["I Shot the Sheriff" playing] ♪ I shot the sheriff ♪ ♪ But I didn't shoot no deputy ♪ ♪ Oh, no, oh ♪ ♪ I shot the sheriff ♪ ♪ But I didn't shoot no deputy ♪ "Fords bring dancing back to the White House."

Well, what can I say?

I'm a dancer.

-[chuckles] -Your mother was fantastic.

Your father and I are a very good team.

Now you just have to deal with Nixon, Dad.

No big whoop.

Just sending a former president to prison.

Mmm, it's definitely a big whoop.

Is he going to go to one of those prisons with tennis courts?

I don't know, Susan.

I suppose it's a possibility.

I think we'll all be very relieved when the whole thing is behind us.

-[door opens] -[assistant] Pardon me.

Mr. President, Mr. Rumsfeld and Mr. Cheney would like to speak with you urgently.

-Thank you.

-[assistant] Thank you, sir.

-[dog whines] -Come on.

I do not envy your father right now.

You think Pat Nixon knew what was going on the whole time?

-I don't know, honey.

-[door opens] -[door closes] -I don't-- I don't even know how much your dad can tell me.

Who knows what President Nixon told Pat?

Daddy is going to punish him, isn't he?

Hmm.

No, your father will do the right thing.

["I Shot the Sheriff" playing] History will write the true story of President Nixon.

He has done good, but he's done irreparable harm in-- in standing up and lying, bold-facedly, to the people over and over again.

It's, uh-- It's a shattering experience to find a man in the highest office doing that.

♪ I, I, I ♪ ♪ I shot the sheriff ♪ ♪ Lord I didn't shot the deputy ♪ ♪ No ♪ [cameraman] Standing by, Mr. President.

-♪ I...

I... ♪ -♪ Shot the sheriff ♪ ♪ But I didn't shoot no deputy ♪ [clears throat] [Susan] It's quite yellow.

It's very cheerful.

How's it going, Robert?

[Robert] It's going well.

Thank you, ma'am.

[Susan] Oh, wow.

Very floral, Mother.

[scoffs] You are such a snob.

-Huh, where do you get that?

-[TV anchor] Mr. Ford was asked by reporters what he would be doing for the rest of the day.

He replied, "You will find out shortly."

Three hours later, in his White House office, -this is what happened.

-[Susan] Mom, Daddy's on TV.

[Gerald] Serious allegations and accusations hang like a sword over our former president's head.

Finally, I feel that Richard Nixon and his loved ones have suffered enough and will continue to suffer, no matter what I do-- no matter what we, as a great and good nation can do together to make his goal of peace come true.

Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, president of the United States pursuant... [clears throat] ...to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article Two, Section Two of the Constitution, have granted, and by these presents, do grant a full, free and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States committed from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.

[cameraman] We're off camera, Mr. President.

♪ pensive music ♪ There's been some angry reaction to the Nixon pardon.

[news anchor 2] According to White House statistics, phone calls are heavy now, running about 50-50.

But telegrams are six to one against the president's decision, 600 to 700 telegrams an hour.

One telegram from Virginia said, "Roosevelt had his New Deal.

Truman had his Fair Deal.

Now Ford has his crooked deal."

Hi, there.

What time is it?

Why aren't you in bed?

Everything all right?

No, Jerry.

It's not.

Have you noticed that I never once asked you about those tapes?

The burglaries, the wiretaps, who was involved, who wasn't involved.

Anything about Watergate.

I didn't know, Betty.

Of course you didn't, because if you did, you wouldn't have been able to live with yourself.

Do you realize how this makes you look?

How this makes our family look?

[scoffs] Hey, this was not an easy decision.

I didn't go in there expecting to pardon him.

Then why the **** did you do it?

To end the pain this country is in!

I had my first press conference as president two days ago.

The only thing any reporter, every last one of them, wanted to talk about was Nixon!

Nothing about our economic crisis, nothing about our foreign policy issues.

Just Nixon!

So you let him off!

He accepted the pardon!

That is an admission of guilt!

Without consequences for his actions!

You know that this makes us look complicit, don't you?

Like we're part of the cover-up!

I know why I did what I did, Betty.

If you don't believe in me, I can't change that.

-No, you can't.

-[scoffs] I really believed you were going to bring some of your goodness to the office.

♪ dramatic music ♪ -Oh!

I-- Sorry, ma'am.

-Oh, pardon me.

[muffled chattering] -[phones ringing] -[typewriters clacking] [clears throat] -Hi.

-[receptionist] Can I help you?

I'm here for Gerald Ford.

[receptionist] Uh, down that way.

Betty.

How are ya?

What are you doing here?

Why haven't you told me?

Do you wanna go outside and talk?

Let's go outside and talk.

-Let's go outside.

-No, no, no.

It's-- It's because I'm a divorced woman.

Yeah.

I should've told you.

Betty, hey-- -[whispers] Don't you touch me.

-I should've told you.

I'm sorry I made you feel like you weren't enough, okay?

You are.

You're enough, and I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

It won't happen again.

I messed up.

[chattering] No secrets.

I won't.

This won't happen again.

♪ This land is your land ♪ ♪ This land is my land ♪ ♪ From California ♪ ♪ To the New York island ♪ ♪ From the redwood forest ♪ ♪ To the Gulf Stream waters ♪ ♪ I tell you ♪ ♪ This land ♪ ♪ Was made for you and me ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ One bright sunny morning ♪ ♪ In the shadow of the steeple ♪ ♪ Down by the welfare office ♪ ♪ I saw my people ♪ ♪ I was wondering ♪ ♪ If this land ♪ ♪ Was made for you and me ♪ [sirens in distance] ["Silver Bells" playing on stereo] [Fraser] Well, she was up early this morning doing all this cooking, and now... [Craig] She said she would only be a few minutes.

[Fraser] She in the room.

We're sitting here ready to eat.

Come on, now.

Looks good, though.

Marian!

We're ready to eat.

[Marian] Go ahead.

Start without me.

Great, 'cause candied yams don't taste right when they're cold.

Boy, don't try me on the eve of our Savior's birth.

Put that spoon down.

I'm on Craig's side about the candied yams.

Let me see how long Mom's gonna be.

My husband has MS.

He needs his medication.

Well, what's the point of insurance if you can't help him?

We don't have $568!

Well-- Yeah.

Thanks a lot.

Merry ******* Christmas.

♪ melancholic music ♪ [Mel] Oh, God, I would kill for some sugar right now.

-[Susan Sher] Mel.

-[Mel] Proper chocolate.

-Hey, Val.

-Hey, Mich. How'd it go?

Rahm won't consider any new legislation remotely connected to health care.

He's obsessed with the Midterms.

Uh-huh.

I've been looking at those polls too, and yikes.

Yeah, I'm worried.

-Me too.

-Barack loves the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, so **** Rahm.

-Just go do it.

Get it started.

-[gasps] I mean, who will not back a bill about children's health?

Believe it or not, and I have this on the best authority, even Republicans have kids.

-No.

-Yes.

I saw one once in the West Wing.

Looked like a very tiny turtle.

-Stop.

-[all laughing] You're so bad.

I'm gonna tell 'em you said that.

Oh, you absolutely-- No, you are not!

Don't say nothing till we pass that act, though.

Don't you tell him what I said.

-[laughing] -Shut the door.

This is good news, ladies.

So...

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

The goal is to fight childhood obesity and hunger together.

[news anchor 3] This represents $4.5 billion of allocated funding which will then go to the schools.

[kids laughing, chattering] It's my happy place.

This one?

Get some hummus.

Okay.

Enjoy.

Mrs. Obama, can we get a picture, please?

[Michelle] Of course.

[camera clicks] -Thank you!

-Thank you!

I think we need some more extras.

Do we have any more?

Yeah, we'll just use these.

That should be good enough, right?

-Sylvie, which one do you want?

-This one's fine.

-Okay.

Here you go.

-[Sylvie] Thank you.

Sylvie.

Did you want two of those?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I can put it back.

The lunch ladies usually give me an extra lunch.

This one's for my mom.

Okay.

You know what?

Take this one too, okay?

Take care of yourself.

-I will.

-Okay?

-Mel!

Okay.

-[Mel] Okay.

-Senator Al Franken.

-Oh, Senator Franken.

-[Mel] Yeah.

-Uh-huh.

-[Mel] Senator Amy Klobuchar.

-Amy will like this.

She will love this.

Yeah, you can take that one.

And Senator Lindsey Graham.

Hi.

Give him extra eggplant.

Or carrots.

-These?

-[Mel] Love it.

Let's hope there's no ethics law making veggies bribery.

Hey, are you and Neil doing okay?

Yeah, we're fine.

-Actually, we're not fine.

-Mmm.

The other night, he told me that he feels like we're in an open marriage with my BlackBerry.

Ooh.

Susan...

Listen, you know I appreciate the time you put in, but if you ever need to... [Susan Sher] Can I take the weekend?

-Ladies, bad guy's here.

Wow.

-Oh, God.

-What can I do for you, Rahm?

-[Rahm] Very impressive.

Um... Hi.

We can't have you sending senators swag bags -from the White House garden.

-Why not?

Well, A, it makes us look ******* ridiculous.

And B, because all of these brilliant conservatives somehow were able to convince the public that Obamacare equals government overreach and turning America into a nanny state.

So now is not the time to say, "Hey, kids, why don't you swap out those cheeseburgers and have some kale and ******* cucumbers."

Are you saying that Americans don't care about their kids' health?

Type 2 diabetes, obesity, people living miles away from fresh food.

Or do you not care about that?

I don't want my kids eating that greasy **** either.

But right now, we need to win the Midterms, and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is not helping our poll numbers.

If I were honest, I think that you have the wrong takeaway from these Midterm polls.

Oh, really?

Wow.

Look, please, I'm begging you.

Tell me.

What is your expert political analysis on this-- You didn't make health care personal.

You didn't own it.

I get that you're passionate about this, and I understand your connection to it.

I know you don't think so, but I do.

I'm telling you from experience.

I learned the hard way, all right?

Making things personal can get in the way of smart politics.

Well, maybe sometimes you have to say, "Forget about smart politics, do what's right and trust the rest."

That sounds amazing.

But it's not realistic.

You know what though?

It's your realm.

Do whatever you want.

I'm just letting you know my opinion because I know you're dying to hear it.

I think you're making a mistake.

That's all.

Sorry, please go back to your vegetation.

[birds chirping] ♪ gentle music ♪ [Malvina] Front page.

Ooh!

Oh, good.

Definitely not a puff piece.

Hmm.

Thank you, Samuel.

Thank you.

[coughing] Morning, Louis.

-[Louis] Morning.

-Louis.

Tommy.

That's some article.

Oh, I haven't read it.

Everyone else has.

-Oh?

-[Louis] Usually, one consults with the president before giving direct quotes to reporters announcing cuts to White House spending.

Oh, nothing stopped him from saying it.

[Louis] Yeah.

Actually, many things did.

Uh, let's see.

Tact, um, strategy, timing, a desire for a positive outcome...

I believe that an administration demonstrating fiscal austerity during a depression can most certainly lead to a positive outcome.

Right.

Um, Eleanor, there is a way that things are done here.

[Eleanor] You know, a great political adviser once told me to stop laughing when I spoke of serious things.

That adviser, the same adviser who became one of my most trusted friends, also told me that I should lower the pitch of my voice so that men would not dismiss me as a frivolous woman.

Now everyone, including that friend, is telling me to be quiet.

This is the highest office in the land.

You have a wide audience to win over.

Being contrary doesn't translate into widespread appeal.

I see.

People prefer pleasant.

The president's advisers think his goddamn wife should stay in the background!

Hick's article is positive, yes, but the others... Well... they seem to have asked their cartoonist to be as... cruel as possible.

Louis.

Not everyone likes you as much as we do.

♪ pensive music ♪ [Lorena] I know ten female reporters who've been let go now that the election's over.

-No.

-Yes.

Yes.

Is your job secure?

Yeah.

Thanks to our collaboration, the AP offered me White House Correspondent, exclusively covering you.

No.

What, a whole job just dedicated to one person?

That seems a bit excessive.

-Doesn't it?

-No.

That's nonsense.

You already helped appoint the first female cabinet member.

I know you gave the president a long list of women.

I did, but Frances Perkins wasn't on it.

[chuckles] Well, still, it's an historic appointment.

You put the issue front and center.

I suppose.

I can't wait to see what's next.

Well, I'm afraid you'll be sorely disappointed.

I'm a bit unseasoned for politics.

And clearly too ugly for First Lady.

This guy...

This guy is an ignorant, talentless hack who isn't fit to shine your shoes.

If you can't see how beautiful you are... You have an audience, your radio show, your columns, and the most powerful man in the country.

Use it.

[static on radio] "One's philosophy is not best expressed in words.

It is expressed in the choices one makes.

And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.

Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway.

No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful."

A female-only press conference?

Yes.

Led by Mrs. Roosevelt.

Well, Franklin is so busy now, and it will allow me to share in the very important and good work this administration is doing.

Yes, and it would promote the employment of women.

As press secretary, all events in this house go through me.

And this idea reveals a misunderstanding, a clear, basic misunderstanding of your role in this house.

The role of First Lady has never officially been defined or codified.

But the expectations have, by time and practice.

-I cannot allow this.

-[Eleanor] "Allow"?

Mr.

Early, this conversation is a courtesy.

Steve, this is clearly a good idea, all right?

It enables communication between the White House and American women-- a voter base, by the way.

A base that will grow and grow.

A growing voter base that we will very much need by our side in the next election, clearly.

I can't approve this agenda.

It's too political.

What is there other than politics?

[Early] Women's issues.

Cooking and cleaning and sewing-- You would like me to hold a press conference to discuss dusting?

Or baking.

Vacuuming?

Knitting.

Yes, these are all great.

These are all great.

-[Malvina scoffs] -Goodbye, Mr.

Early.

Thank you.

[door opens, closes] Remind me never to ask him again.

Were you aware that Joe Namath has a gentle, sensitive side?

-Look how gentle he looks.

-[Nancy] So gentle.

-Very gentle.

-[Betty laughs] It's just nice to read about something other than Watergate.

Oh, speaking of, your new press secretary starts tomorrow.

We need to get a meeting in the books.

-[knocking] -Hello, Mrs. Howe.

Oh, Madam First Lady.

Oh, good afternoon.

She's my moral support.

I see.

Ready for your mammogram?

Ready as I'll ever be!

I'll be in the waiting room with Joe.

Wait, Betty... You've never had a mammogram, have you?

No.

Can you make room for the First Lady, Doctor?

-Nancy.

-Well, everyone's supposed to have a mammogram.

Right, Dr. Goldberg?

We suggest women over 50 be screened every year, yes.

See?

And they don't tell us this stuff.

Another way that women are kept in the dark.

We'd be happy to fit you in if you'd like.

Then I don't have to suffer alone.

It's not that bad.

A little uncomfortable at most.

Basically like laying down on a cold garage floor and pulling out your breast and having someone -run over it with a car.

-Nice.

I'm kidding.

Kind of.

It's just a little pressure.

Be over before you know it.

You're doing it.

Mammogram for two, please.

Nurse will bring in your robes.

I'm really not sure if I wanna do this, Nancy.

It's a little uncomfortable, but it'll be quick and easy.

And you're my friend and I want you here as long as possible.

-Okay?

-Okay.

-For me.

-Okay.

[door opens] -Mrs. Ford.

-[Betty] Thank you.

-Of course.

-Wow.

-Yeah.

-That's efficient.

♪ pensive music ♪ [door opens] Mrs. Ford.

Thank you for giving us a bit more time.

This is Dr. Fouty, Chief of Surgery.

He'd like to examine you a bit further, -if that's all right with you.

-Oh, of course.

Just lie back on the table, Mrs. Ford.

-Promise I will make this quick.

-[Betty] Mmm.

[Dr. Fouty] Just right here.

-Is there a problem?

-Just extra precaution.

We're double checking.

Okay.

-Any pain here?

-Mm-mmm.

[Dr. Fouty] Mm-hmm.

Very good.

Okay.

You can get dressed.

Mmm.

Thank you.

-That's it?

-That's it.

I will contact you if we need to see you again.

Thank you.

[Dr. Goldberg] Thank you, Mrs. Ford.

[door opens] [door closes] ♪ pensive music ♪ -Susan.

-Mom.

What is it?

Oh.

-[Gerald] Dr. Lushkin.

-Dr. Lushkin.

I-- I'm terribly sorry.

Um, uh, Susan came in -and-- and we were discussing-- -I needed something for my cold and so I went to see Dr. Lushkin, and he asked where you were, that he needed to talk to you about something and I made him tell me why.

Uh, Betty.

Your, um, mammogram and examination today revealed a tumor.

Hmm.

Tumors can be removed, right?

[Dr. Lushkin] Uh, Dr. Fouty would like to do a biopsy as quickly as possible.

To see if the tumor is... cancerous.

Correct.

Depending on size and spread, we may recommend undergoing a mastectomy, ma'am.

I see.

What exactly is that?

It's a partial, and sometimes full, removal of the breast.

I'd like to schedule something for tomorrow.

Oh, no.

I can't.

-Tomorrow I have a full day.

-Mom, are you kidding?

Is it safe for her to wait 24 hours?

Well, no longer than that.

That's what we'll do then.

-Thank you, Dr. Lushkin.

-Thank you, Doctor.

"Yesterday, I accompanied a friend to the doctor.

Um, she was getting a mammogram.

For support, I got one too.

Unfortunately, the results of mine showed some...

abnormalities."

May I suggest something more along the lines of, "I went in for a routine procedure.

-Everything came back clean."

-That doesn't make any sense.

[Betty] But if they do find cancer, saying something came back clean when it didn't is lying.

I'm an expert at finessing.

"My doctor believes there is a strong chance I have breast cancer.

Tomorrow I undergo a biopsy.

The results will determine whether they continue with a full mastectomy.

I say this not to cause alarm, but because this administration always strives for transparency.

And I encourage American women to take their health into their own hands."

Thank you.

A-plus, Petunia.

It's my nickname for her.

I'm sorry.

Remind me your role again.

Bodyguard.

Black belt.

Don't worry, your death will be quick and painless.

You won't even know it happened.

She's my special assistant.

-Is there a problem?

-Of course not, ma'am.

But this is a such a personal matter.

I would caution against talking to the press like this.

That's right, it is personal... to me.

Which means I get to decide -how to deal with it.

-But-- Send the release out wide, Shirley.

-Yes, ma'am.

-[Betty] Thank you.

["Rock the Boat" playing] ♪ So I'd like to know where you got the notion... ♪ She's so mad you wouldn't let her finesse.

And she thinks you might kill her.

[scoffs] Well, I might if she doesn't loosen up a little bit.

Geez Louise.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-♪ To rock the boat ♪ -♪ Don't rock the boat, baby ♪ -♪ Rock the boat ♪ -♪ Don't tip the boat over ♪ -♪ Rock the boat ♪ -♪ Don't rock the boat, baby ♪ -♪ Rock the boat ♪ -♪ Don't tip the boat over ♪ ♪ Rock the boat ♪ [knocking on door] Hello, darling.

Come in.

Keep me company.

[sighs] What do you think?

I'm having a hard time choosing.

Are you really worried about your wardrobe right now?

Well, nothing wrong with looking good in a crisis.

[chuckles] Which one?

The blue one, I guess.

Good choice.

Brings out my eyes.

-Mom.

-I know.

I know.

-[sniffles] -It's okay.

I'm scared too.

But we're going to get through this.

-I'm not going anywhere.

-Okay.

We've dealt with a lot of crap before and we'll deal with this.

But it's okay to be scared, honey.

[whispers] Yeah.

[sighs] Really?

You think the blue?

[laughing] I guess.

[sirens wailing in distance] [Katie Couric] And finally tonight, to put the political powershift in Washington in perspective, our experts tell us House Democrats lost more than half the landmass they once held as district after district went from blue to red.

A remarkable turnaround in two short years.

Tonight was ten shades of terrible.

[groans] Hate to say I called it, but... Those boys in the West Wing, they let the GOP spin health care into socialism and death panels, instead of connecting to everyday people, just like we advised them to do over and over and over again.

So I'll say it.

You called it.

He's gonna be crushed.

Just when you think you've covered some ground.

Well, hey!

Hey, now.

What happened to the "success is inside you, just dig deep" Michelle?

Because this sucks.

-Well... -But we'll figure out a way.

The things we pulled off at U of C. Hmm.

We did some things.

We kicked some ass, is what we did.

Michelle.

[TV chattering continues] You go up there and console your wounded husband.

I'll poke around and see what senators I can find to sponsor this bill of ours, hmm?

You don't have to do that, Susan.

Don't sweat it.

And if Mel and I have to go down there and kick down some doors ourselves, by God, we'll do it.

-Right, Mel?

-What?

Of course.

-Let's do it.

What are we doing?

-Mel.

-Mel, you need to go to bed.

-I know.

Go to bed.

Go to bed, Mel.

-I love you all.

-We know.

-Yeah.

-Good night.

-Good night.

-Good night.

Mel.

[Katie Couric] The GOP sent word they would not vote with the Democrats.

♪ pensive music ♪ [door opens] At least the Bulls are doing well.

Derrick Rose is having the season of his career.

-Mm-hmm.

-And I'm getting dunked on by conservative extremists.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, I should have let you and your team help us sell health care.

Yep.

Well, you know, it's not all your fault.

[groans] Tonight has been rough enough.

Should I order some food?

Hmm.

I'm fine.

Have you got a time machine?

'Cause I wanna go back to being a teenager lying on a Honolulu beach.

-No job.

Right?

-[laughing] Doobie in hand.

Two hours.

-[laughing] -That would-- That would fix me.

I got you.

-Oh, for real?

-Yeah.

No.

-["Don't Look Back" playing] -Oh!

-Oh, ****.

-All right.

Come on in.

I forgot my phone in the office.

-I'll be right back.

-Baby!

You-- All right.

I-- I'll just...

I'll just lay here by myself.

Seems kinda fitting.

♪ We'll just have to face ♪ ♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ If you just put your hand in mine ♪ What you thinking, Bo?

♪ We're gonna leave all our troubles behind ♪♪♪ Hmm!

[Susan Sher] Yeah.

I'm sorry, Neil, but-- [crying] No.

Yeah... Give me-- Give me some time.

I need a little time.

Can't you do that?

♪ So if you just put your hand in mine ♪ ♪ We're gonna leave all our troubles behind ♪ ♪ Keep on walking and don't look back ♪ ♪ Forget about the past now ♪ ♪ Don't look back, baby ♪ ♪ Keep on walking and don't look back ♪ ♪ Don't look back ♪ ♪ The places behind you ♪ ♪ Let them remind you ♪ ♪ suspenseful music ♪ Welcome back, Betty.

If you all can't look happy, then go away.

-I can't bear to look at you.

-[all chuckle] Did Wolverines beat Navy?

-52-0.

-[laughs] -****, they destroyed 'em.

-Yep.

[Gerald] Betty, I cleared my schedule as much as possible for the next few weeks so I can take care of you for once.

Oh, my.

You must have been worried.

I just wanna be with my wife.

[crowd cheering] There's hundreds of ladies out there for you, Mom.

[Gerald] They've been waiting all day for you.

Really?

-Can you raise this?

-[Jack] Mm-hmm.

[bed whirring] -No.

Betty-- -No, I wanna see.

Just help me.

[crowd gasps, cheers] -I'm fine to walk, Jerry.

-Nonsense.

Let Dad be your attendant, Mom.

-When you put it that way.

-Mrs. Ford!

Mrs. Ford, how are you feeling?

I'm feeling well, thank you.

A little sore, but good.

Are you aware that appointments for mammograms have gone up six-fold nationwide?

Is that so?

Well, that is wonderful news.

Does it feel like you've changed the world?

I don't know that I would say that.

I was just being honest about what I was going through, and that's all our family ever wants to be, is open and transparent.

[Nancy] Incoming!

What's in the box, Mrs. Ford?

Thousands of well-wishes from her loyal fans and a football signed by the entire roster of the Redskins.

-[Gerald] Whoa.

Look at that.

-Wow.

Mrs. Ford, how long do you plan to convalesce?

When do you anticipate regaining your strength?

-Whoa, whoa.

Mom?

-Mom?

[reporters gasp] -Go long.

-[Gerald] Yes, dear.

[cheers, laughter] Strong as ever.

On this vote, the yeas are 258, the nays are 156.

The bill is passed... Mel?

Turn it off before those Republicans start patting themselves on the back for jumping on board.

[groans] Like we didn't deliver 535 vegetable baskets, just begging them to have a conscience for once.

******* grandstanding bastards.

Everyone takes credit when something passes, but... you ladies know it couldn't have happened without you.

-Aw.

-I'm sad this is my last rodeo.

-Oh.

-[Mel] What?

Suz is going back to Chicago after the new year.

-Did Neil make you quit?

-No, Mel.

I made me quit.

As long as I'm in this job, I just can't turn it off.

It's how my brain works.

I don't blame him for being unhappy.

-I'd be the same way.

-Mmm.

Wha-- Damn it.

[Michelle chuckles] -You're gonna hug me.

-Oh, come on.

[Mel] No, no, no!

You have to hug.

Oh... -Oh!

-[Mel] No... You're gonna be fine, Mel.

Well, you know I'll throw my support behind you, no matter what.

You'll be a great mayor for Chicago.

-I appreciate it.

-[knocking on door] Mr. President, the First Lady's here.

I can tell her you'll be with her in a few minutes?

-I gotta get going.

-Uh, yeah.

We're about done.

Invite her on in.

-What's up?

-[Barack] Love of my life.

[Michelle chuckles] -[Rahm] Madam First Lady.

-Rahm.

Now, if I knew you all were this good at charming Republicans, I would've used your help these past two years.

-I mean, what the ****?

-[Michelle] Thank you.

No, really, I am quite impressed with what you've achieved.

-Thank you.

-Oh, look at that.

He's got his booze out, something romantic coming.

Awesome.

Uh, that's my cue to get the hell out of Dodge.

See you later, Rahm.

Thanks for coming by.

-[Rahm] Mr. President.

-[door closes] [Michelle sighs] He just wanted some advice on his mayoral campaign in Chicago.

You know, I still feel like a boy who's been broken up with.

[both laugh] Mmm.

You heard about Susan, right?

Yeah.

-****.

-Yeah.

But you're not gonna break up with me though.

Well... Nah.

Are you gonna dump me?

No.

Can we quit and go back to Chicago?

-Apparently not.

-Oh, damn!

-I mean, we're stuck.

-[laughs] No escape route?

-No.

-Oh, shoot.

Hello, nice to see you.

Welcome.

Excuse me.

Read the sign.

Female reporters only.

Our paper doesn't have a female reporter.

Then I guess it's time to hire one.

-I see.

-Thank you.

[doors close] [reporters applauding] Ooh.

Hello.

-[reporters] Hello!

-[laughter] Oh, thank you so much for joining me here today.

Isn't it wonderful to see so many intelligent and professional women all in one place?

As you know, today is our very first all-female press conference.

And the first of what I hope is many, many more to come.

I have been given a directive that the topics we discuss while we're all here together must stay on the subject of women's things.

So, cleaning, baking all come to mind.

But today, with these trying times before us, many more women are finding work outside of the home.

And it becomes that much more difficult to find time to prepare meals for our families.

And so, I am passing around a quick and easy recipe that will only take 30 minutes, that costs just a few cents, and that feeds a family of four.

That way, your readers will be able to have plenty of time to educate themselves about what's happening in our country.

-[reporters] Yes!

-[applause] Now, women's suffrage has been secured for some time now, but many women, I'm afraid, still act as if it's purely ceremonial.

Now, don't get me wrong, it is prudent to vote alongside your husbands.

But voting only on your husband's beliefs puts your own beliefs out of the picture.

We have the right to vote, but we must use it.

The educated woman is the woman of the future.

Yes!

Well, if you'd like to ask some questions, I'm open.

-[laughter] -Ms. Hickok.

Thank you, Madam First Lady.

What's your recipe for basic labor regulations in industries populated largely by women?

The garment industry?

Ooh, that is a very good question.

Well, I would say, my very first ingredient... [laughter] ...is a senator in North Carolina.

-[upbeat music playing] -[guest 1] Uh-uh, uh-uh!

[speaking French] Oh, she's hungry!

I'm hungry too.

[guest 1 continues speaking French] [guest 2] Let's go to the Russians.

Olga with the eyebrow is singing tonight.

-Is she?

J'adore Olga.

-Petra's it is.

[guests chattering] [guest 1] Oh, the fun is just beginning, ladies.

Viens-tu?

Ooh.

Yes.

I was just taking a moment to imagine what it might be like to live like this all of the time.

Happy.

Yes.

I've been meaning to ask you.

I have to-- I have to speak next week at Barnard, and I've never actually... How do you do it?

Oh, is Hick afraid of public speaking?

She's terrified.

Well, the truth is, I'm terrified too.

-No, I don't believe it.

-No, it's true.

-I don't.

-It is true.

But it gets better.

Sometimes, what one needs to say is too important to let fear get in the way.

But the best piece of advice I ever got was from Louis Howe, who said... "If you've got something to say, say it and sit down."

[both chuckle] ♪ pensive music ♪ "Dear Mrs. Ford, I am writing to tell you that because of your bravery I was able to have the courage to have a mammogram.

Luckily, I had a good test and negative results, but it has inspired me to start a program to get people involved and get this important issue up-front and center.

Thanks again.

Peggy."

[Gerald] "Dear Mrs. Ford, thank you so much for making people aware of breast cancer and how to detect it.

My mother and I are both scheduled to have mammograms next week."

"Dear Mrs. Ford, I wanted to write you a note and thank you for your bravery and honesty during what I imagine to be a very difficult and frightening time for you and your family."

"I am hoping you are feeling better and that your family members and loved ones are safe and sound.

Thank you for your bravery and your ability to face something so difficult with such style and grace."

♪ pensive music ♪ ♪ music intensifies ♪ Betty?

[softly] Hey.

You're beautiful.

You hear me?

♪ pensive music ♪