House of Cards (2013–2018): Season 4, Episode 1 - Chapter 40 - full transcript

Mayda slides her fingers in...

all the way up to her...
her wedding ring.

She pushes you onto your back
and leans down.

Puts the fingers into your mouth
so you can... taste them.

The gold of the ring...

You could taste the sting
of the metal on your tongue...

mixed with the taste of her cunt.

She leans down,
whispers in your ear,

"I love you, Gagik. Ah.

I love you."

- I'm close, man.
- She straddles you, pulls you inside...



grinds her hips back and forth,
back and forth...

Ah, damn, you're good with words.

"...New Hampshire for over 200 years.

There've been ups and downs
along the way.

Like the big A-mos-ke-ag."

Am... Amos...

Do you have her?

She won't get on the phone.

- Then get her detail on the phone.
- I did.

They can't force her to talk to you, sir.

We need to think about what to say
when I show up at this event

and she's not with me.

And I don't want to make it worse
by mispronouncing this.

How do you say this word?



They didn't put in the goddamn phonetics
in this speech!

And I can't be expected
to look this shit up myself!

I'll find out for you, sir.

And of course, there's been...

"...ups and downs along the way."

Like the big Amoskeag strike
in the 1920s over pay and hours.

But this industry survived that as well.

And all of you in this room
have been carrying on a tradition

that goes back
to the beginning of this country,

and that's something you have to be
very, very proud of!

"But there's another tradition
in this state:

Live Free or Die.

Now, my wife..."

There's another tradition in this state:

Live Free or Die.

Live Free or Die.

Now, of course, as some of you
may read in the papers,

and, uh, hear from the television pundits

that my opponent has a ten-point lead
here in New Hampshire.

But...

you're not gonna let polls and pundits
tell you what to do.

- No!
- Or tell you how to vote on Election Day.

You are gonna show them that
New Hampshire makes up its own mind.

Thank you! Thank you all
for coming out today.

And God bless America.
Thank you.

Underwood!
Underwood! Underwood!

Thank you very much.
Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you all.
Thank you all very much.

Thank you.

She landed in Dallas ten minutes ago.

Our story is she's down there
laying groundwork for the primary.

That only gives us a day or two.

If she's not doing events,
they'll think we're hiding something.

You think she'll stay put
on the ranch?

I have no idea.
You keep track of all of her movements.

Visitors, names, times,

the color of their shit
and how much it stinks.

- Yes, sir.
- And I want you on a plane.

- Back to Washington?
- Down to Texas.

- Where is she?
- The master bedroom.

Mrs. Hale mentioned
that she might take a nap.

- Is my room made up?
- It's being dusted right now.

- I'd like to take a look.
- Yes, ma'am.

Well, Texas is an important state.

Nearly 10% of the delegates
we need for the nomination.

But you said the First Lady
would be here with you today.

Yes, well, when we assessed
things this morning,

we felt good about New Hampshire.

I mean, look at this crowd,
the enthusiasm.

Hello, hello.
Oh, my goodness.

Hello there, aren't you a cutie?
What's your name?

- Gabby.
- Hello, Gabby.

Anyway, we wanted
to start looking ahead.

Claire's from Texas, so it made sense
for her to head down there early.

Hello. Hello.
Thank you for coming out. Hi.

I can't do my job
if you keep me in the dark.

All you need to know
is what you put out in the statement.

- Was it an argument?
- Seth.

Look, I'm working 20 hours a day here
on a normal day

with the campaign in full swing,
and now this is on my plate?

Look, I can do damage control,
but I have to know what the damage is.

Okay. I'll fill you in.
Let me get up to my room.

Welcome to Dallas.

Or maybe it's a decoy,

trying to lure us into making
ad-buys in Texas.

That would explain
why it wasn't part of her schedule.

- Have you spoken to our friends in Dallas?
- No meetings or calls.

If she were making the rounds,
we'd know.

Well, they're either excellent
at covering their tracks,

or something's up.

- Like what?
- I don't know, but I wanna find out.

She's gonna fucking leave me.
My kid in her belly.

And she gonna act like I never existed.

Probably pawned the wedding ring already.

- How many is that?
- Two more.

- Can you blame her, though?
- Yeah, I can blame her.

I gave her everything.
She gonna rob me of my kid?

He's gonna be in high school
before you're out.

I'll still be his fucking father.

You gotta let them move on, man.

- It's unfair not to.
- Let me tell you about unfair.

Okay? Unfair is I'm even in here,

and that fucking bitch
doesn't even know it.

She thinks I belong in this shithole?

You did kill a guy.

- Are you saying you didn't?
- I didn't say shit.

Because I...

I had my doubts.

What do you mean your doubts?

- Hmm?
- Just...

never struck me as a killer, that's all.

You don't know what I am!

Come on!

Let up! I can't breathe.

All I'm saying is...

I interviewed a lot of murder suspects

when I was on the crime beat.

I think you're innocent.

I think you didn't do it.

These guys, they'll skin you alive.

Make you watch in a mirror
while they do it.

What guys?

You ever hear of Armenian Power in LA?

- No.
- Their top guy.

No way that motherfucker
was going to jail, huh?

I didn't have a choice.

So, you didn't do it?

It doesn't matter
what I did or what I didn't do.

It matters what I said I did.

Who did you take the fall for?

A national Wall Street Telegraph poll
finds Governor Conway

leading the Republican field with 48%
of GOP primary voters saying

he's their first choice,

over 20% more
than any other candidate.

Conway has had a dramatic ascent since
he announced his candidacy in May of 2015.

In another Wall Street Telegraph poll
conducted at the time,

he only captured
18% of GOP primary voters.

Many felt that his young age
and his lack of...

Meechum!

- Yes, sir?
- Claire's clothes are here.

I'll get Advance.

Along with
his campaign's focus

on his successful tenure as Governor
of New York, his service in the Air...

My apologies, sir.
Her wardrobe shipped last night

and we neglected to adjust.

- All right, just get it out.
- Yes, sir.

Hundreds of supporters lined
up at nearly every one of his Iowa events,

sometimes numbering
in the thousands.

Prominent in the crowd were
military veterans.

Conway's grandfather was
a Navy chief warrant officer

who fought in the Pacific theater
of World War II.

- Conway's approach has been likened...
- Meechum.

...to that of John F. Kennedy's
1960 presidential campaign.

A combination of public charm
and personal poise.

Last week, at a campaign event...

This morning when you
went into her room...

Uh, I told her we were leaving soon.

She just...

She was looking at a photograph...

of the mandala,
the one you gave her.

...event in Manchester,
but without the First Lady.

Reports from
the Underwood administration...

- Good night, sir.
- ...have stated that Claire Underwood...

- Keep me company for a bit.
- Sir?

You just have a seat.
I've got some reading that I have to do.

Yes, sir.

But you said the First Lady
would be here with you today.

Yes, well, when we assessed
things this morning,

we felt good about New Hampshire.

I mean, look at this crowd,
the enthusiasm.

Hello, hello.
Oh, my goodness.

Hello there, aren't you a cutie?
What's your name?

- Gabby.
- Hello, Gabby.

Oh. Turn that off.

Claire's from Texas, so it made sense
for her to head down there early.

Hello. Hello.
Thank you for coming out. Hi.

"Hmm, aren't you a cutie?"

- What are you doing?
- You fell asleep, sir.

Your glasses, I was...

I'm sorry, sir.
I didn't mean to...

- You all right, sir?
- No.

I mean, yes. I'm just...

- Can I get you anything? Some water?
- I'm fine.

It's late.
You should get some sleep.

I'll stay if you like.

I think I'd like to be alone,
but thank you.

Of course, sir.

Watch your step, please.

- LeAnn.
- Mrs. Underwood.

- Let's take a walk.
- Of course.

You've made the Democrats
relevant again in a very red state.

You want me to help
ramp up the Texas operation?

No, I'm not here for the primary.

I'm here to run for the 30th,
and I want you to run my campaign.

The White House is saying
that you're here to...

That's just so we don't draw attention
to the congressional race.

Doris Jones, her daughter's running.

The congresswoman
would need to be convinced.

You're saying Celia bows out?

She waits. In two years, the seat is hers.
Four at the most.

- Senate?
- Possibly. Or governor, 2020.

And the president's on board with this?

Completely.

Look, even if you could
convince Celia,

there's still a big problem.

- That I'm white.
- Lily white.

In your designer heels
and tailored dresses, I mean...

look at this property, Mrs. Underwood.

A woman who marched with Dr. King
is not gonna have much patience for...

For what?

An outsider.

Well, I believe we can change
her opinion of me.

Look, I don't mind
betting against the odds.

If I did, I wouldn't be consulting
for Democrats in Texas.

- But what you're asking me...
- When you started your firm, LeAnn,

your father told mine
that you were making a huge mistake.

That's because he was a Republican.

Yes, but you didn't make
a mistake, did you?

You proved him wrong.

Now, a dozen consultants
can tell me why this won't work,

but I think you can tell me why it can.

Meechum said she was in there
for over an hour.

We don't own Harvey.

Vaughn thinks she's been
holding out for Dunbar.

She wouldn't be meeting
with her about the primary.

Maybe she thinks
she can run for something.

- What? This cycle?
- Elected office has always been her goal.

There aren't any open races.
Not in Texas. Except for Doris Jones.

Yeah, but her daughter's
running for that seat.

She hasn't announced yet.

Which gives Claire an opening.

Hello?

- Hello?
- LeAnn?

Hi.
Doug Stamper.

Wasn't sure if I was in the right...
Wow.

Is that how you say hi in Texas?

Sorry, the elevators are
usually locked down on the weekends.

We've had some burglaries in the building.

- It's nice to meet you, Doug.
- Pleasure.

Mrs. Underwood didn't tell me
you were in town.

I just got in.
President thought it'd be a good idea

if I were here to help
coordinate on the campaign.

Well, I'm not officially on board yet.

I wanted to see how
the meeting goes tomorrow.

The meeting?

Doris Jones.
The First Lady didn't tell you?

No.

Will you excuse me for a moment?

- I just have to make a quick call.
- Of course.

It's the president.

Hello?

Doug tells me
you greeted him with a firearm.

Yeah, we've been
having some issues with...

Do you know what fascinates me
about guns, LeAnn?

You pull a trigger and bang,
a bullet explodes out

faster than the speed of sound.

And if you're on
the wrong end of that bullet,

- why, it hits you before you even hear it.
- Mr. President, forgive me, but...

No, I want you to hear me, LeAnn.

You will walk away
from this nonsense with Claire.

You will not make a phone call
nor answer one.

You will offer no explanation.

Whatever you discussed with my wife,

you will erase it from your mind
and never speak of it again.

Tell me I've been heard.

Yes, I heard you.

Good.

This is cute.

Put it down, please.

Souvenir.

I'll take that phone, too.

Have a good night.

How soon?

The judge is reviewing
the Rule 35 order now.

I mean, once he signs it,
if they make an arrest,

it won't take these guys long
to figure out

it was me that talked to the Feds.

Well, once he signs,
it'll be a matter of hours, not days.

The WITSEC arrangements
are already being made.

- You know where they're sending me?
- Nope.

And I never will.
Nobody will.

Except for the DOJ.

If you need to reach me for anything,

you're gonna have to contact me
through the WITSEC officer.

It's not just the Armenians I'm afraid of.

- Lucas...
- I know you never believed me

- about the president but...
- Look. Listen carefully.

The U.S. government is not your enemy now.

Okay? They're protecting you.

He is the government.

Not even the White House knows
who gets released on Rule 35.

Unless the Attorney General tells them,
which almost never happens.

Listen.

You did good work here, Lucas.

You're getting out.

Try to be happy about that.

This how you unwind?

I've never been here in my life.

I wanted some place
we wouldn't be recognized.

Rack 'em up.

- You said you had something to offer.
- Yes.

Insurance.

We took Iowa.
We're closing the gap in New Hampshire.

You squeaked by in Iowa.

You're not gonna close the gap
in New Hampshire by Tuesday.

- You're overconfident.
- And you're still Press Secretary.

He didn't make you Chief of Staff.

Don't tell me you weren't angling for it.

What's your ask?

One solid thing for us to work with.

It tanks him, you got a cushion.

It doesn't?

You still have your job
in the White House.

Why should I trust you?

Wouldn't you rather have
a back-up plan in your pocket if you lose?

Your shot.

We guarantee you
a place in our administration

after my two years as Chief of Staff.

Then it's you.

Tell me what's happening in Texas.

- Mrs. Underwood.
- Congresswoman, so good to see you.

Wonderful to see you, too.
Please, come in.

Celia, so good to see you, too.

Always a pleasure, Mrs. Underwood.

LeAnn called me a little while ago.
Said she couldn't make it.

Congresswoman, I asked LeAnn
to have this meeting set up

because I have a radical proposal,
and I wanted to make it in person.

Well, Doug has already filled me in.

Usually, I wouldn't endorse
anyone four years out,

but in this case,
I'm really open to it.

Anything to put a Democrat
into the governor's mansion.

I told the congresswoman that

enlisting her political machinery
in Dallas is a crucial first step.

Which is why
I asked my daughter to join us.

She'll have my seat by then,
and you two will work closely.

I have a great deal of respect for you,
Mrs. Underwood.

I think we can accomplish a lot together.

Well, actually, Congresswoman,

I've decided that
the governorship is a big leap

without holding any elected office first.

Are you thinking Senate next cycle?

No, I'm thinking
your district, this cycle.

That would mean your daughter holds off,

and then I would throw
my full weight behind her

to replace me when I run for governor.

I've already put together my team.

Oh, no, you would still
get the seat, Celia.

I'm just asking you
to wait a little longer.

And the president
thinks this is the best plan.

Why didn't you tell me this?

- I wasn't aware, ma'am.
- Well, he and I spoke privately about it.

Celia has waited over a decade
for me to retire.

It's her time.

I understand.

And that's why I want to put her
in the best position to succeed

- when she takes office.
- When was the last time

you set foot in this district?

When Francis was elected whip.

So, how are we supposed
to ask our people to support a woman

that doesn't even know them?

Their lives, their everyday struggles.

Carpetbagger.

Who's white.

It goes deeper than race,
Mrs. Underwood.

You grew up in Highland Park,
never wanted for anything.

You just don't reflect our community.

Congresswoman makes a good point.

What I want is a stepping stone.

And what you want is federal funding
for a breast cancer center

run by Planned Parenthood.

Something that a Republican-controlled
Congress will never do.

Especially in a VA hospital.

You had resistance even when
the Democrats controlled the House.

But there's not one congressperson,
Republican or Democrat,

that would refuse a meeting
with the First Lady.

You're right, Mrs. Underwood.

We haven't accomplished
everything we set out to do.

But the one thing
my constituents have always had...

is the pride that they take
in being represented by one of their own.

I refuse to rob them of that.

Thank you for your time, Congresswoman.

We'll reassess our thinking
and get back to you. Thank you.

You tell the president
to stay out of this.

Maybe you should speak to him directly.

As soon as he's willing
to support this race, I'll talk to him.

You're making a mistake, Mrs. Underwood.

A source within
the White House tells us this,

that the First Lady traveled to Texas

after some sort of a major
argument with her husband.

Well, the president has claimed
that she went to Dallas

to lay groundwork for the Texas primary.

But there's no evidence
of any campaign events or fundraisers

since she arrived there three days ago,

and she hasn't appeared publicly.

So, Monica, gotta get your take on this.

Well, if there is marital discord,

the Underwoods certainly
wouldn't want to admit it.

Her being down there for the primary?
Come on, that could be a smokescreen.

- Juan?
- Well, come on, Gretchen. Let's be real.

Something's rotten
in the state of Denmark.

I mean, the timing on this
could not be worse.

Don't forget,
the New Hampshire primary is tomorrow.

So, whatever momentum the president had
coming out of Iowa...

Just like
air going out of a popped balloon.

Well, you know
that Heather Dunbar

is gonna have something to say about this.
Let's take a look.

I don't know whether
this story is true or not,

but if it is, I hope that
the president and the First Lady

can work out their differences.

No one likes to see
a marriage under strain.

Personally, I wouldn't be able

to carry on my campaign
without the incredible...

Do we know
where the leak came from?

We're talking
to Secret Service and to staff now,

but no, sir, we don't know yet.

I'm looking at a ten-pound
stack of clippings,

and that's just what's been written
in the past hour.

This is Dunbar.
I know she's behind this.

Sir, I might have a solution.

May we speak privately for a moment?

Yeah. Seth, hop off the line.

If we're gonna switch tactics,
I think I should...

I'll fill you in
if the president wants to move forward.

Hop off, Seth.

During the debates,
we all remember,

Underwood went after Sharp
for sending her kids to private...

All right, go ahead.

Claire's mother.

What about her?

I told you
when you were five years old

not to come in this house
without saying hello to me.

I came by when I arrived.
You were asleep.

That was two days ago.

Well, I wasn't sure you wanted
to see me, Mother.

Well...

as long as we're living
under the same roof

- and besieged by news trucks...
- I apologize for all that.

Is it true?

Hmm? Is that why you came down here?

No, I came down here because...

Mmm-hmm.

That woman who visited...

- LeAnn Harvey.
- Mmm-hmm, I know who she is.

She calls me all the time
asking for money when she's...

peddling some candidate.

Are you the candidate?

Congress. 30th District.

I see.

You don't approve.

Well, you've
always made your choices

regardless of what I think.

What does he think?

Has he spoken to you?
To discourage me?

He hasn't spoken to me
since the day of your daddy's funeral.

Just like you haven't.

Not even a phone call
when you became First Lady...

If you don't want me here,
I can make other arrangements.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.
This house is as much yours as it is mine.

I put covers on everything

because the maids were
cleaning rooms I never set foot in.

But now that you're here...

Just leave them.

I only need a bedroom.

Fine.

This house is just a hotel to you.

The president will arrive
in Dallas later this afternoon.

As to the nature of his trip,
I can't comment at this time

other than to say he plans
on seeing the First Lady.

- Seth!
- Mark.

His going down there
would seem to lend legitimacy

to claims that they're having
marital issues, wouldn't it?

We've already denied those claims.

- Seth!
- Sara.

Neither the president nor the First Lady

have publicly responded
since this story broke.

Can we expect them to?

What you're calling a story
isn't a story.

It's a flashy headline that gives you
a bump in Twitter followers.

It doesn't warrant a response,

but if the president or First Lady
chooses to make one,

you'll be the first to know.

- Seth!
- Thank you all very much.

- How long has she been gone?
- Not long.

- LeAnn Harvey's office.
- Christ.

The press didn't follow her, did they?

No. They took a utility road out.
No police escort.

Are you two gonna make
a habit of showing up here

without even the courtesy of asking?

I wish I didn't have to be here,
but your daughter's made it necessary.

You know, when she got married,

I was sure she would wake up
in a year or two.

I had no idea
it was gonna take her 30.

Claire is the First Lady
of the United States,

and you still think
she made the wrong choice.

Reduced to tabloid gossip?

She might as well be living
in that trailer park you come from.

Well, it was a peach farm.
But you're right, I am still white trash.

I just happen to be white trash
that lives in the White House.

Not even being president
could give you any class.

Well, let me tell you
what's about to happen, Elizabeth.

I am not going
to put myself in the crossfire

between a president and First Lady.

Oh, I'll handle Francis.

You said he was on board.

And I'll make sure he is.

The point is you misled me,
Mrs. Underwood.

What is it you want, LeAnn?
Is it money?

Or do you want more,
to make a real mark?

I don't have to choose.
I can have both.

Well, if you wanna make history,
you need to get out of Texas.

I've turned down plenty of jobs in D.C.

Juggling 15 clients a year.

But I want the next 15 years of your life.
Texas is just where we begin.

It seems you didn't hear me after all.

I don't respond to threats.

You're speaking
to the president.

Yes, I recognize his voice.

I'd like to talk to my wife alone, please.

She stays.
Tell me what you need to tell me.

Doug.

She's been sick for three years.
Radiation, chemotherapy, the works.

But you didn't know, did you?

You're not dragging my mother
in front of the cameras.

Just you, and you're going to say
that that's why you're down here.

This is a family matter, Francis.

This has to be done, Claire.
We have to kill this story.

He's right.

I need to know you won't meddle
with my campaign.

The State of the Union is in two weeks.

You show up for that,
then I'll leave you alone.

Let's get this over with.

When Claire first
came down here to Dallas...

we said it was to lay the groundwork
for the Texas primary.

And that was partially true.

What we left out was something
that we hoped to keep private.

But in light of false stories
over the last number of days

about the state of our marriage,

we now feel it's important
to share this unfortunate news.

Claire.

For the past three years,

my mother has been suffering
from intermittent lymphoma.

Initially, she had some success
battling her illness,

but it's come back full force
the last several months.

So, I came down here
to spend time with her

while she undergoes further treatment.

And we ask just for the sake
of my mother's dignity...

and well-being
that you respect her privacy.

Thank you.

I will be resuming my campaign tomorrow

and Claire will, of course,
be staying here.

And let me just add...

Claire's mother is blessed
to have such a loving daughter.

And I am blessed to have
such a thoughtful and caring wife.

Thank you all very much.

Nothing fancy, but it'll do the job.

You're officially John Carlyle now.

Driver's license is expired on purpose.
You take the bus to work.

Memorize everything,
address, birthday, social.

There's a personal history in there
for you to know by heart, too.

- "Pegasus Car Rentals"?
- Yeah.

You wash rentals.
It starts tomorrow.

Keep a low profile.

Don't be weird about it,
don't go out of your way to make friends.

What if there's...

If something's wrong?

Landline goes directly
to our local office.

Away from home,
use the cell phone next to it.

What else? You have basic cable.
No Internet, obviously.

Keep the blinds drawn
and the doors locked.

That's it.

I'll check in with you later this week.

Now, we didn't just win

a plurality here in New Hampshire.

We won a majority.

Now, you know what that tells me?

It's looking like Dunbar's got it
by 11 or 12 points

by the time everything's counted.

How many precincts have reported?

As of two minutes ago, 83%.

Seth drafted a speech for when we land.

Normally, Dunbar would wait
to give her speech until after yours,

but since we're on the plane...

- Get her on the phone and I'll concede.
- Yes, sir.

Look at that snot-nosed pretty-boy.

I'll bet he just learned how to shave.

Get me Dunbar.

- Ma'am, I really think...
- Open it.

She wants to be left alone.

Unlock the door.

I want you to go!

Mother...

why didn't you tell me?

Because it was none of your business.

- Just listen to me.
- No, don't even bother.

I understand why you did what you did.

But that doesn't make it any less hurtful.

Is that for me or for yourself?

Claire.

Come here.

Come here.

You're stronger than he is.

But you gotta put him in his place.