ELEANOR Oliver Warbucks and friend, Franklin. WARBUCKS enters with ANNIE almost hiding behind him.

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Ellen Nelson
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1 Scene 3 KALTENBORN (Bruce) (radio announcer) and President Roosevelt has so far lived up to none of his lofty campaign promises. All we have had from Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his so-called Brain Trust... Brain trust! KALTENBORN...is a great deal of high-flown talk and virtually no action. In a nation wracked by poverty, misery and unemployment, it is deeds we want from the White House, not words. In short, Mr. President, if you are listening, we ve had enough of your fireside chats. It is time to Criticism damn it, nothing but criticism! Dammit! I know, I know. It s awful. stares at KALTENBORN. and exits. KALTENBORN sees My friends, I say again, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Franklin, you ve already been elected. Every cloud has a silver lining? You re never fully dressed without a smile. MARINE GUARD enters from the wing with a calling card. He hands the card to ELENOR. Oliver Warbucks and friend, Franklin. enters with almost hiding behind him. Ah, Oliver, good of you to have come. Good morning, Mr. President. ( peeks out at FDR) Well, who is this we have here? Mr. President, this is my good friend Annie. Annie. She so wanted to meet you that I couldn t resist bringing her along. Just to say hello. Of course. The little girl who sang so beautifully on the radio last night. Annie, this is President Roosevelt. (Shaking hands with ) How do you do, President Roosevelt.

2 How do you do, Annie? You re as lovely as you sounded on the radio. Thank you, President Roosevelt. (Ushering out) Annie, if you ll wait outside, I ll No, no, Oliver, let Annie stay. Having a child on hand will keep us on our best behavior. Thank you, Mr. President. Annie. sits. Now, Oliver, since you speak for those happy few Americans who have any money left, I d like to begin with your views on matters. (Standing) Mr. President, in the words of Calvin Coolidge, The business of this country is business. Yes! And for the good of you, the country, Wall Street and me, we ve got to get my factories open and the workers back to work. According to the latest figures, there are now fifteen million Americans out of work and nearly fifty million with no visible means of support. I know that, but in the long run Oliver, for people who are starving there is no long run. The stock market has taken another nose dive Well, at least we re all agreed on one thing. The situation is hopeless and getting worse. The sun ll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there ll be Annie Oliver.. (To ) What did you say, Annie? ( looks to, frightened) No, that s all right. Go ahead, my dear. It s still a free country. ( lifts up to stand on her chair) (Sings A capella) JUST THINKIN ABOUT CLEARS AWAY THE COBWEBS, AND THE SORROW, TIL THERE S NONE. (Orchestra joins) WHEN I M STUCK WITH A DAY THAT S GRAY AND LONELY, I JUST STICK UP MY CHIN, AND GRIN

3 AND SAY OH (SHE stands on the Cabinet table) THE SUN LL COME OUT SO, YA GOTTA HANG ON TIL COME WHAT MAY! (MUSIC continues) (HE has something on his mind) Eleanor. Franklin? Sing. Sing? Yes, sing. Like Annie. I ve just decided that if my administration s going to be anything, it s going to be optimistic about the future of this country. Now, sing! But really, Franklin, you know that I Sing! ICKES THE SUN LL COME OUT Louder! ICKES BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR THAT THERE LL BE SUN! (Really having fun) Keep going. JUST THINKIN ABOUT ( Joins), CLEARS AWAY THE COBWEBS AND THE SORROW TIL THERE S NONE! Solo for the President WHEN I M STUCK WITH A DAY THAT S GRAY AND LONELY I JUST STICK OUT...

4 Excuse me, it s up my chin... UP MY CHIN AND GRIN, AND SAY Everyone Republicans too, Oliver sing! ALL...THE SUN LL COME OUT SO YA GOTTA HANG ON TIL COME WHAT MAY! (ALL) GUARD Mr. President, a telegram. Ah, yes. Excuse me, everyone. (Reading the telegram) This isn t for me. It s for you, Oliver. From your secretary in New York. Hundreds of couples jamming street outside house, all claiming to be Annie s parents. Oh boy! (Crosses to ) Have begun to screen them. Suggest you return New York at once. Signed Grace Farrell. (With a little regret; maybe HE will lose HER.) Well, it looks as though The Hour of Smiles has more listeners than we thought, huh, Annie? Gee, hundreds of couples. One of them is bound to be my mother and father. Well, Oliver, I suspect you d better get back to New York, immediately. Yes, Mr. President, if you don t mind. Annie. crosses to Roosevelt. Good-bye, Mr. President. And thank you. No, thank YOU, Annie. You re the kind of person a President should have around him. Annie what we ve got to give this country is nothing less than a new... outlook. A new vision. A new approach.

5 A new concept. A new dedication. ROSEEVELT A new horizon. A new spirit. A new deal. A new deal! MUSIC as they exit.

Arrrr Page 95 HANNIGAN HULL KALTENBORN. ICKES (Pronounced ICK-EEZ) KALTENBORN ICKES PERKINS. Iknow I know. -dazzle.ln I get the.

Arrrr Page 95 HANNIGAN HULL KALTENBORN. ICKES (Pronounced ICK-EEZ) KALTENBORN ICKES PERKINS. Iknow I know. -dazzle.ln I get the. -dazzle.ln I get the afterward? (At centerstage) We're coming, Mama! (Runs of DSOP) Hey wait for me! Arrrr Page 95 HANNIGAN (Lights come up on the cabinet Room at thewhite House. FDR and CABINET are listening