LBJ

I know what you're thinking​

I got cash and the head honcho on my side

But still no actual power...

​

RFK

But what's this - the Democratic Funds Committee...

​

LBJ

My future lackeys - Walter Jenkins and John Connolly!

​

(they shake his hands) 

​

JENKINS

Hi there

​

CONNOLLY

People call me "Big John"

​

LBJ (to the audience, holding his hand over his mouth so Jenkins and Connally can't see)

Truth is, these two couldn't squeeze a dime out of an oil well.  But just watch me now...

​

JENKINS

Hey Lyndon Johnson, you’re needed

We’re feeling defeated

The Democratic Funds Committee’s really depleted.

 

LBJ

Well, I don’t have much time to spare

But if no one wants it, I could be the chair.

​​

LBJ (picks up the phone)

Herman Brown, how ya been? How’s that bridge? How’s the dam?

Well you know you’ve always got the backing of Uncle Sam

Well remember that base, right near my hometown?

That’s gonna be built by none other than Brown and Brown

​

LBJ (CONT’D)

You got the contract!

​

CONNALLY & JENKINS

(Surprised) He did?

​

LBJ (puts hand up to them, as if to say, “Shush”)

What’s that? You’d like to show appreciation

To the leaders of our nation? ​

Now there's really no need for that.​

(Pause)

​

Oh, that's quite generous of you.  I'll put that down.  (scribbles in the ledger)

​

CONNALLY & JENKINS

What happened? How much did he say?

​​

LBJ (matter-of-factly)

Brown is down for 90K

And that's the way the dog will slay the fat cat!

​​

CONNALLY & JENKINS (Jenkins mock-staggers and clutches his chest, as if having a heart attack)

We’re rich!

​​

Lyndon, you've got the Midas touch

But isn't it illegal to donate that much

​

LBJ

Well now boys, that just depends

on whether he funnels it through 200 friends

​

CONNALLY AND JENKINS

("aha" looking on their faces, catching on)

And then?

​

LBJ
Then we start winning again!

​

ALL

Cause we’ve got dark money

Flowing from us to the Dems LBJ

 

LBJ

I’m giving out

 

ALL

Dark money honey

​

LBJ

I’m the man who gives out all the gems.

 

ALL

Suddenly the power brokers come to me on one knee

Hoping I’ll give them some of my dark money.

​

RFK shakes his head and gives Johnson a dirty look.

​

LBJ
Jenkins and Connally, you boys work for me now

​

RFK

And when the year was done, everyone in Congress knew

LBJ

I was the Pharaoh of Dinero

Kept the funds coming through.

​

CONNALLY

Between the oil and the dams, your hands got kinda dirty

​

JENKINS

But that’s the way you get to be a congressman by thirty.

​

LBJ

And there’s plenty room for companions in my palace

Like my loyal boys (gestures to Connally and Jenkins)

​

RFK

And your new friend, Alice.

(RFK puts his arm around ALICE GLASS, who has sexily walked in. He passes her to LBJ who kisses her. LBJ twerks with her for a moment before singing the next verse. Alice watches LBJ until the end of the song)

​

RFK (CONT’D)

If you climb through the slime, you can always take a shower

And make a clean break for the tower of power.

​

LBJ

Yes everybody knows me

And everybody owes me now

Well I was low before but now I’m on the mountain ‘

 

JENKINS AND CONNALLY

Cause nobody cares if you took the stairs

 

LBJ

Or like me

​

RFK

You’ve got the balls

​

LBJ

To say, “Fuck the stairs!” RFK And climb the walls

​

LBJ, CONNALLY, JENKINS                                 RFK

of the tower of power.                                          (Dark Money)

The tower of power                                              (Dark Money)

The tower of power.                                           ​  (Dark Money)

​

​

The scene ends with LBJ back on the top of the tower he built before, now in a congressman’s style suit, with the letters “L.B.J.” floating in the sky like fireworks. He tosses dollar bills at the people below. After the song, RFK looks on and shakes his head. LBJ scowls at him. Alice exits, passing Lady Bird. Both women stop as they assess each other. Lady Bird then continues into the apartment. The Lights change.