SCENE ONE
The stage is lightened up to appear as day time. This scene takes place around noon in the Oval Office of the White House. Alone, John F. Kennedy sits at his desk reading on his Mac while the television goes on in the background. Disturbing his concentration, there is a frantic knock at the door. It is Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, his brother.
JFK
Come in.
ROBERT
Jack, it’s still all over the media!
(Slams IPad on his desk. The headline from TMZ: President Kennedy is Having an Affair with Marilyn Monroe.)
JFK
What
(He skims his finger across the screen.)
Where did they get this from?
ROBERT
They won’t say who. They phrase it as an exclusive source. We gotta come back with a response already. There are too many people whispering and asking questions.
(Begins to pace a bit.)
Knew something would come up after your damn party! The way that thot sang Happy Bir–
JFK
Calm down Bobby! Everything is fine. We were already handling this like we discussed last month.
ROBERT
Well its August and I see no results!
JFK
I would handle this. There was too much spotlight then. We needed to let things quiet down before we made any big moves, but we made our message clear to her that —
(John stops what he’s saying because he sees Jackie walk in with Caroline and John Jr.)
Caroline! John!
CAROLINE AND JOHN JR.
Daddy!
(Runs to hug him.)
JACKIE
How would you all like to go get ice cream with Uncle Robert?
ROBERT
Come on you two! We can get extra sprinkles. Jack, we’ll talk later.
(Guides the children out the room.)
JFK
How has your morning been honey?
JACKIE
Fine, just been with the children all morning.
JFK
That sounds fantastic.
(Glances and sees the IPad laid out on his desk. He tries to lock the screen without Jackie noticing.)
JACKIE
You don’t have to hide it, Jack.
JFK
Excuse me?
JACKIE
John, please do not play dumb with me.
JFK
I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
JACKIE
Why do you think I came in here?
(Pulls out her IPhone with the same article.)
I need answers for this.
JFK
Jackie, babe, you know the media especially TMZ. They do whatever they want. Always out there making a story out of nothing. Just another trashy story they’re trying to sell.
JACKIE
Oh, really huh? Then why did Robert look shaken up when I walked in here and what was that about we need to talk later?
JFK
You know Bobby is always—
JACKIE
John, please stop.
JFK
Stop what?
JACKIE
The lies, John! The lies!
JFK
What lie—
JACKIE
You and Marilyn are having an affair! Why else would Robert run in here like a maniac! John, please just be honest with me.
JFK
Darling, you are my wife, my –
JACKIE
Excuse my language but cut the bullshit. You don’t think I know about the other women as well? There was Mimi Alford, Marlene Dietrich, Pamela Turnure, Priscilla Wear. The list goes on and on. I always knew it was more than just business. Between the business meetings, the random hirings, or having one of them at dinner as she glares at me the whole time.
JFK
I see you’ve been reading too many Twitter threads about me. Those women were just business. They meant nothing to me.
JACKIE
Then what business was Marilyn? Did you just sleep with her, so she would sing you happy birthday in a skimpy ass dress?
JFK
I…I –
JACKIE
It is not your turn to speak. You had your chance. I have stayed silent about each one to keep the face of the “good wife”. Growing up I knew men would cheat, but damn it does that thing ever get tired?
(JFK looks at his shoes.)
JFK
I’m a man with needs.
JACKIE
Well this need is different than the rest. She is bold and reckless. Did you know Marilyn Face Timed me?
JFK
No, when was this?
JACKIE
A few days ago, she called me trying to rub it in my face. She wants to replace me, John. It’s funny she even told our friends how she will be your new wife and first lady.
JFK
She told you this?
JACKIE
Yes, she did with that little smile of hers. I told, yall will have a great wedding. And she’ll move into the White House and assume the responsibilities of the first lady, and I’ll move out. Then she will have all the problems.
(Jackie laughs to herself. JFK watches her.)
JFK
Why didn’t you tell me this when it happened?
JACKIE
She would have gotten in your pants and you would’ve forgot all about it.
(Pause)
I don’t understand how you thought I didn’t know. Besides being gone often, you give me bare minimum sex. I knew you had to be getting it from somewhere.
JFK
I think I do just fine—
JACKIE
Back to what I was saying, I need you to handle or contain her. She is out of control and the social media loves her. The woman has millions of Instagram and Twitter followers who are dying to know about you two.
JFK
Jackie, please relax. Everything will be okay.
JACKIE
No, I will not relax. If she goes public everything will not be okay. That woman will ruin this family and my image! The family will look scandalous. Say goodbye to nice and pure Camelot. Do you understand the level of embarrassment that would be? Especially for me as your wife, the first lady. I’ll become a meme.
JFK
Calm dow—
(Jackie puts her pointer finger in his face.)
JACKIE
That would just be the beginning. You better believe the other women you slept with will come forward as well to get their time in the spot light.
(She pauses, and small tears form in her eyes.)
Do you ever think about how our children would feel?
JFK
The kids would be fine. We monitor their social media accounts, so they would not see anything.
JACKIE
How can you stand there and say the kids will be fine? Other children at school would show them or they will be cyberbullied. Their father would be known as a cheater to the entire world. As a mother I wouldn’t even know how to answer all of their questions. (Tries to collect herself. John reaches for her, but she moves away.)
JFK
Darling, I promise the kids will be fine no matter what happens. Their welfare will always come first.
JACKIE
Nothing will happen to them Jack because you will end this with Marilyn. I love my children too much to let anything happen to them.
JFK
Marilyn knows better than to run her mouth on social media about anything. I mean frankly I am not the average man. I am the President of the United States. She knows the severity of the situation.
JACKIE
I need to see results after this. You have to promise me that she is the last one. No more after this. My heart cannot handle this anymore. I will not allow myself to go through this any longer.
JFK
What the hell are you trying to say? You would actually consider leaving me over this bullshit?
JACKIE
Jack, you know what I said. You can have all the mistresses you want and live a care free life. The only loses in that decision probably would be losing your position as Commander in Chief and me.
JFK
You would leave me over something like this! You’re just being extra for no reason.
JACKIE
Do not turn yourself into the victim. If I leave, you brought it on yourself through your own actions. I have fought for this marriage by myself. One thing I will not allow myself to do is beg on my hands and knees for it. Besides it felt like you left me after the third mistress.
JFK
Jacqueline
(He grabs her hand to hold.)
You are over reacting seriously. Since the day I sent you a message on MySpace, you have always been the girl for me. I would never want to lose you.
JACKIE
Then I need you to mean what you say, John. I’m not that young girl you can fool anymore. I don’t need President Kennedy. I need my husband.
JFK
I will do whatever it takes. I promise.
JACKIE
Then get rid of Marilyn.
(She pushes away from him.)
JFK
For the hundredth time, like I told Bobby I have her under control. Marilyn would not risk losing everything she has for this. The media would destroy her as well. If she goes public, her legacy will be tarnished with her being a homewrecker and ruining the innocent Kennedy family. Marilyn will stay in her place.
JACKIE
She is in love with you. Love will make someone do crazy things. The fact that she called telling me how you will be hers. If she has no respect for our marriage or me what else would stop her? Please do something now.
(In a rush, Robert Kennedy opens the office door.)
ROBERT
I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak to John.
JFK
It’s fine Robert. She knows.
(Pause)
ROBERT
Well turn on the news. There’s a new story that tops yours.
(JFK reaches for the remote and changes the channel.)
NEWS REPORTER
Breaking News! Actress and singer Marilyn Monroe has been found dead! Her body was discovered in her home in Los Angeles.
(Jackie puts her hand over her mouth. JFK stands still while staring into the television.)
ROBERT
I had gotten a phone call from –
(Looks at Jackie then coughs.)
to check out the news.
NEWS REPORTER
We have gotten contact from Monroe’s ex-husband and baseball player, Joe DiMaggio.
Let’s hear what he has to say about his ex-wife’s sudden passing.
JOE DIMAGGIO
The whole lot of Kennedys were lady-killers and they always got away with it. They’ll be getting away with it a hundred years from now. I always knew who would kill her!
NEWS REPORTER
You believe President Kennedy and his family killed Marilyn Monroe?
JOE DIMAGGIO
Absolutely! I told her to be careful because they are a dangerous family. Marilyn, babygirl I love you.
(Begins to cry.)
NEWS REPORTER
As you can see folks emotions are running wild tonight. Tributes for the star have gone widespread on social media.
ROBERT
That son of a bitch!
JFK
Bobby…
ROBERT
Sorry
JFK
Go relax in the other room, Bobby. I’ll meet you out there in a few.
(Bobby exits.)
Jackie?
JACKIE
Yes, Jack?
JFK
Are you okay? You look faint.
JACKIE
I’m fine. I guess I was just not prepared to hear that just now. Then again, I do have a question forming in my head.
(She makes I contact with JFK, who is leaning back on his desk.)
JFK
Your question?
JACKIE
Was this…this…you? Did you do this?
JFK
Like I had told you and Bobby before not to worry about anything. Everything would be fine. At least now she definitely can’t go the media.
(He looks at Jackie, who looked barely amused by his jokes.)
JACKIE
That did not answer my question.
JFK
Jackie come here.
(He holds her.)
If you think this doesn’t bother me then you’re wrong. She was young with many issues and needed help. It’s sad she never got the help she needed, but it is too late now. This shouldn’t affect our lives.
(He tries to kiss her forehead, but she moves.)
JACKIE
You pushed her to kill herself.
JFK
(Grips her tighter.)
Stop asking too many questions before you get an answer you won’t like. (Jackie’s eyes widen.)
Go to the children, they probably miss their mother.
(Jackie exits quickly. JFK stands in front of his desk and makes a call.)
Good job. (Lights fade to darkness.)
Screenwriter|Director 