The performer enters the space wearing a white shirt, black pants and black tie and begins by reading into a microphone. The listed and noted items are factual and the recreation is closely aligned to the real event.
"The following items were found in the wallet of John Hinckley Jr after the shooting on march 30th 1981.
$129
A Texas driver's license
A Colorado identity card
A picture of Jodie Foster (from Esquire) dressed up as a coed and holding a basketball
A picture of Jodie Foster "looking like a model for a junior-high yearbook"
Three other photos of Foster
A card on which was printed the Second Amendment ("the right to bear arms")
A photo of Hinckley's nephew
The following items were discovered in Hinckley's room (#312) at the Park Central Hotel after the shooting
A 1981 John Lennon calendar
Two suitcases
An empty box of Devastator (exploding) bullets
A box of normal (non-exploding) bullets
A variety of pills, including Valium, Surmontil, and Drixoral
A Band-Aid box containing a hijacking note ("This plane has been hijacked! I have a bomb...")
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
The Skyjacker by David Hubbard
Welcome to Xanadu by Nathaniel Benchley
The Fox is Crazy Too by Eliot Asinof
Romeo and Juliet
The Fan by Bob Randall
Taxi Driver
Thirty-eight pages of Hinckley's own writings
An army fatigue jacket
Several wool lumberjack shirts
A postcard with a picture of Ronald and Nancy Reagan and a note to Jodie Foster--asking "You are a virgin, aren't you?"--on its other side
And a letter to Jodie Foster
Dear Jodie,
There is a definite possibility that I will be killed in my attempt to get Reagan. It is for this very reason that I am writing you this letter now.
As you well know by now I love you very much. Over the past seven months I've left you dozens of poems, letters and love messages in the faint hope that you could develop an interest in me. Although we talked on the phone a couple of times I never had the nerve to simply approach you and introduce myself. Besides my shyness, I honestly did not wish to bother you with my constant presence. I know the many messages left at your door and in your mailbox were a nuisance, but I felt that it was the most painless way for me to express my love for you.
I feel very good about the fact that you at least know my name and know how I feel about you. And by hanging around your dormitory, I've come to realize that I'm the topic of more than a little conversation, however full of ridicule it may be. At least you know that I'll always love you.
Jodie, I would abandon this idea of getting Reagan in a second if I could only win your heart and live out the rest of my life with you, whether it be in total obscurity or whatever.
I will admit to you that the reason I'm going ahead with this attempt now is because I just cannot wait any longer to impress you. I've got to do something now to make you understand, in no uncertain terms, that I am doing all of this for your sake! By sacrificing my freedom and possibly my life, I hope to change your mind about me. This letter is being written only an hour before I leave for the Hilton Hotel. Jodie, I'm asking you to please look into your heart and at least give me the chance, with this historical deed, to gain your respect and love.
I love you forever,
John Hinckley
Ladies and gentlemen I present for you tonight, the 1981 president Ronald Reagan assassination attempt."
Performer exits the audience space and returns, pushing through the crowd in the role of John Hinckley to fire 6 shots from a cap gun in a crouched position. Performer quickly makes the following costume changes with action in this order.
(Jodie Foster) a blonde wig with hastily applied lipstick - shouts 'Someone shot the president!'.
(security guard) black suit jacket and mirrored sunglasses - shouts 'everybody stay down!'
(President Reagan) black wig, with suit jacket, tomato sauce applied to left side - shouts from lying position 'Nancy!'
(security guard) black suit jacket and mirrored sunglasses - shouts 'Get the president into the limousine!'
(John Hinckley) horn rimmed glasses with cap gun - shouts 'I love you Jodie!'
(Jodie Foster) a blonde wig with hastily applied lipstick - 'Silence of the Lambs!'
(President Reagan) black wig, with suit jacket, tomato sauce applied to left side - shouts from lying position 'Bonzo!' (the name of his chimpanzee co-star in the 1951 film 'Bedtime for Bonzo')
Performer lying on the ground reaches back to microphone and continues dialogue.
"John Hinckley fired 6 shots into the crowd from a crouched position. The sixth bullet ricocheted off the presidential limousine and lodged in Reagan's left lung - just two inches from his heart. He was rushed to the University of Washington Hospital where he underwent 2 hours of life saving surgery.
John Hinckley was tried, and in June of the following year was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Jodie Foster refuses to comment on the incident but went on to win two Academy Awards - one for 'the Accused,' (1988) and 'Silence of the Lambs' (1991).
Former President Ronald Reagan gave this speech to the American public in 1993.
My fellow Americans,
I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way. At the moment I feel just fine.
(repeat)
My fellow Americans,
I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way. At the moment I feel just fine."
Performer leaves space.
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