3.
GRANT (CONT’D) Brain-hardener. Downs it. GRANT (CONT’D) Brain-softener. Downs it. He shivers with the brain-softening goodness. GRANT (CONT’D) And one for good luck! He grabs a bottle by the neck and takes a long, long swig. GRANT (CONT’D) Followed by a quick power-nap. Grant instantly falls back asleep. INT. OVAL OFFICE - HOURS LATER Perry is standing in front of Grant’s desk. It’s now evening. GRANT ...Then one day I found Taters inside the walls! He said he had squatters’ rights. (to Taters) And what with the Depression and not being able to pay for a staff, I don’t know what we’d do without you, Taters! PERRY Very nice, Mr. President. But I was wondering why you called me here. GRANT You know, Young Perry, that I came up with your father at West Point. PERRY Of course. He treasured those days. GRANT A true hero! His opening of Japan! His defense of the Union! (then) It has always puzzled me, why you didn’t follow in his footsteps.