THE WEST WING TRANSCRIPT: The Dover Test (S6E6)

THE WEST WING
6X6 - “THE DOVER TEST”
WRITTEN BY CAROL FLINT
DIRECTED BY LAURA INNES

Transcribed by Walking, Talking, And Yelling At Clouds
(kegofglory.blogspot.com)

TEASER

THE DOVER TEST

FADE IN: INT. - WHITE HOUSE FOYER – NIGHT

A reception is ongoing, with a large display of a model of the future Bartlet Presidential Library in the center of the room. There is a buzz of conversation as we see BARTLET looking over the model, and he directs his comments towards who we believe must be the architect.

BARTLET
Of course, the buildings were vacant and in disrepair by then. I snuck my first cigarette here; you’ll want to add a commemorative plaque.

A reporter, TERRANCE SLIGH, starts asking BARTLET questions as BARTLET moves through the crowd.

SLIGH
Congratulations on the library, sir.

BARTLET
Thank you. (to another person in the crowd) Michael, thanks for coming.

SLIGH
Are you also celebrating today’s polls?

BARTLET
I don’t pay attention to polls.

SLIGH
In the wake of your Middle East peace plan, 57 percent of Americans questioned say they’d vote for you for a third term.

CJ, noticing the reporter asking questions, makes her way towards BARTLET.

BARTLET
Don’t say that in front of an architect, he’ll think it extends his deadline.

CJ (pulling SLIGH away)
‘Photos only’ means photos only.

As SLIGH walks away, TOBY and JOSH enter.

TOBY
Oh, for God’s sake, you’re not still calling this guy?

JOSH
Matt Santos?

TOBY
Is a quitter. Got him reelected twice, and by huge margins.

JOSH
Well, he’s popular in his district.

TOBY
And a quitter, don’t waste our time.

JOSH
Santos called me – he wants to sit down again, tomorrow.

TOBY
Think he woke up and said, ‘Hey, I’m a guy with an uncontested seat in the United States Congress, maybe I’ll stop whining and do my job’?

JOSH
I leaned on him pretty hard.

DONNA and MARGARET are at a cocktail table, talking. DONNA is still on her crutches.

DONNA
But he’s so persistent, it’s embarrassing.

MARGARET
Enjoy the attention, it doesn’t have to turn into anything.

JOSH and TOBY join DONNA and MARGARET.

JOSH
Always talking shop, these two.

DONNA
Aren’t you sweet.

JOSH
I’m sorry … did you – (he holds his wine glass out to DONNA). Here.

DONNA
I don’t drink red.

JOSH
I knew that.

DONNA
You drink red.

JOSH
I’ll get you a white. Margaret?

MARGARET (as JOSH takes a giant sip from his glass)
I drink red.

Someone is striking a glass to get attention in the room as servers hand out glasses of champagne.

MARGARET
Or – champagne’s fine.

BARTLET
I want to thank all of you for being here for the unveiling of these plans for the Bartlet Presidential Library -

We see CHARLIE pulling his pager out and looking at it. He heads for CJ.

BARTLET
- to be housed in a restored section of the historic Amoskeag Mills in Manchester, New Hampshire …

CHARLIE speaks to CJ as BARTLET continues his remarks.

CHARLIE
The Secretary of Agriculture is in the Rose Room.

CJ
You know the protocol?

CHARLIE walks to TOBY as BARTLET continues.

BARTLET
- the Foundation hopes to meet with each and every one of you personally; not to worry, your wallets are safe -

CHARLIE
The Secretary of Agriculture’s in the Rose Room.

TOBY
You’re saying the Secretary of Agriculture’s in the Rose Room?

CHARLIE
Yes.

TOBY
No chance the Secretary’s actually in the Rose Room?

CHARLIE
No.

TOBY
Um, you take it directly to the -

CHARLIE
As the President’s personal aide, I went straight to the President; as Deputy Special Assistant, I alert CJ and clear it with you.

TOBY heads for BARTLET.

TOBY
Excuse me, Mr. President, can I talk to you for a second?

BARTLET
Sure.

TOBY and BARTLET walk out of the room.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – NIGHT

CJ comes through the doors of the foyer and meets BARTLET, TOBY, and CHARLIE in the hallway.

CJ
What are you getting?

TOBY
CNN’s reporting an attack on our peacekeepers’ compound in Darom, south of Gaza City.

CHARLIE
Up to eight injured and one dead, the peace mission’s first casualty.

TOBY
I’m gonna work on a statement.

CJ
The Joint Chiefs have CTAF on the line. 

Everyone heads off in different directions, with BARTLET and CJ on their way to the Situation Room.

BARTLET
They didn’t even let us get the peacekeepers deployed.

CJ
They’re Army advance, construction crews …

CJ stops and turns around.

CJ
Excuse me, sir – Toby?

TOBY
Yeah?

CJ
In our statement, when we say ‘casualty’ - don’t say ‘first.’

CJ walks off as TOBY turns to go to his office.

SMASH CUT TO: MAIN TITLES.
END TEASER.
***

ACT ONE

FADE IN: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ and TOBY are watching news coverage of the Gaza attack, including footage from BARTLET’s library reception. The TV reporter is the same one who questioned BARTLET at the reception.

SLIGH (V.O. on TV)
… who approached the joint task force compound with explosives strapped to his chest, leaving no doubt that President Bartlet’s fragile peace process -

CJ
Great. The White House fiddles while Darom burns.

TOBY
Where’s the President’s statement?

They see footage of TOBY on TV briefing the press.

TOBY (on TV)
We have no details. I’m hearing what you’re hearing.

SLIGH (on TV)
So while the White House struggles with a response to this ominous act of terror -

TOBY
He uses that, he doesn’t use our statement.

CJ
I like how you were leaning on the podium, though – more engaged -

TOBY
I referred them to the Pentagon ten times.

CJ
It’ll be 50 times today. A wise man once said, ‘Stonewalls are built one stone at a time.’

TOBY
I was hiding behind my desk when I said that. Stonewalling’s not gonna work with a controversial peace plan at stake and American lives -

CJ
One American life.

TOBY
- on the line.

CJ
Don’t give this momentum.

TOBY
‘We’re faced with the tough work of making peace.’

CJ
Not yet. See if events force us there, take a breath.

ANNABETH appears at TOBY’s door.

ANNABETH
Did the Pentagon release a name for the dead soldier yet?

CJ
They have to notify next of kin.

ANNABETH
It takes 15 hours?

TOBY
Actually, they, they told the soldier’s father, but the parents are divorced, they haven’t located mom yet.

ANNABETH
So we stick with ‘pending notification’?

CJ
Stick with ‘no,’ you give them ‘pending notification’ they’ll drag you into 20 questions about what’s the snafu and why can’t the Army improve services to dependents.

ANNABETH
Right, makes sense.

CJ walks away.

ANNABETH
‘I’m hearing what you’re hearing’ - Toby?

TOBY
Cj and I just did this.

ANNABETH
At least your forehead wasn’t as shiny.

ANNABETH turns and walks away. TOBY is left standing behind his desk.

CUT TO: INT. - MURAL ROOM – DAY

JOSH and MATT SANTOS are meeting.

JOSH
So what’s up, Congressman?

MATT
My bill died in committee.

JOSH
Patients’ bill of rights?

MATT
Common sense, common good kind of thing that failed to get the votes six times in six years.

JOSH
Well, on the positive side you’ve almost passed it so often, people think it’s already law.

MATT
Till somebody gets sick and needs their HMO.

JOSH
Senate eked out a version this week.

MATT
Well, I’m sorry to disappoint the President, but, uh … my House bill’s DOA.

JOSH
Oh, we appreciate all your work.

MATT
So I’m signing on to Strickman’s bill.

JOSH
Strickman’s a Republican.

MATT
He mentioned something about that.

JOSH
Strickman calls his bill ‘patients’ bill of rights’ because it sounds better than … love letter to the insurance industry, patients can’t even sue.

MATT
A million-five cap, Josh.

JOSH
That’s a parking ticket, your kid loses his legs after your health plan denies treatment, your kid dies? You can’t take ‘em to court! 

MATT
It’s a bad bill.

JOSH
So why dignify it by making it bipartisan?

MATT
I wouldn’t do it if I thought I could tip the balance, but … Strickman can’t get enough votes to pass this thing.

JOSH
Strickman’s an old hand, if he courted you – he’s got something up his sleeve.

MATT
When I came to the Hill you couldn’t get agreement on the right to the closest emergency room. You couldn’t negotiate a woman’s right to OB/GYNs, or a kid’s right to pediatricians. Forget about liability, you couldn’t find support for a right to arbitration. That’s all common ground now. I want to keep these parties talking, Josh.

JOSH
So this is basically all warmup to announcing that … you’re gonna run.

MATT
No!

JOSH
This isn’t some convoluted, legislative way I haven’t figure out yet of asking for a favor?

MATT
Well, I wouldn’t mind if you let me keep my huevos when you eviscerate me in public for, uh, breaking ranks.

JOSH
You’re a deserter, you can have ‘em back at the airport.

CUT TO: INT. - STAIRWELL – DAY

MARGARET is scoping out possible locations for CHARLIE’s new office. CHARLIE follows her.

MARGARET (walking down the stairs)
- 57, 58, 59, you don’t need to tag along.

CHARLIE
It’s my office.

MARGARET
Probably it’s not. 70 – the basement?

CHARLIE
I’d be fine down here.

They continue down a hallway as MARGARET continues to count steps.

MARGARET
80 … you’re Deputy Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff now.

CHARLIE
So are five other guys. I’ll crowd in with them.

MARGARET
They’re not special Deputy Special Assistants, you’re special.

CHARLIE
Honestly, I’ll -

MARGARET stops and throws her hands up.

MARGARET
Okay, no. It’s outside the zone.

MARGARET turns to walk back the way they came.

CHARLIE
There’s a zone?

MARGARET (not stopping)
Less than a hundred steps from CJ’s office.

CHARLIE
I could run when she calls.

MARGARET
Deputy Special Assistants don’t run.

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL ROOM – DAY

A TV is playing news coverage of the attack in Gaza. As we hear the reporter, we see closeups of LEO tying his shoes, tightening his tie, getting dressed to go outside his room.

REPORTER (on TV)
The first peacekeeper has been killed in the United States’ mission to the Middle East. Pentagon sources confirmed this morning the death of at least one American soldier in Kafar Darom, where JTF forces were -

LEO drops a cufflink on the floor. He slowly and uncomfortably gets down and reaches for the cufflink under a table.

REPORTER (on TV)
- preparing the way for 18,000 American peacekeepers later this month. A suicide bomber approached the Joint Task Force compound late last night …

LEO’s nurse, MS. CHAKRABARTY, appears around a corner behind LEO. She then rushes to help LEO, eventually helping him to his feet.

CHAKRABARTY
What are you doing?

LEO
Uh, I dropped a cufflink and I -

CHAKRABARTY
This is when you call me.

LEO
You want me yelling ‘Nurse’ every five minutes?

CHAKRABARTY
I don’t want you yelling ‘Nurse’ at all, do I call you ‘Patient’?

LEO
I yell ‘Miss Chakrabarty,’ I’ll need another bypass.

CHAKRABARTY
You didn’t eat one bite.

LEO
I’m not hungry.

CHAKRABARTY
Sit.

CHAKRABARTY sits LEO down at a table with breakfast set on it. She takes his pulse as they talk.

CHAKRABARTY
Why do you need a tie and jacket?

LEO
What would you recommend?

CHAKRABARTY
When Gandhi went to London to meet the King of England, he wore only a dhoti. The reporter asked, aren’t you ashamed to visit the King wearing so little? Gandhi said, no -

LEO
The King will be wearing enough for both of us. One difference between the Mahatma and myself, I warn you, there are others.

LEO stands and puts on his suit jacket.

LEO
You may browbeat me into using the breath spirometer; you may mother me about wound care; you may dole out the Vicodin like my AA sponsor. 

LEO turns and strides towards the door.

LEO
You may even entertain me with nutrition lectures -

CHAKRABARTY
You need to eat -

LEO
You may not – may not! - offer fashion advice.

CHAKRABARTY
Shall I come with you?

LEO
You shall not.

CHAKRABARTY
Then I’ll time you.

LEO is now in the hotel corridor.

LEO
Splendid. Set your watch.

CHAKRABARTY
You’ve been doing ten minutes, try for twelve.

LEO (as he walks down the corridor)
Two more minutes on my own, I’ll give it my all.

CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL STAIRWELL – DAY

LEO turns a corner into the stairwell, with stairs going both up and down from his floor. Breathing heavily, he leans on the stair railing, trying to catch his breath. He turns and walks slowly down the hotel corridor.

CUT TO: INT. - JOSH’S BULLPEN – DAY

DONNA is also watching TV coverage of the attack on the peacekeeping force.

REPORTER (on TV)
Among the wounded, two peacekeepers remain listed in critical condition at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Several soldiers are expected to return to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, later this week, where they will be reunited with their families.

On her crutches, DONNA walks away from the TV. She sees JOSH poking around in a bouquet of flowers on her desk, apparently putting the card back after reading it.

DONNA
Need something?

JOSH
I, I’m just … looking for the breakdown on the markup.

DONNA
Uh-huh.

JOSH (referring to the crutches)
Wow, you’re getting pretty good on those.

DONNA
Thanks.

JOSH
Is that a new cast?

DONNA
Two weeks ago.

JOSH
Those are nice flowers. (He turns away, then turns back) But come on - ‘I’m not going anywhere’? From a photojournalist?

DONNA
You read my card?

JOSH
I’m keeping an eye on Blarney Boy.

DONNA
The flowers aren’t from Colin, and why are you reading my card on my flowers on my desk?

JOSH
I thought they were for me?

WILL walks quickly past and addresses JOSH as he does.

WILL
Got a minute?

JOSH
Sure.

JOSH follows WILL into JOSH’S office, exchanging a look with DONNA on the way.

WILL
Okay – you have seen the Vice President’s schedule for the last four months, right? It hasn’t somehow eluded you that he’s top-heavy on toasts at the AMA, keynotes to the American Association of Trial Lawyers, potlucks with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and picnics with the National Alliance for Mental Illness?

JOSH
No, I know.

WILL
So you don’t need me articulating my subtext.

JOSH
I should’ve called.

WILL
Damn straight you should’ve called me.

JOSH
The Vice President’s been positioning himself on patients’ rights.

WILL
He’s been up to his elbows and rolling in it, by Iowa he’s gonna smell like patients’ rights. Unless it suddenly evaporates.

JOSH
It’s not going to.

WILL
The Senate passed a bill last week! Now the House has a bipartisan effort – graced by Matthew Santos – and all that elicits from the White House is a bland we-agree-to-disagree statement. I thought this was Toby. I expect this from Toby, I draw comfort in the predictability of it coming from Toby.

JOSH
It was me, I can toughen it up. But, the Vice President doesn’t have to worry. Strickman’s bill has no support.

WILL
Strickman’s no fool, the Republicans might try to run with it.

JOSH
I spoke to Santos. He’s gonna keep it on a low flame. Patients’ rights will be alive and kicking as a campaign issue for the Vice President, I promise.

WILL (skeptically)
Yeah.

WILL exits.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT

BARTLET is on speakerphone with PRIME MINISTER GRATY of the United Kingdom. DEBBIE is taking notes. CJ is also there listening.

BARTLET
Yes, Madam Prime Minister, it is a tragic loss. But I wouldn’t call it a harbinger. Our troops responded swiftly to correct the vulnerability.

GRATY (on phone)
I’m not taking my cues from your cable broadcasts. 

BARTLET
That’s a relief.

GRATY (on phone)
But I am concerned about deploying more peacekeepers without a secured base.

BARTLET
And I am, too. We have installed more anti-RPGs, and we’re enlarging the control area. But I can assure you our confidence in the mission has not altered.

GRATY (on phone)
You still expect full deployment by … ?

CJ
March. General Danzig at UCOM will confirm the timetable and security measures with General Whitehead.

GRATY (on phone)
I see no problems on our end.

BARTLET
That’s good news. My best to Reggie.

GRATY (on phone)
And mine to Abigail.

BARTLET
Thank you.

DEBBIE hangs up the phone.

CJ
That was brisk.

BARTLET
Which is good. When she mulls, it’s trouble. Have we contacted the soldier’s family yet?

DEBBIE (heading out to her office)
It’s still just the father, sir, I’ll get him for you now.

BARTLET
Thank you.

CJ
The Palestinian Authority uncovered a stockpile of explosives today. Apparently, the good news is -

BARTLET
That they actually told us about it?

CJ nods.

BARTLET
One day at a time, that’s how we’re gonna make this work. What else?

CUT TO: INT. - OUTER OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT

DEBBIE exits the Oval Office and walks to her desk. CHARLIE is watching a TV showing Capitol Beat, a political talk show.

MAN 1 (on TV)
You think this is a result of the hasty way this operation was pulled together?

MAN 2 (on TV)
Absolutely. Two thousand troops, to be precise, are being deployed -

DEBBIE
I hate these calls.

CHARLIE (gesturing to TV)
You want me to - ?

DEBBIE
You don’t work here anymore.

CHARLIE looks at DEBBIE, then stands and gets ready to leave. DEBBIE dials the phone, we hear it ring on the other end. There is a click as the call connects.

DEBBIE
Hello, Mr. Godfrey? I’m calling from the White House, I’m so sorry to bother your family at this difficult time, but I have President Bartlet calling for you. May I put him on?

We faintly hear an angry voice at the other end of the call.

GODFREY (on phone)
No, you may not! I have no interest -

DEBBIE
I underst- sir … I, I’m sorry – (pause) Yes, sir, I unders … (pause) Of course, it’s your – 

GODFREY (on phone)
- and you can tell Bartlet I said so!

DEBBIE
I will. And if you’d like, I can arrange for you -

There is a click as GODFREY hangs up, then a dial tone. DEBBIE continues to hold the phone receiver as CHARLIE looks on.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT

DEBBIE opens the Oval Office door. BARTLET and CJ look up expectantly.

BARTLET
Is he on?

DEBBIE
Not exactly.

CUT TO BLACK.
END ACT ONE.
* * *

ACT TWO

FADE IN: INT. - SITUATION ROOM – DAY

CJ is going over notes after a meeting. She looks up and speaks to an officer, COMMANDER RUIZ.

CJ
Either I’m getting used to these meetings, or that wasn’t all bad news.

RUIZ
Thirty-six hours, and no secondary attacks on our peacekeepers.

CJ
Did a chaplain contact Lt. Godfrey’s father yet?

RUIZ
Yes, ma’am. The chaplain joined the casualty assistance officer at the family home last night.

CJ
Hmm.

RUIZ
Of course, the father still may speak out.

CJ
That’s his prerogative. I have a, a question about your troop depletion estimate, or rather, lack of estimate.

RUIZ
Force depletion. We call it force depletion.

CJ
But I am correct, this is the DOD estimate of how many troops we may expect to lose in the mission?

RUIZ
Well, we don’t break it out that way.

CJ
Is that why force depletion estimate is left blank here?

RUIZ
No, ma’am. Leo liked us to leave our number unpublished until he got the NSA estimate, that way the two projections were decided independently.

CJ
But you would share your estimate with Leo.

RUIZ
When he asked.

CJ
I’m asking. How much of our force may be depleted in JTF Palestine?

RUIZ
All due respect, that’s a complex question. Based on past Israeli losses, previous peacekeeping missions, we’re … currently prepared to respond to one-quarter to one percent depletion over 12 months.

CJ
That’s 200 soldiers.

RUIZ and CJ are making their way out of the Situation Room.

RUIZ
Well, this isn’t a body count. The one percent includes the entire military force strength; munitions, structures, aircraft -

CJ
And troops?

RUIZ
Ah, if you’re going to be concerned about the Dover test, it’s too early to worry about that.

CJ
The Dover test.

RUIZ (sighs)
Erosion of public support based on arrival of coffins at our airbase in Delaware.

CJ
I – wanted to understand your projections, the Dover test waan’t my concern, but (CJ pulls out her phone) would you excuse me, Commander?

CJ starts running for the stairs as she speaks to MARGARET on her phone.

CJ
Margaret, has the press briefing started yet?

CUT TO: INT. - PRESS BRIEFING ROOM – DAY

TOBY is giving a briefing to reporters. 

TOBY
No, th-, the Pentagon has not released the soldier’s name, that’s all the information I have.

SLIGH
So you can’t comment on whether there’s a problem identifying the remains?

We see ANNABETH watching the briefing from the office behind the reporters.

TOBY
I can’t. Chris?

ANNABETH (to herself)
Good toss.

CHRIS
… but there are only about a thousand troops in the region …

TOBY
Peacekeepers, 1100.

CHRIS
So it’s hard to believe the Pentagon can’t identify the casualty.

TOBY
Why I’m not commenting, that’s Mr. Sligh’s speculation. Get a comment from his network.

CJ walks up behind ANNABETH.

SLIGH
Now, hold on, Toby, I get to defend myself -

ANNABETH
No, you don’t.

SLIGH
- the reason why I’m forced to speculate is that I’m getting no information.

CJ (to ANNABETH)
Was Toby briefed on Dover policy?

ANNABETH
He said he didn’t need to be.

TOBY
The Pentagon is the right place to go for that information.

SLIGH
There’s no stalling here in order to delay putting a face on this loss?

TOBY
Absolutely not. Brad?

SLIGH
Quick followup. 

CJ (quietly)
Move on.

TOBY
I have to move on.

SLIGH
Just to confirm; if President Bartlet is not trying to pull the curtain over the cost of his peace plan, why are the press being kept away from this slain soldier’s homecoming at Dover Air Base tomorrow?

TOBY (after a beat)
The Dover mortuary has restricted press coverage for the last 13 years, the DOD suspended access during the previous adminstration -

MARK
Which this administration has regularly ignored, we’ve had access, why the sudden clampdown?

TOBY
It’s not sudden, we issued a directive six months ago, not that any of you bothered to read it.

CJ
No, no, no, no, no -

MARGARET appears next to CJ as the reporters erupt with questions.

MARGARET
Your 11:00 is here.

CHRIS
Six months ago the decision was made to deny press access to Dover?

MARK
What was the rationale for the change?

TOBY
A request came from the Pentagon based on concerns of family members, historically these events were not public. They, they had evolved into media events, that competed with official memorial services.

SLIGH
But why wasn’t the policy change announced publicly?

CJ (softly)
Toby …

TOBY
It wasn’t a change, it was adhering to a policy already in place.

SLIGH
But the administration altered its stance. Was an announcement even discussed?

TOBY
Of course.

SLIGH
You were in the room?

TOBY
I was in the room.

CHRIS
And, and no one argued that by burying this in a directive it would look like you had something to hide?

TOBY
Nothing was buried. Some people – argued – to announce a change.

CJ (quietly)
That would be me.

CHRIS
Because it was seen as controversial?

ANNABETH (quietly)
Wrap it up. Adios.

TOBY gathers his thoughts for a moment.

TOBY
Look, the … Dover closing was, uh – wasn’t taken lightly. I weighed in, others weighed in, ultimately it was the way we decided to go.

SLIGH
So you believe the press should have continued access to the air base?

TOBY
I, appreciate the Pentagon’s need for a precedent.

SLIGH
Why? Why worry about precedent unless you expect a growing body count?

CJ (to ANNABETH)
Shut it down.

ANNABETH
Yeah.

SLIGH
Is that what’s expected? More coffins?

TOBY
The number of coffins isn’t … each life matters. Whether it’s one or a hundred, access should be consistent.

The reporters all begin shouting questions.

MARGARET (to CJ)
You want him in your office?

CJ
Oh, yeah.

CUT TO: INT. - DONNA’S DESK – DAY

DONNA is on the phone.

DONNA (into phone)
Stop. (pause) I – I am not! (pause) Because you’re pressuring me. (pause) I have work to do. (pause) No, I … I said I would sleep on it. 

JOSH walks up behind DONNA.

DONNA (into phone)
But I did, and it’s just – not how I do things, it’s not -

JOSH grabs the phone headset and talks into it.

JOSH (into phone)
No means no, leave her alone.

JOSH hangs up the phone. DONNA is stunned.

JOSH
Who is this jerk, some slacker from physical therapy? I’ll kick his ass.

JOSH swaggers away from DONNA’s deak.

JOSH
You know, you could thank me for my chivalry.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

TOBY is sitting and waiting. He gets up and begins to pace, sighing. CJ appears in the doorway behind him.

CJ
Toby – how’s that search for a press secretary coming?

TOBY
I got rattled. Said more than I meant.

CJ
We were both in that room six months ago. You didn’t like the idea of closing Dover, and today you couldn’t resist voicing your personal opinion?

TOBY
Exactly what I predicted. Pentagon gets what it wants, we look like we’re hiding casualties.

CJ
I don’t care about your insights or predictions, brilliant as they may be -

TOBY
The decision was wrong.

CJ
We settled on a message. I buried my own opinions out there every day -

TOBY
What were you doing back there? Don’t you have a White House to run?

CJ
The briefing room is not your bully pulpit.

TOBY
I got rattled.

CJ
Yeah, you got rattled, and your ambivalence toward a policy came out. You had ambivalence toward the peace plan, is that gonna -

TOBY
Are you questioning my loyalty?

CJ
I’m questioning your self-control, if you can’t stick to our message I don’t care if that podium stands empty, I don’t want you out there again!

CJ walks away. TOBY is left reflecting.

CUT TO: INT. - CLOSET – DAY

The closet door opens. MARGARET and DEBBIE stick their heads inside.

DEBBIE
Oooh.

MARGARET
It is close to CJ.

DEBBIE
The President won’t like it. On the other hand, he won’t know.

MARGARET
It is a storage area.

DEBBIE
That might be an exaggeration. We can’t do better?

MARGARET
Yeah. It’s a no.

MARGARET pulls the closet door shut.

CUT TO: INT. - OUTSIDE JOSH’S OFFICE – DAY

WILL and JOSH are talking. As they talk, they wind their way through JOSH’s bullpen.

WILL
Two more Democrats have jumped on Strickman’s bill.

JOSH
So, at a rate of two a week, they’ll have enough votes to pass the thing midway through President Russell’s first term.

WILL
It’s Horwitz and Chambers who came on.

JOSH
Chambers is a pain in the ass.

WILL
Yeah, I called him and told him that. He said he was lobbied hard, by your man. Santos is out whipping votes.

JOSH
Naw.

WILL
Chambers thinks Santos is all about the meteoric rise, centerfold in Roll Call.

They have reached JOSH’s office.

JOSH
Santos has one foot out the door.

WILL gives JOSH a meaningful look.

JOSH
He’s whipping votes?

WILL
Oh, and I misspoke before, it’s not Strickman’s bill anymore, it’s the Strickman-Santos Patients’ Rights Bill.

JOSH (shouting)
Donna, get Congressman Santos on the phone.

JOSH changes his mind as he rushes to the door, grabbing his suit jacket on the way.

JOSH
No – tell him I’m on my way. (to WILL) I’ll set him straight.

WILL
I’ll back you up.

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL CORRIDOR – DAY

An elevator opens and a distinguished older man, OTIS, steps out. He speaks to a woman getting on the elevator.

OTIS
Oh – excuse me.

As OTIS turns down the hallway, he stops in surprise.

OTIS
Leo?

LEO is taking his walk down the corridor. He turns to greet OTIS.

LEO
Otis! Haven’t seen you lately, I thought maybe you upgraded to the Ritz.

OTIS
These days, it’s mostly the Oriental …

LEO
That’s right. Bangkok. I knew you wouldn’t stay retired.

OTIS
Sorry to hear about -

LEO (dismissively)
Ahh.

OTIS
Well, you, you look great, though.

LEO
I never figured you for sainthood, but – deputy director of the WTO!

OTIS
Keep it down, we’ll have protesters. My son was mortified by my career at Cultico -

LEO
I remember.

OTIS 
- and now my grandson has this WTO connection to live down.

LEO
Thankless.

OTIS
(chuckling) Oh, God … hey, did you hear from Phil?

LEO
He’s starting in again?

OTIS
It’s what I’d do if I were still CEO. If you don’t go back to the White House, Cultico would love to put you on their board.

LEO
Yeah, yeah …

OTIS
Listen, there’s a lot of great things happening in germplasm, it’s not just petrochemicals anymore. And the pressure’s not so, uh -

OTIS stops, seeing MS. CHAKRABARTY appear behind LEO.

CHAKRABARTY
Oh, not to interrupt. I got worried.

OTIS watches LEO as he reacts to CHAKRABARTY.

CUT TO: INT. - SANTO’S OFFICE – DAY

The office is buzzing with activity as JOSH and WILL sit in the waiting area. A STAFFER walks up to the reception desk to answer the phone.

STAFFER
Congressman Santos’ office.

WILL
Want to see if they have any magazines?

JOSH (rising)
You don’t have to wait.

WILL
I’m fine.

JOSH walks up to the reception desk.

STAFFER (hangs up the phone)
I’m really sorry, Mr. Lyman.

JOSH
Does he know we’re still waiting?

STAFFER
He’ll call in as soon as he’s free.

JOSH
Is he in the building?

STAFFER
He’s tied up. (phone rings) Excuse me. (answering phone) Congressman Santos’ office. Mr. Vaccaro. I’m glad they found you. Let me see if I can get him.

JOSH wanders back to WILL.

JOSH
Is he putting that through?

WILL
Huh?

JOSH 
Is that call going through?

They watch the STAFFER connect the call on the phone and hang up.

WILL
Mm, I’d say yes. Doesn’t a Vaccaro run Metson Health? The same Metson Health that’s looking for a new chairman?

JOSH
What do you want to bet our guy’s up in Strickman’s conference room right now, feathering his own nest?

WILL
One way to find out.

CUT TO: INT. - CAPITOL HALLWAY – DAY

MATT and a group of others come out of a room, laughing. JOSH and WILL walk up to pull MATT away from the group.

JOSH
Congressman?

MATT
I’m sorry, I couldn’t break free, uh -

JOSH
This is Will Bailey, from the Vice President’s office.

WILL and MATT shake hands.

MATT
This isn’t a good time right now, Josh, I’m going to call you tomorrow.

MATT walks away from JOSH and WILL to rejoin his group. JOSH calls after him.

JOSH
Hey, Congressman, hold up.

JOSH and WILL follow after MATT.

JOSH
What’s going on?

MATT
I’m, uh, busy right now.

WILL
Whipping votes for a bill your leadership doesn’t support? 

JOSH
This isn’t what we talked about.

MATT
But it’s what I do.

MATT turns to leave again. JOSH and WILL keep following.

JOSH
What? Sell out your President?

MATT
Look who you’re with. Come on, this isn’t about the President’s agenda -

JOSH
The President doesn’t want a regulatory bill with no regulations. If patients can’t sue their insurers even when there’s outright negligence -

MATT
A million-five cap is a foot in the door on -

JOSH
A million-five cap isn’t a pinkie in the dam, have you seen the costs of catastrophic illness? Metson Health could probably give you a peek into that.

MATT
You need to slow down.

WILL
Yeah, he slows down long enough you’re going to ram this sucker through.

MATT (to WILL)
It’s not this bill you don’t want, it’s any bill. You’d let sick Americans suffer to help elect your candidate.

JOSH
This from a guy who’s bailing on his constituents.

WILL
Some of us are in this for the long haul, we’re going to keep governing around here after you’re gone.

MATT
Gentlemen, this is governing.

MATT walks away again.

JOSH
This is getting your resume to the top of the pile, making pals in the private sector.

MATT stops and turns to JOSH.

MATT
What the hell do you think I’m doing here?

JOSH 
I think you’d settle for less on this bill to set up your next career move.

MATT
Settle for less. This is from the guys that are running Bob Russell for President?

MATT looks levelly at both JOSH and WILL, then turns to catch up with his group.

MATT (to the group)
I’m sorry, gentlemen -

JOSH and WILL stand in the hall, watching MATT walk away.

FADE OUT.
END ACT TWO.
* * *

ACT THREE

FADE IN: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL ROOM – EVENING

LEO is on the phone as we see a FedEx package of documents that he received. CHAKRABARTY enters behind him and grabs her purse, as if to leave for the day.

LEO (into phone)
Yeah, it came today. (pause) You make quite a tag team. (pause) But if you’re on a deadline – (pause)

LEO gestures to CHAKRABARTY as if telling her to stay a moment.

LEO (into phone)
I won’t make a decision without giving you that chance. (pause) You, too.

LEO hangs up the phone and speaks to CHAKRABARTY.

LEO
I thought you had to leave early, don’t you have a thing tonight?

CHAKRABARTY
A wedding. When my family asks why I missed the puja I’ll say, I’m sorry, I couldn’t leave, my patient refused to eat.

LEO
I’ll eat later.

CHAKRABARTY (referring to the FedEx package)
You’re taking a job?

LEO
Not without consulting you.

CHAKRABARTY
It’s not wise.

LEO
I know you’d like to keep me under your thumb forever.

CHAKRABARTY
Yes, my dream is to stay here, watching you starve to death.

LEO
I have no appetite because I don’t do anything, maybe if I agree to part-time -

CHAKRABARTY storms off to place the spirometer next to LEO’s bed and point out a bottle of pills.

LEO
What, you don’t want me to go back to work at all?

CHAKRABARTY
Ten breaths every hour. This one if you can’t sleep.

CHAKRABARTY, obviously upset, walks back past LEO to put on her jacket.

LEO
Are you from Haryana?

CHAKRABARTY
I don’t have to be, it’s in my country.

LEO
A lot of folks … died there, in ‘86. Cultico is a different company now.

CHAKRABARTY stops at the door.

CHAKRABARTY
It has a different name.

LEO
And different people in charge … people who helped clean up what happened.

CHAKRABARTY turns to leave.

CHAKRABARTY
I’m late. I’ll call you to check in.

She exits. 

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – EVENING

CJ, TOBY and ANNABETH are in the office.

CJ
Hutchinson said no to a Sunday spot?

ANNABETH
We said no to Hutchinson ‘cause he won’t let me prep him.

CJ
You go, girl. Do people still say that?

ANNABETH
Not really. But the lineup I like best for Sunday morning is, I give them you. New Chief of Staff, most powerful woman in DC – that’d get ‘em off the woes of Gaza.

CJ
I’ll think about it. What else?

ANNABETH
Pentagon finally released Lt. Godfrey’s name - the dead peacekeeper’s. Which brings me to the last thing we need to bug you about. The lieutenant’s dad lives here in the District; to get out in front of this we thought the President might want to attend the funeral. Show of respect, Commander-in-Chief handing over the flag -

CJ
This memorial service is a private event.

ANNABETH
But when those reporters find out where he’s from -

CJ
The father is not a fan.

ANNABETH
The President has a 90% approval in the District.

CJ
Well, Godfrey Senior is squarely in the minority and it’s not necessarily a silent one. Looks like he may issue a statement later today.

ANNABETH looks at TOBY, then walks out of the office.

TOBY
When were you gonna loop us in on that?

CJ
I just did – easier to say “no comment” when you have no comment.

TOBY
That used to piss you off.

CJ
And now it’s pissing you off. Anything else?

TOBY exits.

CUT TO: INT. - JOSH’S OFFICE – EVENING

JOSH and DONNA are working.

JOSH
We need a stronger response on the patients’ bill, tell her …

DONNA
Juice it up?

JOSH
High octane.

DONNA
I thought we wanted a patients’ bill of rights?

JOSH
Not this demon seed. The Republicans won’t budge on the liability cap. Patients won’t even be able to recoup their out-of-pocket expenses. Some rights.

DONNA
So when Will said Santos picked up eight more votes from our side -

JOSH
And a stampede of Republicans -

DONNA
It’s bad news, you wanna distance the White House.

JOSH
I want the White House in a different galaxy.

CAROL appears at the door of the office.

CAROL
Excuse me – Annabeth wondered if she could get a minute later.

JOSH
Donna’s got something for her now.

CAROL
It’s Donna she needs – about the Dateline interview.

JOSH
When am I doing Dateline?

DONNA
Never. I mean, I said no, on your behalf. I’ll follow up.

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

LEO is watching TV news coverage, drinking a glass of water. On the screen we see Michigan Republican Rep. DARREN GIBSON.

GIBSON (on TV)
Well, I would characterize Congressional support as hesitant, at best. The decision to send 18,000 American troops to a deadly war zone in the Middle East was made by the President and his advisors at the Camp David summit. Congressional leaders were not consulted.

LEO lies down on top of his bed, still wearing his suit, the papers from Cultico spread next to him.

GIBSON (on TV)
However, Congress chose to support President Bartlet’s desire to pursue peace between Israel and Palestine, to end the war that has killed thousands of innocents, but the fact of the matter is, when we voted to approve peacekeepers in the Middle East we were led to believe that the President had a viable strategy in place; first and foremost to secure the safety of our American troops on foreign terrain. Now, less than 15 days into the mission, the President’s promises have been broken. We’ve lost one life, so I am asking the question every American is asking – are there more to come?

LEO switches off the TV. As LEO tries to rest, we hear a door open, then a little girl’s laugh. CHAKRABARTY appears at the bedroom door. She is wearing traditional Indian wedding garb and carrying a plate of food.

LEO (weakly)
What are you doing here?

CHAKRABARTY
I brought you food.

LEO slowly pulls himself up to sit.

LEO
You’re a broken record.

CHAKRABARTY’s little girl, MALTI, appears beside her, carrying a doll.

CHAKRABARTY (to MALTI)
Be very quiet, huh? Mr. McGarry needs his rest.

LEO
This your little one?

CHAKRABARTY
This is Malti. Say hello.

MALTI
Hi.

LEO
Hello. Was a nice wedding?

CHAKRABARTY
Very nice. You took your pill?

LEO
Mmm … that smells good.

CHAKRABARTY
Naan. Still warm. Try it.

LEO turns to look at CHAKRABARTY.

CUT TO: INT. - ANNABETH’S OFFICE – NIGHT

ANNABETH is watching TV coverage of the dead soldier’s father. DONNA appears at the door, on crutches.

GODFREY (on TV)
… Yeah, but did you even stop to think that maybe we ought to stop butting into other people’s fights -

DONNA (knocking)
I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?

ANNABETH (turning off the TV)
Not a bit. Thanks for stopping by.

DONNA
You heard from Dateline? I already told them no, and three others.

ANNABETH (moving a box off a chair)
Only makes them chase you harder. Now I’ve got CAA calling.

DONNA
What does the CIA want?

ANNABETH
No, CAA. Talent agency. They think you need representation.

DONNA
Is this about the CBS thing?

ANNABETH
Yeah.

DONNA (sighs)
I didn’t even want to do an interview, now I’m a movie?

ANNABETH
M. O. W.

DONNA
Is that different?

ANNABETH
More likely to get made.

DONNA
It’s all ridiculous.

ANNABETH
Why? Girl next door travels to a war-torn spot, survives a terrorist act to bring a message of peace back to her President – it’s heroic.

DONNA
Could it be good for us? For the peace plan?

ANNABETH
Maybe, but since you get paid for the rights you couldn’t keep working here.

DONNA
Ah, then, forget it. (pause) Paid how much?

ANNABETH and DONNA chuckle.

DONNA
We are getting a lot of bad press. Maybe I should at least do a news interview?

ANNABETH
No pressure, but my gut is you’d pop. Or you can – talk to Toby.

DONNA
Or CJ. She’d know best.

DONNA turns to go, then stops at the door.

DONNA
The thing is … I wasn’t heroic. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I coul- … with the soldier who was just killed, and the ones that were wounded … those guys chose that. They volunteered for a job they knew would put them in harm’s way. That’s heroic.

There is a pause. DONNA turns again and leaves. ANNABETH seems to have a thought.

CUT TO: INT. - OUTSIDE JOSH’S OFFICE – NIGHT

TOBY walks up to meet JOSH.

TOBY
Talk to Will?

JOSH
Yeah, just now.

TOBY
Is he thinking pills or a razor? I know he’s, uh, got a ledge in his office, but it’s only on the second floor.

JOSH
You’re gloating.

TOBY
Over a certain colleague’s misfortune, yeah, and not ashamed of what it says about me as a person.

JOSH
And the President’s about to be faced with a crummy excuse for legislation.

TOBY
Good title, though, Patients’ Bill of Rights. Hard not to love that.

JOSH
Maybe it’ll fix in conference, or we can proclaim it National Veto Month.

TOBY
The President’s not gonna veto this.

JOSH
He’s not gonna sign it, it’s grand theft governance – they stole the issue and stripped it for parts.

TOBY
Have you read the bill?

JOSH
Yeah, I read it.

TOBY
Lately? The Strickman-Santos bill the House just passed?

JOSH
Why?

TOBY pulls a thick stack of papers from a folder and hands it to JOSH.

TOBY
Read the bill.

TOBY turns the corner into the foyer as he heads for the door. ANNABETH meets him.

ANNABETH
Hey! I was afraid I’d missed you.

TOBY
Almost a clean getaway.

ANNABETH
This won’t take long. I have an idea.

TOBY
Yeah?

ANNABETH
It’s good for the President. It’ll turn the tide on a tough news cycle and give us a fresh start.

TOBY
There’s a catch?

ANNABETH
We have to sell it to CJ.

TOBY
And you think I’m the guy for that?

ANNABETH
You know her best.

TOBY
What’s the pitch?

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

LEO is sitting on his bed, eating naan. CHAKRABARTY walks into the bedroom, carrying MALTI. She sits her daughter in a chair.

LEO
Millet.

CHAKRABARTY
That’s the secret. A special seed that gives a certain oil. Only grown in one small area of the Punjab. You found your appetite.

LEO
They ought to market this.

CHAKRABARTY
It has no shelf life. My aunt had to smuggle it on a plane.

LEO
So, basically, I have to move to the Punjab.

CHAKRABARTY
Even there, it can’t compete now. Most farmers grow GMO corn.

LEO
And make better money doing it.

CHAKRABARTY
Yes, they never had money before … or debt.

CHAKRABARTY picks up the Cultico booklet from LEO’s bed.

CHAKRABARTY
My uncle had to sell off land to pay off seed he can’t replant, engineered for chemicals he cannot afford.

LEO
No one’s forced to use biotech, they want it. These advances will feed the world.

CHAKRABARTY
People starve because they are kept poor.

LEO
So now Cultico’s responsible for Third World corruption?

CHAKRABARTY
I didn’t say Cultico.

LEO
Open markets redistribute wealth …

CHAKRABARTY
You’re right.

LEO (sleepily)
Sure, there are blind spots in the corporate view -

CHAKRABARTY
Mm-hmm.

LEO (laying down to sleep)
That’s why I left, the first time.

CHAKRABARTY
Mm-hmm.

LEO
Enough money … profits … these guys … never say enough. Not made that way.

CHAKRABARTY puts a blanket over LEO,and whispers in his ear.

CHAKRABARTY
So they replace small famers growing many seeds with monocultures. We all lose the means to feed ourselves.

LEO (groggily)
What?

CHAKRABARTY
You found your appetite.

LEO drifts off to sleep.

FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE.
* * *

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

WILL walks up to JOSH, who is holding the bill TOBY gave him earlier. They head into the Roosevelt Room as they talk.

WILL
Hope you’re about to reassure me the President won’t sign this.

JOSH
Santos got the cap raised.

WILL
From laughable to slap on the wrist.

JOSH
Five million’s not nothing.

WILL
Gee, you think the Vice President pushing the issue did anything to scare the Republicans up to that figure?

JOSH
Absolutely, still, the bill’s impressive.

WILL
If that’s what impresses you. Some would be impressed with the 20 million dollars Russell’s raised so far for his war chest. It would impress some folks that their Vice President got endorsements from Lasko and Carpenter last week.

JOSH
Yeah, I meant to -

WILL
If you guys – and I’m not talking about President Bartlet, we have his respect – but the rest of you are so busy making fun and throwing up roadblocks, you haven’t noticed it’s three months till the Iowa caucuses and nobody – don’t say Baker – nobody who’s actually declared is polling within ten points of my guy.

JOSH
I have noticed.

WILL
And could you sound more miserable? Forget patients’ rights; with or without it, Russell is on his way to being the nominee and, God willing, our next President, so get on board, or get out of my way.

JOSH looks skeptically at WILL.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

CJ bursts through a door, carrying a coffee and holding a newspaper. She stops TOBY as he is walking past.

CJ
You see the Times?

TOBY
Yeah -

CJ
‘We’re hiding the price of peace’ in the Times now?

TOBY
Yeah, you have a sec, I wanna run something by you …

CJ and TOBY walk away as we see MARGARET and CHARLIE down another hallway. CHARLIE is carrying a chair and a box.

MARGARET
CJ won’t like it.

CHARLIE
CJ won’t see it.

MARGARET
That’s not the only thing -

CHARLIE
If CJ needs something, I’ll go to her office. Right?

CHARLIE carries his stuff into a small office, crammed with desks, computer monitors, and  several other young staffers working.

CHARLIE
Hey, guys.

STAFFER
Hey, Charlie.

MARGARET
There isn’t even a desk.

CHARLIE (putting down the box and gesturing to a pile of papers)
Rumor is one’s buried under here.

MARGARET
What is all that?

CHARLIE
My fellow Deputy Special Assistants tell me these are back-burner commission reports, and policy initiatives no one’s gotten around to yet. I’m hoping most of it’s recyclable.

STAFFER
Gotten an assignment yet, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Pile on.

The STAFFER hands a stack of paperwork to CHARLIE as MARGARET continues.

MARGARET
Well, maybe, for the time being.

CHARLIE
Call when you need me.

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL ROOM – DAY

CHAKRABARTY is standing at the closed bathroom door.

CHAKRABARTY
Mr. McGarry? Did you fall in?

CHAKRABARTY walks away, and sees the Cultico documents in the trash can. As she looks at them, LEO comes out of the bathroom. He is wearing a cardigan sweater and no tie.

LEO
You going through my trash now?

CHAKRABARTY tosses the documents back into the trash and takes in LEO.

CHAKRABARTY
Nice sweater. Cashmere?

LEO
You coming along or what?

LEO opens the door as CHAKRABARTY follows. They both walk out into the corridor.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

ANNABETH and TOBY are making their pitch to CJ and JOSH.

ANNABETH
We hand-pick the pool, choose their camera positions – could be good for everyone.

JOSH
It’s worth taking it to him.

CJ
How long would advance need in terms of logistics?

ANNABETH
Advance already spoke to Walter Reed. The five wounded soldiers arrived yesterday and they’re all medically stable.

JOSH
Are you worried it’ll look like a photo op; too eager to show he cares?

CJ
He does care, but yeah, we’d be vulnerable to that.

ANNABETH
But after all the focus on casualties, here are the survivors, with their Commander-in-Chief.

JOSH
It’s not a bad way for the President to reiterate his budget increase for veterans’ affairs.

CJ
We don’t want to appear to exploit or worse, actually exploit anyone.

TOBY
I think we can trust this President to be authentic.

ANNABETH
Advance cleared it with the wounded soldiers. They’re all okay with it.

CJ (sighs)
I’ll recommend it to the President with one small adjustment.

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL CORRIDOR – DAY

LEO and CHAKRABARTY are out on a walk.

LEO
I haven’t decided not to work – I’m just not rushing into something new.

CHAKRABARTY
Ah.

LEO
I’m going to give myself some time. What’s for dinner?

CHAKRABARTY
Hungry?

LEO
Yeah.

CHAKRABARTY
We’re gonna have to start watching your cholesterol.

LEO
Okay, okay …

CHAKRABARTY
The body is predictable. One month after a bypass, the appetite returns. Soon your sleep will grow less disturbed, and your heart will quiet down.

LEO
My heart?

CHAKRABARTY
Haven’t you heard it beating? In surgery, they cut the pericardial sac, which insulates the heart. Afterwards, it seems to pound.

LEO
They can’t repair it?

CHAKRABARTY
Heart’s too swollen. You have to wait until it settles down, scars over on its own.

LEO
I might miss the sound, I’ve gotten used to it.

CHAKRABARTY
Part of healing … going on.

CUT TO: INT. - MATT SANTO’S OFFICE – NIGHT

MATT is sitting at his desk, looking over some papers. JOSH appears in his doorway.

JOSH
Congressman, I …  believe I owe you an apology.

MATT stands.

MATT
You want a beer?

JOSH
Sure.

MATT walks to an office refrigerator to get a couple of beers.

JOSH
So either you got the cap to move by promising you’d deliver Chambers, or you got Chambers on board by promising movement on the cap, or – some of both.

MATT
Glass, or you all right with a bottle?

JOSH
Bottle’s fine.

JOSH
Once the momentum got going, you called a couple of the friendlier HMOs to let ‘em know for their own good that a five million cap is still a cap, and they sure didn’t want this thing passing with the sky the limit.

MATT hands a beer to JOSH.

JOSH
But what I’d like to know is if, you let your own bill self-destruct and joined with Strickman, knowing there was an opening if you let them take the lead, or if it just started tipping that way and you went with it.

MATT
It didn’t hurt the other day in the hall, when you, uh, demonstrated my independence?

JOSH
I’m always happy to do my part.The Vice President softening up the battlefield didn’t hurt.

MATT nods.

JOSH
There’s nothing motivates Republicans more than a chance to hijack one of our issues. So, House bill, Senate bill, not very far apart, recess next week, here you are, drinking a beer? Don’t tell me you’re already out of conference.

MATT
Something will be coming the President’s way first thing tomorrow.

JOSH
You’re too good at this, you can’t just walk away.

MATT takes a moment, then reaches behind him to grab his suit jacket.

MATT
Watch me.

CUT TO: INT. - CAR – NIGHT

BARTLET and CJ are riding in the Presidential limo past the Treasury Building.

BARTLET
I’m glad we’re doing this.

CJ
Me, too.

CUT TO: INT. - HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – NIGHT

BARTLET and some Secret Service agents are walking down a corridor at Walter Reed Hospital. TOBY and ANNABETH follow.

TOBY
She took your suggestion.

ANNABETH
Except for the press part.

TOBY
Well, they are in the parking lot …

ANNABETH
A photo op with no photos?

TOBY
I’ll see you inside.

ANNABETH continues to follow BARTLET while TOBY stays behind to meet CJ.

TOBY
No press allowed, but we need a Deputy Press Secretary?

CJ
I wanted her here. You knew cameras didn’t belong in this, but you had her bring it to me anyway.

TOBY
You seemed to want to weigh in.

CJ
Leo used to weigh in, Toby.

TOBY
And when it bothered me, I said so.

CJ
I’m not ignoring you, it’s my job now.

TOBY
You can’t do it if you spend all your time guarding your old turf.

CJ takes a moment, then turns and walks into the room where BARTLET is talking with the injured soldiers. TOBY follows. BARTLET is leaning on the foot of a bed, talking with a soldier.

BARTLET
I’ll check on that for you, Private.

PRIVATE
Thank you, sir.

BARTLET moves to stand next to the soldier. We see both of his legs have been amputated.

PRIVATE
The new ones are state-of-the-art, Doc told me.

BARTLET
That’s what I hear.

PRIVATE
They’ll have me fitted, up and walking in no time.

BARTLET
Yeah, son, you know the Army – they’re not gonna let you lay around on their dime.

PRIVATE
I want to go back, sir.

BARTLET
Well … I’ll put in a word with the Joint Chiefs, but at the moment, your doctor’s your commanding officer, so … make sure you follow her orders, okay?

The PRIVATE nods. BARTLET moves on to another soldier, grasping his hand as they talk. CJ and TOBY watch. ANNABETH introduces BARTLET to yet another soldier.

ANNABETH
This is Lt. Martinez. Mr. President.

BARTLET
Lieutenant.

ANNABETH
Did I say your name right?

MARTINEZ
Yes, ma’am – (to BARTLET) but you don’t have to remember it when you start talking redeployment, sir.

BARTLET and MARTINEZ exchange a smile.

BARTLET
Is there anything I can do for you?

MARTINEZ
How about a prayer?

BARTLET places a hand over MARTINEZ’, and they start reciting the Lord’s Prayer. ANNABETH, CJ, and TOBY look on. CJ turns and walks out of the room.

CUT TO: EXT. - OUTSIDE WALTER REED HOSPITAL – NIGHT

TOBY walks down the sidewalk towards CJ, who is sitting on a bench.

CJ
I needed some air. (pause) It ain’t no photo op. You knew that.

TOBY
Now Annabeth knows that, too.

CJ
You think I’m micromanaging.

TOBY
Yes.

CJ
I don’t want to let the President down.

TOBY
Me neither.

CJ and TOBY have a moment.

TOBY
How old do you think those guys are in there? 20, 22?

CJ
Tops.

Another pause.

TOBY
We’re not gonna let the President down.

CJ looks at TOBY with a small smile.

DISSOLVE TO: END TITLES.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END.
* * *

The West Wing and all its characters are properties of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Productions, Warner Brothers Television, and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.

The West Wing Transcript
Episode 6x6 – The Dover Test
Original Airdate: November 24, 2004

THE WEST WING TRANSCRIPT: The Hubbert Peak (S6E5)

THE WEST WING
6x5 - “THE HUBBERT PEAK”
WRITTEN BY PETER NOAH
DIRECTED BY JULIE HÉBERT

Transcribed by Walking, Talking, And Yelling At Clouds
(kegofglory.blogspot.com)

TEASER

THE HUBBERT PEAK

FADE IN: EXT. - CAR DEALERSHIP – DAY

JOSH is standing next to a Toyota Prius, examining the front of the car.

SALESMAN
Thinking about a Prius? Great car.

JOSH
Hybrid. Wave of the future.

SALESMAN
Well, the future’s here. There’s a waiting list.

JOSH (looking at the window sticker)
Sixty miles a gallon? 

SALESMAN
In the city. Fifty-one highway.

JOSH
Isn’t that - ?

SALESMAN
Backwards. Yeah. Electrical battery recharges every time you hit the brake. Perfect for DC, car that loves gridlock.

JOSH
Like Congress.

JOSH starts to walk around the car, looking at it.

SALESMAN
And with gas prices at an all-time high -

JOSH
They’re not. Actually. The, record high was in ‘81. Adjusted for inflation gas was $2.80 a gallon in today’s money.

SALESMAN
Okay. Heh.

JOSH
In the 50s prices were equivalent to what they are now, little more even, but per capita real income was less than half what it is today. Cost your parents twice as much at the pump as what you pay. (JOSH looks at the SALESMAN) Uhh, grandparents, in your case.

SALESMAN
You’re really up on your, uh -

JOSH
I work at the White House.

SALESMAN
Great statement for a government official: drive the car that reduces our dependence on OPEC.

JOSH
Yeah, it’s foreign made, the symbolism’s kind of a wash.

JOSH is back to the side with the window sticker.

JOSH
3500 over sticker?

SALESMAN
Some dealers? Gettin’ 10,000 over.

JOSH
So I should just be happy you’re gouging me less?

SALESMAN
It’s a popular package.

JOSH
How many on your waiting list?

SALESMAN
Uh, 700.

JOSH
Whoa! How long?

SALESMAN
Eight months. Wanna take a test drive?

JOSH
No, I’m just … you know …

JOSH’S attention is pulled towards a large red SUV.

JOSH
Can I drive that?

CUT TO: Dealership staff getting the SUV ready for a test drive. JOSH notices a family getting ready to drive off in their new Prius, and walks up to them.

JOSH
Prius. Congratulations.

FATHER
Thanks.

JOSH
It’s a long wait, huh?

FATHER
Oh, worth it. Individuals need to take responsibility. The government won’t do anything about improving mileage, it’s so deep in the pockets of the oil and car companies.

JOSH
Yeah, Congress is a nightmare.

FATHER
Well, Bartlet’s done squat.

SALESMAN
Mr. Lyman!

The SALESMAN is next to the SUV, pulled out of its display spot and ready to go.

SALESMAN
All set.

JOSH and the FATHER exchange a look, as JOSH walks over to the SUV.

JOSH
All right! Thank you.

JOSH climbs into the driver’s seat and pulls the door shut, as the SALESMAN gets in the other side.

JOSH
I know I sound like a dork but - this is way cool.

SALESMAN
Yeah, it’s a lot of machine.

JOSH adjusts the mirrors and starts the engine.

SALESMAN
All right, so, uh, easy out of the lot.

JOSH
Not like I’m off-roading in Baja?

SALESMAN
Not on the lot.

JOSH steps on the gas and the SUV jerks forward, nearly hitting a concrete planter.

JOSH
Whoa.

SALESMAN
It’s, a lot of machine.

JOSH’S cell phone rings. He answers it.

JOSH
Yeah?

DONNA (at her desk, sitting in her wheelchair and eating a yogurt)
Hey, McNaughton at the D triple C needs you right away.

JOSH (backing up the SUV)
You should see this thing I’m driving. It’s a monster.

DONNA
What?

JOSH
My testosterone is flying.

DONNA
Try not to get any on anyone.

JOSH
Uh … (looks at the SALESMAN) I’ll put my hands-free thing in.

JOSH is trying to get his cell phone arranged, pulling something out of his back pocket as the SUV moves forward.

DONNA
What?

The girl from the family in the Prius walks in front of the SUV.

SALESMAN
Look out!

JOSH
Whoa!

JOSH spins the wheel to avoid the girl, and the SUV smashes into the new Prius.

DONNA
Josh? Are you all right?

JOSH
Tell McNaughton I may be a while.

JOSH sticks his head out of the SUV’s window, looking at the FATHER comforting his frightened daughter.

SMASH CUT TO: MAIN TITLES.
END TEASER.
***

ACT ONE

FADE IN: INT. - MURAL ROOM – DAY

CJ is finishing up a meeting with a group of Japanese officials. 

CJ
Thank you again.

CJ shakes hands with one of the officials and walks out of the room into the hallway, where she meets JOSH. They continue through the communications bullpen and into the foyer, finally splitting up in a hallway.

CJ
Good morning.

JOSH
Hey. How was your weekend?

CJ
What weekend? Oh, you mean that two-day period with a giant mountain of briefing material invades your domicile instead of your office, finally and completely obliterating whatever desperate and pathetic distinction you’ve labored mightily and yet foolishly to try and maintain?

JOSH
At least you could do it in your jammies.

CJ
You’re picturing that, aren’t you?

JOSH
Little bit.

CJ
And you?

JOSH
I don’t wear jammies.

CJ
Your weekend.

JOSH
You know … boring.

CJ
You’ve got nothing to report, nothing adventurous or illicit?

JOSH
Boring. Dull, even.

CJ
In your non-jammies.

JOSH
Eh, you’re picturing that, aren’t you?

CJ
Trying furiously not to. Have you seen Toby?

JOSH
He’s briefing, isn’t he?

CJ (sighs)
Okay, then.

CJ heads off in one direction as JOSH heads another way.

JOSH
Yeah.

CUT TO: INT. - PRESS BRIEFING ROOM – DAY

We see TOBY on numerous TV monitors as he conducts the briefing, in an uninterested, desultory fashion. Only a few reporters are there. One of them in the back appears to be asleep.

TOBY
I have no information on that at this time. Yep?

STEVE
The CAFE standards amendment raising auto fuel efficiency requirements comes up for House vote today. Will the President sign the omnibus transportation bill without that provision?

TOBY
I can’t speculate on, on, on an amendment that hasn’t been voted for, on a bill that hasn’t passed. Does anybody know where your esteemed confreres might be? (pause) Is it a press holiday of some kind? Heh, H.L. Menckens’ birthday? Anniversary of the expense account?

TOBY looks on amused as one of the reporters gets up and leaves the room.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ’s office is crowded with reporters loudly chatting with each other as CJ comes to the door.

CJ 
Get out!

The reporters start shouting questions.

CJ
All of you! You cannot be in here! (to MARGARET) Why couldn’t you -?

MARGARET
A human wave, I was overwhelmed.

KATIE
Toby is killing us.

CHARLAYNE
He won’t engage.

CJ
We do not do this, anymore, you really have to leave.

MARK
We get nothing to file, we’re all gonna get fired.

CJ
That’s not gonna be the best argument to make to him, or to me at the moment.

CHARLAYNE
You gotta help us.

CJ
I’ll talk to him, now – and I say this with love, get the hell out of my office.

The reporters slowly begin to disperse as MARGARET brings in more thick binders to CJ to review. KATIE remains behind.

KATIE
Have the rules of engagement been finalized for the Mideast -

CJ
I’m looking for something to hurl at you.

KATIE exits as MARGARET plops the giant binders on CJ’s desk. CJ leans on the stack of binders, despairing.

CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE HALLWAY – DAY

JOSH and KATE are talking as they walk through the hall. They eventually walk through Josh’s bullpen and then into his office.

JOSH
Mine-sniffing rats?

KATE
The Gambian giant pouched rat. You hit a Prius with an SUV?

JOSH
Connecting my cell phone’s hands-free device. The ironies abound.

KATE
Yeah, verily.

JOSH
What happened to training dogs?

KATE
Dogs get bored.

JOSH
Sniffing for land mines? These are some jaded pooches.

KATE
What kind of SUV?

JOSH
A humongous one.

KATE
Excursion, Expedition, Escalade, what?

JOSH
I don’t know, one of those – I just wanted to drive it. Like a Hummer. Wouldn’t you want to experience that once?

KATE
Yeah, I’ve had the pleasure. It’s less of a giggle when you’re taking automatic weapons fire. 

JOSH
I don’t know how we get funding for giant mine-sniffing rats.

KATE
Three of them found 20 live mines in a test in Mozambique. Were the, was the Prius just totaled?

JOSH
Pretty much.

KATE
Isn’t there like a big waiting list?

JOSH
Just got longer.

KATE
This is hilarious, but not actually funny.

JOSH
See, and I’d say since it’s mostly expensive and embarrassing it’s funny, but not actually hilarious.

KATE
You ever hear of the Hubbert peak?

JOSH
Does it have to do with gradations of mirth or are we back on rats of an unusual size?

KATE
Hubbert was a geologist who predicted – pretty much, right on the money – when US oil production would peak and then decline.

JOSH
Did he win something? Weekend in Shreveport, year’s supply of Vaseline?

KATE
Oil supply’s a bell curve. And the worldwide Hubbert peak may have already hit but no one thinks it’s more than 20, 30 years off. Meaning within the lifetime of kids today oil production will plummet.

JOSH
I just wanted to drive a Hummer, once.

KATE
That’s only half the story. I mean, what’s gonna happen when everyone in the developing world has a car?

JOSH
Be a good time to be in the insurance business.

KATE
Glass houses.

JOSH
Huh. Point taken.

KATE
Exploding demand meets plummeting supply. And whether we’ve ever fought one over it up til now, the next war will be about oil. (pause) See ya.

KATE leaves JOSH’S office.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is at her desk studying one of the giant binders. MARGARET enters.

CJ
If you’re coming in here with one more thing to read I will strangle you with my bare hands and enjoy it. 

MARGARET
Will’s here.

CJ
I can scrag him, too.

WILL comes in as MARGARET leaves.

WILL
I don’t doubt it.

CJ
So, I’m thinking briefing books on tape for in the car, while you’re jogging -

WILL
You jog?

CJ
Not anymore. The President would like the VP to meet with the NSC on the new nuclear fallout analysis they’re coordinating.

WILL
Absolutely. The focus is evacuation?

CJ
Attribution, post-event forensics, if terrorists know a detonation can be traced they’ll be less likely to attempt it. 

WILL
Terrorists being notably responsive to logic and self-interest. Well, almost sounded important there for a minute. 

TOBY comes into the office.

TOBY
The House just defeated the CAFE standards amendment.

CJ
Already?

WILL
They limited floor debate to 20 minutes.

CJ
So the car companies won’t have to raise miles per gallon from venti to grande.

TOBY
Actually, it’s the other way around, but something like that, yeah.

CJ
Not unexpected.

WILL
Or entirely unwelcome.

TOBY
Hey, hey, that’s the spirit.

WILL
Dems get credit with enviros for favoring it, but the Vice President doesn’t have to defend it with voters in Michigan.

TOBY
Politics being more important than principle.

WILL
This administration’s had seven years to make better fuel efficiency a priority -

TOBY
Seven years -

WILL
Don’t take your guilt out on me.

TOBY
Seven years of a hostile Congress.

CJ
And a public busy singing “I Want My SUV.”

TOBY
That’s regret, not guilt.

CJ
You don’t have the votes, you don’t have the votes. The art of the possible.

WILL
Exactly what Leo’d say.

TOBY
I’d spend the rest of the week trying to decide if sounding like a dyspeptic 60-year-old is an actual compliment.

WILL smiles and exits.

TOBY
You wanted to see me?

CJ
Where are we on finding a new press secretary?

TOBY
Getting up to speed.

CJ
Time for a turbo boost. No one – and I don’t mean this unkindly – no one is anxious to have you keep briefing.

TOBY
Just curious, but how’d you have put it had you meant it unkindly?

CJ knocks and heads into the Oval Office as TOBY exits.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

CJ enters as CHARLIE stands over BARTLET’S desk.

BARTLET
You’re hovering. (to CJ) He’s hovering. Verging on looming.

CHARLIE
And he’s stalling.

BARTLET
I’m crafting.

CHARLIE
They’re just remarks.

BARTLET
People listening won’t know they’re just remarks. To them, it’ll sound uncannily like a speech. A short speech.

CHARLIE
The prompter guy needed this half an hour ago.

CJ
You’re on your own.

BARTLET
I am the leader of the free world, people pay attention when I speak. The job’s not all waving from the chopper. (handing the remarks back to CHARLIE) Not as good as it might be. It’s all your fault.

CHARLIE
I’m prepared to live with the verdict of history. Thank you, sir.

CJ stops CHARLIE before he leaves.

CJ
Charlie, one sec? Mr. President, I wanted to remind you about the reception in the East Room today.

BARTLET
What?

CJ
The girls’ national field hockey champions. (BARTLET looks at CJ) Sir, you have to be there. Charlie?

CHARLIE
I’ll get him there.

CJ
Thank you.

CHARLIE and CJ turn to leave.

BARTLET
I’m noticing a distinct slackening of awe, a certain lack of trembling in my presence.

CHARLIE
Yes, sir.

CJ
Yes, Mr. President.

CJ and CHARLIE exit.

CUT TO: INT. - DONNA’S DESK – DAY

DONNA is looking at her computer monitor as JOSH walks up behind her.

DONNA
Josh?

JOSH
What is it?

DONNA
That gossip blog, DistrictScene.

JOSH and DONNA study the computer screen, reading.

JOSH
How did she get this?

DONNA
Someone at the dealer, I guess.

We see a shot of the screen showing the blog, DistrictScene, Blogging For A Progressive America. We can read the following (parts of the page are off-screen):

“Sunday Afternoon – SENIOR WHITE HOUSE STAFFER JOSH LYMAN, while test-driving a large SUV, crashed and demolished a Toyota Hybrid Prius at S() GALLERY, a local D.C. GM car lot. The arrogant, cocky Lyman had () lecturing the auto salesman about how gas prices were not at () high while talking on his cell phone and test driving the large SUV. () Prius was completely damaged beyond operation and Lyman n() the gas guzzling SUV with a young family who had just purchased () environmentally sound Prius. The family was complete in shock () traumatized and Lyman had no excuse for demolishing the hybrid () SUV he had been test-driving. The family had been on a wait () and were visibly upset to have lost their ecologically minded n()”

JOSH
Well, it’s not the end of the world, it’s a … web log, it’s not the Washington Post.

DONNA’s phone rings. She answers.

DONNA
Josh Lyman’s office. Yeah. (she hangs up) CJ’s office. Now.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

JOSH and TOBY are walking toward CJ’s office.

TOBY
You didn’t think it was a story?

JOSH
Well, it’s obviously a story, I just didn’t think it was -

TOBY
Every news organization in this country surfs these blogs now, this’ll be everywhere.

CUT TO: INT. - MARGARET’S DESK – DAY

CJ comes out of her office to meet JOSH and TOBY.

CJ
For God’s sake, what possessed you?

JOSH
I don’t know, I – saw it and was taken over by my reptilian brain stem.

CJ
The press is gonna have a party with this. Conga lines, pinatas …

JOSH
They’ll have fun and be done in a day.

TOBY
Not the week raising CAFE standards goes down in the House with us having barely put up a fight?

CJ, JOSH and TOBY move into CJ’s office.

CJ
I just got a phone call from the Alternative Energy Resources Council threatening to hold a press conference trashing our commitment to conservation citing your little demolition derby as Exhibit A.

JOSH
I’ll call ‘em.

CJ
You’ll do better than that, you’re gonna head up the White House task force on alternative energy.

JOSH
What White House -?

CJ
I one I promised to get them to hold off. I want a meeting today that ends with something announceable, you standing with people in Birkenstocks in front of the press.

JOSH
Birkenstocks …

CJ
And bicycle clips.

JOSH
Yeah.

CUT TO: INT. - MARGARET’S DESK – DAY

JOSH and TOBY walk out of CJ’s office.

TOBY
Bicycle clips?

JOSH
For your pants.

JOSH and TOBY stop outside the Roosevelt Room.

TOBY
You got a - ?

JOSH
Yeah.

TOBY
Not counting today – today was, a … I don’t know what today was, but the briefings?

JOSH
Yeah, they’re getting better.

TOBY
Good. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being CJ and one being a chimp throwing feces – where do I rank?

JOSH
They’re getting better. I gotta go get my ass kicked.

TOBY
Yeah, me too.

JOSH goes into the Roosevelt Room where a group of congresspeople are waiting, including LACKEY, GLEESON and AUREN.

JOSH
Congressmen – woman …

AUREN
Does this President believe fuel efficiency standards should be raised?

JOSH
We’re dispensing with the small talk.

LACKEY
Answer the question.

JOSH
It’s a shame, ‘cause I’ve been hoarding amusing anecdotes, mordant observations -

GLEESON
This administration’s environmental record is an embarrassment to its party and a betrayal of its supporters. Mordant enough for you?

JOSH
Betrayal, embarrassment, it’s that kind of temperate rhetoric that so endears the green movement to the electorate.

LACKEY
You rolled over.

JOSH
We did the arithmetic. Any increase in CAFE standards wasn’t gonna happen.

LACKEY
Josh, you rolled over. 

AUREN
An eight-year-old can count heads, this is supposed to be about leadership.

JOSH
Leaders avoid losing battles. You live to fight another day.

LACKEY
You’re missing the point, Josh. Nobody thought we were gonna win this one. But you’ve made it easy for them.

AUREN
Seat belts, air bags, the first fuel economy standards … the auto industry had to be dragged kicking and screaming into all of them.

GLEESON
They didn’t go out of business. They figured it out.

LACKEY
When the White House doesn’t lead on fuel mileage, opponents get to cast their vote at no cost.

AUREN
We don’t just lose a vote – we lose out on a national debate.

LACKEY
Making it that much harder to win the next vote.

JOSH
This isn’t a poli-sci seminar! We didn’t have the votes. Thank you, all, for your time.

JOSH gets up and leaves the room.

CUT TO: INT. - DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE – DAY

ANNABETH is bringing boxes as she moves into Sam’s/Will’s old office. TOBY comes in the door and sits.

TOBY
Well?

ANNABETH
And a pleasant good morning to you.

TOBY
You found someone?

ANNABETH
I slept extremely well, thank you so much for asking.

TOBY
Well, sleep less, and get us a new press secretary, will you?

ANNABETH
I’m sorry. When you asked me to do this, I didn’t realize you expected me to find someone by the first hour of the first morning of my first day. 

TOBY
The sooner you get someone the sooner I can stop doing the briefings.

ANNABETH
I told you, your doing them for a while is a good thing.

TOBY
Well, I’m glad someone doesn’t think they’re a total train wreck.

ANNABETH
Oh, no. They’re horrible. But I can help you.

TOBY
Help me by doing the job you were hired for, and find us a new press secretary.

TOBY walks away.

ANNABETH
Settling in just fine … but the muffin basket, the flowers, it’s too much.

CUT TO: INT. - JOSH’S BULLPEN – DAY

JOSH
Donna – get some alternative energy spokespeople in here for a meeting right away.

DONNA
You mean to -?

JOSH
Wind, solar, hamsters in wheels, uh, uh, whatever’s out there, today.

DONNA
You have that  -

JOSH
Cancel it. This takes priority.

JOSH heads into his office as KATE walks up.

KATE
Hey, Donna.

DONNA (in her wheelchair)
Hey. Was Josh expecting you?

KATE
Actually, I came by to see you. How you doing?

DONNA
Good. I’m good.

KATE
How soon before you’re out of that cast?

DONNA
Soon, I can’t wait.

KATE
I bet. (pause) Look, we don’t – know each other that well, but if you ever want to talk …

DONNA
Thanks, but I -

KATE
I’m sure you’ve spoken to somebody, but I just thought if you ever wanted someone, another woman … I don’t know. Is this completely inappropriate?

DONNA
No, no, it’s fine.

KATE
It’s just, I’ve been around the sort of thing you went through.

DONNA
I appreciate your concern.

KATE
Okay. Well, if you ever want to.

DONNA
I should really get back to …

KATE
Okay.

KATE walks away. DONNA continues to work, but we see her consider something for a moment.

FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE.
* * *

ACT TWO

FADE IN: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE -DAY

MARGARET enters the office carrying a file.

MARGARET
You’re all set for lunch.

CJ
You sure he’s up to it?

MARGARET
He said so.

CJ
He’s not just being polite?

MARGARET
I’m sorry; Leo?

CJ
He has a courtly side.

MARGARET
Not with me.

MARGARET and CJ begin to walk out of the office.

CJ
I don’t want to overtax him.

MARGARET
He would have said. A car will pick up the food, then swing by to take you over to his hotel at 1:00.

CJ
Great.

MARGARET
He asked if you play chess.

CJ
Chess? Not really.

MARGARET
I’ll let him know.

MARGARET turns back as CJ continues down the hall.

CUT TO: INT. - DONNA’S DESK – DAY

We see a image of a webpage as we hear JOSH’s voice. The webpage shows a picture of JOSH looking out of the window of the SUV after he struck the Prius. The caption reads: “Notice the open-mouthed gape of Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman, sitting high above the fray. And he can’t even see the damage.”

JOSH (V.O.)
There’s a picture? (scoffs) You know what, get this blogger woman on the phone.

TOBY (V.O.)
You didn’t think to mention someone had a camera?

The view switches to JOSH and TOBY talking at DONNA’s desk, as DONNA dials the phone.

JOSH
There was no camera.

TOBY
Well, there’s a picture -

JOSH
There was a guy, his wife, and his teenage daughter, that was it.

DONNA
Daughter have a cell phone? (into phone) Josh Lyman’s office calling, please. One moment, please.

DONNA hands the phone to JOSH.

TOBY
I wouldn’t do this.

JOSH (into phone)
This is, uh, Josh Lyman, and this is off the record -

TOBY
She’s not a, journ -

JOSH (into phone)
There may be more disreputable ways to make a living than trafficking in gossip and clandestine photos, but none spring to mind. My and this administration’s environmental bona-fides are well established. To use this incident to imply otherwise is scurrilous, and irresponsible – cheap and easy irony from what I can only surmise is a cheap and shallow person. (pause) I said this was off the record.

TOBY
She’s not a journalist. 

JOSH (into phone)
You’re gonna post this?

There is a pause. DONNA notices an update on the webpage.

DONNA
She’s posting it now.

The webpage with the photo of JOSH now has his quote added at the top: “Josh Lyman - ‘There may be more disreputable ways to make a living than trafficking in gossip and clandestine photos, but none springs to mind.’” Immediately the page updates again, adding the quote: “Josh Lyman- ‘My and this adminstration’s enviromental (sic) bona fides are well established.’” And then another: “Josh Lyman - ‘To use this incident to imply otherwise is scurrilous and irresponsible. Cheap and easy irony from what I can only surmise is a cheap and shallow person.’”

JOSH, still holding the phone, looks at the screen, then looks up at TOBY.

CUT TO: INT. - STAIRWELL – DAY

BARTLET and CHARLIE are walking down the stairs accompanied by Secret Service agents.

CHARLIE
He made the sushi?

BARTLET
It’s his hobby.

CHARLIE
And nothing against the ambassador – but I don’t want my raw fish prepared by anyone but a professional.

BARTLET
He said you’re not supposed to use a lot of wasabi. Said it’s considered disrespectful. To the fish.

CHARLIE
Isn’t it pretty much past caring?

BARTLET
And there’s such a thing as sushi being too fresh.

CHARLIE
Not for me.

BARTLET
You need to age the fish.

CHARLIE
Do I want to know why?

BARTLET
So the rigor mortis has time to pass.

CHARLIE
I knew you were gonna ruin it for me.

BARTLET and CHARLIE enter the East Room, where they are greeted by a large group of staffers. A banner reading “Congratulations Charlie.” The staffers cheer and applaud.

ALL
Surprise!

CHARLIE grins happily as BARTLET leads him to the group. JOSH steps up to shake CHARLIE’s hand.

BARTLET
A little bird told me.

BARTLET leads CHARLIE to ZOEY.

ZOEY
Tweet.

BARTLET
Congratulations.

CHARLIE
Thank you, Mr. President.

BARTLET
You know what this means, right?

CHARLIE
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
Enjoy your party. I think everyone’s blocked off all of eight minutes.

BARTLET walks off. CHARLIE and ZOEY head to the table, being greeted along the way. ZOEY splits off to join her father.

MAN
Way to go, Charlie, congratulations.

CHARLIE
Thanks, man.

CAROL
God, how did you do it?

MARGARET
I don’t even have time to learn how to program my Tivo.

CHARLIE
When it’s the President of the United States who asks if you did your homework, it gets done.

BARTLET (to ZOEY)
I’m glad you told me.

ZOEY
I just hope he is.

BARTLET
I gotta get back to work.

BARTLET gives ZOEY a kiss, then exits with CJ. CHARLIE looks over at ZOEY with appreciation.

CUT TO: INT. - COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN – DAY

TOBY and ANNABETH are walking into the bullpen.

ANNABETH
Totaled a hybrid with an SUV. He’s like an ecoterrorist in reverse.

TOBY
We’ll be sure to point that out to the press.

ANNABETH chuckles as she walks into her office, TOBY following.

ANNABETH
What do you need?

TOBY
Draft a release about the alternative energy summit Josh is holding this afternoon.

ANNABETH
Mm, that’s not gonna work.

TOBY
Which I don’t recall asking!

ANNABETH
No meeting’s gonna counteract the symbolism of that accident, you need to laugh it off. Refer questions to the, Department of Metaphor. Put out a statement from the Undersecretary for Whimsy and Caprice.

TOBY chuckles in disbelief, then heads out of the office.

TOBY
Just draft the release.

ANNABETH (calling after him)
Will you be briefing?

TOBY
I imagine.

As TOBY gets to his desk, he turns to see ANNABETH standing in his doorway.

TOBY
What?

ANNABETH
How do you get women?

TOBY
Excuse me?

ANNABETH
Briefing the press is a seduction. You got a hot ex, how’d you get her?

TOBY
Get out of my office -

ANNABETH
Know what she says?

TOBY
Oh my God, you called Andy -

ANNABETH
Smart and funny. That’s how guys who – no offense – don’t look like Jude Law or Denzel Washington get babes.

TOBY
Are you trying to get fired?

ANNABETH
I’m trying to help you. That Mencken line this morning was funny; no one laughed ‘cause you flung it at them.

ANNABETH walks out of TOBY’s office and back into her own; TOBY follows.

TOBY
Briefing the press isn’t a seduction; it’s war!

ANNABETH
What CJ did for seven years wasn’t combat. It was charm and disarm.

TOBY
Just draft the release.

ANNABETH
Smart and funny; seduce them. Worked on your wife.

TOBY
We’re divorced.

ANNABETH (walking back out of her office)
Living with you is a whole ‘nother ballgame, I get that already.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

CHARLIE is walking down the hall as CJ comes around a corner behind him.

CJ
Charlie -

CHARLIE
Thanks, CJ – for whatever part you played in that back there.

CJ
I just showed up and ate too many corn chips. Leo emailed me something about reminding the President to play chess?

CHARLIE
He and Leo played weekly chess games.

CJ
Okay.

CHARLIE
What did Leo say about it?

CJ
Just to remind him.

CHARLIE
Guess that’s just it, then.

CHARLIE heads off.

CJ
Yeah.

VICE PRESIDENT RUSSELL comes out of a door down the hall.

RUSSELL
CJ -

CJ
Mr. Vice President.

RUSSELL
How are you adjusting to the new job?

CJ
It’s an adjustment.

CJ and RUSSELL begin walking down the hall.

RUSSELL
Oh, I gotta admit I was surprised when I first heard, we all were, but, uh – the more I thought about it, it started making sense.

CJ
Thanks?

RUSSELL
Leo was Leo, no one expects you to be him, but – you’ll find your way.

CJ
I’m finding it, actually.

RUSSELL
I just want you to know that, I’m here to help.

CJ
I appreciate that, sir.

RUSSELL
I look forward to working more closely with you.

CJ
As do I, Mr. Vice President.

RUSSELL
I work well with strong women.

CJ
Good to know.

RUSSELL
My mother, strong woman.

CJ
Well, there you go. If you’ll excuse me …

CJ walks away, with a wry look on her face.

CUT TO: INT. - JOSH’S OFFICE – DAY

WILL walks in as JOSH is working at his desk.

WILL
This where I might find the puling poster boy for Bartlet’s indifferent energy policy?

JOSH
Hey, I was shopping for a Prius.

WILL
Just performing your own crash test.

JOSH
A joke the blogger missed. Maybe you should shoot her an email.

WILL
You just had the quintessential consumer experience – your head said hybrid, but your heart said SUV.

JOSH
Reptilian brain, is what I’ve been going with.

WILL
It’s not like people want them because they get lousy mileage -

JOSH
It’s the argument for mandating higher mileage standards.

WILL
No one’s saying it’s the wrong argument. (pause) You’ve got a pretty tight relationship with Michael Hirsch, yes?

JOSH
Well, people in show business are charming for a living. I’m one of his, four or five thousand closest buds, yeah.

WILL
Close enough to make a call?

JOSH
For the, Vice President?

WILL
You’re one of the few around here who doesn’t regard him with disdain. Or at least, has the courtesy to hide it.

JOSH
The Hollywood support’s all going to Baker, he’s raised enough money out there to start greenlighting movies.

WILL
Governor Baker hasn’t declared.

JOSH
But he’s – still a frontrunner. I mean, no offense to your guy.

WILL
It’d be great if you’d make a call.

JOSH
Well, let me get back to you.

WILL
Sure.

WILL starts to exit.

JOSH
You know, Hirsch has a hybrid. Typical Hollywood. Drives his Prius right up to his private jet.

WILL smiles and walks away.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET and CHARLIE are walking into the Oval Office from the Portico. There is a stack of papers wrapped in a ribbon on the President’s desk.

BARTLET
I’m about to go into a meeting with the Commerce Secretary, a man so soporific one shouldn’t operate heavy machinery in his presence. A meeting that would feel interminable at three minutes is certain to stretch into a soul-annihilating fifty minutes, presenting therefore a perfect opportunity for you to get started on a particular errand pertaining to your post-graduate career.

BARTLET hands the stack of papers to CHARLIE.

BARTLET
Fiderer prepared them, I checked for typos. 

CHARLIE
Thank you, sir.

BARTLET
Now, let’s get to work, and (BARTLET indicates the stack of papers in CHARLIE’s hands) fatten up that resume.

CHARLIE
Yes, Mr. President.

BARTLET exits, leaving CHARLIE standing in the Oval Office, taking it in.

CUT TO: INT. - JOSH’S OFFICE – DAY

DONNA, on crutches, is talking with JOSH.

DONNA
Meeting’s set. Representatives from solar, ethanol, hydrogen, and wind.

JOSH
Copy Toby on the roster.

DONNA
Did you know when we run out of oil it’ll precipitate a global food crisis?

JOSH
Don’t you start.

DONNA
Fossil fuels are key components of fertilizers and pesticides, not to mention the fuel used in farm machinery and for irrigation -

JOSH
Said the woman with the electric wheelchair.

DONNA
I’ve given it up. You’ve inspired me with your profound commitment to renewable energy.

JOSH
You know, the SUV came through without a scratch.

DONNA (exiting)
You’re going to hell.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ enters as MARGARET introduces her to GAIL ADDISON.

MARGARET
CJ - this is Gail Addison, from the Office of Administration.

CJ (shaking hands)
Hello.

MARGARET
She’s here about changing over your office.

CJ
To a day spa, I hope.

ADDISON
I don’t know how you prefer to approach your space, if you have a vision or would like to be provided options -

CJ
At the moment, I’d prefer not to think about it.

ADDISON
Then I’m happy to.

CJ
And have you not think about it, either.

ADDISON
I’m sorry?

CJ
I’ll have Margaret call you once I’m more settled in. Thanks.

MARGARET leads ADDISON out of the office.

CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

JOSH is standing in the foyer, and joins TOBY as he walks by.

JOSH
Baker’s running, right?

TOBY
Yeah. And he’ll have it wrapped up by Super Tuesday.

JOSH
Will asked me to call Mickey Hirsch.

TOBY
He thinks Baker’s not gonna run?

JOSH
The Vice President’d be out there virtually unopposed.

TOBY
President Russell?

JOSH
You worry he’d win, I’d worry he’d lose. A Republican administration - a GOP Congress? They’d dismantle everything we’ve accomplished in eight years.

TOBY
Baker’s gonna run.

JOSH
Yeah.

JOSH and TOBY start to head off in opposite directions. TOBY stops JOSH.

TOBY
Hey, how do you get women?

JOSH
Huh?

TOBY
Smart and funny? Right?

JOSH
Plus I got that, you know, boyish thing.

TOBY
I don’t have that.

JOSH
Yeah.

TOBY sighs.

JOSH
Okay.

JOSH heads off. TOBY watches a woman walk by, smiles and chuckles to himself, then nearly drops some papers as he walks away.

FADE OUT.
END ACT TWO.
* * *

ACT THREE

FADE IN: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET and CJ are seated, having a discussion. BARTLET is taking notes on a legal pad.

CJ
… and the IRS is stepping up their look into non-profits; more and more charities are playing loosely with contributions.

BARTLET
Blessings for the not-so-unfortunate. What else?

CJ
The CAFE standards amendment went down.

BARTLET
(Pause) That was fast.

CJ
Floor debate was limited to 20 minutes.

BARTLET
Those guys take longer than that to decide what to order for take-out.

CJ
Quick reconciliation, a bill to sign by Wednesday.

BARTLET
Yeah.

CJ
Oh, and Josh hit a Prius with a Land Cruiser or something – we’re handling it.

BARTLET
We done?

CJ
Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. President.

They both rise, but as CJ starts out she stops.

CJ
Oh, sir, I’m sorry, Leo mentioned to remind you to play chess?

BARTLET
Please tell Leo when he’s healthy enough to come back and give me a game, I’ll be glad to school him in chess.

CJ
Thank you, sir.

CJ starts out.

CUT TO: INT. - JOSH’S OFFICE – DAY

JOSH is working at his desk. CHARLIE appears in the doorway.

CHARLIE
Josh? Got a moment?

JOSH
Sure.

CHARLIE
The President and I had an understanding – actually, it was more of an executive order – that once I graduated, I’d look for what he calls, a real job. So I’m handing out resumes.

CHARLIE offers a resume to JOSH, who reaches out to take it. 

JOSH
Great.

CHARLIE pulls the resume away from JOSH’s hand.

CHARLIE
That I’d like you to ignore.

JOSH
Okay.

CHARLIE
I don’t want to leave the President. Especially now that he’s without Leo. Not that I compare myself to -

JOSH
I understand. Here, I’ll …

JOSH takes the resume from CHARLIE and puts it in his desk drawer.

JOSH
… put it in a safe place in case you change your mind.

CHARLIE
Thanks.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

TOBY is walking with purpose. As he heads into the Communications bullpen he sees ANNABETH by the copier.

TOBY
The alternative energy release?

ANNABETH hands him a document.

TOBY
So what else? Smart and funny, that’s the sum total of your vaunted expertise? 

ANNABETH
You could wear a little makeup.

TOBY (scoffing)
Oh, jeez. That’ll happen.

ANNABETH
You want my help?

ANNABETH follows TOBY into his office.

TOBY
Not if it involves makeup, wardrobe, or, or, alternative facial hair strategies -

ANNABETH
Body language.

TOBY
What about it?

ANNABETH
Projecting comfort and command.

TOBY
I don’t do that?

ANNABETH
One might say.

There is a pause. TOBY closes his suit jacket and gestures around helplessly.

TOBY
So what do I do - ?

ANNABETH 
Follow me.

ANNABETH strides out of his office, then waits for TOBY to follow.

ANNABETH
And personally, the way you trim your beard? A little fussy.

TOBY follows ANNABETH out of the bullpen, his hand smoothing his moustache.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

WILL and KATE are conversing as they walk.

KATE
Be happy to brief the Vice President, how often?

WILL
Occasionally, continent at a sitting.

KATE
Well, I assume he’s pretty much got a handle on North America.

WILL
There’s the odd confusion, that’s all, Sudan and Somalia – Iran, Iraq …

KATE
You’re kidding.

WILL
One time.

KATE
Actual confusion or slips of the tongue?

WILL
Well, we won’t presume, for these purposes.

KATE
He knows Pakistan’s the Muslim one and India’s Hindu?

WILL
Of course.

KATE
Just trying to calibrate.

WILL
I wouldn’t bet the farm on Bangladesh.

KATE
Okay -

WILL
And he has a little trouble with the whole Shiite-Sunni thing.

KATE
We should start right away.

WILL
That’s what I’m thinking.

KATE
I’ll come by end of the day.

WILL
Great.

KATE (under her breath as they head off in different directions)
And bring my flash cards.

JOSH encounters KATE outside JOSH’s bullpen.

JOSH
What?

KATE
Nothing.

JOSH
You know why, uh, people buy hybrids – I mean, aside from smugness and moral superiority?

KATE
I mean, I was gonna say, conscience and civic responsibility.

JOSH
‘Cause they think gas prices are too high, you know why they buy SUVs?

KATE
‘Cause they’re not.

JOSH
Record high was in ‘81, adjusted for inflation gas was 2.80 a gallon in today’s money.

KATE
It’s the only way you’ll get real conservation.

JOSH
Hold an economic gun to their head.

KATE
It’s why we should slap a 3-bucks-a-gallon tax on gasoline.

JOSH
Oh, there’s a popular position.

KATE
Wait til gas lines come back, see how popular that’ll be.

JOSH and KATE are now outside the Roosevelt Room. JOSH stops at the door.

JOSH
I’m about to solve the whole problem.

KATE
The alternative energy summit.

JOSH
Children of your villages will sing my name.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

JOSH enters the room, where TERRY ANDERS, RILEY SHEETS, CORRINE McKENNA, and PAUL TYMINSKI are sitting at the table.

JOSH
I want to – thank you all for coming, particularly on such short notice.

ANDERS
I’ve been waiting to have this meeting for seven years.

JOSH (taking a seat)
Then – let’s get right to making up for lost time. If we could, go around the table -

ANDERS
Terry Anders, the Solar Cell Project.

SHEETS
Riley Sheets, Ethanol Works.

McKENNA
Wind Now, Corinne McKenna.

TYMINSKI
Paul Tyminski, Hydrogen Caucus, and I’ve been waiting a while for this – too.

JOSH
You guys sound like my mother when I call, all she does is complain how I never call. I’ll try to keep everybody straight, I should’ve made little symbols, a picture of the sun – ear of corn – cloud blowing out its cheeks, and for hydrogen, a …

ANDERS
The Hindenburg?

TYMINSKI
Hydrogen didn’t cause the Hindenburg fire, it was the aluminum powder coating.

JOSH
Really?

TYMINSKI
Yeah, stuff’s used as rocket fuel.

McKENNA
But hydrogen is extremely flammable.

TYMINSKI
So’s gasoline.

JOSH
Okay -

ANDERS
Did she say flammable, she meant combustible.

JOSH
Guys -

TYMINSKI
Hydrogen burns with a colorless flame, the Hindenburg burned red.

ANDERS
Where’s your humanity?

JOSH
Okay, then!

The room falls silent as someone clears their throat.

CUT TO: INT. - PRESS BRIEFING ROOM – DAY

ANNABETH leads TOBY into the briefing room.

ANNABETH
This is your room. You’re not venturing onto their turf, they’re treading onto yours.

TOBY looks around, skeptical.

ANNABETH
You have to own it.

TOBY
You didn’t really just say, own it.

ANNABETH
I’ll show you what you look like up here.

ANNABETH goes behind the podium. She disappears behind it.

TOBY
Thanks, helpful. Smart and funny.

ANNABETH
Come here, come here. You try it.

ANNABETH steps out from behind the podium and takes a seat in the front row. TOBY slowly walks behind the podium and stands there, uncertain.

ANNABETH (whispering)
Good afternoon.

TOBY (glumly)
Good afternoon.

ANNABETH (whispering)
I’ll take your questions.

TOBY
I’ll take your questions.

ANNABETH (rising and going to TOBY)
Okay, you look like you loathe this, like you can’t wait to get out the door.

TOBY
I wonder why.

ANNABETH
You’re literally hunching over, you need to lean back -

ANNABETH reaches over to rearrange TOBY’s stance.

ANNABETH
- not too much, you don’t wanna look hostile and pugnacious -

TOBY
I don’t?

ANNABETH
Relax your hands … look up, look up … okay, now – how’s that feel?

TOBY
Like a poodle in a dog show.

ANNABETH
Let’s try it again.

ANNABETH goes back to her seat.

ANNABETH
This time, with more confidence.

TOBY takes a breath and speaks with more volume and emphasis.

TOBY
Good afternoon. 

TOBY clears his throat.

TOBY
I can’t do this! 

TOBY walks out of the room. ANNABETH collapses into her seat.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

The energy summit continues as JOSH listens to ANDERS speak. We can see little placards in front of each representative, with the pictures JOSH spoke about earlier.

ANDERS
Solar energy is very simply the answer. It’s clean, it’s accessible, and we’re not running out of it anytime soon.

JOSH
And when we do, we’ll be having bigger problems.

ANDERS
We could replace all the fossil fuels we’re burning today simply by covering 220,000 square kilometers with solar cells.

JOSH
Isn’t that a lot?

ANDERS
Piece of land 300 miles on each side.

JOSH
Yeah, see - it’s kind of a lot.

ANDERS
This’ll give you an idea of what we’re talking about …

ANDERS refers to a stand-up map of the United States, labeled AVERAGE DAILY SOLAR RADIATION. An associate places a square sticker on the map that covers most of Utah and large parts of Nevada and Arizona.

JOSH
That’s huge!

ANDERS
Drive it. It’s 300 days of sunshine and nothing there.

SHEETS
That covers Las Vegas.

ANDERS
Appropriately, the most wasteful energy abuser on the planet.

TYMINSKI
Your cells’ll look attractive covering the, uh, Grand Canyon.

ANDERS
You adjust this, obviously. Finding square footage in the desert West will not be the problem.

JOSH
What will?

McKENNA
Manufacturing that many solar cells.

ANDERS
We’d have to pick up the pace some.

TYMINSKI
Yeah, you might say – since all the solar cells ever made up to this point would barely cover ten square kilometers.

JOSH
So, just … 219,990 to go.

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

CHARLIE is offering his resume to TOBY.

CHARLIE
I don’t want to leave the President. And I just don’t think the time is right. So if I could leave you my resume, then have you ignore it …

TOBY
Got it.

TOBY takes the resume from CHARLIE and immediately rips it in half. CHARLIE looks at TOBY reproachfully; TOBY looks back evenly. CHARLIE walks out of the office, giving one last look over his shoulder as he exits.

CUT TO: INT. - LEO’S HOTEL ROOM – DAY

There is a knock at the door. LEO’s nurse, MS. CHAKRABARTY, opens it, finding CJ standing there.

CJ
CJ Cregg?

CHAKRABARTY
Please.

CJ enters, carrying a large paper sack.

CJ
Hey, you!

CJ walks up to LEO, who smiles broadly as they hug.

LEO
Are you a sight for sore eyes! And sore legs, sore chest -

CJ
You’re having a lot of pain?

LEO
The Vicodin helps. Whatcha got?

CJ
Takeout from Terrazzo. The, arugula -

LEO
Ooh, with the pecorino and walnuts …

CJ and LEO head to a table as CJ starts to empty the paper sack.

CJ
And gnocchi, supposed to be very g-nice.

LEO
So much trouble.

CJ
Only you were worth it.

LEO
I don’t have much appetite.

CJ
Oh.

CHAKRABARTY
He needs to eat.

LEO
I’ll eat, when I’m hungry. Put it in the fridge.

CJ
I’m actually not that -

LEO
Oh, don’t be silly, go ahead. I can enjoy it as a spectator sport.

CJ
You sure it won’t bother you?

LEO
It’ll be great. Voyeuristic …

CJ
That sounds like the Vicodin talking.

LEO
Has its compensations.

CJ and LEO chuckle as CJ prepares to eat.

LEO
So, how’s it going?

CJ
It’s overwhelming. The amount there is to tend to, I, I thought I was busy before … how in the world did you manage it for seven years?

LEO
I had a heart attack.

CJ chuckles.

LEO
You remind the President about playing chess?

CJ
He pretty much blew me off.

LEO
You need to insist.

CJ
I obviously don’t know the President as well as you, but already I can tell when something’s a no-go.

LEO
You have to insist.

There’s a pause as CJ looks at LEO.

LEO
The President gets regular physicals – and because of the MS rather more regular MRIs and neurophysical tests – but MS is a disease of the central nervous system. It can affect cognition, perception, reasoning, judgment … what the doctors actually term, executive function. As President of the United States this needs to be monitored on a weekly basis. You need to get the President to play chess.

CJ continues to look at LEO.

LEO
Finish your lunch.

FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE.
* * *

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

The alternative energy summit continues. JOSH is rubbing his eyes as SHEETS gives the ethanol presentation.

SHEETS
And so … it burns clean – and most important, ethanol is made right here in the US of A.

TYMINSKI
And it’s already subsidized up the ying-yang by the US of A government, how much more funding do you people want?

JOSH
Hang on – some claim it’s not all that clean.

SHEETS
The EPA has certified it reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions by up to 30 percent -

ANDERS
And releases more nitrogen oxide and makes the entire fuel mixture evaporate easier than pure gasoline, causing more smog -

McKENNA
It’s climate dependent. Helps in cold weather, hurts in hot.

TYMINSKI
It consumes more fossil fuels to make than it replaces.

SHEETS
We dispute that.

JOSH
It only replaces 10 percent of gasoline. So at best, it’s a stopgap.

SHEETS
It’s practical now. Not pie-in-the-sky like some people’s solutions.

ANDERS
Let’s be honest. All of us sitting here know exactly what the biggest thing is that ethanol has in its favor.

JOSH
The Iowa caucuses.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is at her desk. MARGARET and ADDISON are at the door, ADDISON holding a large sample book.

MARGARET
CJ? Gail’s back, with a quick question?

CJ
Yes?

ADDISON
I know you said you weren’t necessarily prepared to consider redecoration schemes, but I took the liberty of pulling some pictures of our inventory. It’s just so dark and, and masculine in here, and, and martial. Do you feel that it’s just militaristic, and martial, and male?

CJ
You said a quick question?

ADDISON
Oh, sorry. (passing a sample to CJ) This was Dolley Madison’s desk. You know, most people think she spelled her name “LLY,” but in actuality it was “LLEY.”

MARGARET
Perhaps, we should -

ADDISON
But it’s lovely and feminine.

CJ
Dolley with an “E” Madison was maybe five three?

ADDISON
Yes.

CJ smiles wryly, then stands up.

ADDISON
Of course. 

ADDISON takes her sample book and leaves as CJ sits back down.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

ANNABETH and TOBY are heading for the press briefing room.

ANNABETH
Briefing time!

TOBY
I know.

ANNABETH
Don’t say a word – but that tie’s gonna bleed.

TOBY
Keep it up and it’ll have company.

ANNABETH
And don’t look at them with veiled contempt.

TOBY
I don’t.

ANNABETH
Right. It’s not veiled. Charm, and disarm.

ANNABETH leads TOBY into the press briefing room. He slowly makes his way to the podium, the reporters gathered before him.

TOBY
Good afternoon.

ALL
Good afternoon.

TOBY
I’ll take your questions.

STEVE
What’s your response to criticism of the administration’s lukewarm support for higher CAFE standards, as reflected in today’s defeat in the House?

TOBY
Well, what today’s vote reflected -

TOBY leans on the podium. ANNABETH clears her throat to catch his attention. He stands up straighter.

TOBY
- between anti-regulatory Republicans and auto-state Democrats we were outgunned. (pause) As far as our lukewarm support, I’d characterize it as more of a parboil myself.

The reporters chuckle. TOBY has a small smile.

TOBY
White House commitment to fuel conservation can more readily be measured by the alternative energy task force meeting currently in progress.

KATIE
Isn’t this hastily convened task force just an attempt to counteract the symbolism of a White House senior staffer totaling a hybrid while driving one of the most fuel-inefficient passenger vehicles sold in the world?

TOBY
Questions as to symbolism and the relative meanings thereof are the purview of the Department of Metaphor -

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

TOBY’s press conference is seen on a TV screen, with CJ watching.

TOBY (on TV)
- I refer you to the Undersecretary for Whimsy and Caprice for further comment.

CJ has a skeptical smile as we hear the reporters laugh.

MARK (on TV)
But, really, this alternative energy summit’s not -

We cut back to the press briefing room.

MARK
- gonna fool anyone.

TOBY
Good. Then maybe we can stop thinking of it as something intended to fool people and start thinking of it as, a way to maybe get something done. Fuel conservation is a critical issue, we were outgunned today in Congress but not outflanked.

ANNABETH smiles approvingly as the reporters shout more questions.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

Back to the alternative energy summit. JOSH is looking at a small model of a hydrogen powered vehicle.

JOSH
So what are the obstacles to using hydrogen as a replacement fuel?

TYMINSKI
Distribution. Uh, to transport and then dispense it, you’d have to liquefy it.

JOSH
Is that an issue?

TYMINSKI
You just need to freeze it, and then open it.

SHEETS
At enormous pressure.

JOSH
I don’t understand, what’s the problem?

TYMINSKI
When you do that, it can -

McKENNA
Have a tendency to explode.

ANDERS
Like the Hindenburg.

JOSH carefully puts the vehicle model down.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CHARLIE is continuing his tour through the West Wing handing out resumes.

CHARLIE
So you could just file it, or toss it, or -

CJ
The President wants you to quit.

CHARLIE
But like I said, I don’t actually -

CJ
You promised him once you graduated, you would.

CHARLIE
It was more of an implied understanding.

CJ
Yes or no, Charlie?

CHARLIE
Yes. I guess.

CJ (looking at the resume)
It’s a dilemma.

CHARLIE
No, all you have to do is -

CJ
Charlie, what’s my job?

CHARLIE
Excuse me?

CJ
My job. It’s to serve the President. It seems to me the President has expressed a clear wish.

CHARLIE
I don’t -

CJ
If he’d handed me your resume, do you imagine I could ignore it?

CHARLIE
Maybe I should just take this back.

CHARLIE takes the resume from CJ and starts out of the office.

CJ
Yeah, you probably shouldn’t have come in here with that … Deputy Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff … 

CHARLIE
Sorry?

CJ
Your new title. (pause) Come work for me.

CHARLIE (perplexed)
What?

CJ
You’re smart, responsible, you know the President, why wouldn’t I hire you? The title’s a little gaudy, but it mostly means you’ll do whatever’s needed to be done, a catchall; but grown-up, policy stuff.

CHARLIE
You’re serious.

CJ
You’d be a stone’s throw from the Oval. The President can’t miss you if you haven’t really gone.

A smile grows across CHARLIE’s face.

CHARLIE
I don’t know what to say. Can I think it over?

CJ (smiling)
Not really.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

ANNABETH and TOBY are leaving the press briefing room.

ANNABETH 
That was -

TOBY
Absolute misery.

ANNABETH
What?

TOBY
Lean forward, but not too far, but don’t lean back; oh, my bleeding tie’s distracting from my fuzzy beard, be smart, be funny, look pleasant … I’ve never been more self-conscious in my life. I don’t want to be good at this.

ANNABETH
Don’t worry – it was better. Good’s still a ways off.

TOBY stops in a doorway as ANNABETH keeps walking.

ANNABETH (over her shoulder)
You’re welcome.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

McKENNA is giving the wind power presentation at the energy summit.

McKENNA
Wind turbines in California produce enough kilowatt-hours of electricity to light San Francisco, saving the state the equivalent of well over ten million barrels of oil.

JOSH
Uh, wind provides 1.27 percent of California’s electricity?

McKENNA
From 13,000 turbines.

JOSH
So in order to get all of its energy from wind, California would have to build -

TYMINSKI
Only one million more, and oh, by the way, they’re an eyesore and no one wants them.

ANDERS
What happens when the wind doesn’t blow?

McKENNA
Gee, I don’t know, what happens when the sun isn’t shining?

JOSH
This really isn’t helpful -

McKENNA
Wind is clean. Increasingly competitive. The fastest growing energy technology in the world. The Bartlet administration could restore US leadership in wind power.

TYMINSKI
I can see the slogan now: “Breaking Wind Together.”

JOSH looks frustrated as a couple of the panelists chuckle.

CUT TO: EXT. - WHITE HOUSE PORTICO – NIGHT

ZOEY walks down the Portico, joining CHARLIE who is standing there waiting for her.

ZOEY
Hey.

CHARLIE
I only have a minute.

ZOEY
What’d you want to tell me?

CHARLIE
I got a interesting offer – that you’re pretty much responsible for.

ZOEY
What?

CHARLIE
In appreciation … I’d like to tell you about it over dinner.

ZOEY
Are you – asking me on a date?

CHARLIE
A thank-you dinner.

ZOEY
That’s a date.

CHARLIE
So far it isn’t anything. You haven’t said that you’ll go.

ZOEY (takes a moment)
Sure.

ZOEY walks away as CHARLIE smiles.

CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE FOYER – NIGHT

JOSH and TOBY are walking in the hall.

TOBY
So?

JOSH
What?

TOBY
What are we announcing?

JOSH
We don’t know yet.

TOBY
CJ wants an announcement.

JOSH
Yeah, tell her that that’s not happening.

TOBY
Nice try.

JOSH
What?

TOBY
She’s pissed at you, you tell her.

JOSH
She wasn’t pissed. Nettled, maybe.

TOBY
Whatever, you’re telling her. Really, nothing came out of it?

JOSH
Wind power, turns out the churn from the turbines changes the weather on the ground.

TOBY
Probably not ideal from an environmental standpoint.

JOSH
Three hours of stuff like that.

TOBY
That you’re telling her.

TOBY walks away.

JOSH 
Yeah.

CUT TO: INT. - MURAL ROOM – NIGHT

KATE is saying goodbye to a group of Chinese officials, speaking Chinese as they exit. She sits and looks at a folder. DONNA appears, on her crutches.

DONNA
I’m not ready.

There is a moment as KATE looks up at her.

DONNA
I have spoken to experts and they told me what to look for and I don’t have to look very hard. I do get angry over everything, cry over nothing, right down the list. Rejecting offers of help, that’s on there, too. (beat) I’m sure talking to you would be helpful. Actually, I’m … I’m not sure of that. I’m not sure of much of anything – except that I’m not ready.

KATE
I understand.

DONNA
Okay.

There is a pause as several emotions cross DONNA’s face. She turns to go.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT

JOSH comes in the door, knocking.

JOSH
Hey.

CJ
How was your energy meeting?

JOSH
It was pretty Darwinian. They’re so great at knocking each other’s technology, it makes you want to run out and buy stock in Chevron.

CJ
They know we can’t fund everything.

JOSH
I don’t know what we can announce, other than the world’s running out of oil, and in 20 years we’re all gonna starve to death – you know, those that haven’t already been wiped out in an energy war with China, because the fuel alternatives are even less ready than you thought.

BARTLET has appeared in the doorway behind JOSH, listening.

CJ
Yeah.

BARTLET
It’s all economics.

JOSH
Mr. President.

CJ (rising)
Sir.

BARTLET
Why do the Saudis fight to keep oil prices from rising?

JOSH
To discourage conservation.

CJ
And the development of alternative fuels?

BARTLET
And it works - ‘cause we let them. Economics.

CJ
So what do we do?

BARTLET
Veto the omnibus transportation bill.

CJ
Why?

BARTLET
To demand the higher CAFE standards.

CJ
Because Josh demolished a hybrid?

BARTLET
Because improving fuel economy deserves far more than a 20 minute debate.

CJ
Sir, there aren’t the votes to sustain, they’ll just override.

JOSH
It pushes the subject out there – jump-starts a national debate.

BARTLET
Hummer sales had their best month ever this year. And Prius is expanding its production 50 percent. The markets are doing what markets do, sorting itself out, messily, and with contradiction. Better fuel economy’s an idea that just has to reach its tipping point.

CJ
A veto maybe nudges it a little closer.

BARTLET (to JOSH)
And keep having those meetings. We wait til the alternatives are perfect, it’s all gonna be too late.

JOSH (rising to leave)
Thank you, Mr. President.

BARTLET (to CJ)
What was it you wanted?

CJ
Sir, if you’ll follow me …

CJ stands and leads BARTLET back into the Oval Office, where a man (ROGER QUAST) waits. There is a chess board on the table, set to begin a game.

QUAST
Mr. President.

CJ
Sir, this is Roger Quast from HUD. He was on the Stanford chess team, he’s here to play a game with you.

BARTLET
Roger, unfortunately you’ve been dragged here for nothing -

CJ
Sir? I’ve cleared your schedule for the hour, I spoke with Leo, you’re going to play chess, Mr. President.

BARTLET (to QUAST)
You heard the lady.

CJ turns to go back to her office.

BARTLET (to CJ)
Where do you think you’re going?

CJ
Sir?

BARTLET
You’re gonna play me.

CJ
Sir, I don’t really -

BARTLET
Stanford here is going to stay and help you. Sit down.

BARTLET and CJ move to the table.

BARTLET (to QUAST)
Chess team, huh?

QUAST
Yes, sir.

CJ
I’m just trying to imagine the cheer. “Check him to the left, check him to the right, stand up, sit down, shhh.”

BARTLET
I was on the chess team.

CJ
Right.

They sit, CJ and QUAST across from BARTLET.

CJ
I really have no clues -

BARTLET
He’s gonna help you. And I’ll know if you’re holding back, young man. You are hereby directed by presidential fiat to try your damndest to kick your Commander-in-Chief’s ass.

BARTLET and QUAST exchange a handshake.

QUAST (to CJ)
King’s pawn up two spaces.

CJ moves her piece, BARTLET responds with a move of his own.

DISSOLVE TO: END TITLES.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END.
* * *

The West Wing and all its characters are properties of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Productions, Warner Brothers Television, and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.

The West Wing Transcript
Episode 6x5 – The Hubbert Peak
Original Airdate: November 7, 2004