The following excerpt is unedited and includes the first ten pages of the screenplay.

FADE IN:

INT. DARK BEDROOM - NIGHT (BEGIN MAIN TITLES)

A BLONDE (28) is sprawled out on the floor in lingerie, eyes open in a thousand yard stare as TWO MEN drag a trunk into the room. She's bruised, her neck turned as if snapped.

With faces hidden in the gloom, one man checks for a pulse, can't find it and shakes his head. The other nods, punching holes through the trunk with a drill. One after the other.

The drill hits the floor.

The two men grab the Woman, lift and drop her inside the trunk like a rag doll. The lid swings shut. As she's carried off, the Woman blinks ...

INT/EXT. SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE -- NIGHT

The trunk slides into the back. She looks through the holes, appears dazed but sees a face. Briefly. GEORGE RAYMOND (45) has hollow gray eyes and gray hair spiked out in a long crew.

Car doors slam, the SUV moving now. City streets. Washington monuments. Light dancing on the window above.

EXT. THE POTOMAC RIVER -- NIGHT

The SUV stops but no one moves or says anything. WATER LAPS in the b.g. A tear falls down her battered cheek as she waits.

Then the doors fly open, the trunk lifted into the air. She peers through the holes, sees Raymond's teeth clenched as he carries his end of the load, running across the asphalt to the grass until finally, she's hurled through the air.

The trunk plunges into the river, bobbing to the surface. She sees the Capitol, water rushing through the holes.

She forces air between her lips managing a series of faint whistles. The water washes over her face. Then she screams. Shrieks. The sudden burst of sound lost in the river as the trunk pitches forward and sinks ...

END MAIN TITLES -- FADE TO BLACK

FADE IN:

A POLITICAL SPOT FILLS THE SCREEN

with a MAP of the U. S., GRAPHICS & GAME SHOW SFX, cutting to shots of Virginia under a PHOTO of MEL MERDOCK (38). Trim and boyish, Merdock's smile makes him appear naive, goofy.

	VOICE-OVER ANNOUNCER
	Question. Of these five places -- New York, Washington, LA, Fort Worth, or the entire state of Virginia -- where has Texas millionaire and son of an oil tycoon now turned senatorial candidate Mel Merdock NOT lived in the last ten years? If you guessed Virginia -- you're right! Millionaire Mel Merdock has never lived, voted, or paid taxes in Virginia, and only moved here from Fort Worth to run for office. Does it make sense for Virginia to elect someone who hasn't lived here? Of course not. We need a senator who will fight for us -- not millionaire Mel Merdock. Virginia's Lou Kay. He's a working guy. He's one of us!

INT. MILES, DARROW & ASSOCIATES' MEDIA ROOM -- DAY

FRANK MILES (40) hits the pause button, staring at the TV. He's slim, handsome -- a media consultant with an angular face and eyes that see through everything.

		FRANK
	... We're dead.

Everyone in the office is here, waiting for his reaction:

WOODY DARROW (40), wire-rimmed glasses and stocky. Frank's partner since law school, standing in the doorway looking pissed off.

LINDA REYNOLDS (30), a new partner, holding back a smile with a pen between her lips. She's blonde, smart, refined. Even in a business suit, she's overwhelming.

Frank's assistant TRACY (25) smart and hefty. And two college interns, HARRY and TOM.

		LINDA
	It's not like you weren't expecting it.
		FRANK
	How many times did they use the word millionaire?
		LINDA
	(smiles)
	I counted three.
		WOODY
	You're on the wrong side this time. Merdock's everything they say he is only a hundred times worse and you know it.
		FRANK
	Stewart Brown is doing Lou Kay's campaign. If I don't hit back, we'll lose.
	(thinking, to Tracy)
	I need someone to read a spot. Sammy or Rick. Tell Vintage Video I want to be editing in an hour.
		TRACY
	You want messengers?
		FRANK
	(nods, to Harry & Tom)
	I want you guys to call the stations. Tell them Lou Kay's disclaimer violates the election code. It's too small. Tell them if they air it again, they'll be fined. And try to act like you know what you're talking about.
		HARRY
	(checks monitor)
	It looks okay to me.
		LINDA
	It is okay, but they'll have to pull the spot to check. It won't be running.

Harry gets it, laughs. Tracy smiles, vintage Frank Miles.

		TRACY
	What about script approval?
		FRANK
	Forget it. I'm gonna kill these guys.

FRANK CUTS THROUGH THE WAR ROOM

passing cluttered desks and work tables. Campaign files, newspaper headlines, voice?over copy and videotapes. A board on the wall charts the firm's clients through election day. Out the windows, the Capitol is close enough to touch.

FRANK BOLTS INTO HIS GLASS-ENCLOSED OFFICE

sits before his computer beneath pictures of Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR and Jack Kennedy. On a side table, two PHOTOS from college: Frank playing soccer and baseball. Just as he starts writing, Woody enters.

		WOODY
	The guy is a lie.
		FRANK
	It's a lie. I like that ...
	(speaking what he types)
	... It's ... a ... lie ...

Tracy sticks her head in the door.

		TRACY
	Sammy and Rick are both available. Who do you want to read the spot?
		FRANK
	Find out who's pissed off.
		TRACY
	Sammy's wife just left him. She wants a divorce.

Frank stops typing. Their eyes meet.

		FRANK
	Tell him we'll fax it over in ten minutes.
	(noticing Woody)
	I'm busy, Woody. What do you want?
		WOODY
	I want you to drop the Merdock account.
		FRANK
	You're ridiculous. Get out.

Frank laughs, gets back to work. He loves this.

		WOODY
	Merdock's trying to buy a seat in the Senate with his father's money. He's a dick. An incompetent boob.
		FRANK
	(speaking what he types)
	The victim ... of a negative campaign.
		WOODY
	He's morally bankrupt. He's gonna spend fifty million bucks.
		FRANK
	(typing, laughing)
	What Virginia needs -- no -- what Virginia really needs --

TRACY, HARRY & TOM REACT FROM THEIR DESKS

cringing as they trade smiles and keep score.

		WOODY (O.S.)
	It's a fucking seat in the U.S. Senate. He doesn't stand for anything.
		FRANK (O.S.)
	I'm sure he stands for something. If you don't want your share of the media buy, then don't take it.

WOODY OPENS FRANK'S DESK DRAWER

takes a cigarette out, lights it and settles in a chair.

		WOODY
	... This isn't what we had in mind when we got into this.

Frank finally stops typing, gives him a long look.

		FRANK
	What we got into was the business of getting people elected.
		WOODY
	No matter what?
		FRANK
	(smiles, typing again)
	Children and puppies.
		WOODY
	What?
		FRANK
	He's for children and puppies.
		WOODY
	Fuck you.

Woody stomps out. Frank laughs and prints the spot, stopping when he sees Linda in her office. He tries to look away but can't. She's by the window, on the phone, gorgeous.

Tracy enters, breaking the spell, and takes the script from the printer. Mel and JAKE MERDOCK (35) enter the war room.

		TRACY
	The Merdocks, Frank.

He looks up, sees them. They're worried, heading for the conference room on Frank's nod.

		TRACY
	Sammy's at the recording studio. You need to get out of here.

He checks his watch.

		FRANK
	We'll do the voice track by phone. Have them set up a patch so I can listen. Let me know when they're ready.

He walks out, then turns back. Tracy's already behind his desk, dialing the phone.

		FRANK
	You know what?
		TRACY
	What?
		FRANK
	You're the best, that's what.

She flashes an embarrassed smile, turns back to the phone.

FRANK WALKS INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM

sees Woody brooding in his office as he closes the glass door.

Merdock appears as he did in the spot with a boyish face. His brother Jake is younger, darker, more shrewd looking.

		MERDOCK
	Did you see it?!

Frank nods calmly, pouring a cup of coffee.

		JAKE
	How do you think this affects Mel's chances?
		FRANK
	If we work quickly, the spot won't have any effect at all.

Frank paces before the table. Merdock and then Jake sit down.

		FRANK
	It's the first hit ... And Stewart Brown did just what I said he would. He kept Lou Kay off the air. They saved their money. Now they're going to hit hard. Negative all the way to election day.
		MERDOCK
	How do we fight that?!
		FRANK
	... We hit back harder. And we do it more times.

Merdock pulls a copy of the POST from his briefcase.

		MERDOCK
	A poll came out in this morning's paper. We're losing. Maybe we should make a change on some of our issues.
		FRANK
	What issues? You don't have any.

Merdock and Jake look at each other.

		FRANK
	What you say or do after you're elected is none of my business. Until you're elected, I write the copy.
		MERDOCK
	... If I want to win.
		FRANK
	(nods)
	People who read newspapers think the issues are jobs and education. People watching TV think crime's the real issue. How's that possible when every study shows crime going down?

Tracy waves from her desk. His recording session is ready. Frank notices his coffee, pushing it aside, untouched.

		MERDOCK
	... Local TV news isn't local TV news anymore.
		FRANK
	It's a crime report designed to scare the shit out of people. So here's what we do. When we're on TV, crime's the big issue. In print, it's jobs, education and social security.
		JAKE
	What about their spot? What are you going to do?
		FRANK
	Turn it around. Make them wish they never made it. I've gotta go.

And Frank's out, like a hurricane.

INT/EXT. RAYMOND'S ACCORD AT FRANK'S OFFICE -- LATE AFTERNOON

It's a hundred year old house behind ivy-covered walls. There's a sign: MILES, DARROW & ASSOCIATES. Frank hurries out with a garment bag and videotapes, jumps into a white Lexus and rumbles off.

Raymond's parked across the street, watching. He opens a file, glances at an article from the POST'S ARCHIVES off the internet -- TEENAGERS ARRESTED IN BURGLARY. He returns it to the file thoughtfully, gives the building a last look and drives off ...

INT. EDIT 1 AT VINTAGE VIDEO -- NIGHT

KIP (28) types LOU KAY TAKES MONEY FROM SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS as Frank adjusts a blank piece of torn paper beneath the title camera and gets into his tuxedo pants. On the monitor, the two images look like a headline ripped out of a newspaper.

		FRANK
	That's it. Bring it in and hold it.

Linda enters with files and videotapes, sitting at the table beside Frank's chair and open garment bag.

		FRANK
	We're almost done.
		KIP
	(to Linda)
	We're doing another spot?
		LINDA
	Just a fix. Colorado.

She watches Frank tuck his shirt in and picks up his script.

		FRANK
	(to Kip)
	Let's take a look.

Kip lowers the lights and hits his keyboard.

LOU KAY'S SPOT FILLS THE SCREEN AGAIN

smashed with the words IT'S A LIE. Then slow motion video of LOU KAY (54) speaking with fake headlines fading in and out. If Lou Kay were removed from the ad, he would look bright, forceful. Instead, he looks like a hack.

	VOICE-OVER ANNOUNCER
	It's a lie. What Lou Kay is saying in TV ads like these are absolute lies. The truth is that Lou Kay is running a negative campaign. Why? Because Lou Kay and his big Washington consultants are hiding something. What Lou Kay doesn't want you to know is that he's taken big money from lobbyists, even special interest groups. What Virginia really needs is a senator who isn't in the pocket of the big shots. Mel Merdock hasn't taken one dime from lobbyists or special interest groups. On election day, you can make the difference. Say NO to Washington big shots. Say NO to Lou Kay.

The spot is devastating. Everyone laughs.

		LINDA
	You know you could say that about anyone.
		FRANK
	Is this a great country or what?

INT. THE BAR AT THE MAYFLOWER HOTEL -- LATER THAT NIGHT

A WAITER crosses from the bar with a tray of cocktails.

		SENATOR PRYOR (O.S.)
	I'm worried about you, Frank.

The Waiter reaches their table. Frank sits with SENATOR HELEN PRYOR (55), a handsome woman with a face lined by a life of hard work. Both are dressed for a black-tie event.

		FRANK
	The whisky's the senator's. Thanks.

The Waiter vanishes. They CLICK glasses and sip their drinks.

		SENATOR PRYOR
	One negative campaign after the next.
		FRANK
	What I did to Ozzie Olson got you elected two years ago. It got ugly, Helen. I admit that. But you don't need to feel guilty about it.
		SENATOR PRYOR
	I don't.
		FRANK
	(laughs)
	Yes you do. I can see you do.

Their smiles fade as they look up. STEWART BROWN (45) is passing them with an awkward smile and nod. He's heavy with slicked back hair, his tuxedo too small, beady eyes darting.

		BROWN
	Frank ...
		FRANK
	Stewart ...

Stewart Brown reaches the bar in the b.g., ordering a drink.

		SENATOR PRYOR
	He's doing Lou Kay's campaign, isn't he?
		FRANK
	Stewart Brown is a bottom feeder. The king of sleaze.
		SENATOR PRYOR
	... What about Merdock?
		FRANK
	What's wrong with him?
		SENATOR PRYOR
	He's spending his own money.
		FRANK
	He's got a lot of it. So what?
		SENATOR PRYOR
	By the time most of us can raise real money, we're pretty well tested.
		FRANK
	(understands, smiles)
	But a candidate who can bankroll his own campaign turns it all upside-down. Think about it. He won't owe anybody anything.

She thinks it over, still concerned ...

INT/EXT. RAYMOND'S ACCORD AT FRANK'S OFFICE -- NIGHT (RAINING)

Raymond pulls into the lot. SONNY STOCKWELL (18) and black, sits in the back. He's dead, wrapped in plastic, staring at Raymond in the mirror.

A second floor window is lighted. Raymond sips coffee from a travel mug, then slips into his gloves as he eyes Stockwell.

		RAYMOND
	Wait here.

Raymond exits the car. Crossing to the entrance, he picks the lock until it CLICKS. Then he opens the door and enters.