Protocol 1984

Sunny Ann Davis, portrayed by Goldie Hawn, is a quirky woman in her thirties navigating life as a cocktail waitress in the bustling city of Washington, D.C. Living in a cramped space rented from a gay couple, she finds herself facing a series of unfortunate events: a lackluster love life and a dilapidated car that resembles a rust bucket on wheels.

One fateful day, her car unexpectedly breaks down, inadvertently blocking a diplomatic convoy en route to the White House. With the Diplomatic Security Service on high alert, they treat this incident as a potential security threat, drawing their weapons, while Sunny remains blissfully unaware. All she worries about is being late for work.

At the Safari Club, where she works, the night descends into chaos. After her date cancels on her, she is forced to don an embarrassing emu suit, as the other waitress costumes are taken. Being “so broke,” she refuses to entertain a patron’s dubious offer for “special favors” and also declines a loan from Ella, a fellow waitress played by Jean Smart.

Curious about a gala dinner taking place nearby, Sunny stops to watch dignitaries as they leave the event. In a shocking encounter, a man of Middle Eastern descent, who rudely pushes past her, inadvertently reveals a gun in his coat. In a split second of sheer bravery—and perhaps naivety—Sunny asks if he has a gun. When he inadvertently fires a shot, her quick thinking leads her to bite his arm to prevent him from aiming. In the ensuing struggle, Sunny is shot, and the chaos serves as the backdrop for her unexpected rise to fame.

As news spreads of her bravery, she finds herself in the hospital celebrated as a heroine for thwarting the potential assassination of the visiting Emir, Richard Romanus. Doctors surgically remove the bullet lodged in Sunny’s left buttock, and while she recuperates, she is overwhelmed by public adoration, receiving letters from celebrities and a barrage of marriage proposals.

Among those smitten by her charm is Michael Ransome, a Middle Eastern desk chief with the State Department. He assists her in navigating her first press conference post-shooting, where she dazzles the media, revealing her witty and intelligent character.

Meanwhile, as politicians Crowe and Hilley watch her charm unfold on television, they joke about her potential to run for office, given her appeal across various demographics. They even manage to wake the President of the United States, who is napping, to get him in on the discussion about Sunny’s newfound popularity.

The Emir, grateful for Sunny’s intervention, perceives her as a potential addition to his life, should the U.S. succeed in establishing a military base in his strategically located country. In a surprising twist, the Emir stipulates that he wants Sunny as another wife in exchange for allowing the base, leading to a secretive plan by the State Department to trade her for the geopolitical gain.

Enter Vice President Merck, who offers Sunny a role in the Protocol Department, a position that she eagerly accepts despite needing to look up the term “protocol” in a dictionary. She steps into this new chapter of her life with excitement, attending formal dinners and mingling with international dignitaries. One notable encounter is with Nawaf Al Kabeer, an Arab official, who gifts her a new car as a token of thanks from the Emir. However, Sunny, aware of the ethical implications of accepting such gifts, chooses to return it, unwittingly angering both the Emir and the State Department.

As rumors of her being a prospective queen percolate back in El Othar, tensions rise. When Sunny is invited to meet the Emir, she plans an event at her old workplace, the Safari Club, but chaos ensues, culminating in police interference and a media frenzy. Despite her innocence in the rising turmoil, the backlash mounts, and the government scrambles to distance itself from the unfolding scandal.

When Sunny travels to the Emir’s homeland, the reality of her situation dawns on her, as she discovers murals touting her as a bride-to-be, revealing the grim manipulation behind her sudden prominence. Before she can confront the ruse, a violent overthrow of power disrupts plans, forcing Sunny and the Emir to flee amidst escalating chaos.

Back in the U.S., the government claims no knowledge of the scheme, and Sunny finds herself scrutinized under a Congressional inquiry. Undeterred, she assumes responsibility for her naive involvement, while simultaneously reminding her political leaders of their obligations to the populace. With a fierce declaration to hold them accountable henceforth, she decisively walks out of the inquiry, leaving Washington D.C. in her rearview mirror.

Two years later, Sunny is now married to Ransome and they are parents. Resettled in her hometown of Diamond Junction, Oregon, she becomes involved in local politics, and when persuaded to run for Congress, she eagerly embraces the opportunity. The story culminates in a jubilant campaign rally where she receives a phone call confirming her election victory, igniting a celebration among her supporters, and marking the commencement of Sunny’s impactful new journey in public service.