Random Thoughts

sometime in the 1950s...

Senator DuBois sits in his study, legs crossed puffing on a cigar. (He looks like Ed Begley who most people know from 12 Angry Men but I'm talking about his Academy Award winning turn in Sweet Bird of the Youth where he is playing an evil politician.)  The senator picks up his crystal lowball glass and swirls the dark brown liquid inside.  He is in his late sixties and is from the Southern United States.  While some might think he looks like a kindly old gentleman, there is a severity in his features- his sharp very dark eyes- that makes him look like a man not to be trifled with.

He looks something like this...

Jim is escorted in by the butler.  Jim wears a shirt and tie but looks dishevelled.   His urgency in his movements and furrowed brow indicate that something important is on his mind.  DuBois' casual demeanor never wavers.

DuBois

I admire your punctuality,  Jim.

Jim

Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Senator.

DuBois

One must reach a certain (pauses; smirks) status to be allowed tardiness.  That’ll be all Bogart.

(Bogart, the butler, nods and exits.  Sen. DuBois stands and goes to the wet bar.) Can I offer you something cool to drink?

Jim

No...  Thank you, Sir.  I’ve come on a matter that is most important.  I’ve been informed that you will be showing your support for the Rutland Bill on the floor tomorrow.

DuBois

Rutland?  Oh, yes. I believe I am.

Jim

With all due respect, you assured me that you would not support the bill.  We- that’s you and I- discussed the subject at length.  I thought we were in agreement-

DuBois

Jim, I like you so you’ll have to pardon my candor.  Opinions change on a dime.  Besides...  I’m just one man-

Jim

The party will go along with you without hesitation!  Senator, you can’t be serious.  Allocating funds from education, social security just to name a few all to the military!

DuBois

(Smirks) These are dangerous times, Jim.  You’re a smart fellow.  You know that a weak military is a weak America.  You sayin’ that you want America to be weak?

Jim

No!  I’ve devoted my career to serving this country!

DuBois

(Swirls his drink then takes a drink) “Serving?”  That’s an interesting way of putting it.  There’s a sterile ring to say you serve America.  Now, me, I love America.  

Jim

(Flustered) I love my-

DuBois

Maybe you want America to be weak because you really love Mother Russia?  You know what Russians love?  Communism which is the absolute destruction of the very fabric of America itself.

Jim

You sound like McCarthy!

DuBois

McCarthy is nothin’ but a puppet.  My puppet...  I think you’re gonna be my puppet from now on, Jim.

Jim

Oh, no!  I’m going to rally the Senate or die trying to put an end to your bullying and narrow mindedness!

DuBois

(Calmly walks toward the french doors and opens them)  You know how I keep people loyal?  How I make a man’s word as good as gold?  Come step out on the veranda with me.

(Jim reluctantly follows him outside.  He is met by a giant Straw Man who looks more like the Wicker Man in the film.  It is animate, however, and steps forward towering over them both.  Jim cries out in horror.)

DuBois

People think I have the power ‘cause I have the Straw Man.  I got the power ‘cause I’m the one that can let the Straw man loose.

DuBois

You can go on and scream all you want.  Listenin’ to the changes from wailin’ and blubberin’ to muffled whimpers is what I like the best.  There’s somethin’ about that descent into utter hopelessness that’s so satisfying. Ooo wee...

(Jim continues to scream from inside the Straw Man.  DuBois smiles at Straw Man and shakes his head in amusement.)

DuBois