Guarding Tess 1994

As a seasoned Secret Service agent, Doug Chesnic (character A) takes immense pride in his work, conducting himself with unwavering professionalism. For the past three years, he has been stationed in Ohio, tasked with protecting Tess Carlisle, the esteemed widow of a former U.S. president. Tess, renowned for her diplomatic and philanthropic endeavors, views Doug more as a domestic servant than a security officer - akin to her chauffeur, Earl, or nurse, Frederick.

As his assignment draws to a close, Doug is eager to be reassigned to a more thrilling and challenging post. However, Tess decides to extend his stay, much to his dismay. The Secret Service agent finds it beneath his dignity to perform menial tasks around the house or bring Tess her morning coffee in bed. His protests fall on deaf ears as she orders him to fetch her golf balls during a round of golf, and when he defies her, Tess takes matters into her own hands.

With Tess’s displeasure escalating, she contacts a close friend - the current President of the United States - to express her frustration. The President, mistakenly believing Doug is subpar, chastises him via phone call. The tension between Doug and Tess escalates further, even in the confines of their vehicle. During a solo moment with Earl, Tess instructs him to drive off, leaving Doug and his colleagues stranded. A humiliated Doug must subsequently contact local authorities to be on high alert for her whereabouts.

Upon their return, Doug fires Earl for his role in Tess’s antics, only to have Tess countermand the decision. The bickering between Doug and Tess continues unabated, with the agent growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of autonomy.

The situation takes a surprising turn when Tess learns that her son Barry is planning a visit. Her initial excitement gives way to disappointment as she discovers he has come merely to ask for her assistance in promoting his real estate ventures. Disapproving of the venture’s dubious nature, which she believes would tarnish her and her husband’s legacy, Tess declines.

In an unexpected display of vulnerability, Tess finds herself overcome with emotion while watching old television footage of her late husband’s funeral. A fleeting glimpse of Doug among the mourners resonates deeply with her, prompting her to make a conscious effort to mend their relationship. Over a drink and late-night conversation, she shares her struggles as a mother, struggling to connect with her children due to their awkward upbringing within the confines of a political family.

The morale of Tess’s agents takes a welcome boost when she announces that the President will be visiting her husband’s presidential library, only for subsequent cancellation news to deflate her spirits.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Tess (character) and Earl embark on another impromptu adventure, leaving Doug behind without so much as a second thought. The absence of their return that night sparks alarm in Doug’s camp, prompting him to alert his security detail and ultimately, the FBI. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Tess’s recent struggles with dizziness were not mere coincidence, but rather a symptom of a devastating secret - an inoperable brain tumor she had been keeping hidden from her loved ones.

The discovery of Earl’s abandoned vehicle, coupled with his own unconscious state, only adds to the mystery. A closer examination of Earl’s injuries reveals small, crescent-shaped burns on the back of his neck, suggesting that Tess may have put up a fierce fight against her captors using the car’s cigarette lighter. Doug’s suspicions are piqued, and he begins to piece together the puzzle.

In a tense confrontation at Earl’s hospital bedside, Doug (character) and FBI agent Schaeffer interrogate the chauffeur, who grows increasingly agitated as Doug brandishes the cigarette lighter. The chauffeur’s nervous behavior prompts Doug to threaten a gruesome punishment - removing one toe at a time until he reveals Tess’s whereabouts. The chauffeur’s attempts to deflect blame fall flat as Earl eventually cracks under pressure, confessing that Tess is being held captive by his sister and her husband.

The authorities spring into action, raiding the kidnappers’ home and apprehending the perpetrators. Upon discovering Tess buried alive in a barn beneath their farm, Doug and his team refuse to let anyone else take over the rescue efforts. Tess’s insistence on having her Secret Service detail accompany her to the hospital sparks tension among the officials, but ultimately, she prevails.

As Tess recovers from her ordeal, she faces a new challenge when hospital staff insist that patients be discharged in wheelchairs. Doug intervenes, using a tone of authority as he orders Tess into the chair. After a brief pause, Tess complies, pats Doug’s hand, and offers words of encouragement - “Very good, Douglas. You’re going to be all right.”