ON BLACK CARD: SEPTEMBER, 2002
INT. OVAL OFFICE - DAY
President Bush, Vice President Cheney and CIA Director Tenet are seated as Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi enters the room.
BUSH
Thanks for coming, Nancy.
CHENEY
This is a top secret meeting. Our national security is at stake. We brought CIA Director George Tenet in to brief us on our enhanced interrogation tech-
BUSH
Our absolutely, 100% legal enhanced interrogation techniques.
TENET
Uhm, yeah. Totally. Riiiiighhtt…
PELOSI
Okay. Let’s hear it. What’s going on? Why are we going outside the Geneva Conventions?
CHENEY
The gloves have come off.
BUSH
What he means is, legally speaking we’ve totally legally taken the gloves off. Legalistically.
TENET
Totally, totally.
CHENEY
What I mean is that we’re using waterboarding!
BUSH
Legally!
TENET
We’re breaking ‘em down. Slowly but surely, dudes.
BUSH
Legal!
CHENEY
Some of these methods are on or past the edge of the law-
BUSH
Didn’t hear that last part!
CHENEY
Some of these methods, to be frank, are torture.
BUSH
(Putting fingers in ear)
La-la-la-la! Can’t hear you!
CHENEY
It’s torture but it’s neccessary torture! Back me up, Tenet!
TENET
Uhm… Yeah. Totes legal, yo.
CHENEY
Congresswoman Pelosi, do you understand what we’re telling you? This is absolutely-
PELOSI
(Fingers in ear)
Laa-loo-laa-loo! Can’t hear you!
BUSH
(Fingers in ear)
La-la-la-la-la-la!
