CLOSEUP:

[Spidery fingers are seen tapping out the numbers to the former State Department chief's home in Manhattan]

HENRY: (waking out of a bad dream) "... Yes, .... Hello? ... "

BARRY: (whispering in the dark with his mouth close into phone) "errrr .... Mister Secretary?"

HENRY: (pulling watch from the nightstand) "Who is this?"

BARRY: (nervously) "Sir ... this is me. That african fellow that just bested the Blonde Frau on your TV set."

HENRY: (nostrils aflair) "Young man, -- do you not know what time of the night it is?"

BARRY: "Yes ... I'm sorry ... I couldn't sleep ... something's bothering me."

HENRY: "Well-well, and what is it? --- And why in blazes did you call me?"

BARRY: "Well Sir, my political adversaries have been trying to paint me as a dilitante. And sir, well, .... its starting to get on me."

HENRY: "I see. -- Haven't quite gotten your feet into the water yet. -- And know here you are -- possibly within reach of being placed in the most powerful seat in human history."

BARRY: "well ... uhh ... yeah. All those warheads and wall street wonks."

HENRY: "Its like I told my colleagues --- Why didn't that boy just wait until he learned himself the ways of how Washington works."

BARRY: "DON'T CALL ME BOY !!"

HENRY: "I only meant to say ..."

BARRY: (cuts in, lowering voice) "Look --- Its too late for that. Besides - The People wanted someone at the Helm who didn't know his way around the Ship of State."

HENRY: "I always knew the people were Coo-Coo. In any case, what is bothering you, son?"

BARRY: "Well, I've always fancied myself to be an Intellectual ..."

HENRY: (cuts in) "Whatever that is"

BARRY: "You see --- I want to guage all opinions before I begin to --- well --- it seems that every one of my potential predecessors have screwed up things royally at one time or another."

HENRY: "Please, I do have to catch a plane to Chicago in the morning."

BARRY: "Yes --- about The War, sir -- I am serious about being serious --- that is, its been my conclusion that The War has been fought and expanded for all the wrong reasons."

HENRY: "And by what measure do you suppose the war should be fought from this point on?"

BARRY: (blinking rapidly) "Well to get Bin Ladin. Bring him before an American Court of Justice."

HENRY: "I see." (long pause) "Senator; -- whether or not we lock Mister Bin Ladin up or bury him under a mountain of rubble has absolutely nothing to do with a Victory against Terrorism."

BARRY: (somewhat haughtily) "Oh ? ... Really ?"

HENRY: "The Jihad that was declared in the Nineties is a Movement that will never be quelled; that is, not until its aspects have been met, and the people assuaged. Peace will come to the Middle East when, and only when the American and Israeli presense there has vanished. --- It is ... as Allah wishes it to be."

BARRY: (gulp) "But I do intend to get Bin Ladin." -- (concern turns to brashness) -- "His days are numbered."

HENRY: "Senator, Ho Chi Minh passed away in 1969. Five years later the Communist continued unabated.

-- (a long silence) --

I do hope that you catch this criminal. But this war began long before you were born. And it will press on until someone cries 'uncle' -- You may well be the one given this decision. Now goodnight Senator. -- (..click..)

BARRY: (staring at the ceiling) "Now what am I going to do?"