04x02 - Chapter 41

[bunniefuu]

He is a classless, graceless,
shameless barbarian.

What he did to you, Elizabeth,
it was disgusting.

- Awful.
- Just vile.

- Can you pass the plate of...
- Yeah.

But why didn't you tell us?

The thought of you fighting this alone,
all those years...

I didn't want pity.

Is it true that they were arguing?

No, she came down here to be with me.

Of course, we didn't expect that
it was gonna be made a public display.

I guess he thought that was
the best way to dispel the rumors.

That man does not deserve to be president.

I've never wanted
to speak ill of him, Elizabeth,

but when I think of the way
he's treated you and Claire...

Oh, stop now.
He is still her son-in-law.

No, Bar's right.

He doesn't deserve to be president.

You could... all help me, actually.

- Anything.
- Just say the word.

Heather Dunbar.

We should be supporting her.

With our checkbooks.

You really want him to lose?

When he loses,
Claire can begin her own career...

which is far more important to me.

I don't know if we can
really make a difference, but...

I'd rather do more than just
sit around and bad-mouth him.

So, we just write a check?

Now, Francis can't know.

I mean, our donations
will have to be... once removed.

That amendment
has stalled for years.

Because we didn't have someone
in Veterans Affairs.

It isn't a veterans issue.
It's public health.

That's not my specialty.

Wait, you're telling me you don't know
anyone who's had breast cancer?

I mean
in terms of legislation.

Fifty percent more.

That's how many more black women die
of breast cancer than white women.

In our district,
it's higher than the m*rder rate.

Help us get this clinic.

I don't deny that it's an important issue,

but I have to pick and choose
what I support.

You're in a tight race back home,
Congresswoman.

We'll set up a super PAC.

Three million dollars.

You did this
without talking to me?

Claire and I spoke at length, Mother.

Claire?

You're calling the First Lady
by her given name, now?

Well, and I would hope
you would, too, Congresswoman.

You went behind my back, Mrs. Underwood.

I'm not asking for a full endorsement.

I'm just asking for your blessing
on Celia delaying her run.

And of course,
a promise to not campaign against me.

Jackie Sharp's big on Dunbar.

Why would she help you?

This money isn't directly linked to us.

You mean the president's comfortable
putting money in Jackie's w*r chest?

He is,
but we have to keep this quiet.

There can't be any communication
between your office and his.

- Speech?
- Seth put in your latest edits.

Once you approve,
we'll send it to the teleprompters.

- Has she arrived yet?
- A few minutes ago.

Please sit down.

If Jackie gets cold feet,
we can't leave her any choice.

I'm already on top of that.

How?

They always use the same hotel.
I've got a guy set up across the street.

I'm assuming you're being careful.

I'm not just a tech outfit.
I can go old school, too.

Ma'am?
We have lunch prepared for you.

This is impressive.

Well, soak it up while you can.
We won't be here long.

I'll be right back.

Anatoly Rostropov.
His empire's worth 30 billion.

Petrov had him k*lled last night.

Stanislav Ustravich,
founder of Turkas Oil.

Found dead early this morning.

Igor Milkin, media tycoon
worth 24 billion.

Very outspoken against Petrov

after the government seized
his TV stations and newspapers.

His private plane landed in Bangor, Maine,
two hours ago.

We've got him quarantined on the tarmac.

He's seeking political asylum.
Says he's in fear for his life.

We believe they've been
formulating a plan to unseat Petrov.

Brutus, Cassius,
and the one that got away.

Moscow's adamant
we send him back immediately.

Then send him back.

I don't want the State of the Union
overshadowed by some asylum dispute.

He's Petrov's problem, not ours.

Legally, sir, we are obligated
to process his asylum request.

- Don't tell me the press knows he's here.
- No, sir.

We jammed communications on his plane
as soon as it entered U.S. airspace.

Then we don't have a problem, do we?

It's likely he'll be k*lled
if we send him back.

So be it. He tried to slay a dragon
and he missed the mark.

Now he's gotta face the fire.

Our fear is more killings,
more company seizures.

That leads to a run on the banks,
collapse of the ruble, default on debts.

And we already know

he's been back-channeling
about a bailout with the IMF.

Well, if you have a proposal to make,
then make it quickly.

- I have a speech to prep for.
- Yes, sir.

Last year you wore the taupe,
so maybe this is too similar?

Come in.

I was able to get Mrs. Hale on the phone.

Oh, great. Uh, could you excuse me
for a moment?

- Mother?
- You doing okay, Mrs. Hale?

Yes, thank you.

Who was that?

Oh, um...

I'm treating myself to a pedicure.

Nobody can hear me.

You wanted to talk?

Yes, I wanted to thank you,
for all of your help.

Uh, it looks like the congresswoman
is leaning toward a yes.

You know, I was thinking,
when you run,

you should use
your maiden name instead.

Mother, I couldn't do that.
It would look bad.

Mmm... Well, then how about if you...

if you use Claire Hale-Underwood?

That has a nice ring to it.

Maybe.

- Have you seen him yet?
- No, not yet.

What are you gonna wear tonight?

I was just deciding that now, actually.

Something dark, I hope.

Well, it's between black and ivory,
and to tell you the truth,

this ivory is so beautiful...

Oh, for God's sakes,
don't wear ivory.

Even with your figure,
it'll accentuate all the wrong places.

Are you going to watch the speech?

Mother?

Yes, I'm gonna...

I'm gonna have Michael
put a TV in the bedroom.

Mrs. Underwood,
the president is ready for you.

I'll be right out.

Mother, I have to go.

Yes, I... Of course.
I'm sure you must be very busy.

I'll see you when I get home?

If I'm asleep...

Then I'll see you in the morning.

Goodbye, Mother.

Bye. Wear the black!

I don't want even
the slightest chance this gets out.

We set up a perimeter.
And we'll cover the tail number.

Good. Set up a call with Petrov,
for after the speech.

It'll be 5:00 a.m. in Moscow.

Oh, I guarantee he'll be watching.

Sir?
I think you should take this.

Excuse me.

Hello, Congresswoman.

Sorry for the delay.
Please sit down.

Did you get the earrings?

I did.
Thank you.

My mother's.
Two-carat diamonds.

For tonight.

There's nothing
quite like diamond earrings.

Shall we begin?

Uh, this year, we're handling
the arrival a bit differently.

You'll be escorted to the rotunda
for a photo op with the leadership

before going to the holding room.

I don't need to go to the holding room.
You can take me directly to the gallery.

Yes, that's fine.
Whatever the First Lady prefers.

And we'll need
two separate motorcades after.

I'll be going straight to the airport.

- Two motorcades, then.
- Yes, sir.

I'd like to brief you
on the list of special guests attending...

This all seems pretty straightforward.

I'm good if you are.

Yes, I'm fine.
Thank you so very much.

Do you have a moment?

How's Elizabeth?

She sends her regards.

I'll bet she does.

And the campaign?

Still exploring viability.

Doris isn't on board yet?

Uh, we'll see.

What have you offered her?

Well, I want to put together
a solid campaign strategy with LeAnn

before engaging her again.

Well, if you need my help, let me know.
She and I were very close when I was whip.

- You've got a lot on your plate.
- No, it's no trouble at all.

I'll let you know.

See you tonight.

You ready to prep, sir?

- I need to make some changes.
- I'll call the speech writers.

No, I wanna do these myself.
And track down Calista.

We have to make room
for one more guest.

Yes, sir.

Oh! Ah.

What's that?

I'm having it removed.

Well, that's too bad.
I liked it.

Hmm, time to move on.

From what?

From the me that needed a tattoo.

I don't have much time.

When do you have to be at the Capitol?

Less than an hour.

- Whiskey or vodka?
- Vodka.

How well do you know Doris Jones?

Oh, uh, met her a few times.
I don't know her that well, though.

- Why?
- Her daughter, Celia,

wants me to help them get appropriations
for a breast cancer clinic.

In return, they want to pad my campaign
with Texas money.

- How much?
- Three million.

To start.

Her district doesn't have
that kind of money.

Celia says they're courting donors
from outside the 30th.

But one of my aides heard
that Claire Underwood and LeAnn Harvey

were in Jones' office today.

Huh...

LeAnn's someone I know.

Glendon Hill was courting her
a few years ago.

Did she turn you down?

We couldn't afford her.

Look, I know you're out of the game,
but this is a lot of money.

If it's legit, it could really help me.
But if it's not, I...

I'll talk to LeAnn
and see what I can find out.

Here.

I want to taste you first.

Hey!

This is a special report.

President Francis Underwood's
State of the Union address

to a joint session of Congress.

Tonight the eyes of the world
are on Washington.

President Underwood will take the stage
in just a few minutes...

Take the food away.

You didn't eat your lunch,
Mrs. Hale.

Yeah, well, I didn't feel well.

Then you really should eat dinner.
Your medication...

Please don't make me
ask you again, Michael.

Just take it away.
The smell of it is making me ill.

Yes, ma'am.

Ladies and gentlemen,
the First Lady of the United States.

- Celia.
- Thank you so much for arranging this.

It's a big honor to be sitting
next to you.

Mr. Speaker,
the President of the United States.

- Interesting place to watch the SOTU.
- Ah.

It's more fun this way.
You know, hanging with the hoi polloi.

So, what brings you to D.C.?

Well, all of Congress in town,
it's good for hustling work.

Since when do you hustle?
You turn people away.

How'd you know I was in town?

I might be retired,
but I still have my ear to the ground.

So that's true? The great Remy Danton
has hung up his jersey?

I've never felt better.

- Don't tell me this is a social visit.
- No.

- Well, if it isn't business...
- It's business.

- Members of Congress...
- Okay.

- ...I have the high privilege...
- So...

- Oh, hold on. The show is starting.
- ...of presenting to you,

the President of the United States.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker,
Mr. Vice President,

members of Congress,
my fellow Americans.

One year ago,

when I gave this address
for the first time,

it was during a very different period
for our country.

Our nation was recovering
from a political scandal

and a trade crisis with China.

Before you stood a president
no one had elected.

But that same man stands before you now,
and the darkness is behind us.

The state of the union is bright,
and getting brighter.

We've had our challenges, yes.

Particularly with Russia.

There were some tense moments,
to be sure,

and yet we overcame those tensions.

President Petrov
let us continue to build trust

and show that we've learned
from our experiences last year.

And I'd personally like to acknowledge
the First Lady,

who led the way
in repairing those b*rned bridges.

She's getting more applause
than the president.

Good for you, isn't it?

Quite a high-profile client.

Who told you that?

- Just a guess.
- No, you guessed wrong.

So what do you know
about big Texas donors...

who care enough
about a poor Dallas district

to donate money
to a campaign in California?

That went right over my head.

First Lady was in Dallas.
You were in Dallas.

The First Lady is here.

Now you're here.

I think you have far too much time
on your hands, Remy.

Your fingerprints
are all over this money.

You're working for Jackie Sharp now?

No. Just friends.

- Just friends, huh?
- Yeah.

I think your fingerprints
are all over her.

How about this?

You don't poke around in my sh*t...

and I won't poke around in yours.

It was good to see you, Remy.
Don't get too soft in retirement.

Now, it's considered uncouth

for a president
who's in the midst of a campaign,

to talk directly about
the upcoming election, but tonight,

I feel compelled.

Because the votes our electorate casts

during the current primaries
and the general election in November

will have a profound impact
on everyone in this room.

Some of us, myself included,
may find ourselves out of a job.

If we want to keep our jobs,
we have to listen to the American people.

We have to work harder!
We have to deliver!

Just like Doris Jones.

She has kept her job in Congress
for 34 years

because she never relented
in the face of adversity.

In fact, just today, she called me
about a breast cancer clinic

she has been fighting for
over the past decade.

Now, her plan is bold.

A VA hospital expansion
open to the general public,

financed by federal money.

A bold plan that will significantly
increase successful diagnoses

and treatment through education,
screenings, and affordable care.

Now, she's gotten resistance,
time and again...

from the Veterans Affairs administration,

from her colleagues in Congress...

- Can you turn it up a bit?
- ...from those who don't want to see

government funds
going to Planned Parenthood.

And yet, when she called me today,
she was just as passionate about

this clinic as she was when she first
brought it up to me ten years ago.

Well, Doris, it worked.

I'll be working with
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,

HUD and the congressional leaders
to get you that clinic.

Because of you,
we'll save lives.

And that is exactly the sort of leadership
the American people want.

More leaders like Doris Jones.

And when she retires
at the end of this term,

I'm delighted to say
that her daughter, Celia,

will run for the open seat to continue
delivering just like her mother has.

No f*cking way.

And I, for one, will support your
candidacy with everything I've got.

And I know Claire will, as well.

Texans are tenacious.

I'm proud to be married to one,
and I'm proud to have served with one,

like Congresswoman Jones.

Thank you, Doris,
for all your years of service,

and thank you, Celia,
for picking up the mantle.

Doris said
her daughter spoke out of turn,

that she didn't know about the deal
she was brokering with Underwood.

Did you connect with LeAnn?

No, I didn't.

She said she couldn't meet
until tomorrow.

Well, I guess
there's no point now, anyway.

If the White House is
orchestrating the funding,

Underwood's not gonna want my help.

f*ck!
I really could've used that money.

Well, when it looks too good to be true...

Yeah, I know.

When am I gonna see you again?

Um... I don't know.

I've been... feeling a bit stir-crazy.

If I'm retired,
I should probably travel some.

Well, you could travel to California.

I'll be there more than here
until November.

Yeah, maybe.

Or don't.

You know how to reach me.

Do you think it was Remy?

Highly doubtful.
I made it clear what we knew.

He knows you have proof?

He knows that I know.
Not that I have proof.

Maybe we shouldn't have
played that card yet.

Remy was connecting the dots.

I needed to put the brakes on him.

Well, if it wasn't him,
Doris must've gone to Francis himself.

She saw an opening and...

Ma'am,
there's been a change of plans.

Uh, hold on.
What change of plans?

We're taking you back to the White House.

No, we're going to Andrews.

I'm sorry,
this is direct from the president.

This is not gonna be
as difficult as it seems.

Now, Terry's gonna be in touch
with Veteran Affairs

first thing tomorrow
to draft an amendment.

And if the Republicans give us
any resistance in committee,

I'll start making calls.

No reason why this can't get to the floor
before the end of the session.

Well, thank you, Mr. President.

Thank yourself.
You played this well.

How did you play it?

Well, now, that's our little secret,
isn't it?

I'll walk you out.

Uh, Mr. President, I got this.

Oh, Claire.

Didn't the president
make the most wonderful speech?

Oh, he certainly did.

And I thank you
for convincing the president

to mention Celia in his remarks.

Well, it was my pleasure.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Good night, Claire.

We had a deal.

I showed up.

And used that opportunity
to undermine the campaign.

Why didn't you just ask me?

If you needed the clinic
to convince Doris...

You don't want me to run, Francis.

That's right, I don't.
But we'd reached an understanding.

I think you said
what you wanted me to hear.

Well, then you misread me.

I am looking out for myself.
Just like you are.

And where did that get you,

looking out for yourself
instead of looking out for us?

The 30th is dead now.
You know that.

You think I'm giving up?

What, you're gonna run
against the Joneses?

You'll make a fool of yourself, Claire.

The odds were against you
even with their blessing.

Now, I hoped you'd reach
that conclusion on your own.

But instead, you lied to me.

Now, I can't force you to see reason.

But I will not allow you
to become dangerous.

I'll take one.

Take mine.

Claire, look...

When I win the general,
then we can concentrate

on a Senate seat for you in Texas.

You don't want to be in the House, anyway.

And neither of us could have predicted
a Heather Dunbar,

or how formidable she'd be.

We are fighting for our lives here.

And when you run, you wanna do so
from a position of strength.

It's about timing.

Maybe it's too soon.
Maybe you're right.

But I need to think.

Fair enough.

I can't do that here.

Back in Texas?

I'm not sure how long I'll need.

Well, take as long as you want.

I should get going.

It's late. You sure you don't
want to spend the night?

- Well, Mother was expecting me.
- All right.

I'll walk myself out.
You enjoy your drink.

You know, there was a boy that lived
down the street from me in Gaffney.

About my age.
His name was Walter Wryson.

He used to run away from home all the time
and come to our house.

Not for any good reason.

His daddy didn't b*at him.
He had clothes on his back.

The Wrysons had
way more money than we did,

but run away he would, at least once
a month and come straight to our place.

Now, usually, my mother would call his
mother and she'd come and fetch him.

But about the ninth
or tenth time this happened,

Walter ran outside,
climbed up into a tree in our backyard,

and wouldn't come down for nothing.

Now, my mama said to his mama,

"Why don't you let us keep him
for a while,

until he feels like coming home?"

But man, oh, man,
that boy was stubborn.

Night came, and he was still up there.

No food, no water... no toilet.

And just before I went to bed, I looked
out my window and I heard him crying.

And I said, "Walter,
why don't you come on down?"

And he just shook his head no.

Well, the next morning, I woke up,
I looked out the window

and Walter was still up in that tree.

So after breakfast,
I walked over with a plate of eggs...

and I asked him if he wanted some.

And again, he just shook his head.

And I got angry.

That boy had a good house, a good family,
the sort I would've k*lled for,

and he didn't even realize it.

So I went into the tool shed
and I took out an a*.

And I said to Walter...

"You want to know what it's really like
to live at my house?"

And I gave that tree a good whack.
And Walter cried out, but I kept on.

I mean, you've never heard screams
like the one coming from Walter

as I chopped at that tree.

He pissed his pants,

and it came raining down on the ground,
but I didn't pay it no mind.

I just kept whacking away.

Well...

it didn't take long before Walter was on
the ground and running back to his house.

You see, all he needed
was a little motivation.

So I'll give Claire some time.

But for her sake,

I hope she comes out of her tree
before I have to bring out my a*.

Hey.

He wants me to hold off for Senate.

I told him I would think about it.

- So it's over?
- Oh, no, it's not over.

He endorsed Celia on national television.

Forget the 30th.

We need to think bigger.
This cycle.

Then we need to talk seriously
about my compensation.

- He on?
- Yes, sir.

I'm ready.

I'll connect you now, sir.

President Petrov,
you are now on with the president.

Good evening, Mr. President.

Good morning, Mr. President.

Your speech was good.

Perhaps, a bit too...

optimistic, hmm?

I meant what I said
about Russia.

It's just words.
They mean very little.

I'm willing to back them up with action.
First, we should talk about a bailout.

I'm willing to work with the IMF
to get you what you need.

And second, as a gesture of good faith,
we'd like to return Igor Milkin to Russia.

You should've done so already.

I need your assurances he'll get a trial.

- What do you care about Igor Milkin?
- I don't.

You can send him to Siberia

and let him die of black lung
in a coal mine, for all I care.

But I do care about your economy.

You keep k*lling high-profile businessmen
and seizing their assets.

- That's no...
- You mean, traitors?

Look, I am aware that they were
plotting a coup, but that still doesn't...

Yes, because you orchestrated it.

- Excuse me?
- Why else would Milkin fly to America?

We had nothing to do with this.

You... you lied to me
about the Jordan Valley,

you lied to me about Corrigan.

I am not trying to replace you, Viktor.

I'm trying to help you.
But you have to help me.

These threats of reducing
your oil production, it won't work.

You think jacking up energy prices
is gonna hurt us, but it's just extortion.

And I will not respond to extortion.
Now, I'll send your traitor back,

but you've got to stop seizing companies
and making people disappear.

Igor Milkin is worse than a traitor.
He's an American puppet.

Regime change, that's extortion.

Yes, but they acted on their own.
You're being paranoid.

Send him back. No terms.

We're not going to get anywhere
if you're not willing to negotiate.

Well... then I believe we're finished.

And I believe you're right.
Thank you, Mr. President.

Put Milkin in a secure location.
He's not going anywhere.

Mr. Milkin.

I need you to come with me.

Where are we going?

A detainment facility.

I'm not being deported, am I?

No, we're going to process
your asylum request.

Claire?

If you wanna smoke,
you should smoke.

I only wanted one drag.

He hated how you used to go down
to the stables with your cigarettes.

I didn't realize he knew.

He adored you.
You got away with m*rder.

Did you wait up for me?

No, it's the medication.

Keeps me tired all day,
and then I'm up all night.

I... I watched the speech.

What are you gonna do?

It's late, Mother.
Let's talk in the morning.

By the way, those earrings are beautiful.
I noticed 'em on TV.

They're Francis' mother's earrings.

- They look like they're over a carat.
- Two carats.

No doubt she stole them from someone.

The Underwoods never cease to amaze.

Mother...

I'm going to need some money.

For the clinic? Isn't...

A million five for LeAnn
and some on top of that.

Well, I thought your campaign was dead.

It is,
but I still need her to work for me.

But, what for? I mean,
I can't ask my friends for money and...

Our money.

You mean my money.

Don't fight me on this.

Daddy would've done it,
no questions asked.

Yes, well... I'm not as foolish as he was.

Well, I'll just have to sell the estate.

You what?

The money is in the trust,
but the land is in my name.

- You wouldn't dare.
- Well, I'm asking for your help.

- If you refuse to give it...
- Help?

You didn't lift a finger
to help me when I got sick.

You didn't tell me you were sick!

Because you had turned your back on me!

Oh, you are such a disappointment.

You don't want me to sell this house
out from under you, but I will.

I am the mother.

I am the mother!