Scene IV. Washington, D.C. before the Capitol.

[Enter Howard K. Smith.]
Smith. ‘Tis I, Howard K. Smith, your reporter
roving about before our nation’s
Capitol to bring to you the views
of our elected Congressmen on
the question of the Impeachment of 5
President Nixon.
[Enter a Senator.]
Ah, and here’s one. Senator? A word, please.
1st Senator. The President has flown. He vacates
this City at every chance and runs from
his problems. Where is he headed? To that foul 10
city of Moscow, conspiring, in the
name of détente, to subvert the will
of the people.
[Enter another Senator.]
He will not survive the summer.
Smith. You believe he’ll be impeached? 15
1st Senator. Tarred and feathered, more likely.
[Exit.]
Smith. And you, your honor, a short word on the
President.
2nd Senator. Whew, it’s hot! The President is so smart.
He travels to cool Russia where 20
the temperature is more to a man’s suiting.
Smith. He’s not running from responsibility?
2nd Senator. Foreign affairs are a grave responsibility.
[Enter a Representative.]
Ah, excuse me, please.
[Exit.]
Smith. Your views, sir. 25
Represent. Ah, yes. I am a Republican
by name. My colleagues in the House will
approach the President when he returns.
For the good of the Party, we will ask
him to retire. As of now we can look 30
forward to none but a debacle
[Enter a third Senator.]
this November.
[Exit.]
Smith. As you can see, my viewers, opinions
are diverse here up on the Capitol’s hill.
3rd Senator. May I say a word. 35
Smith. Please, be my guest.
3rd Senator. Countrymen, inflation sores. Corporations
face bankruptcy. The innovative
programs of federal health and welfare
lie stagnant. Our position as a world 40
power falters. And why is all of this?
Because the nation holds its breath while
Richard M. Nixon plays out his final scenes.
No muscles move. No motion’s made in
any direction because we stand, 45
with bodies rigid and mouths agape,
to watch the fateful conclusion of one
man’s reign. Enough! This grows so so weary.
I predict that our nation will crumble
if we stand so affixed for much longer. 50
Someone must make a move to prevent a
total standstill of our Government.
The suspense will kill us all. The man must
go or be vindicated. At the rate we
now proceed, we shall die from holding our 55
breath and grow morbid from our inactivity.
[Exit.]
Smith. This is Howard K. Smith, signing off.
[Exit.]