FORREST (V.O.). I guess Lieutenant Dan figured there's

I guess Lieutenant Dan figured there's

some things you just can't change.

He didn't want to be called crippled,

just like I didn't want to be called

stupid.

LT. DAN

Happy New Year.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT

An ANCHORMAN reports in front of the White House.

ANCHORMAN

The U.S. Ping-Pong Team met with

President Nixon today at an Oval

Office ceremony...

FORREST (V.O.)

And wouldn't you know it...

PRESENT - BUS STOP

Forrest looks at the fat man on the bus bench.

FORREST

...a few months later they invited

me and the ping-pong team to visit

the White House. So I went again.

And I met the President of the United

States again.

INT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY

A plaque, presented to Forrest, reads " Presented to Forrest

Gump, member of the United States table tennis team as player

of the year for 1971. President NIXON holds the plaque.

FORREST (V.O.)

Only this time they didn't get us

rooms in a real fancy hotel.

PRESIDENT NIXON

So are you enjoying yourself in our

national capital, young man?

FORREST

Yes, sir.

PRESIDENT NIXON

Well, where are you staying?

FORREST

It's called the Hotel Ebbott.

PRESIDENT NIXON

Oh, no, no, no, no. I know of a much

nicer hotel. It's brand-new. Very

modern. I'll have my people take

care of it for you.

INT. WATERGATE HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Forrest speaks on the phone.

SECURITY GUARD

Security, Frank Wills.

Forrest steps over to a window. Flashlights are moving around

in an office across from Forrest's room.

FORREST

Yeah, sir, you might want to send a

maintenance man over to that office

across the way. The lights are off,

and they must be looking for the

fuse box or something, 'cause them

flashlights they're, they're keeping

me awake.

SECURITY GUARD

Okay, sir. I'll check it out.

FORREST

Thank you.

SECURITY GUARD

No problem.

FORREST

Good night.

SECURITY GUARD

Good night.

Forrest hangs up the phone. The camera tilts down, revealing

the hotel stationary, which reads " The Watergate Hotel."

INT. GYMNASIUM - DAY

President Nixon makes a resignation speech on TV.

PRESIDENT NIXON

(over television)

Therefore, I shall resign the

Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

The television cuts to a shot of President Nixon standing

outside Air Force One with his hands in the peace sign.

PRESIDENT NIXON

(over television)

Vice President Ford will be sworn in

as President at that hour in this

office. As I recall the high hopes

for America with which we began this

second term, I feel a great sadness

that I will not be here in this

office...

Forrest is playing ping-pong by himself at the gymnasium. An

officer steps up to him.