The Assassination of Richard Nixon

Just tell them that.

Tell them my reasons.

Tell them why.

End of tape four, February 22nd, 1974.

Testing. Testing. One, two, three.

Mr Maestro, Leonard Bernstein, take number one.

Mr Bernstein, oh, I have the utmost respect for you.

Your music is both pure and honest.

And that is why I have chosen you

to present the truth about me to the world.

My name is Sam Bicke and I consider myself a grain of sand.

On this beach called America

there are 211 million grains of sand,

three billion on the beach we call Earth.

If I am lucky... if I am lucky,

the action that I am about to take will show the powerful

that even the least grain of sand

has in him the power to destroy them.

- These come in brown? - We do, we have that in a brown.

In a brown and a harvest gold and an avocado.

Give me three of the brown and an avocado.

Are you interested in that chair? This is a naugahyde, very good for avoiding stains.

- Do I look like that big a slob? - No.

I can't sit in this plastic, I get sweaty and I stick to it.

- This doesn't come in leather, huh? - Not this chair...

Jack Jones.

- Bill Wilson. - Bill.

What our new associate's trying to explain, I think, is that this is leather.

- With a naugahyde coating. - Coating?

Exactly. Comfort of leather, just a little easier to clean.

No extra cost. How does it feel?

It is comfy.

- Know what you look like, sitting there? - What?

You look like the boss. Are you the boss?

- I got my own place. - What did I tell ya?

- Did you write the gentleman up, Sam? - No, he didn't...

Write the gentleman up.

Now, can we deliver this for you Monday or is Tuesday better?

Tuesday's probably better.

Mr Bernstein, sir,

there are times that I have felt alone on this planet,

and that's how they want us, isn't it?

Alone... Divided... Weak...

- To our new closer. - Hear, hear!

Do you smell something? I do.

I smell success and you've got the odour!

All right!

- Why do I say that to you, Sam? - Well, I certainly am trying...

Nothing to do with trying. Believing.

When you believe in what you're selling, you succeed.

Because then you're not selling. See what I'm saying?

You're talking from somewhere here.

You gotta believe. It's a gift. I got it. Marty's got it. You may have it.

I can believe in anything.

- Isn't that right, Marty? - That's true.

Who's the greatest salesman in the world? That man right there.

He sold the whole country, 200 million people, on himself.

Twice.

- What was Nixon's sales pitch in '68? - In '68 it was...

He said he would end the war.

He would get us out of Vietnam. And did he?

He sent another 100,000 troops and he bombed the living shit outta them.

That's what he did.

Now, what did Nixon run on last year?

Ending the war in Vietnam and he won. By a landslide!

That is a salesman.

He made a promise. He didn't deliver.

And then he sold us on the exact same promise all over again.

That's believing in yourself.

These are for you. Read 'em.

These you listen to.

While you're driving, while you're shaving, when you're taking a shit in the morning.

- Oh, no. - You gotta believe, Sam.

This book really teaches you to believe in yourself. This book right here.

- Really teach you techniques. - These will make you a salesman.

I guarantee it.

The salesman who believes is the salesman who receives. Remember.

Power is a state of mind. You have as much as you think you have.

If you don't think you have any, you don't.

Talk about yourself as you see yourself and some day that will be yourself.

The salesman must see himself as a winner.

The salesman who believes is the salesman who receives.

- For crying out loud. - Hi, Mel.

- Did you see your brother? - No.

He just walked out just now.

- How's it going? What are you up to? - Well, I...

I really... I just came by to give this... This is what I owe him.

And if you could just get that to him for me, I'd appreciate it.

Come on, Sam, Julius felt bad how things turned out.

- Stick around till he gets back. - He didn't go home?

He ran to the bank, he'll be back. Sit down.

- I really, I gotta go, Mel. - Sit down.

I can't sit down, Mel, but it's very good to see you.

Well, don't be a stranger.

Look at you, man.

- Look at that. - Sam Bicke, Salesman, damn!

- You keep that, they made 1,000 of them. - 1,000!

Man, they got big plans for you.

- You look good, Sammy. - I feel good.

- I believe. - Amen, brother, you gotta believe.

Sam Bicke, salesman!

I was thinking I would go see Marie.

That I would surprise her because I have a little something extra for her this month.

All right then.

You don't think it's a good idea.

You gotta know it's right, Sam.

Nobody thinks Sam Bicke is gonna make it.

Hey, I didn't say that.

You just wait and see.

Hi there! How are my princesses?

- Hi. - Hi.

- I got an "A" in Social Studies. - You did?

- Well, that's great. - Go wash up, you two.

- Hi. - Hiya.

- Looks good. - Keep that. They made 1,000 of them.

- Thanks. - It's good to see you.

- You know you're supposed to call first? - I know.

I...

- What's this? - I'm on a roll.

Oh, wow! That's great.

- Maybe I can get the roof fixed. - Yeah... just... it's done.

Paid for, do it.

- Job's working out, huh? - Yeah. Marie...

I think this is gonna change things for us.

Oh, Sam. Job sounds good.

Look, I got dinner on the stove...

Thanks.

Marie... I just...

- I just wanted a little talk. - Mommy, Julie's standing...

Julie, come on down!

I gotta get inside. I'm sorry, just call first, all right?

- Yeah. When? - I dunno, try Sunday.

- After ten though, all right? - OK.

Well, I'll call you Sunday, after ten. OK.

Back to work.

- Mommy! - Julie, come on. Ellen, go get your brother...

You look nice, Marie.

Hey, Tuffer.

Hey, boy.

Do you miss Daddy, hm?

In 1971, the volume on the New York Stock Exchange was 16,500,000 shares...

What happened, Mr Bernstein, to the land of plenty?

When there's plenty for the few and nothing for the plenty.

Is that the American Dream?

Now remember, the customer's weapon is money.

That's what he'll want to talk about.

Your weapon is quality, that's what you'll insist on talking about.

Don't get caught in the price game.

When he asks how much it is, you tell him how great it is.

How much?

This is a very high quality desk.

- This one... 38 inches and... - How much is it?

This is $529.

I... I really believe in this desk.

- I wanna show you something. This... - It's all right, I know what to look for.

- I'm sure you do. - Well... Sam, right?

I'm gonna be buying a lot of stuff and I was wondering what's your best price?

- I'll see what I can do for you. - All right.

- Give it your best shot. - I'll do that, all right.

Okey-dokey.

What I can do is give you 10% off that desk, which is $476.

Oh, Jesus, Sam! That's your best price?

- It's our selection of the month. - Excuse me.

- Can I see you in my office, Sam? - Yes... I'll be right...

I'll be right with you.

What are you doing? Are you out of your fucking mind?

Offering 10%! Are you trying to give the stuff away?

- You said... - It's already been marked down.

For chrissake, that is less than we paid for the damn thing!

- You know, I think... - I'm not interested in what you think.

I'm interested in what you're gonna do about it.

- I guess I can tell him... - You can't tell him shit.

You made the offer. That's it. Hope he doesn't take it.

All right, Mr Jones.

Sir, can I show you some of our other desks...

Oh... All right then. Yep... Yep.

You looked like you were gonna shit your pants!

You're on the board. Does he write that cheque?

- He did it to me, we do it to you. - 50-50 all right?

- Sure. - Good job, Sam.

Don't tell me you knew what was going on. Bullshit.

Bullshit.

It's not lying, it's business.

But it's not right. I should have said something on the spot.

No, you shouldn't have.

What are you saying? That I should swallow something like that?

It makes me sad you would accept something, of all people.

It's just not that big of a deal, OK?

It is a big deal.

Bonny, if we're going to be partners we have to get this kind of thing straight.

Sam, I get it. OK? I've been there.

This guy's your boss.

If he wants to be an asshole, you might have to let him.

- But... - No but, Sam.

- But what about my rights? - You got a right to be mad, sure.

Exactly, that's all I'm saying.

- Sam! Sam, it's a job. - See, this is what I mean.

A man doesn't give up his rights at a job, give up his rights anywhere.

You of all people should know that.

What should I know? 'Cause I'm black I should mouth off to my boss?