Signed, Sealed, Delivered (2014): Season 1, Episode 8 - Dark of Night - full transcript

[Oliver]: Previously, on
Signed, Sealed, Delivered...

She's from the U.S.P.S. in Washington, D.C.

I imagine we have differing notions

on what constitutes "fun."

I have no doubt that we do.

Wait till I tell you about Oliver.

It was very ungentlemanly of me

to remain here where I could

overhear your conversation.

I won't say a word.

[♪♪♪]



[♪♪♪]

I really can't stall them anymore.

Sorry!

- Sorry!
- [Panting]

[Exhales shakily]

I got it!

If something happens...

Nothing's gonna happen.

Promise.

You have to mail this.

Do it for Michael and our little girl.

[Deep, wracking wheezing]

- [Monitor flatlining]
- [Nurse]: I need your help here!

Okay. Deep breaths.



[Coughs]

Move it! Let's go. Let's go!

Okay! Hang in there, Melissa.
Hang in there! Hang in there!

[Beeping]

- We're not getting a pulse.
- Pressure's dropping.

- More suction.
- She's desatting, 70%.

- Come on, Melissa!
- We're losing her!

- 65%!
- More suction!

[Steady tone beeping]

[Flatline blaring]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Candy-striper, Kim]: Morning.

Would you like to see any magazines today?

You know, all my John
Grisham's have been checked out,

but hold on, let me see.

[Gasps]

♪ Send me love every day ♪

♪ and send me on my way ♪

♪ deliver me just deliver me ♪

So, when we were talking
about Oliver the other day,

he was sitting right behind us?

Mm. But it wasn't his fault.

He wanted to leave,

he just didn't want to
stand up and embarrass you.

What did I say?

What did I say?

- All nice things. You know...
- Oh...

How he's a nice guy, he goes to church,

he's generous, considerate...

- [Giggles]: He needs a sense of humor.
- No.

No... no!

I can't go back to the
dead letter office now.

Take me back to Washington
with you, please?

No! This place is good for you.

Besides, I can't go back either.

Not until I fulfill my
special projects quota.

[Mortified sigh]

Oh.

Be cool. He's coming over.

- But don't let him know I told you.
- What do I do?

Nothing, he would die if he knew

that you knew that he knew that...

Good morning, Ms. McInerney, Ms. Starkwell,

I was hoping to find you here. Again.

Gosh, Oliver. It's so good to see you.

We were just sitting here

talking about... nothing.

Um, trying to find a topic, and...

- [Shane sighs]
- Oh, forget about it.

What's going on?

Oh, uh, well, we received a rather
unusual package this morning.

I'd like to consult with
you and... and you, perhaps,

Ms. Starkwell, if you're interested.

Yes, I'm always interested,

but I have a problem I have to fix

in "Parcels" at 9:00.

Apparently, even if it
fits, it ain't shipping.

Mm. At least not to Kazakhstan.

- But, can you post it?
- [Chuckles]

[Chuckling]

Aw, I love her.

It must be nice having a friend

visiting from your old stomping grounds.

Yeah. Although I really
didn't stomp that much.

I didn't stay there that long.

Oh, I see. So should we expect you to...

Move on at some point?

- "On"?
- Are you unhappy at the D.L.O.?

With... us?

- "Us"?
- The team. Uh...

Norman, Rita...

Oh! No. No. Not unhappy.

In fact, I'm actually starting
to do a little stomping here.

Ah. I'm sure Norman and Rita
will be very happy to hear that.

They admire you and your remarkable...

My remarkable...?

Uh... ability to, uh...

Embrace...

A challenge such as this.

- [Awkward chuckle]
- Ah.

It arrived, addressed directly
to the dead letter office.

- Oh, a Bible?
- Mm-hmm.

And, uh...

This was included.

The cover letter reads, uh,

"Dear Post Office...

"after many years of treatment,

"a patient of ours at Long
Oaks Lodge for Mental Health

"has recovered enough
to leave our facility.

"At the time he left, he
confessed to us that the Bible

he had carried so long was, in fact,

stolen by him

approximately 10 years ago."

"Inside that Bible was an unmailed letter,

which our patient decorated
and used as a bookmark."

"We are sending you both

"in hopes that you might forward
them to their rightful owners."

"Thank you."

"Nancy Gray, Director
of Psychiatric Services,

Long Oaks Lodge for Mental Health."

[♪♪♪]

Uh...

It's Michael
W-H-E... something,

2234... something,
D-e-n-v...

Well, it must be Denver.

Mm-hmm. Uh...

Most of it's not legible.

Return address says

"St. Augusto Hospital Intensive Care Unit."

37-cent 2004 commemorative.

It, uh, lacks postmark, however.

Oh. The stamp suggests intention to mail.

And we must honor that intention.

Very good, Ms. McInerney.

Alright.

Here we are.

Ahem.

Shaky handwriting.

Uh, "May 16, 2004.

"Dear Michael...

"I can explain everything.

"It's not what you think.

"I don't blame you for walking out,

"but I can't let them operate on me

"unless I know, if I die...

at least you have the truth."

"My head hurts

and I can't remember
much about yesterday..."

Thank you, Sir. I
appreciate your confidence.

Mike, isn't that your wife?

[Background chatter]

Uh...

- Hey.
- Hey!

What... what are you doing here?

The partners took me to lunch.

They're gonna support me in the campaign.

Did... did I mention?
He's really gonna run.

I always knew you'd run the world someday.

Some things never change, I guess.

[♪♪♪]

I just, uh...

Hey. Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey...

I know what you're
thinking, but you're wrong.

Oh, I'm sorry,

it's just I see my wife
and her old boyfriend

together at a hotel.

I don't know what to make of it.

Have you ever noticed,

when things are good,
he's your best friend,

but as soon as we're having problems,

he's my "ex-boyfriend"?

Barry and I were having lunch.

That's all that happened. Lunch.

I didn't see you in the restaurant.

Michael,

please, just trust me on this.

I'll tell you all about it

when Abby and I get back from the trip.

Right.

Why don't you come?

No.

Take some mother/daughter time.

We need some husband/wife time.

I gotta go.

[Melissa, writing]: "I would
have never let you walk away

if I had known what was coming."

[Friend]: She said it all happened so fast.

One second, they were all laughing,

and the next thing they
knew, they hit the rocks,

and everyone was in the water...

Mr. Wheeler?

Yes?

We just got the lab
work back on your blood.

I'm afraid there's an issue.

[♪♪♪]

Michael...

How's Abby?

They think she's gonna lose a kidney.

- [Gasps]
- Oh, no.

No...

She needed blood.

So...

I gave them mine.

But my blood didn't match.

Michael, wait. Listen to me.

What a fool I am.

I mean, Abby was born, what...?

Nine months and two days
after we got married.

Maybe, if you and Barry hadn't
been messing around on Friday,

I would've been up there with you guys,

and our little girl

wouldn't be fighting
for her life right now!

Listen to me, Mi... Michael.

Correction...

your little girl.

Michael!

Michael...

[Weakly]: Michael!

[Gasps and sobs]

- [Knocks]
- Candy striper.

Can I get you a magazine or anything?

[Melissa, writing]: "It's true, Michael.

You're not the father of Abby."

"It's a terrible secret
I've kept all this time

"because I love you

"and I only wanted the
best for both of you.

"The truth is...

Barry isn't the father, either."

"There hasn't been anything
between me and Barry since..."

"college,

"and we were at the Clairemont on Friday

"because we were planning

"a surprise party for
your birthday next week.

If you don't believe me, ask the caterer."

Alright.

Well, all we have to do is
call the Clairemont Hotel,

ask them to check their
records for a birthday party

that was canceled

for a Michael W-H- something
in May of 2004.

Who's the father?

- [Scoffs]
- You amaze me.

An hour ago, you didn't
know these people existed.

Now you can't continue

until you determine the
parentage of their child.

I can't explain it, Oliver.

I just... have got an instinct.

An instinct.

You once said, "we don't find the letters,

they find us."

I do.

Well, this morning,

I woke up with a distinct feeling

that today would pose a unique challenge.

Was that a feeling

or a fortune cookie, Ms. McInerney?

- [Groans]
- Oh. Just... keep reading.

Oliver, please?

Besides...

Everybody knows that hotels

destroy their records after 10 years.

Now you're just making things up.

On the other hand,

I do have a feeling about this, too.

What's your instinct?

Not an instinct.

More of a sign, really.

This page...

The envelope was bookmarking...

"And you will know the truth,

and the truth will make you free."

10 years is a long time

to be a prisoner to a lie, Ms. McInerney.

"You are not Abby's father,

neither is Barry."

[Melissa, writing]: "Do you remember

"the night before we got married?"

[Lips smacking]

I can't wait. Marry me now.

[She chuckles]

[Knock on window]

Alright, guys. Break it up.

She's yours tomorrow, Michael,
but she's ours tonight!

Have fun.

- Bye.
- Bye.

[Blows a kiss]

[Melissa]: "It started as just
one last girls' night out."

This one's for when

Michael wins his first election.

[Chuckles]

- Oh!
- [Laughing]

Uh, wait a minute.

Maybe it'll be me that goes into politics!

We thought of that!

And then...

"Hello, Michael!"

[Women laughing]

[♪♪♪]

[Woman]: It's the thought that counts.

[Melissa]: Absolutely. Cheers.

[All laughing]

[Glasses clinking]

I'll be right back.

Okay.

It's downstairs, in the back.

"I don't remember everything, Michael,

but I know he said he was gonna kill me."

"Except he didn't.

"But that night...

I wanted to die just the same."

[All laughing]

[♪♪♪]

Ms. McInerney, you were right.

As much as I wish that weren't true.

[♪♪♪]

This is the saddest letter I've ever read.

[Shane]: That's what Rebecca
said when she read it.

She wants a report on
our progress by tomorrow.

Do we have enough to figure it out?

Not yet.

I can't find

any police reports from an O'Hannigan's bar

from that year.

I don't think you will.

It was never reported.

"I decided that I was never going... "

[Melissa, overlapping]:
"...going to tell a soul

what happened, so..."

- [Sniffling]
- "I made it through the wedding

with lots of makeup and champagne."

"A few days later,

"I saw his face in the Denver City Press.

"He used a gun before,

"to assault a kindergarten teacher

"three days before me.

"They caught him for that,

and he went to prison for life."

"In fact, it was the last case

"that Tommy Boylen prosecuted

"before he was appointed
to the bench, remember?

"But even though he's
been in jail all this time,

"I can't stop thinking about him...

And there's always Abby to remind me."

Oh, Dear.

"I thought a thousand times
about not going through with it,

but... but I couldn't..."

[Rita's breath shaking]

"Because, in the end,

"it didn't matter who her father was.

"All that mattered

was who her father was going to be."

I'm sorry.

[Oliver exhales heavily]

"It's true, Michael,

"you're not Abby's father,

"but you are, and you will always be,

"her daddy.

"Please forgive me.

"And if you can't, I understand.

But I have always loved you..."

"And I've been blessed to be your wife."

[Others sniffing]

"Love, Melissa."

[Sighing]

Michael wanted to be in politics.

Melissa calls the prosecutor "Tommy,"

as if they were somehow
friendly with the D.A.'s office.

I believe that we are dealing
with an officer of the court.

I can run a list of lawyers

from the Colorado Bar Association

whose names start with
"W-H-E" and then...

Oh. Wheaton, Wheems, Wheeler, Whelcher.

Well, actually, there's two Whelchers

Rita, you really are amazing.

You know that?

Oliver?

Yes, Norman?

Do you think I could, um,
have one of your yoo-hoos?

Of course.

I think we could all use one.

Okay, Michael Wheeler, age 45,

deputy district attorney,
Denver, since 2006.

He is the father of one,

and was widowed in 2004.

[Hits key]

[Printer whirs]

This is his address.

Oliver...

I'm torn about this.

This is an incredibly difficult letter

to deliver.

Yes. It is.

I wonder what a difference

sending this will make after all this time.

God only knows, Rita.

[Stamp clacks]

But that's enough for me.

[♪♪♪]

[Chute whooshes]

[♪♪♪]

Rita? How many stores in Pueblo
begin with the letter "Z"?

Oh, well, there's Zip's Skateboards,

which is 1456 South Exposition.

Oh, wait! No. It's not. It's, um...

[Rita sighs]

Uh, 5614.

I am so sorry. I can't concentrate.

Neither can I.

Is everybody thinking what I'm thinking?

About Melissa...

And Abby...

And Michael?

To be honest, Ms. McInerney,

I'm trying not to think about it.

[♪♪♪]

I am...

going to go get some coffee.

You know, I could go for
a large americano with...

I don't think she's going to get coffee.

Yes. I'm tough on crime,

and I have really good reason to be.

Her name is...

"it's my daughter, her name is... "

it's my daughter.

Her name is Abby.

And I ask you,

what are the names of
the ones that you love?

The people that you expect
our city to serve and protect?

[Chuckles]: That's good, but...

Don't look so severe, Dad.

You have to smile when you say that.

You gonna be my doctor
or my campaign manager?

[♪♪♪]

May I help you?

Yes! Hello.

I am from the United States postal service.

I am conducting a routine evaluation of...

Mail.

How it's going here?

Well, it still comes in every day.

Excuse me a moment.

Mm-hmm.

[♪♪♪]

Now, I thought you were gonna shave.

Beards make voters think

candidates have something to hide.

I'll take that into consideration.

- [Laughs]
- Spoken like a politician.

Thanks for doing this.

It was nice to be asked.

So... what are you up to?

Not much.

Uh, went in for some
tests with Dr. Ackerman

and Simon and I have just been...

Tests?

How are you feeling?

Fine.

Simon and I are studying for medcats.

"Simon"?

Boyfriend?

You met him and you liked him.

Mm-hmm.

[♪♪♪]

Wow.

Look at this letter.

It's 10 years old.

We get lots of old cases.

No, I mean the post office
says it's been lost that long.

[♪♪♪]

What? Who's it from?

Um...

Nobody.

- Okay.
- [Chuckles]

Well, see ya, Dad.

Bye, Sweetheart. I love you.

- I love you.
- Okay.

[♪♪♪]

Now, how can I help you?

Well, as I was saying...

- Sandra?
- Yeah?

I'm taking an early lunch.

Okay.

I'm sorry.

Wrong zip code.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Breaks into sobs]

[Weeping]

Oh, God!

Oh, I'm sorry, Mel.

[Sniffs, then roars]: I will kill him!

[Michael sobbing uncontrollably]

[♪♪♪]

[Quietly]: I will kill him.

[♪♪♪]

Ms. McInerney.

That certainly was a lot of coffee.

Oliver, I think Michael
Wheeler is out for revenge.

[♪♪♪]

He's gonna kill that man?

He said he would.

How do you know this?

It's a long story.

I'll skip the part where I
followed him into a cemetery.

- Oh, boy.
- Anybody who doesn't...

want to know what I'm about to do

should leave now.

Well, I don't want to know,

and I'm not leaving, and
you're gonna tell me anyway.

Let's just say

I am taking my computer
skills to a whole new level.

[Keys clacking]

[♪♪♪]

[Sighs heavily]

He's searching the
kindergarten teacher's story,

just the way I did.

How do you know this?

I broke into the City Hall mainframe.

Oh, wow.

Now you see why Washington
hated to lose me.

[♪♪♪]

[Clicking]

[♪♪♪]

What's he doing?

Searching the D.A.'s files.

He probably wants to find
out as much about Brackner

before he kills him.

Now, what on earth would make you think

Mr. Wheeler would kill a
man who's already in jail?

I watched him read the letter.

I saw him stand over Melissa's grave

and swear that he would kill Brackner.

Probably with the Sig Sauer

that he has registered
as a concealed weapon.

But I thought Brackner was

supposed to be in jail for life.

So did Michael.

Wait! It looks like he's onto something.

[Oliver]: I don't understand.

Brackner may be released?

It's true. Brackner's on his last appeal,

but this time, defense says

they've got enough for a reversal,

based on new forensics

suggesting a compromise
in the chain of evidence.

There's an old Illinois precedent from 1898

on material evidence.

I'll email it to you.

Great. Thanks.

Uh...

You know, I thought you'd be, uh,

too busy campaigning

to pay attention to this little stuff.

Putting trash like this away

is worth whatever it takes.

Hey, you mind if I drop by and watch?

You're the boss.

[♪♪♪]

But that's just not fair!

I'm betting that's where
Michael's gonna do it...

in court, at the appeal.

Because if Brackner gets released,

he'll disappear.

I don't like the idea of
that guy walking around.

But, hey! What if he couldn't walk?

You know, I have a cousin...

Norman, enough regulations
have been broken already.

We don't know any more than Mr. Wheeler.

Probably far less.

Besides, what if... what if we're wrong?

What if we are right?

His daughter has lost enough already.

She has. I just...

Wait a minute.

Ms. Mclnerney,

what was the name of her doctor again?

Ackerman!

We've got the name.

I'll just look up the records.

Whoa... okay.

This is a game-changer.

I can't believe you found it.

You're right. Someone has to stop him.

Yeah, but we can't prove
it. At least not in time.

Oliver, you always say

that we have to be responsible

for what little truth that we have.

We have it now, and Michael doesn't.

We have a moral obligation to stop him.

We'll do everything in our power,

but our powers are somewhat limited.

How limited?

Well, we have to stay

within some pretty strict
guidelines around here.

And, you know, every once in a while,

when no ones's looking,

we push the envelope if it's important.

Well, I think this is one of those times

and I'm certainly not looking.

There you go. You heard it direct
from the Head of Special Projects

in Washington, D.C.

It is a tempting proposition,

but we are talking
about saving a life here.

Two, actually.

We're gonna need a lot more than
someone looking the other way.

We're gonna need full
authority to pull this off.

At least temporarily.

Why should it be temporary?

Ms. McInerney...

Take a letter.

"Memo for General Distribution

"from the United States
post office, Washington D.C.

"Effective immediately,

"the Division of Special Projects

"announces the reorganization

of the Denver branch of the D.L.O. into..."

Uh... into a...

A Special Task Force?

Ah! That's good.

Good, good, good, good.

"...into a Special Task Force,

"dedicated to the delivery
of sensitive letters,

"packages, and related material

deemed "undeliverable" and
needing special handling."

Rebecca, that's great,

but I can't help but think

that we might need a little more latitude.

An expense account,
flexible hours... travel.

Okay. Got it. Got it.

"Said Task Force shall be
given wide powers of discretion,

"fiscal independence,

"and...

shall report directly and
solely to this division."

Love it!

I'm sorry.

What just happened?

I just found my special project.

- [Laughs]
- And you guys just got promoted.

Norman is going to love this.

So...

We're a secret branch
of the post office now?

Not secret.

Just a very, very Special Task Force.

But, I mean... Wow, wow! Wow!

This is so exciting!

We are like, uh, like
secret agents or superheroes.

We're gonna need a name, like, uh,

like a real name, like "the A-Team".

Or the "Impossible Missions Force,"

or, uh, "Seal Team Six"...

"The Incredibles"?

A moniker, some sort of unique designation.

Wait! I've got it!

"The Postables."

Huh.

The Postables.

Right? The Postables! Oh, my gosh.

We could even have jackets!

- Or patches.
- "Postable" patches!

I think you should draw the line at capes.

Will do.

Well, I'm proud to be a Postable.

[♪♪♪]

[Michael]: Of course. Yeah.

She's from, uh,

Three Hills, Wyoming,
if you can believe that.

It's a very small town.

Yeah. Her name's Eartha Lewis.

I don't have the spelling...

if he had a gun,

he wouldn't take it through security.

[Shane]: I scanned his bank records.

He closed all of his accounts

and put a power of attorney
into his daughter's name

in case anything happens.

[Norman]: Mm. He did have
an awfully big breakfast.

I'm telling you,

he's not expecting to get out of here.

At least, not as a free man.

Oh, Mr. Wheeler.

Forgot your briefcase.

Thanks, Anthony.

And he just got his briefcase

through security without inspection.

[Quietly exhaling]

[♪♪♪]

[Exhales nervously]

Did I miss anything?

All rise.

[♪♪♪]

In the matter of the State
of Colorado vs. Carl Brackner,

I am prepared to deliver my decision

after I have conferred with counsel.

Please approach the bench.

[♪♪♪]

Would you mind putting
your briefcase on the floor,

under here?

It's just that I'm... I'm
allergic to, um, leather.

No, I'm sorry. I need it with me right now.

Oh. Sure.

Achoo.

[Attorney sighs]

Defense filed a motion

to deny the 1898 ruling
on material evidence.

She says I can't cite a case that old

unless I can prove relevance.

You got any ideas?

Well, you could...

she's questioning relevance

because it's a hundred years old?

That's exactly why it's relevant!

Judges wrote decisions a hundred years ago

so we could hear their voices today.

If we don't listen to their past,

then who will listen

to this judge's decision
a hundred years from now?

Yeah! Not to mention

the State of Illinois vs. Preston

cited the same case in 1989 and prevailed,

upholding the previous verdict

of 1977.

Your honor?

May I approach?

Who are you people?

Mr. Wheeler.

We know what's in that
letter in your pocket.

We know what's in your briefcase.

And I believe we know what's on your mind.

Believe me, I wouldn't blame you

if you stuffed Carl Brackner
into a blender and hit "frappe."

But we have information

about your daughter

that will convince you

of the terrible mistake
you're about to make.

You must believe me.

There is only one course of action

you can take today.

You must trade us your briefcase and the...

Sig Sauer P229.

That's concealed inside.

Read the information, decide for yourself.

You must trust us.

This is a matter of life and death.

Please, Mr. Wheeler.

Well done, Sir. Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[Oliver]: Sir, if we don't act now,

you won't be able to save your daughter.

[Judge]: Mr. Morgan,

I have been convinced that
the relevance of the ruling

on material evidence from 1898

and I am going to allow it.

Motion denied.

I am now prepared to deliver
my ruling on your appeal.

And after reading the
transcripts from your trial,

I am inclined to agree

with the jury's original
verdict of "guilty."

[♪♪♪]

[Man over P.A.]: Visitor for Brackner.

[♪♪♪]

My name is Michael Wheeler.

My wife, um...

My wife...

She died in a river-rafting accident

10 years ago.

I found a letter that she wrote,
and in it she says that you...

That you were the, uh...

[♪♪♪]

I don't remember.

People's relatives, they
show up every now and then,

asking questions.

Mostly "why?"

I didn't come here to ask why.

You've seen the monster.

So go ahead

and tell me to burn in
hell, or you forgive me,

or you do whatever you've
got to do to get closure,

'cause I got lunch coming
up, and it's pizza day.

You have a daughter.

Her name's Abby.

When she was 12, she
was in the same accident,

and now she...

She needs a kidney transplant.

[Starts laughing]

[Thumps table]

[Brackner]: You can't make me do that.

Of course not...

You can't even prove that's my kid!

The test can.

A really simple test.

Yeah, well, it don't matter.

She's 22 now.

She's beautiful, she's smart and funny.

She has blue eyes,

and she's tall...

like you.

[♪♪♪]

Nobody makes me do
nothing I don't wanna do.

That's true.

That is true.

[Chairs scraping floor]

You have a chance here...

to do something good,
something that matters.

How many other guys in here get that?

It's a simple test.

They just scrape cells from
the inside of your cheek.

[♪♪♪]

She looks like my mother.

- [Quiet sob]
- Is that good?

[♪♪♪]

[Weeps]

[♪♪♪]

[Door thuds]

[Lock clicks]

[♪♪♪]

[Exhales deeply]

[♪♪♪]

Dad! You shaved.

Yeah. It was time.

- Hey, honey.
- I got your message.

But why here?

Uh...

Well, we need to talk.

And, uh...

I wanted us all to be together.

Okay.

[Buzzing chatter of crowd]

[Shane chuckles]

Oliver, what does it take

to get you to let your hair down

and let yourself have a little fun?

I will consider having fun, Ms. McInerney,

once my entire team is assembled

and accounted for.

That includes Norman.

He's not here?

- They're about to start.
- Mm.

Oh, my!

Uh, barkeep.

May I have an Arnold Palmer?

Shaken... Not stirred.

Norman, we were growing concerned.

Ahh. Thank you.

I see you dressed for the occasion.

Ah, yes.

Uh, I often dress

for occasions.

[Breathless chuckle]

Rita? May I buy you an Arnold Palmer?

Why, y-yes.

Please. With an umbrella, please.

I owe you an apology.

I can't imagine what for.

Well, do you remember the morning

that you brought the
letter to me and Shane?

- I do.
- Okay, well, ahem,

before you walked in, I let it slip that...

no, I flat-out told her

that you'd overheard

our conversation about you the other week,

but I made her promise not
to tell you that she knew...

I knew.

I know. Apology accepted.

Thank you.

"And the truth shall set you free."

Oh, yeah?

[Rebecca]: In the three happy weeks

that I have spent at the Denver branch

of the U.S. post office,

I have learned

not only what it means to
be a better postal worker...

But I have learned from these honorees

what it means to be a proud postal worker.

It may be true that electronic
thought has taken over our world...

I mean, we tweet and text
faster than we can think.

"O.M.G."

[Laughter]

But a year ago, or perhaps
a hundred years ago,

someone wrote a letter with real words

and more than two seconds
of thought put behind them,

and we are living their future.

There are thousands of letters,

each one a voice from the
past, just waiting to be heard.

It'll take the kind of sacrifice

and devotion given by you,

the honorees who have each received

not only the distinguished service award

from this branch,

but I am happy to announce

that the postmaster general
of the United States...

has instructed me to confer upon you

the highest honor for
any U.S. postal worker...

"The Dark of Night award."

[Postables gasping]

[Crowd applauding]

[Laughing]

[Applause continues]

Now, this is fun.

[Laughing]