Summary
Woodward discovers that Bernstein is also pursuing the story, and has taken it into his own hands without telling him. Woodward confronts Bernstein about how, in the past Bernstein had rewritten his story without giving him credit, but admits that Bernstein's version was "better." Bernstein doesn't like that Woodward's only been at the paper for 9 months and Woodward doesn't like how Bernstein handled stole his work. Harry Rosenfeld then walks by and says that both of them will be working together on the Watergate story from now on.
The two reporters reluctantly agree to work on the story together. In an elevator, Bernstein offers Woodward advice. Woodward accepts and the two come to an agreement: they will to pursue the same story separately.
Bernstein meets with a White House aide for lunch. He flirts and flatters her until she admits that she does know Colson and Hunt. Both she describes as "secretive" and says that Howard Hunt was doing "investigative work" mostly on Teddy Kennedy, checking out many books from the White House Library and Library of Congress. Bernstein then calls up the Library of Congress and initially a librarian confirms that Howard Hunt did check out books on Ted Kennedy. She then changes her story, saying that Mr. Hunt has never visited the library. She does not know a Mr. Hunt.
Bernstein consults with Woodward. A Library of Congress representative then calls Woodward, denying that any conversation between Bernstein and a librarian ever took place. Woodward and Bernstein then go to the Library of Congress and are told that all White House requests are confidential. They then go and ask another administrator for every library record since 1971, which they do receive. They look through the library records together.
Back at the Post offices, executive editor Ben Bradlee comes over to Woodward and Bernstein. He reads the story and says it's too thin to be published as-is on the front page. A low-level aide and some library records aren't enough for the front page; Bradlee tells them to publish it deep inside the paper.
Woodward calls a contact for more information about Watergate. The man tells him not to contact him again. That night, at home, Woodward opens his newspaper and finds a note inside: "Do not write or try to contact me by telephone again. If you must talk to me put the red flag in the pot on your balcony." Woodward does so and puts the red flag in his pot, signifying a code that only the two of them know and understand.
Woodward then goes to meet the contact at a parking garage far out of town. The man—"Deep Throat," as he will come to be called—asks Woodward what he knows. Woodward relays the information, bringing up the name of a lawyer Gordon Liddy who was fired from the White House for refusing to talk to the FBI. John Mitchell resigned from the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) to spend more time with his family. Woodward says he has the pieces to the puzzle but doesn't know what the puzzle should look like. "Forget the myths you've heard about the White House. Truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." Woodward asks another question and Deep Throat promises to confirm or deny stories, without offering any specific information. He gives one final piece of advice: "Follow the money."
Analysis
Though they will become an iconic duo in the future, Woodward and Bernstein start off at odds. There is a sense of rivalry and competition between them. It seems that Bernstein looks down on Woodward for only being at the paper for 9 months and as we learn, Bernstein's aggressive nature almost got him fired quite a few times. Bernstein's pushiness is epitomized by him taking Woodward's story and rewriting it as his own. Woodward shows both indignation and humility, admonishing Bernstein for stealing his work without asking but admitting, "yours is better."
Still, Bernstein can be quite the charmer when he needs to be to get a scoop. We see him flirting and wooing a young Republican staffer at a lunch to get information about Watergate. It is very much an opposite approach to Woodward's fastidiousness. Woodward is workmanlike; Bernstein is a bit shameless. Bernstein falls into a scoop that Hunt and Colson are investigating Ted Kennedy. But why?
As we learn, the Nixon administration has a huge operation for digging up dirt against potential political opponents. The librarian at the Library of Congress initially sees no issue with giving reporters information on the type of books Mr. Hunt is checking out, but her quick turnaround of recusal is one of the first clues that people are not acting on their own will. There is a coverup happening, and even in the early stages when it is subtle Bernstein and Woodward know something is amiss.
One of the most honorable characters in the film is Ben Bradlee. Bradlee clearly values journalistic integrity above all else. He does not seem interested in selling papers; he is only interested in accuracy. He seems to have a strong sense of his own role in protecting democracy. It involves reporting on genuine issues of concern for the American public, but never sensationalizing or causing unnecessary outrage.
At this point of the movie, we are introduced to another crucial character: Deep Throat. He was indeed a real person in the Nixon administration who was involved in the Watergate scandal, but his identity was not known for many years. In the film, he seems to enjoy playing the role of advisor, but never leaker. He wants justice to be done. He reveals one of the most important clues in their first meeting. He says point blank that these Nixon men are "not very bright," immediately leveling the expectation that Woodward and Bernstein are up against criminal masterminds. Whatever is going on, these people made mistakes and ostensibly, left a trail of clues. Where is this trail of clues? "Follow the money," says Deep Throat.
