THE WEST WING TRANSCRIPT: Drought Conditions (S6E16)

THE WEST WING
6x16 - “DROUGHT CONDITIONS”
WRITTEN BY DEBORA CAHN
DIRECTED BY ALEX GRAVES

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

TEASER

DROUGHT CONDITIONS

FADE IN: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

The scene begins with a close up of a drink and two hands, unintelligible bar chatter in the background. A hand pick up a newspaper, then puts it down as the other hand reaches inside a suit jacket and pulls out a pair of eyeglasses. We now see it’s TOBY, regarding the glasses. He has a small cut on his right cheek.

TOBY (to himself)
Eleven three.

BARTENDER (VO, to a woman we hear walking up)
What can I get you?

WOMAN (VO)
Uh, glass of red, whatever’s open.

TOBY’s head remains unmoving, but his eyes glide back and forth at the woman and her glass being filled.

WOMAN (VO)
Thanks. (pause) We have to stop meeting like this, people will talk.

TOBY (with a slight smile)
I’d offer to make an honest woman of you but you’d tire of me, and then I’d be left with nothing but my knitting.

WOMAN (VO)
You knit?

TOBY
I don’t. So I’d be left with nothing at all.

Now we see the WOMAN sitting at the bar, as she chuckles at TOBY’s remark. She turns to look at him.

WOMAN
What happened to your face?

TOBY remains silent, his eyes darting about.

CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL ROOM – DAY

JOSH comes in the door, finding a hubbub of chatter and activity. MATT is singing ‘Alison’ by Elvis Costello.

MATT (singing)
Alll-i-son …

NED (carrying a newspaper to MATT)
Boston Globe.

MATT (singing)
I knooow this world is kill-ing you …

NED
Fourth paragraph.

MATT (reading)
‘Vice President Robert Russell clings to his lead -’

NED
Oh, sorry, third paragraph.

MATT (reading)
‘Congressman Matthew Santos emerged from the pack with a healthy 19 percent of the New Hampshire primary votes.’ (as he taps JOSH on the back and throws a duffle bag over his shoulder) ‘Even more impressive than his unexpected vault into third place was his considered candor that he brought to the stage in last week’s debate.’

RONNA
The Post called it ‘shrewd certitude.’ They love you.

JOSH
Today.

RONNA
Ignore him.

MATT
Josh, we got 11 major newspapers here tooting our horn, you gotta open up your arms, feel the love.

JOSH
I feel it, sir, I feel very warm.

NED
He’s pissed ‘cause Dave Pemberton at Slate wrote about Rafferty.

JOSH
As did Chris Latham, Latham and Pemberton are opinion-makers.

MATT (showing JOSH a printout)
Allison Wexler at Newsweek, here, she’s an opinion-maker, she’s pretty enthusiastic about the Santos for President idea.

JOSH
She’s good, but she’s -

MATT (singing again)
Alisonnnn …

JOSH (as everyone heads to the hotel corridor)
Latham and Pemberton both wrote about Senator Rafferty’s speech. They write about it now, everyone who can spell is writing about it next week. Rafferty got into the race five minutes ago -

MATT (singing)
… is kill-ing you … Alison …

JOSH
New Hampshire was a coup for us, you’re the Cinderella story, everybody should be writing about you.

MATT (singing)
My aim is true …

JOSH
There’s only room for one scrappy insurgency, we’re it.

MATT (in JOSH’s face, singing)
My aim is true.

JOSH
You’re not gonna kiss me, are you?

NED (as he and MATT get in the elevator)
See you at the airport.

JOSH
Ronna, find me a copy of the damn Rafferty speech.

MATT (as the elevator door closes, singing)
… my aim is true …

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

ACT ONE

FADE IN: INT. - COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN – DAY

TOBY walks into the bullpen, papers under his arm and another in his hand. ANNABETH sees him coming in.

ANNABETH
Hey, there. I didn’t know you were back today.

TOBY
Yeah, I’m back.

ANNABETH
How’re you doing?

TOBY
Did Brower send us something on Head Start?

ANNABETH
Uh, no.

TOBY
I mean Doug Wallace, not Brower. I spoke to him about it.

ANNABETH
You want me to call somebody?

TOBY (walking toward his office)
Huh? (stopping) Uh, no, I’ll do it.

ANNABETH
You know, I’m joining you today in the -

TOBY shuts the door in her face.

ANNABETH
- Oval.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is paging through files on her desk, as she sets down her coffee mug.

CJ
Margaret? I need a copy of the Western Water Program. And I ha-, I had a blue binder marked EPA -

CJ picks up her mug, turns, and collides with MARGARET coming to her desk. The coffee spills all over CJ’s front. CJ screeches.

MARGARET
Oh God!

CJ
Oh, God!

MARGARET (trying to clean up CJ)
Oh!

MARGARET dashes to the closet and starts going through blouses. She pulls one out and shows it to CJ.

MARGARET
How about this one?

CJ
Penne with red sauce. 

MARGARET hangs that one up and pulls out another.

MARGARET
This?

CJ
Vodka with cranberry.

MARGARET returns that blouse to the closet.

MARGARET
You’re supposed to tell me when you’re out so I can go to the dry cleaners.

MARGARET goes back to CJ and works on the coffee stain some more, blowing on it trying to dry it out.

CJ
You’re my assistant, not my wife.

MARGARET
It’ll be much less noticeable when it’s dry.

MARGARET stops blowing, stands up, examines the stain – then pushes CJ’s arms, carrying a binder, over her chest.

MARGARET
Hug the binder.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET is in the Oval Office with senior staff, including TOBY, LEO, ANNABETH, and a few others. CJ is holding the binder across her chest.

CJ
Interior’s released the draft of the Western Water Program with your revisions. We’re going wide early, hopefully we get an alliance behind it before it hits Congress.

BARTLET
They up the numbers at all?

CJ
Forty million’s the best we can do. (to LEO) I may need a hand on this. If anybody, uh, has any comments on the Energy Trust Fund summary, today’s the day.

CJ lets the binder drop into her lap.

TOBY
I thought it already went to the floor.

ANNABETH notices the stain and tries to silently get CJ’s attention.

CJ
Almost. Josh was handling it. We lost some momentum when he stepped out.

BARTLET
Chronic problem, that.

TOBY
Did Josh - drop it or did he give it to somebody, or … ?

ANNABETH shoots a rubber band at CJ.

CJ
Ooh! God!

ANNABETH lifts her own binder to her chest. CJ notices and quickly does the same.

BARTLET (not noticing the rubberband)
Hmmmm?

CJ
Nothing. Hi … (to ANNABETH) Hi.

ANNABETH
Is this a good time?

CJ
Yes. Annabeth’s here to discuss the DNC gala tonight.

BARTLET
And we’re delighted to have you.

ANNABETH
Thank you. Every Democratic contender will be in town for this event – including all their staffers. They’re all gonna want a piece of you.

BARTLET
So if I see one coming, I what, duck under a table?

ANNABETH
Over the top, but, we’re in the right area.

BARTLET
I’m not avoiding my former Deputy Chief of Staff.

ANNABETH
He’s gonna ask you for a favor, you’re gonna have to say no, and then you’re gonna feel bad.

BARTLET
No favor, just small talk. (gesturing to the cane leaning on his desk) Could you give me that, CJ?

CJ (standing, still holding the binder to her chest)
Every sitting President goes through this. It’s a time-honored annoyance, sir, let’s just navigate through it as gracefully as possible.

BARTLET (taking the cane from CJ)
Thank you all. (standing) Toby?

TOBY (as most of the attendees begin to leave)
Yes, sir?

LEO (quietly, handing the rubberband to ANNABETH)
I believe this is yours.

BARTLET (to TOBY)
You doing okay?

TOBY
Yes, sir, thank you. My sister-in-law, uh, was very moved by the letter. She wanted me to tell you how much she appreciated it.

BARTLET
You should take as much time as you need.

TOBY
I prefer to be back at work, thank you, sir.

TOBY exits.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

We return to TOBY and the WOMAN having a discussion.

WOMAN
You’re not going to tell me what happened?

TOBY
I cut myself shaving.

WOMAN
With a machete?

TOBY
Very few people guess that, but it is, in fact, the case.

The WOMAN gets up and moves to the seat next to TOBY.

WOMAN
You should get a Band-Aid – some ointment.

TOBY
I’ll look into that.

WOMAN
Never call a woman and say ‘we have to talk.’ It’s not nice.

TOBY
Duly noted.

WOMAN
You don’t smoke, do you?

TOBY
Me? No. The occasional cigar, not cigarettes.

WOMAN
Yeah, me, neither.

TOBY (after a moment; to the BARTENDER)
You sell cigarettes here?

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ enters her office, followed by LEO, still holding the binder to her chest. MARGARET is hovering about with something for CJ to sign.

CJ
This lack of Josh is becoming a problem.

LEO
You think about a replacement?

CJ
I’ve been working under the assumption we’d get him back, I never thought Santos would hang on this long.

LEO
Nineteen percent in New Hampshire – maybe he’s a contender?

CJ (sighing)
The Water Program.

LEO
Yes.

CJ
We’re trying to sort out a three-way war between cities, farmers, and environmentalists, all trying to get their hands on every last drop of the Colorado River.

LEO
There’s less to go around than everybody thought.

CJ
I’ve got lobbyists from each of the three groups coming in today.

LEO
What time?

CJ
10 o’clock’s the first, Urban Development lobby.

LEO
Who’s their guy?

CJ
Cliff Calley.

LEO (leaving)
No wonder you want flank support.

CJ (as ANNABETH comes around the corner)
Annabeth, try not to worry too much about the DNC thing tonight. Russell’s going to win the nomination, the President’s going to endorse him, a photo at the gala’s not going to tip the balance.

ANNABETH
The President’s not quietly plugging for someone else?

CJ
He really isn’t.

ANNABETH
Greg Brock thinks he is. He came in this morning and he didn’t sound like a man with a hunch.

CJ
Give him a call, tell him the principal wants to see him.

ANNABETH exits as KATE comes in.

KATE
Uh, diplomatic mission to Mali?

CJ
Bali?

KATE
Mali, with an M.

CJ
Not Bali with a Hai?

KATE
No.

CJ
Oh, I thought maybe you had a cold. (yelling) Margaret, cancel my lunch.

KATE (noticing the stained blouse)
What happened to your boob?

CJ
Really?

KATE
Chairman of Foreign Ops is holding a planning session for the diplomatic mission to Mali. I’ll be there, but it’d be great to have somebody from your end.

CHARLIE steps in, surprised to see KATE there.

CHARLIE
Oh, sorry -

CJ
No! Come in, help her organize Mali.

KATE 
Up on the Hill this afternoon.

CHARLIE (to CJ)
Did Toby give you his changes on the remarks to the FOP?

CJ
No, he didn’t, you don’t have ‘em yet?

CHARLIE
No.

CJ
Ask him again, make sure he knows it’s this week.

CHARLIE and KATE exit.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

KATE and CHARLIE are walking in the hall.

KATE
State and Foreign Ops has been working with USAID on what they’re calling high impact health services for Mali. This trip’s sort of a kickoff.

CHARLIE
They’re focusing on HIV?

KATE
That and child immunization. Look through that stuff, let me know if you have any questions.

CHARLIE (as they reach CHARLIE’s office)
You have any interest in being fixed up?

KATE
Not the kind of question I was referring to.

CHARLIE
There’s a guy at the gym. He asked me if you were seeing anyone. Guess you’re famous.

KATE heads out of the office. As CHARLIE grabs a folder and goes back to his desk, KATE is back in the doorway.

KATE
What guy?

CHARLIE
I don’t know his name.

KATE
Seriously?

CHARLIE
We have mutual friends. I played a pick-up game with him about two years ago, we were introduced at the time – but now I see him around the machines at the gym and it’s all, ‘hey, man, how you doing?’ And it’s two years later, I can’t ask him his name, it’s rude.

KATE
And he asked you to fix me up with him?

CHARLIE
He asked if you were seeing anyone. We were a couple of guys talking at the gym. We keep the sentences short.

KATE
This is … no. And you should talk about something else at the gym.

KATE leaves.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

MARGARET is scrubbing away at CJ’s blouse.

MARGARET
I got most of it … club soda and salt …

CJ
That’s great.

MARGARET
It’s wet, though.

CJ
Yes. 

MARGARET
You want to go with the binder again?

CJ
It didn’t work so well the first time.

MARGARET takes off her jacket, with fringe on the sleeves and a sparkly rose pin on the lapel. She offers it to CJ.

MARGARET
Here.

CJ
Are you sure?

MARGARET (helping her into it)
Of course.

CJ
Can I lose the pin?

MARGARET
It was my aunt’s - she’s no longer with us.

CJ (starting to take the pin off)
Well, you should wear it.

MARGARET (stopping her)
It’s covering a hole.

LEO breezes in the door.

LEO
You ready?

CJ
Are you sure we shouldn’t have pulled Toby in for this?

LEO
For Cliff Calley you want a whole phalanx?

CJ
He de-pantsed us on the Clean Air bill singlehandedly.

LEO
He’s a lobbyist now, he’s out to build bridges.

CJ
Well, he’s slippery.

MARGARET
Greg Brock’s here.

CJ (to LEO)
I’ll meet you in the Mural.

LEO (nodding towards MARGARET)
She send you to her tailor?

LEO heads out as GREG BROCK enters.

BROCK
Morning.

CJ
Hi, pookie. I hear you think the President picked a horse.

BROCK
I think he’s done more than that, I think he’s channeling support, but what do I know?

CJ
Well, I know a tremendous amount for a woman of my years, and I can tell you the President supports all the Democratic candidates and plans to remain neutral until after the primary process.

BROCK
What if he did – hypothetically?

CJ
Back a candidate now?

BROCK
Hypothetically.

CJ
Congress would go through the roof. Anything the President tried to do in the next five months they’d decimate, because support of it would appear to be support of a candidate that half the Democrats and all the Republicans despise. And it would bring his entire agenda for the last year to a screeching halt.

BROCK
So if that, hypothetically, was what was happening, he probably wouldn’t tell anybody. He probably wouldn’t even tell you.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

Back to TOBY and the WOMAN.

WOMAN
Wish I’d have been there.

TOBY
Would have been awkward.

WOMAN
Would have stood in the back, kept my head down. There must have been a large NASA contingent.

TOBY
His wife didn’t want that. (pause) If you didn’t do what you do … what would you do?

WOMAN
Um, medicine, probably. (beat) No, that’s a lie. I’d grow apples. I’d run an apple orchard and cider mill … and I’d be fat as all get-out.

TOBY
Sometimes I think what if I was at UNICEF or United Way, pulling together the AIDS fight, or - back in New York turning the public school system around, would that be a more effective use of my 24 hours? But not this. Not pushing on the ocean.

WOMAN (smiling ruefully)
Hmm. So, who threw the first punch?

TOBY regards her in silence.

FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE.
* * *

ACT TWO

FADE IN: INT. - WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

CJ walks up to greet CLIFF CALLEY, shaking hands as CALLEY stands with LEO.

CJ
Cliff, good to see you.

CALLEY
CJ Cregg with the snazzy promotion, I don’t know if I bow or kiss the ring. What’s the protocol?

CJ
Stand when I sit, sit when I stand, ‘yes’ my every question …

LEO (as they start off for the Mural Room)
You see this kid’s suit? Didn’t dress like that when he worked at Ways and Means.

CALLEY
You like?

LEO
I do, where’d you get something - ?

CALLEY
I’ll tell you where, I have a guy down -

CJ
Gentlemen?

CALLEY
Sorry, your suit’s nice, too.

CJ (beat)
Have you had a chance to look over the proposal?

CALLEY
Is it going to get a new name?

CJ
The Water Program?

CALLEY
A little on the nose, no?

CJ
You’ve got a better idea?

CALLEY
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink?

CJ (as they enter the Mural Room)
Hmm, we’ll think about it. I’m guessing you have other issues, so why don’t we – (gesturing to a chair)

CALLEY
Hang on … (he takes a moment, looking around) Oh, man, I just had a deja vu. Wow. Sorry, go ahead.

LEO
We’re trying to, uh, circumnavigate as much as we can early on, so – let’s talk about what else you’re worried about -

CALLEY
That’s not – necessary.

CJ
The name’s your only problem?

CALLEY
No, no, I don’t like any of it, I don’t think it’s gonna work out, but I really don’t like the name.

CJ
Admittedly, it’s not so much a solution as a beginning, but it’s a good first step.

CALLEY
Yeah, it isn’t. It’s a, it’s a Band-Aid that’ll give the federal government permission to ignore drought conditions in 11 states for another five years, we’re not getting anywhere near it. Where’d you get the pin?

CJ
From a dead woman, can we - ?

CALLEY
The Drought Program. That’s a good name.

CJ
Conservation measures -

CALLEY
The Drought Plan. Yeah. Because you’ve created a plan that will extend the drought. Put a star next to that one -

CJ
It’s not a drought. It would be a drought if we were experiencing far less than average annual rainfall, but we’re not. We’re dealing with 58 million people wrestling over one river’s water, based on calculations taken in what we now know were 20 flood years. The party’s over. I’m asking you to work with us.

CALLEY
Hey, I hear you. I hear your frustration -

LEO
Cliff.

CALLEY
Look, Congress won’t touch it. Even if I thought more of it than I do, which is little, the New Mexico delegation can’t vote for it ‘cause it makes them look too pro-EPA. Silbey in Colorado can’t vote for it ‘cause it makes him look too anti-EPA. The California Central Valley folks can’t support it because any funding they’d get from it’ll be deducted from the 42 million they’re already getting from the EPA for pollution management. Collins might vote for it just to piss off Silbey, but – I wouldn’t stake my morning on anything Hugh Collins might do. He’s a bit of a tippler.

CJ
Why’d you come in here if you weren’t prepared to play ball?

CALLEY
My niece loves those little M&Ms with the seal of the President on ‘em. She, uh – she takes ‘em to school, gets a lot of attention. You got any of those lying around?

CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

JOSH is at the guard desk, trying to get approval to enter the West Wing.

GUARD (turning a page in his binder)
Sorry, Mr. Lyman. This’ll just take a minute.

JOSH
No problem, Larry. No problem at all, take your time.

Another White House staffer comes in, showing his badge to the GUARD.

STAFFER
There you go. (entering) Thank you.

JOSH
Nothing going on today. Just trying to win primaries. No biggie.

GUARD (looking up from his list)
Nope.

JOSH
You’re not serious. (seeing TOBY walking by) Toby! Hey, Toby! Sign me in!

But TOBY is gone. JOSH pulls out his cell phone and dials.

MARGARET (on phone)
Yes?

JOSH (into phone)
Margaret, it’s Josh. They won’t let me in.

MARGARET (on phone)
CJ had to cancel your lunch, so I killed the pass. Didn’t get the message?

JOSH (into phone)
Yeah, I’m fine about the lunch. Just coming in to say hello, hang out for a bit. I got meetings on the Hill all afternoon.

MARGARET (on phone)
Yeah, they really frown on the hanging out.

JOSH (into phone)
You know what? Let me in.

The door opens behind JOSH and WILL and DONNA walk in.

WILL
Hi.

JOSH (to WILL and DONNA)
Hey. How’s it going?

DONNA
Good. Good flight?

JOSH
Yeah, it was great. (into phone, as WILL and DONNA are inside) Margaret, let me in the door.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

KATE and CHARLIE are walking.

KATE
Here’s the contact list for everyone involved with the trip, you’ll wanna touch base.

CHARLIE
Now?

KATE
Not right now, let’s talk about the guy.

CHARLIE
I thought I was done with that.

KATE
What’s he look like?

CHARLIE
Like a white guy.

KATE
Like a pasty white guy?

CHARLIE
He’s Brad Pitt. He’s Henry Kissinger.

KATE
Stop it.

WILL (walking up)
Hi.

KATE
Hey.

WILL
I need Charlie.

KATE
We’re working.

WILL
I heard ‘Brad Pitt,’ you’re not working. (to CHARLIE) Talk to me about the announcement for the family leave expansion.

CHARLIE
The VP wants to come?

KATE
Hello -

WILL
Am I interrupting?

KATE
You were in New Hampshire, right?

WILL
I was.

KATE
That was nice.

WILL (beat; to CHARLIE)
You’ll call me about the announcement?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

WILL walks away.

KATE
The US Ambassador to Mali and the US Global AIDS Coordinator are gonna want copies of whatever we come up with this afternoon.

CHARLIE
No problem.

KATE
Just tell me, tall or short.

CHARLIE
He’s a good-looking guy, he’s smart, he’s got a job, he’s not a jerk. I don’t know his favorite color or his sign, but – he’s got all his teeth and almost all his hair, so -

KATE
Almost? How much is almost?

CHARLIE
He’s got a, high forehead.

KATE
This is a bad idea. This is a bad idea.

CUT TO: INT. - OUTER OVAL OFFICE – DAY

JOSH walks in, greeting DEBBIE.

JOSH
Look at this woman.

DEBBIE
Hello, pumpkin.

JOSH
She’s a vision.

DEBBIE
I heard security didn’t want to let you in.

JOSH
Eh, new guy.

DEBBIE
I heard it was Larry.

JOSH
How you doing?

DEBBIE
Good, a little back pain.

JOSH
Sorry to hear that.

DEBBIE
I’m thinking of shiatsu.

JOSH
That’s great stuff.

DEBBIE
Yeah, that’s what they say.

JOSH
You’re not letting me in there, are you?

DEBBIE
Not a chance.

JOSH turns and walks away.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ and LEO are returning after their meeting with CALLEY.

CJ
M&Ms bearing the seal of the President – this from a grown man.

LEO
You got any?

CJ
What?

LEO
The M&Ms, I’m a little peckish.

CJ throws open a drawer on her desk, pulls out a box, and tosses it to LEO.

LEO
Thank you.

CJ
We’ve got the agriculture lobby in an hour, this better not happen with them.

LEO
It won’t, we’ll get agriculture on board, we’ll do some hand-holding on the Hill, we’ll put it together without him.

CJ (heading out to MARGARET’s desk)
Who behaves like that? It’s unprofessional -

LEO
Yet terribly effective. You ought to have a conversation with him. I’m happy picking up the loose ends, but Josh Lyman left a big hole in this place, maybe he’s coming back, maybe he isn’t.

CJ
You want me to hire Cliff Calley?

LEO
He knows the Hill, he knows what he’s talking about.

CJ (going back into her office)
You’re talking about a guy who used to work for Congressional Republicans!

LEO
I’m talking about a guy who shut down an investigation of my substance abuse history because he thought maybe we should be governing the country.

CJ pauses, ready to listen.

LEO
It’s a Republican Congress. Not the worst thing in the world to have someone with relationships on both sides of the aisle.

CJ
No. He’s the wrong choice, and he’s irritating, and he’s obnoxious.

LEO
That’s worked for us in the past.

We hear JOSH, outside at MARGARET’s desk, shouting at her.

JOSH (VO, yelling)
Here’s the part where, in deference to my years of service, you suspend for a moment the Teutonic allegiance to protocol and shift thyself out of my way!

MARGARET appears at the door.

MARGARET
Josh Lyman – to see you.

JOSH (entering)
Was this place such a killjoy when I worked here, or have the brownshirts taken over?

JOSH’s cellphone buzzes.

MARGARET
You’re vibrating.

JOSH
I feel that. Thanks.

JOSH pulls out his phone and answers it.

JOSH (into phone)
Yes. (beat) No! I am in town for one day! Tell him he reschedules this thing again, I’m gonna tear off his head and fashion his skull into a decorative fruit bowl!

LEO and CJ exchange glances as JOSH hangs up.

CUT TO: INT. - OUTER OVAL OFFICE – DAY

WILL comes into the office, greeting DEBBIE.

WILL
Debbie!

DEBBIE
Will!

WILL
How goes it?

DEBBIE
Little bit of back pain, were I to tell the truth.

WILL
Sorry to hear that.

DEBBIE
Thinking about yoga.

WILL
Hear it does wonders.

DEBBIE
You can’t see him.

WILL
Five minutes. Two?

DEBBIE
Write a letter.

WILL (leaving)
You should be stuck in double lotus … with an itch.

DEBBIE
Good to see you.

CUT TO: INT. - MURAL ROOM – DAY

CHARLIE is in the Mural Room as a few other people exit, and KATE comes in.

CHARLIE
Is it time for the meeting already?

KATE
Uh, not quite, I just wanted to make sure you were clear on how the committee was funding the trip. It, it’s complicated, so if you want to talk through that -

CHARLIE
It’s really not -

KATE
Bring him on. The guy.

CHARLIE
You sure?

KATE
Yeah. I’m ready to, get off the bench. In the game. Like that.

CHARLIE (as they both walk out of the room)
I’ll put him on the list for the gala tonight. He’ll know a bunch of people there, you won’t have to entertain him.

KATE
Who’s he gonna know?

CHARLIE
Jimmy Hatch, Howard Kagan -

KATE
He works for the government?

CHARLIE
It’s DC, he’s not the only one.

KATE
I just thought maybe he was a regular person.

CHARLIE
Sorry.

KATE
You really don’t wanna roll out of bed with drool on your face and a little bit of a hangover and change your drawers in the car and show up at the office only to find last night’s strategic error in your 9:00 am strategic planning session.

CHARLIE
Tell me I’m not having this conversation.

KATE (sighs heavily)
Invite him to the party.

As KATE and CHARLIE continue down the hall, the camera moves into MARGARET’s desk area, where she is bringing a folder into CJ’s office.

JOSH (VO)
You see the Republican side?

LEO (VO)
Arnie Vinick. Clean sweep. Don’t panic – he could get malaria, race is wide open again.

MARGARET hands the folder to CJ, and we see MARGARET is quite pregnant.

JOSH (after MARGARET exits)
Am I seeing things or is she … ?

CJ (closing doors)
Very.

JOSH
Wow, I didn’t know she was pregnant.

LEO
She’s pregnant.

JOSH
I didn’t even know she was married.

CJ shoots JOSH a look as she closes another door.

JOSH
Right. How is the President doing?

CJ
Not terrible. He gets tired and pretends he isn’t. His legs hurt and he pretends they don’t. We’re still figuring it all out.

JOSH
Yeah. What’s up with Toby, I saw him in the hall … acting like a guy who owed me money.

CJ
He’s been out of it since the funeral.

JOSH
What funeral?

There is a pause as CJ realizes JOSH doesn’t know.

CJ
David.

JOSH
His brother? He died!?

LEO
Tuesday. He was sick – he went downhill pretty fast.

JOSH
Yeah, I knew he was sick, I … I talked to Toby last week. Why wh-, why wouldn’t he say anything?

A short pause.

JOSH
Oh … I feel awful, I, I, I would’ve gone.

LEO
None of us did. They didn’t want a whole, to-do.

JOSH (rising)
I’m g-, I’m gonna – go …

LEO
Yeah. Yeah.

CJ
Hey … you think we can put together a water deal without the urban development lobby on board?

JOSH (at the door)
Out West? I don’t know, you’re gonna get resistance in New Mexico and from Silbey out of Colorado. You may get the California Central Valley guys on board, but you’d have to make it a pretty sweet deal. They’re getting a nice boost from the EPA now. They’re not gonna walk away from that without a big carrot.

JOSH exits. LEO, half-smiling, looks squarely at CJ, who avoids eye contact.

CJ
Stop it.

CUT TO: INT. - OUTER OVAL OFFICE – DAY

It’s DONNA’s turn to try to get past DEBBIE.

DONNA
It’s good to see you.

DEBBIE
It is.

DONNA
How are you doing?

DEBBIE
Ah, a little back pain.

DONNA
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.

DEBBIE
Thinking about heroin.

DONNA
Really?

DEBBIE
Will’s not getting in, don’t make me repeat it.

DONNA nods, turns, and walks away.

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

JOSH walks up to TOBY’s closed door, knocks, and steps inside.

TOBY (after a beat)
How go the wars?

JOSH
I just – heard about David. Man, I am so sorry.

TOBY
Thanks.

JOSH (closing the door)
Why didn’t you call me?

TOBY
What happened with the Energy Trust Fund? It just got dropped.

JOSH
Screw the Energy Trust Fund, I, I, I wish I could have been at the -

TOBY
The Mental Health Commission? You dropped a bunch of stuff and walked away.

JOSH (beat)
It all got handed off.

TOBY (quietly, shuffling papers)
Oh, that’s – I gotta - 

JOSH
Yeah.

TOBY turns from his desk and starts studying a folder. JOSH’s phone buzzes. He pulls it out.

JOSH (into phone)
Hang on one second. (to TOBY) I got a 12 o’clock conference call and a 2 o’clock on the Hill, you want to get some food in between?

TOBY
Can’t today.

JOSH and TOBY stare at each other, until TOBY turns his attention back to the folder. JOSH opens the door slowly and steps out into the bullpen, talking into the phone again. TOBY goes to the door and closes it.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

TOBY and the WOMAN continue to talk.

TOBY
A lot of people I know are working on these campaigns. You’re all in the same boat – you’re soldiers in the same war – and then, all of a sudden, the borders shift, and every word you say, and every soda you drink has loyalty connotations.

WOMAN
Could be campaigns, could be you’re not ready to talk to anybody yet.

TOBY
I don’t have a problem talking to anybody.

WOMAN
You don’t?

TOBY
I don’t have a problem talking to you.

WOMAN
I’m special.

TOBY
Yes, you are.

WOMAN (beat)
You think we rushed into this?

TOBY (whispering)
Maybe.

WOMAN
Hmmm. (beat) You sorry that we did?

TOBY
I’m not, actually.

There is a pause.

TOBY
Doesn’t mean we didn’t rush into it.

FADE OUT.
END ACT TWO.
* * *

ACT THREE

FADE IN: INT. - WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

There are quite a few people sitting on chairs, or standing in the foyer, appearing to be waiting for meetings. JOSH is pacing back and forth, talking loudly into his cell phone.

JOSH (into phone)
What do you mean, we’re not on Meet The Press? No, no no, no, c-, call ‘em back, talk to Elise Bain – tell her they’re not bumping us for Ricky Rafferty.

DONNA comes out of a doorway behind JOSH and walks up to him.

DONNA
Hang up.

JOSH (into phone)
Tell her the Congressman is available tomorrow only. Rafferty can wait.

DONNA
Hang up now.

JOSH (to DONNA)
Keep your pants on. (into phone) Call me back.

As JOSH hangs up, DONNA grabs his arm and starts moving him out of the foyer.

JOSH
I’m gonna put a hit out on Ricky Rafferty.

DONNA
I need to talk to you, not with a million people around.

DONNA leads JOSH down a hallway and then into a dark closet. As she closes the door:

JOSH
Is our relationship about to change?

A light clicks on.

DONNA
Rafferty put out the full text of the health plan, Annabeth had a copy. (handing JOSH a document) Look at page three.

JOSH (reading)
‘Obliterate the money-laundering middleman between you and your doctor.’ Why didn’t every article lead with this?

DONNA
It wasn’t in the first speech. They release the whole plan today, guarantees them another three days of coverage. Look how it’s structured -

JOSH
Well, it’s structured like Jed Bartlet structured it before we forced him to cut it out of his plan.

DONNA
Rafferty’s gotta have someone who worked on the President’s first health care initiative. That was you, Toby, Sam, Melanie, Ken … 

JOSH
You missed one.

DONNA
No. Who’d I miss?

JOSH
The President.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

JOSH walks through the door. CJ is sitting at a chair working on files.

JOSH
You got a second? Has the President sat down with Senator Rafferty?

CJ (gesturing to her papers)
Josh …

JOSH
Lunch? Casual?

CJ
Absolutely not.

JOSH
Maybe he’s not sure Russell’s representing core Democratic values, thinks a spoiler might, nudge the debate in an interesting direction -

CJ
The President plans to endorse whoever gets his party’s nomination, we assume that will be the Vice President. I’m sorry he’s not prepared to back your candidate, but he’s most certainly not backing Ricky Rafferty.

JOSH 
I can s-, see where this Rafferty thing is heading. Four weeks of articles about - single-payer health care and it all reads like vintage Bartlet, I-

CJ
You know, the President’s not the first guy on the planet to try and phase out insurance companies; though he was a little obsessed with it. I thought you were going to burst a blood vessel trying to talk him and Toby off that one.

JOSH (to himself, realizing something)
Yeah.

CJ (standing)
I gotta go make nice with a bunch of lobbyists from the oversubsidized agribusiness conglomerates. Focus on South Carolina, Rafferty’ll flame out.

CUT TO: INT. - COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN – DAY

WILL steps into the room to talk to ANNABETH.

WILL
Hey … do you have any thoughts about Russell’s package? (correcting himself) Packaging?

ANNABETH
If this is a ‘solicit my opinion so I feel important before you ask for a favor,’ Donna’s already been here, and the VP cannot join the President at the Fraternal Order of Police on Thursday.

WILL (following ANNABETH into her office)
It’s not about the FOP, I’m grooming a man for the highest office in the land, I’m looking to perfect the image, and they say you’re good at that.

ANNABETH (beat)
They do?

WILL
Yes.

ANNABETH
These people?

WILL just looks at ANNABETH expectantly. She starts rubbing her eye, behind her eyeglasses.

WILL
Are you okay?

ANNABETH
No, I, I’m fine, I just, I have something in my contact lens.

WILL
You’re wearing glasses.

ANNABETH (taking off glasses)
Sorry.

WILL
Did I say something?

ANNABETH
No, no – it’s not you. It’s just … (sniffles) You know, you work somewhere, and your perspective and your realm of experience is different from that of everyone around you, (getting choked up) and … it’s busy. People don’t have time to pat each other on the back, and I don’t want that … but, gosh … it’s just nice to hear that … (swallows) they think I’m good. (sniffles again) Sorry!

WILL
I can come back later.

ANNABETH
No – the boots are over, the haircut was hasty, and in the debates he seems too interested in what the other candidates are saying. His S’s are slushy, his A’s are flat, he exhales too loud and inhales too often. But it’s nothing – (blows nose into a tissue) nothing that can’t be fixed. And I’m honored – really honored, that you asked.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

MARGARET is showing CALLEY into the room.

MARGARET
Cliff Calley -

CJ 
Thank you.

CALLEY (entering)
I was summoned?

CJ
You were. Sit.

CALLEY
Heel.

CJ
Excuse me?

CALLEY
Just seeing if it worked both ways. It doesn’t.

CJ
Do you have any interest in leaving the private sector?

CALLEY
Are you offering me a job?

CJ
I’m gauging your interest.

CALLEY
In a White House job -

CJ
Don’t make me think about it too hard.

CALLEY
Okay, wow! No thanks.

CJ
What?

CALLEY
It’s a temp job. Any job in this White House, and a low-paying one at that, but - wow.

CJ
A temp job?

CALLEY
I can’t believe I didn’t bring my little tape recorder, I could’ve played this for my mom -

CJ
This is all for the best, because it was a terrible idea in the first place. Leo McGarry thought you were a bridge-builder, but you’re a hack who works for a bunch of cookie-cutter condo builders and hotel magnates, I don’t know how you sleep at night.

CALLEY
Ativan.

CJ
I met with a herd of lobbyists on this water deal today, you’re the only one who wouldn’t budge an inch.

CALLEY
Let’s talk about your agribusiness monsters who are siphoning 90 percent of the Colorado River into the irrigation of California rice and alfalfa.

CJ
This country is most secure when it is its own food source.

CALLEY
Grow food, fine, it’s a desert, they’re growing monsoon crops.

CJ
I don’t need you on this project -

CALLEY
You’re right. Because I could jump in and you still wouldn’t get a deal, because the Senate’ll love it and the House won’t touch it. I’m the only one who’ll tell you to your face.

CJ
Let me thank you for your honesty and for your service to the American people.

CALLEY
Okay, you wanna know how I sleep at night? There’s a drought in Kenya. There’s a drought in Zambia. There’s a drought in India and Pakistan and Ecuador and Paraguay, and there’s a drought in Malawi and Uganda and Australia. We’re the only nation on the planet that can afford the $10 billion investment it’ll take to perfect desalination technology, and the federal government’s never gonna make that investment unless they’re forced to, because there’s a major national water crisis, and they’re taking heat from cookie-cutter condo builders and hotel magnates.

CJ throws open her desk drawer and grabs a box of M&Ms, tossing them at CALLEY.

CJ
Get out of my office.

CALLEY (looking at the box, heading for the door)
Nice.

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

The door opens and JOSH steps in, carrying some papers.

TOBY
Immigration bill’s getting gutted in committee -

JOSH (holding out the papers)
You see Rafferty’s health care plan?

TOBY (beat)
Yeah. Who was your point person on immigration?

JOSH (reading)
‘Obliterate the money-laundering middleman between you and your doctor -’ Does it bother you, someone stealing your stuff, does that – trouble you at all?

TOBY
It doesn’t.

JOSH
It would. You’re not a good sharer. (beat) Only way it doesn’t bother you is if you handed it to him yourself.

TOBY
Shut the door.

JOSH
Ricky Rafferty? Are you out of your mind?

TOBY moves to close the door.

JOSH
I’ve just eked out a lead, my guy’s the friggin’ little engine that could, what do you think you’re doing?

TOBY
I don’t know, I thought maybe, there should be somebody in the field who talks like a Democrat. (beat) You wasted the opportunity, you and your garage-sale find.

JOSH
My what?

TOBY
Ethanol pledge?

JOSH
I’m trying to win a race here!

TOBY
Matthew Santos isn’t gonna win anything. All you’ve got is a chance to shape the debates, strengthen the party, and you blew it! You ran to the center for a stinkin’ 19 percent in New Hampshire?! You’re not supposed to be trying to win anything, you don’t have the man.

JOSH
You think I left the White House to shape the debate?

TOBY
Somebody’s got to.

JOSH
This is your contribution to the soul of the party, the world needed another going-nowhere health care plan?

TOBY
The world needed to be presented with at least one useful idea.

JOSH
Now every viable candidate has to waste airtime on why they do or don’t support socialized medicine.

TOBY
There’s a profit-generating industry leeching the life out of this country’s health care! You got something better you want to talk about?!

JOSH
You’re dragging the entire field to the left!

TOBY
Good!

JOSH
You could’ve fed me ideas! You don’t like the way I’m running this thing -

TOBY
Yeah? How.

JOSH
How?! Telephone!

TOBY
How?

JOSH
What are we talking about - ?

TOBY
You didn’t ask me. Why the hell didn’t you come to me before you picked Santos?! You have any idea how strong a force we would’ve been had we taken on a candidate together?

JOSH
I’m asking you now.

TOBY
Yeah, well, no!

JOSH
That’s it? That’s your answer?

TOBY
Yeah, that’s my answer.

JOSH
You are a selfish, petty -

TOBY
Get out.

JOSH
- waste of the oxygen in the air that useful people could be using -

TOBY (screaming)
Get out!

JOSH
You get out, you selfish son of a bitch!

JOSH throws the Rafferty health care plan papers at TOBY. The picture freezes with papers flying around TOBY’s head.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

TOBY is telling the WOMAN a story.

TOBY
My brother and I used to collect pennies. Pick ‘em up off the street and put ‘em in a … in an old whiskey bottle, we swiped from our old man. Every few months or so we’d go to the bank … to get these paper things – tubes, to make rolls of change. My brother said never walk down the street without a roll of pennies in your pocket. You belt a guy with a, roll of pennies in your fist, you do some damage.

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

TOBY hurls some papers back at JOSH.

TOBY
Get out!

TOBY slowly walks around his desk, advancing on JOSH. JOSH darts from the door, grabbing  TOBY. They engage in a struggle, arms and hands around each other’s head, items from the desk crashing onto the floor. JOSH’s hand is over TOBY’s right cheek.

TOBY
Get off!

TOBY flings JOSH away, and they break apart, breathing heavily. TOBY holds a hand to his cheek. JOSH flings the door open and walks away. MARGARET, standing in the bullpen, sees TOBY and hurries off. TOBY, still panting, his cheek bleeding, goes behind his desk and tries to gather himself – then he starts to cry.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is working at her desk. She takes a moment to think about something as MARGARET enters and stands at her desk.

CJ
Oh, good. Can you ask Charlie to get me some background on desalination technology when he gets back from the Hill?

MARGARET does not respond, still standing at CJ’s desk. CJ looks up at her.

CJ
What? 

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

TOBY is sitting on his couch. There is a knock at the door. The door opens and CJ steps in, carrying a glass full of ice and a cloth. She closes the door, hands the glass to TOBY, and sits down next to him. She then gives him the cloth. They sit in silence for a moment, as TOBY eats a piece of the ice.

CJ (finally)
Maybe you should – take a week. Go back to New York.

TOBY
I don’t want a week.

CJ
You don’t have to want it, I’m just not sure you’re doing yourself any good here right now.

TOBY
I’ll be fine.

CJ
I’m not sure you’re doing us any good here right now. There are some things falling through the cracks.

TOBY
What?

CJ
Little stupid stuff, remarks to the Fraternal Order of Police, which I care about not at all, I’m happy to take it off your plate, you just need to tell me.

TOBY
I’ll do it.

CJ
You will?

TOBY nods, unconvincingly.

CJ
How are David’s kids doing?

TOBY
Just … just great.

CJ
If that’s where you should be, there’s nothing – nothing more important.

TOBY
I’m aware of what’s important in this landscape, thanks.

CJ
When you … lose somebody like that, that – young and healthy, and gone to some senseless cancer -

TOBY
Can we not do this, please?

CJ
Give yourself some time to sit with his kids and look at his picture.

TOBY (beat)
I don’t want to look at his picture.

CJ looks at TOBY with concern as he starts to tear up.

TOBY
He did this. He did this. You understand? He sat in a … garage. With the engine running.

CJ takes a moment as that sinks in, as TOBY chokes up.

CJ
He was sick -

TOBY
No. He was diagnosed. (wiping away a tear) Could’ve had years. But instead this. His wife finds him, what if one of his kids had … (choking out the words through tears) He just dropped everything and walked away. It’s Jewish tradition that you don’t leave the body alone before the funeral. You s-, someone … stays and guards it. And I sat in that room for hours, watching him. Trying to figure out what was … what could’ve … gone through his brain. (TOBY fights off the tears again) I’m not interested in looking at his picture.

CJ sits there, a tear rolling down her cheek as TOBY cries.

CJ
You want some water?

TOBY (whispering)
No.

CJ
Scotch?

TOBY (laughing, sniffling)
No.

CJ
You want me to go?

TOBY (fighting back more tears, struggling; finally, in a whisper)
No.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

TOBY sits, staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.

WOMAN
You stopped.

TOBY
Huh?

WOMAN
You were about to answer my question. How’d he die?

TOBY (taking his time; finally)
Cancer.

TOBY reaches for his drink as the WOMAN watches him.

FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE.
* * *

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: INT. - CAPITOL HALLWAY – EVENING

KATE and CHARLIE are walking after their meeting with Congressional reps.

KATE
You should check in with USAID tomorrow, they’re not so good with the details.

CHARLIE
Yeah.

KATE (pause)
Could we call your friends at DOD, find out the guy’s name?

CHARLIE
I’ll figure it out before you meet him, don’t worry.

KATE
I just want to get some info, know what I’m getting myself into.

CHARLIE
You do an NSC background check before every date? No wonder it’s been slow.

KATE
I’m not gonna do a background check, I just wanna, poke around a little at DOD.

CHARLIE
He doesn’t work at DOD.

KATE
You said he worked with Kagan and Hatch.

CHARLIE
He plays ball with them, he works at State.

KATE
What desk?

CHARLIE
Somewhere in South America, maybe Paraguay -

KATE
Uruguay?

CHARLIE
Yes.

KATE
Red hair?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

KATE
Dick Van Dyke nose?

CHARLIE
You know him?

KATE 
Used to be married to him.

KATE walks off disappointed. CHARLIE looks after her, realizing:

CHARLIE
‘Is Kate Harper seeing anyone?’ I misunderstood the initial inquiry, didn’t I?

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – NIGHT

TOBY is alone. He takes out a pair of eyeglasses and looks at them. There’s a knock at the door and LEO enters.

LEO
Since when do you wear specs?

TOBY
I don’t.

LEO
Somebody leave ‘em?

TOBY
Yeah.

LEO
They’re not mine, are they?

TOBY
I don’t think so -

LEO
I lost a pair -

TOBY
They’re not yours, Leo.

LEO
Well, they look like mine -

TOBY
They’re my brother’s.

LEO sits back in his chair.

LEO
Can you see through them?

TOBY
I don’t know.

LEO
You going to this DNC thing?

TOBY
Yeah.

LEO
I understand you have a favorite.

TOBY
You here to fight Josh Lyman’s battles?

LEO
Can’t be doing this from the White House.

TOBY
Leo …

LEO
You can’t do this to the President.

TOBY
You think the President doesn’t want – genuine Democratic values in a national Presidential contest? He’d do this himself if he could. I’m doing this for the President. He could help Russell right now, if he wanted. Joint appearances, a bill signing, with the VP standing right by his side.

LEO
Ricky Rafferty’s the alternative.

TOBY
We do what we can do.

LEO
That’s not your job anymore, you are no longer the guy who picks losing candidates and ushers them to their principled end, you’re the guy who takes good men and makes them great. You and Josh, you still think you’re terriers, barking at the heels of the party, you are the party.

LEO takes a beat as TOBY looks at him.

LEO
Rafferty’s a spoiler, shouldn’t be in the race.

TOBY
I’m not sitting this one out, Leo.

LEO
Don’t. But don’t pretend you’re still an outsider with a ponytail and a dream. You work in the White House. (LEO sighs, then leans close to TOBY; softly) Your brother didn’t have any more fight in him. (beat) You still do.

CUT TO: INT. - CAPITOL GRAND HOTEL – NIGHT

We first hear the strains of a jazz group playing ‘Take Five,’ made famous by Dave Brubeck. We then see JOSH, MATT, RONNA, and a few other people walking through the hotel lobby heading for the ballroom, where the DNC gala is occurring.

JOSH (handing a paper to MATT)
You’re gonna be right here between Clarkson and Rafferty, the President’s gonna come up, everybody holds hands, picture picture picture, and – we’re gone.

MATT (looking at the paper)
The President’s between Russell and Hoynes.

JOSH (sighs)
Everybody’s in the shot.

MATT
I’m second to the left. You don’t have a problem with the symbolism?

JOSH
That’s the best we could do.

MATT
Second only to Rafferty, who’s all the way to the left.

JOSH
Sir, you’re a Democrat, left is not a crime, liberal is not a dirty word. We scored New Hampshire because people responded to your policies. The temptation to grab at center’s only gonna grow. Let’s just – take a minute and remember where you came from.

MATT (joking)
I can’t remember.

JOSH (muttering)
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that -

MATT
I was born a poor black child … close, but no, that’s not right -

JOSH
If you shake hands with the President, hang on as long as possible, give the cameras a chance to catch it.

MATT (to RONNA)
I was born in the bayou?

RONNA
That’s not it, either.

MATT (shaking hands with an attendee)
Matt Santos, good to meet you.

The camera takes us inside the ballroom, to CJ talking with BARTLET.

CJ
Half and hour of grip and grin, and you’re done.

BARTLET
Grin, really, I’m not supposed to grip.

CJ
We told them you’re leaving before the speeches.

BARTLET
In deference to my health? There’s an excuse we could have started using years ago.

ANNABETH walks up to BARTLET.

ANNABETH
We found a few people on the guest list who aren’t connected to any of the campaigns. You should focus your attention on them.

CJ
You made a list?

ANNABETH
I’ll point them out. There are six.

BARTLET
I hope you’re on that list.

As ANNABETH leads BARTLET away, CJ notices TOBY standing by himself, silently regarding MATT and JOSH gladhanding across the room. CJ goes up to TOBY.

CJ (opening a bottle of wine)
Can this be one of those nights where we get sloshed and forget we work together?

TOBY
Ah, that would be lovely.

CJ (pouring a drink)
Josh is here. If you’re gonna go at it again, will you let me know in time to put some money on it?

TOBY
I’m gonna go downstairs to the bar for a little while. Yell if you need me.

As TOBY walks away, CALLEY appears behind CJ.

CALLEY
CJ -

CJ
Cliff.

CALLEY
I was summoned again. That’s gotta stop.

CJ
One gets drunk with the power – I’m hiring you to work in the White House. I looked into what you said about desalination, I think you’ve got a point. I’m still concerned you may be soulless, but we can work on that.

CALLEY
Yeah, I turned you down -

CJ (leading CALLEY away by the arm)
Nobody turns us down. We’re like the Mob, but less violent. Ultimately, responsible for more death and destruction, but still -

CALLEY
You don’t think I’m an odd choice for this White House?

CJ
I think we’ve got a few months left and a lot of governing to do and I think you’re a guy who misses serving his country.

CALLEY
CJ, I -

CJ
Take a second and breathe, in a moment you’re gonna wish you had.

CJ has walked CALLEY across the room to BARTLET.

CJ
Pardon me, sir, this is Cliff Calley. We had a great chat this morning about your Water Program, he’s a big fan.

BARTLET (shaking hands)
Good to meet you, Mr. Calley.

CALLEY
Ah, it’s an honor, sir, but I’m afraid Ms. Cregg may have slightly misrepresented my position.

BARTLET
CJ, he’s not a fan? I thought the deal was you were to surround me with sycophants.

CJ (in BARTLET’s ear)
This is one of the six people you’re allowed to speak to. Take your time.

CJ walks away. We then see KATE entering the ballroom, looking about nervously. CHARLIE sees her and walks up to her.

CHARLIE
Looky, looky – I thought you weren’t coming.

KATE
Yeah, me too. It’s time to get back in the pool.

CHARLIE
Good for you. Sorry I couldn’t help.

KATE
Once upon a time, I did this all by myself.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

TOBY is sitting at the bar. The WOMAN walks up behind him to take a seat a few chairs down. We are back to what we saw at the beginning of the episode.

WOMAN (to BARTENDER)
Hi.

BARTENDER
Evening. What can I get you?

WOMAN
A glass of red, please, whatever’s open.

CUT TO: INT. - BALLROOM – NIGHT

KATE is standing near the refreshments table, a glass of wine in her hand, looking around nervously. WILL walks up.

WILL (regarding the table)
Pathetic.

KATE
Avoid the Swiss.

WILL
As a general rule? I didn’t know they made you come to these things.

KATE
I take an interest.

WILL
Really?

KATE
I needed a change of scenery.

WILL
Okay.

KATE
I have no reason for being here, let’s keep it between ourselves.

WILL
No problem. I’m on my 82nd of what’s bound to be 350 identical conversations. I think I’m losing my voice.

KATE
That’s awful.

WILL
Do you mind if I stand here and pretend we’re talking but, we actually don’t?

KATE
Sure.

KATE takes a sip from her glass. WILL grabs some grapes from the table, eats one, then holds up the bunch to share with KATE. She takes one and eats it. As she looks around, WILL regards her for a moment. As he looks away, KATE looks at him thoughtfully. She looks away and WILL looks back at her, eating another grape. He turns away and KATE looks again, longer this time, something running through her head. As WILL turns to her he catches her looking his way, and they both smile and nod, embarrassed. KATE downs her glass of wine.

CUT TO: INT. - BAR – NIGHT

The eyeglasses rest on the bar as the WOMAN and TOBY continue to talk.

WOMAN
You sound like a guy formulating an exit strategy.

TOBY
I don’t know, could be.

WOMAN
Can’t say I’m entirely surprised.

Another WOMAN 2 is heard off-camera, speaking to the WOMAN – and now we realize the WOMAN is actually SENATOR RICKY RAFFERTY.

WOMAN 2 (VO)
Senator Rafferty? They’re ready for you upstairs.

RAFFERTY
I’ll be right there. Thank you.

TOBY (beat)
I think you’ve said some things this country needs to hear. You’ve established yourself as a national presence. You step out before Super Tuesday, before anybody’s shot at a nomination is foiled by what would be considered a spoiler … maybe there’s a Vice Presidency in this for you.

RAFFERTY
I’m not pulling out before South Carolina. I did this to make a point.

TOBY
Absolutely.

RAFFERTY
And I want to make sure that everybody’s heard it. I certainly never -

TOBY
I’ve got to step out now.

There is a pause.

RAFFERTY
Yeah. (beat; standing) I should go.

TOBY
I’m gonna finish my drink, you’ve got my number if you need it.

RAFFERY
Yeah, I do. (referring to the eyeglasses) Put them on, let me see.

TOBY puts the glasses on, then looks at RAFFERTY.

RAFFERTY
Looks good. Makes you look smart.

TOBY (taking the glasses off)
I thought I looked smart before.

Another pause.

RAFFERTY
So did I.

RAFFERTY walks away. TOBY watches her go, a small smile on his face. He looks through the eyeglasses from a distance, then puts them on again. He picks up the newspaper to look at it.

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 6x16 – Drought Conditions
Original Airdate: February 23, 2005