House_of_Cards_1x01_-_Pilot

STAMPER
Who do you want?
FRANCIS
A lost child. Somebody we can save
from himself.
STAMPER
I’ll keep my ear to the ground.
FRANCIS
Okay, I’m going to get a bite to
eat. I haven’t eaten in two days.
INT. CAPITOL MESS HALL - LATER
Francis waits at the checkout. Junk food heaped on his tray.
We hear some commotion. Entering the mess hall is Michael
Kern followed by a couple of AIDES. People are
congratulating him. He’s smiling like a pig in shit.
Francis makes eye contact with Kern. Smiles. Gives him a
big thumbs up. Kern nods with appreciation. Gets
intercepted by another well-wisher.
Francis picks up his tray and turns to us, the smile on his
face instantly gone.
FRANCIS
(to the camera)
A wink, a nod, a little warmth and
grace - and with that one wraps
oneself in a cloak of civility.
Kern’s not the sharpest knife in
the rack, but he’s not dull either.
He knows I was up for the
nomination. He knows I must be
jealous. But he doesn’t need to
know the danger he’s in. Let him
bask in the limelight for now. I’ll
sharpen my blade in the dark. He’ll
still be smiling when I slit his
throat.
INT. EPISCOPAL CHURCH - MORNING
The service is chock full of DC’s political heavyweights,
including Francis and Claire seated near the back. A
MINISTER is in the midst of delivering a sermon.
23.