't threaten those jobs. It just makes sure the drilling is done

responsibly. It adds more jobs on top of that. I've already been approached by

Sandcorp with re-election funds.

I have, too. They offered me a donation package from eight different drilling

companies. Rami Denton? Yep.

How many have you been approached by Rami?

Look, I know it's not easy to turn down money, but if the Republicans control

redistricting in Pennsylvania, we lose the House next election, and all of you

lose your committee chairmanships. This is a feather that we need in Peter's

hat. A loss on this bill endangers his chance of winning, and we are fighting

to keep our majority here.

Any other concerns?

I want a first vote count by 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Thank you all very

much.

It's brutal. 22 stops in three days.

It's a lot of sleeping on the bus. No sleeping. That bus is the only place I

can get work done.

You know, Francis did a big bus tour in 98, and the bus lost its brakes going

down a hill.

And we landed in a tobacco field. He gets out of the car, knocks on the

farmer's door, writes a check for all the damaged crops, and then borrows his

pickup so he doesn't miss the next event.

And it was actually fun. He was driving. I was shotgun when they had the whole

staff in the flatbed. We actually got there ten minutes early. I think I

should be here to help drum up votes.

Careful, sir. It's very hot.

Look, you and the vice president have got national coverage. That's going to

help us with the count.

I reached out to him. He never got back to me. I don't know if he even knows the

talking points about the bill. I don't think Jim wants to go. He's doing it as

a favor to the president and I, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't know the

talking points. You know, people want to see him be folksy, you know, so just

humor him. Show him some degree of...

Are you okay?

Okay, it's time for us to go. I'm so sorry. That's all right. You just need

to run it under some cold water.

I'm not going to lie.

I despise children.

There. I've said it. You can't act like that in here.

You have to be a big boy.

Peter, we really need to get going.

We've already missed one flight because the meeting went over. I booked us

another one at 925, but... We have to drop the kids off at school. It's going

to be really tight. If we miss this plane, we have to cancel our first

event. Nancy, can you take them? I've got to get packets ready for the

lunchtime subcaucuses.

Peter, I'd do it, but we have a meeting with Greenpeace in 20 minutes. I've got

to get their rating on the bill.

Where's their school?

Connecticut and Q.

Oh, I can take them.

Are you sure?

Yes, it's on the way to my office.

This watershed act proves that, once again, the anti-capitalist agenda is

alive and well in the Democratic Party. Let me show you what's really going on.

Here are the Democrats, eating up all of their soft science, organically

homegrown propaganda that the eco-fanatics are force-feeding them. And

over here, at the tail end of all those jackasses, are middle-class Americans,

people who just want to work hard and rely on jobs in the drilling industry.

What about the hypocrisy folks? Does Peter Russo honestly have the gall to

lecture us on the purity of our rivers when he has been polluting himself with

chemicals for years?

He's not just been eating grass. He's been smoking it.

It's the only major bill he's sponsored in six years. I know, but they already

have national coverage. What's the angle? Well, if it doesn't pass, I think

he'll lose support from the Shipbuilders Association.

So they lose support. It's not that juicy.

They're a huge part of his get-out-the-vote effort in Philly.

It sounds like inside baseball. Not if I get the vote count.

Black and white numbers.

Nobody has that. But when I called the campaign, they stonewalled me.

Same thing at the whip's office.

Do you know anyone over there?

In Underwood's office?

No, I don't. Nobody on staff?

Mm-mm.

Oh, I mean, I just figured because you gave me the Russo profile. No, that

didn't come from them.

But Underwood organized the campaign.

I'm sorry.

I don't know anybody there.

Okay.

Hey, it's me. I just wanted to fill you in on something.

I should be back home at 10.

Meet me there.

Then I made this one. It's a frog. And I made this one. Can you guess what it is?

A lobster?

No, it's a scorpion. They're for you, for the ones you gave us.

Oh, they're beautiful.

But maybe you should bring them to school, you know, for show and tell.

Or give them to your friends.

No, the other kids will just make fun of us.

Why?

Everybody hates us at school.

They say Dad's a crackhead and that we're crack babies.

I looked up crack baby on the computer. I don't look like that.

Yeah, they say Dad's gonna OD like Amy Winehouse.

Well, you tell them that your dad doesn't do that kind of thing anymore,

right? Yeah, we do, but they don't believe us.

Did you try going to the teachers?

We can't do that. Everyone would just hate us even more.

Well, you can't worry about what other people think, right?

I wish dad wasn't running for governor.

You ever been to Allentown before? I have not. What do you think?

Compared to New York, the parking is easier.

Finding a decent bagel, not so much. We can make up for it with the cream

cheese. Shall we? I'm ready when you are.

Your watershed bill. You've ticked off the Republicans, oil, gas. Sometimes you

gotta upset a few people to do the right thing. Not just a few. There's a sizable

coalition that wants to see your bill filled, including environmentalists from

your own party. Don't think the bill does enough. We wanted a passable bill.

That's why we aimed for a middle ground. Do you actually care about the Delaware

River? I don't sponsor legislation I don't care about. Until recently, I

hadn't sponsored any legislation at all. I've spent my time in Congress focusing

on things that were important to my constituents.

The shipyard.

Kept it open as long as I could. Okay, that's one thing.

What are the others?

I'd love to provide you a list of all the things I've done in Congress, but

we've got 15 minutes. Your opponent has linked your inactivity to your fondness

for single moments.

I've been very open about my past, and I've done everything I can to overcome

it in a responsible, permanent way.

And I preferred vodka to scotch. You should get your facts straight.

Is your watershed act just a ploy to jump into the spotlight and pad your

transcript while you apply for governor's school?

It's real money.

It's real jobs.

And when the Delaware River is less polluted than it's been in 50 years,

it's holding up a real glass of its water and seeing how clear it is.

That's what my bus tour is about.

Vice president is joining you later? Correct.

Why is it taking him this long to endorse you?

He didn't think I was worth it.

But then he heard I had a one-on-one with the New York Times. Boom, he was on

board.

I might print that. The more of my words, the fewer of yours, the better

off we'll both be. If I didn't think you were such a liability to yourself,

Congressman, I might even like you. If your circulation was as high as the Wall

Street Journal, I might like your back.

Hit me. Thanks, guys.

I have to put up a fight, Frank. Tell them they're wasting their money. It's

gonna pass.

Are you sure?

When was the last time I got a count wrong?

If you were certain, you wouldn't be trying to neutralize us.

Well, Sancorp has been good to me. I'm just trying to do you and them a favor,

Remy. Then why propose the legislation in the first place? You must have known

they would oppose it. The regulatory restrictions are minimal.

There's a bigger battle here, Frank.

Sancorp is against any step toward regulation, no matter how small.

Rousseau's planted his feet on the wrong side of the fence.

How much are you giving his opponent?

Check the FEC filings.

How much are you actually giving?

It's a $10 billion industry, Frank. There's money to spend.

If the Democrats lose Pennsylvania, you know what that means.

We don't want you to lose leadership, but that's up to you, not us. You don't

have the same kind of relationship with the Republicans that you have with me.

Then we'll adapt.

Both have votes to count. Good luck.

You tell Sancorp they're being foolish.

I'm not gonna do that.

Well, then you're being foolish.

Come on, Frank.

Let's not make this personal.

I can't compete with Sand Corp's war chest.

My only option is asymmetrical, to pick off the opposition one by one like a

sniper in the woods.

There will come a time to put Remy in my crosshairs, but not right now.

As we used to say in Gaffney, never slap a man while he's chewing tobacco.

I deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule. Hank, I need to

eat. See if you and Russell have a club sandwich, extra bacon.

Fuck

me.

Ta-da.

Thai cuisine again.

The green curry is for you and the other green curry is for me. I was actually

just on my way out. I bought you dinner. You have to eat it.

Or at the very least, you have to watch me eat mine.

I'm going to be late to meet someone.

Who? Like a date?

A friend.

Ah, the mysterious fuck buddy who you get all of your stories from?

Lighten up.

I was just teasing.

Not that I would judge.

We've all done it.

I used to suck, screw, and jerk anything that moved just to get a story.

Really? Like who?

You want Dish?

No, it's just a comm director on Ben Schroeder's Senate race. A staffer in

the Defense Department.

My very own White House intern.

He was a real blabbermouth when he was needing me out.

Wow.

And I even had a fling with a congressman.

Which one?

You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.

I've never been with any. Oh, come on.

You're hot.

You're telling me that none of them have come on to you? I haven't really been in

those circles.

You are now.

I guess I don't really give off that vibe. Oh, you mean the slut vibe?

Look, I don't do that shit anymore.

Because once word got out, it was like I hit a wall and nobody took me seriously.

So a piece of advice as far as career strategies go, it's not worth fucking

your way to the middle.

Chopsticks or fork?

Look, if you go, I am gonna have to eat both of these, and that is not cool. No,

I'll eat with you.

Good.

We have gotten underway in eastern Pennsylvania for the governor's seat

left vacant there by Vice President Jim Matthews. After a four-month new year

that has lasted 42 years so far, the genial Vice President and the former

Pennsylvania governor face the most critical task of his new electoral life,

helping his home state fill the vacancy of its departure from Washington.

However, now you see him reluctant to hand over the spotlight to himself,

Peter Rizzo, instead of something that's probably going to help him.

Back home, Major.

Sir.

Francis?

How is your head?

Fine.

You should change the bandage, no? Later.

I thought you were going to be out late.

No.

You seem upset.

I'm not. What happened?

Nothing.

Can I get more than two words out of you?

I'm just trying to relax.

Claire, I love you.

I love you too.

Did Zoe expect me to twiddle my thumbs until her arrival?

Perhaps she's making the mistake thinking her time is as valuable as

mine.

Proximity to power deludes some into believing they wield it.

I put an end to that sort of thinking before it begins.

And if I'm not mistaken, the last time I was in Tannersville, Buddy Cochran

pulled me aside and told me I was wasting my time because the Republicans

were going to sweep LeMoyne County in a landslide.

Well, Buddy had to eat his hat and both his shoes when I won the county in a

landslide. And let me tell you, that man has big feet and an even bigger head, so

that was quite a meal.

You know, my daddy used to tell me a story about people who count their

chickens before they hatched.

Although, to be fair, he probably didn't know what he was talking about because

he grew up in Pittsburgh.

And I certainly never saw a hen around my house unless you count my mother.

I do love this town.

I don't know if he's ever going to introduce me. Because it still has that

frontier spirit.

It's been an hour.

We're supposed to be for Carpenter ten minutes ago. I can't interrupt him. He's

the vice president.

We're not on the edge of Penn's Woods.

We need an economic development flowchart for the watershed bill sent

over to Terry Womack's office.

Hard copies, 20 of them. I'll do it right away.

How's everything going with Rachel?

I think she's a little down in the dumps.

She got a waitressing job last week, and then they let her go.

Why? She wouldn't tell me. All she said was her boss was a creep.

Thirty minutes ago, I received a text from Zoe.

She intends to apologize, no doubt.

I respect that she wants to atone in person, even though it's taken her over

16 hours to build up the courage.

Janine Skorsky is digging into Peter Russo.

What in particular?

The Shipbuilders Association.

Does she have an angle?

The watershed bill is a consolation prize for them losing their jobs.

That's not an unfair assessment.

She thinks if the bill fails to pass, they'll withdraw support.

Not unfair speculation.

Well, I know how hard you've been working on his campaign, so I wanted to

give you a heads up.

Well, let me know if she expands her inquiry.

Into what?

Anything you deem worth telling.

Well, can I throw her a bone?

She might be more talkative if I have information for her. What sort of bone?

The vote count for the bill.

I don't have a vote count yet.

Should have a preliminary one this afternoon.

You'll let me know?

As soon as I have something solid.

There's one more thing.

About last night.

Oh, no need to apologize.

I'm sure you had a very good reason.

I do.

I think we should end it.

Not professionally.

The other thing.

Why now?

We have a really good working relationship.

I don't want to overcomplicate that.

All right.

You're okay with it?

Completely. It's over.

And it won't change things in terms of our arrangement?

Oh, please.

I don't punish people for making adult decisions.

Thank you, Francis.

She was never more than a faint blip on my radar.

We've served each other's purpose.

She must be an adult.

Let her see how she can fly once she leaves the nest.

Claire. Katherine.

Hi.

Thank you for fitting me in.

Oh, I can always find time for you and Frank.

Well, the reason I'm here is the CWI has a large shipment of water filters stuck

in South Sudan, and they've been in storage for the past four months, just

sitting there, and the Sudanese government... Won't release the shipment

through customs. My deputy briefed me on the latest.

Right, and I know that Francis spoke to you about this not too long ago, but

lately we haven't heard much from the State Department, so I was wondering if

you could help. We've done our best, Claire. I put my top people on this. The

Sudanese are just not responding.

Well, is there anything else we can do? There's over $200,000 worth of

equipment. I wish I could. I know how important this is to you, but we're

about to cut off diplomatic ties. It's a directive straight from the president.

We can't ignore their human rights violations anymore.

What about back channels?

Well, once we cut ties, I can't contact their government, officially or

unofficially.

Well, is there someone you could put me in touch with? I'm sorry, Claire.

My hands are tied I would move mountains for you and Frank, but I've done all I

can Of course, okay good to see you you too

Congressman, you have a major bill going to the floor later this week. Are you

optimistic it'll pass? I'm very optimistic.

The Delaware River Watershed Act not only protects large portions of the

state's freshwater resources, it also creates thousands of jobs. I'm confident

that my colleagues on the Hill... There's only one way to create jobs. I

did it during my administration.

The answer is tax credits for small businesses.

You've got to encourage self-starting entrepreneurs to start new ventures.

Hire employees.

But specifically about the watershed act. Small businesses. That's the

solution. Everything else is window dressing.

Thank you all very much.

Good night, Mr. Vice President.

Hello. I need to talk about Matthews.

Yes, I've read the press reports. He's not being very helpful, is he?

He's doing more harm than good.

I want to ask him to leave. Well, that wouldn't make for a very good story.

It's better than him torpedoing the whole bus tour.

Have you tried to talk to him? I wanted to ask your advice first.

Well, maybe there's a way to keep him on the tour and inspire his support.

We have fundamentally different views.

Well, look, you're not going to be able to change his ideology, but dig deeper.

Jim is a proud man. Tap into that pride.

I just wish he was gone.

Well, you do whatever you think best, but whatever it is you decide, be firm

and stand up for yourself.

He'll respond to that at least. And call me back if you need anything.

What was the reason he gave you? Were you messing up?

No.

The head waiter said I was doing a really good job.

He even sort of let me take my own tables on the second day.

And the manager, what's his name?

Leon.

Your proposition.

Call me into his office, said, couldn't afford to start taking anyone new on,

even part-time.

He put his hand on my knee, said he might be able to make an exception.

He started sliding his hand up my thigh, so I stood up, and I tell him I should

get back to work.

He says, stay, and buckled his belt.

Did you?

No, I walked out of the office and got back to my tables.

The next day, I came into work.

Told me to go home. I was fired.

Tell me the name of the restaurant.

You're home early.

I needed a breather. I didn't have breakfast this morning. I might head

back in a little while.

Is that a book account?

It's gonna come down to the wire on this one.

I spoke to Catherine Durant today.

She's unable to get the shipment out of South Sudan.

Yeah, we're cutting off diplomatic ties.

Foreign Affairs is up in arms about it.

Yes, which is why she can't lift a finger, according to her.

That's what she said anyway. Anyway, I need you to talk to her.

Well, it doesn't make any difference.

I thought she owed us, Francis.

She does, but there's limits. She's Secretary of State. She can't break

diplomatic protocol.

Well, can you make some calls?

If she can't, I can't. I have to focus on the watershed bill.

I'm taking time out of my schedule to help you with that. Because you drafted

it. Because you asked me.

I didn't want to do this. All I'm asking is that you give me a little bit of your

time in return.

And how am I supposed to fix a problem I can't fix?

What about Remy?

Glendon Hill must have contacts in South Sudan. He's fighting us on the boat.

Those are two completely separate issues.

They are not. He does you a favor, he hangs it over me.

So what you're saying is my goals are secondary to yours. That is not what I'm

saying. I think you don't want to go hat in hand to somebody who used to work for

you. I will not be lectured to the moment you walk in the door.

I called Catherine as promised. Her inability to deliver is not my problem

or my fault. I cannot control changing global landscapes, and I will not be

cornered into making promises I cannot deliver.

You're right. I didn't think it through.

I just can't go to Remy right now. He's poaching too many of my people. I've got

two congressmen who will not commit.

I was hoping you might speak to them.

Who?

Vandenberg and Abrams.

What is it you want me to say to them? They're big on the environment. They

don't think the bill goes far enough.

They respect your opinion. I wanted you to walk them through the bill step by

step. Put them at ease. I need to get them in the yes column. I meet with them

tomorrow. I'll deliver the bruises. You meet with them later and patch them up.

That might just do the trick.

Of course.

I think I broke the bowl.

Do you have contacts there through our oil interests?

I'm going to need government intervention.

Wherever there's a government, we know people.

Even when there's only the illusion of a government.

Will you help me?

I'd like to.

But for something like this, I'm afraid that's a price tag.

The CWI will endorse Sandcorp as eco-friendly.

They can use our logo on any PR or marketing materials you want.

We'll need more than that.

They were willing to donate over a million for that. These filters are only

worth $200,000. I'd say that's a bargain.

You turn down that offer.

The landscape has shifted since then.

The watershed bill? That's right.

You want it amended?

I want you to kill it, the whole thing.

CWI has publicly backed the bill, Remy.

What you do publicly is your concern.

Gentlemen, please have a seat.

So, have either of you changed your minds since we last spoke?

We're still undecided, Frank.

Leaning one way or the other. If Congress is going to allocate a quarter

billion dollars, we want to make sure it goes towards a bill that does more to

protect the... Yeah, we've been through all that. I know your concerns.

So if the protection standards don't change, we would rather see that money

spent more effectively elsewhere.

That sounds like you're both leaning no.

We've been very clear about what we're asking.

Okay.

This is you, Abrams.

And this is you, Vandenberg.

And over here is

the majority of the Democratic

caucus. See, you're over there all by your own.

Now, you don't mind being the black sheep. You're the liberal wing of the

liberal wing.

Most of the time, you can vote what you want. We still pass things anyway.

But this time, It does matter.

And what the two of you aren't taking into account is between this end of the

desk and this end of the desk is me.

Now, I'm going to say to you what I say to every congressman that sits where

you're sitting now.

Vote your district. Vote your conscience.

Don't surprise me.

And the most important one of those is don't surprise me.

Now, you're both to meet with my wife tomorrow.

and you are to hear her out.

She will go through your concerns point by point, and I am certain after that

that the two of you will make the right decision.

This is the part where you leave.

I have often found that bleeding hearts have an ironic fear of their own blood.

One drop and they seize up. But offer them a caring hand to massage them back

to life and they soon start beating to the right drum.

Hello? I've just spoken to Abrams and Vandenberg.

Let them toss and turn tonight, but they're all yours tomorrow.

We'll reach out to their offices and set a time.

Thank you, Claire.

Of course.

Whatever I can do to help.

Here you go, sir.

Go ahead.

Excuse me.

There's a hair on my steak.

I'm so sorry, sir. Where?

Right there.

I don't see it. Are you telling me I'm blind?

No, sir. I'm so sorry. I'll have the kitchen. What's your name?

Stephanie. You can leave the plate, Stephanie.

I'd like to talk to the manager.

Yes, sir. I'll go get him.

Thank you.

Good evening, sir.

Stephanie tells me there was hair on your plate.

No.

It wasn't any hair.

Leon, right? That's your name?

Yes.

Stephanie's a hot little number, isn't she?

Nice ass.

Did you make her blow you before or after you hired her?

Sir, I'd have to ask you to leave.

Sit down, Leon. Sir, I want you to go.

I said sit. Don't make me call the police.

I'll tell you what.

You call the police, I'll call the Department of Immigration about the four

undocumented employees you have working in the kitchen.

Felony, Leon.

And I might also mention your girlfriend, her mother, and her aunt,

who are also undocumented and living in an apartment you pay for.

Prison time for you, deportation for them.

Not a pretty picture, is it?

Let's talk about Rachel Posner.

How close is it? I should have the last two votes I need committed today. I just

want to make sure no one changes their mind.

I prefer not to, uh...

get embroiled in environmental issues at this time. But it's also a jobs creation

package. It's antagonizing oil and gas.

We can't afford that sort of battle after all the capital we spent on

education. All I need is one public statement of support.

I won't do that. How about you take Linda tomorrow?

You set her up in your offices.

Any meetings or calls you might need to whip up votes, you've got her there.

Well, I can't afford to spend a whole day lobbying on the Hill.

You've got deputies.

Yes, I do.

What, are you telling me you can't manage them from ten blocks away?

Of course I can, sir.

Look, if it's too difficult, we can always... No, no, no. We'll help you

out, Frank.

Won't we, Linda?

Yes, if you'll just excuse me. I have a few things to rearrange on my schedule.

What else, Frank?

Tell me what Birch is up to.

No, I know I want to cancel twice.

They start next week.

Sweetie, I'm trying to figure this out. Linda.

Excuse me. Yes? I just wanted to thank you for agreeing to pitch in. I know you

have a full plate. Of course, Frank.

Is everything all right? It sounds like... Yes.

What time do you want me to come by tomorrow?

Can we talk?

Can I just call you back in one second? I will call you. Yeah.

Linda, I am so sorry that the president has forced you into this. It was not my

intention. If you would like, I can talk to Congress all online. No, it's not

that. It's a personal matter. Don't worry. Well, what is it? Maybe I can

help.

My son didn't get into Stamford. I was supposed to meet with the provost

tomorrow to see if I could get him to change his mind. I asked the president

if I could go, and he said yes, but he must have forgotten.

You should go. I'm sure the president will understand. No, no, I don't let

personal matters get in the way of my job, Frank. Linda, you can't put your

entire life on hold, and certainly not at the expense of your own son. Well, it

has been at the expense of my son. It's my fault he didn't get in.

I was on the campaign, and I wasn't there for him.

His grades suffered. His application was... I wasn't there, Frank.

But I figured if I could just meet with the provost face to face, maybe I could

convince him. Okay, look, you are going to Stanford tomorrow. If you show up at

my office, I won't let you in, so don't even consider it. Frank, the president

wants me to be in your office. He doesn't have to know. I'm going to have

one of my schedulers buy you a ticket.

The bill will be fine.

Frank, you don't have to do this.

We may have our disagreements, Linda, but that doesn't mean we can't look out

for each other. You tell him you're coming.

Test, test, test.

Hi Zoe, this is Dave, the senior producer of New York. We'll go live in

four minutes. Sounds good.

First topic will be the congressional agenda for the fall session, then we'll

move on to the midterms. Then we'll wrap it up with Peter Russo's race for

governor and his watershed bill.

Okay, great.

Taking you off mic until 30 out.

Hey Janine, I have to talk about the watershed bill. Do you have a one sheet?

Uh, yeah. Hold on.

Thanks. Any word on the vote count?

Still no luck. I've called every Democrat in the House to cobble together

a number, but no one's getting back to me. So what can I say?

That there's a lot in flux and it'll be tight.

Okay. Thanks.

Yeah.

Hey.

Francis, it's me.

Call me back.

Yes.

Congressman Russo. He says it's urgent.

Fine.

Good morning, sir.

I'd like to talk about how the tour is going.

Well, let's talk on the bus. Don't we have an event at 11? There won't be any

events until we talk.

You're hijacking the microphone.

You're contradicting everything I say. We need to be promoting the Watershed

Act.

Well, I appreciate your being so forthright.

Let me tell you what I don't appreciate.

The DNC is running a man with zero track record, except for substance abuse, to

fill my shoes.

I realize you don't want to be here, sir, but it seems like you're

deliberately trying to sabotage my campaign.

Despite my better judgment, I'm trying to save it.

I know the people of this state better than you, Peter. They don't want to hear

about watersheds. They want to hear about jobs.

Well, this week they need to hear both. Well, then maybe I should just stand

quietly beside you at the podium and watch you lose.

You don't think I can win, do you? I'm not optimistic.

You know, you lost the first two times you ran for governor. The third time,

nobody thought you had a chance.

By September, you were 15 points down. You were out of money. You had to

mortgage your own house just to keep your staff on payroll. I'm well aware of

what I did. I was there. My point is, you kept going. You hit 67 counties in

less than 20 days, and you proved everyone wrong.

Like it or not, it's my name on the ticket this time, and I got the shot,

and I'm going to prove everyone wrong just like you did, including you, sir.

I would like your support, but if you won't give it, fine.

It won't stop me.

You think it's easy for me to be here?

I left the governor's mansion right in my prime.

To be what, vice president?

I thought that was a step up.

But you know what? I don't have a fucking shred of real influence.

I'm trotted around like a goddamn mascot, and this is my home state.

I'm offering you influence, sir.

I'd like your guidance and your expertise.

But if that's not on the table, then...

With all due respect mr. Vice president you should head back to Washington

Your

husband was

very explicit I would categorize it as a threat what did he say exactly not to

surprise him Didn't he also tell you to vote your district and your conscience?

He did, but those seemed far lower on his priority list.

Well, he would never fault you if you had a compelling reason to do what you

think is right.

I'm confused.

Aren't you for this bill?

CWI is publicly for it.

Privately, I have my doubts for the same reasons you do. I was under the

impression that we were here so you could persuade us to vote yes.

Oh, I'm not trying to persuade you of anything.

I will say this. If the bill fails, it's not the end of the world. We can always

sponsor new legislation.

You know, something with stricter regulatory standards. Just to be clear,

you're telling us you don't mind if we vote against the bill?

I'm simply saying what my husband wants.

That you should vote your conscience.

How are we looking?

We're short of vote. Just got a phone with Claire. Vandenberg and Abrams are

on board.

Those are definite answers. Definite.

We should be good.

Yes? I've been trying to reach you since yesterday.

Well, I've been a bit busy counting votes.

You said you'd have a number for me. Well, you should try my press office.

I did.

They won't return my calls.

Well, the official word is it will be close.

I'm trying to get the unofficial word.

I can't appear to be playing favorites now, can I?

This isn't because of the other day, is it?

What other day?

You said we'd keep our professional relationship.

Well, this is what professional feels like.

The Vice President of the United States, Jim Matthews!

It's good to be back in Bristol.

Go Warriors!

I'm a windbag. I can go on until you all fall asleep, get eight hours of shut

-eye, and wake up to find me still yapping.

And there's a lot I could say about this young man to my left.

The truth is, I've had a lot of doubts about him and his ideas, about his past,

about his youth.

But if you'll remember, a lot of you had doubts about me the first time I ran.

And the second.

And the third.

But over the last few days, traveling around the state with Peter, I have to

admit he's won me over.

He's smart, he's energetic, and most important, he's a fighter.

Now, it says, a fresh start on that bus over there.

And that's the real truth.

Because this young man will give our state the fresh start it so desperately

needs. Ladies and gentlemen, the next governor of Pennsylvania, Peter Russo.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

How's it going, Bristol?

Today I'd like to talk to you about economic recovery.

Now, as many of you may be aware, mostly because my opponent feels the need to

spend millions of dollars on TV ads about my past, I know a thing or two

about recovery.

I've learned a great deal through my personal struggles.

I've learned how to harness my strength and my resolve, make them work for me.

Much the way your Bristol water mills harness the power of your beautiful

Otter Creek and the mighty Delaware River years ago Let me tell you how the

Delaware River will reinvigorate your economy for years to come

We're going to get the shipment out

of Sudan That's great. It might take a few weeks, but I think you should start

making arrangements for Botswana where you're going to set up base camp and the

depot. Just send me a budget as soon as you've got one.

Claire, is there any way we can send someone in my place?

I thought you wanted to be on the ground.

I would, but I can't this time.

Why not?

I wasn't sure how to tell you this, but I passed the 12-week mark.

You're expecting.

Jillian, that's wonderful.

When did this happen? Who's the father? There was this guy I met overseas,

Doctors Without Borders.

We had this thing.

Then I left, but he came back to the States a few months ago, and that's when

it happened.

Anyway, it didn't end well, but I want to keep the baby.

And does he know?

He's married.

Oh. I shouldn't have. It was stupid. You don't have to explain.

I'll need some time off at the beginning of March. Of course.

And absolutely we'll send someone else instead.

I appreciate it, Claire.

Sure.

You said medium rare?

Just let me know if you guys need anything.

Who would you guess texted me just now?

I thought she'd last more than a couple days.

Going somewhere? Just for an hour or two. I got one last hold up to whip.

What's the vote count on Russo's bill?

Oh, don't we want to shower first before we dirty ourselves with business?

I'll shower after you leave.

What's the vote count?

Your tone doesn't inspire me to be very forthcoming.

Oh, the fuck wasn't enough?

You need a special tone, too?

Ooh, someone washed her mouth out with acid this morning.

Whatever it is you're grappling with, I'm sincerely not interested.

You're almost twice my age.

You said that didn't bother you.

I lied.

If you had a daughter, she'd be older than me. In 20 years, I'll still be

younger than you are now.

Well, I can't argue with basic arithmetic.

You don't find that disgusting?

I think you want me to.

But I've never considered this any more or less.

than a transaction between two consenting adults.

If you just want the girl who will do your bidding for you, you already have

that. Why do you need to fuck me?

I would remind you that it was you who initiated our affair, and it was you who

came knocking at my door last winter.

And it was me who asked that we stop what we're doing now.

Which I respected until you picked up a phone and asked me to come over tonight.

Because you wouldn't give me what I wanted unless I did.

So tell me.

Why do you need this you don't seem to get any pleasure out of it. I know I

certainly don't I Seem to always leave you satisfied.

How do you know I'm not faking it Are you

doesn't it say a lot that you can't tell

What do you think about when I'm up against the wall?

A great man once said that everything in life is about sex.

Except sex.

Sex is about power.

So you need a whore.

Which makes you a pimp. I'm not a pimp. Just a very generous John.

As long as we're clear about what this is, I can play the whore.

Now pay me.

The bill will pass. We have it by two votes.

You can pass that along to your friend, Miss Skorsky.

If she must say such things in order to sleep at night, so be it. Her loyalty

costs me nothing but the occasional crumb of news.

Her hatefulness takes no toll at all.

You don't compensate a working girl so you can cuddle after.

A lot of small towns.

Some really great crowds.

No buses losing their brakes.

Please, no. When do you head back?

Tomorrow. We want to do a press conference when all the votes are in.

Are you all right?

I'm just a little nauseous.

It'll pass. Okay, well.

When is that you do in March?

March 14th.

That's so exciting.

How's the morning sickness?

I think I'm over the hump. I have to pee all the time.

Weird cravings.

It was good to be on the road again.

Invigorating. Our internals are showing a nice bump in the numbers. You made a

big difference.

The president is grateful, and so am I.

Well, it's a team effort, right?

Excuse me, I have yet to say hello to your better half.

How'd it go with Stanford?

Well, I think. The dean's a Republican, so there was not a lot of small talk,

but he seemed open to considering it.

We'll know more next week. That's terrific.

I appreciate your helping me out. Oh, I didn't do anything. Anybody could book a

plane ticket. No, it's not true. You covered for me. Well, we have to keep

the important things in perspective, right?

Don't think it's brought you any favors.

Kindness isn't kindness if you expect a reward.

The man of the hour. Not yet, not yet. The votes are still coming in. Hey,

how'd you vote? I voted yes.

Voting? You know what? Forgot something.

We got this. There's some sparkling grape juice there to celebrate.

30 seconds.

Looking good.

Everyone's voting along party lines.

See, this is what happens when we all stick together.

It's an easy win.

15 seconds.

Vote now.

10 seconds.

This can't be happening.

Members, please count to your votes now.

H.R.

4913 is defeated.

Doug? I thought we had it.

So this means it's dead?

Such a shame, all of that hard work.

I want to know who lied.