INT. CITY HALL -- NIGHT

A large, ornately decorated hall, covered in patriotic emblems. Hundreds of glamorously dressed people sit at round tables, looking toward a stage at the far end. Over this stage hangs a large poster of Senator Shaw with a slogan reading AMERICA'S FUTURE.

An announcer stands behind the microphone.

Indulgent laughter from the crowd. We see Shaw Sr. and Langdon seated at a table surrounded by the crème de la crème of New York society.

ANNOUNCER: "… now, tonight's keynote speaker needs no introduction from me. He's been mentioned as a future president -- and if you don't believe me, just read his daddy's newspapers --"

ANNOUNCER: "-- ladies and gentlemen, I give you the senator for New York, Henry Shaw!"

Tumultuous applause. Senator Shaw bounds forward, acknowledging the cheers, pointing and winking at intimates in the crowd, and mounts the steps.