THE WEST WING TRANSCRIPT: The Wake Up Call (S6E14)

THE WEST WING
6x14 - “THE WAKE UP CALL”
WRITTEN BY JOSH SINGER
DIRECTED BY LAURA INNES

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

TEASER

THE WAKE UP CALL

FADE IN: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT

8 PM

We hear Verdi’s opera Otello playing. The camera slowly moves across the Oval Office, finally showing us BARTLET sitting next to his desk, listening. CJ appears in the doorway in the background.

CJ
Sir?

BARTLET
Evening.

CJ
I thought you were heading back to the residence.

BARTLET
Thought about it. Then I thought I’d sit here and enjoy the art for a while.

CJ (as BARTLET rises)
Sir, do you want me to get Curtis - ?

BARTLET
No, no. I’m a bachelor tonight.

CJ
So I heard.

BARTLET
Abbey’s in Baltimore with Ellie and what’s-his-name, the new boyfriend.

CJ
I hear we like him.

BARTLET
What’s not to like – the guy’s spent the last 15 years studying the mating rituals of Drosophilia melanogaster.

CJ (helping BARTLET with his suit coat)
He likes fruit flies.

BARTLET
And my daughter, hopefully not in that order. What say we grab Toby and head out on the town? Trip the light fantastic.

CJ
Are we gonna throw on sailor caps and chase after Miss Turnstiles?

BARTLET
Come on, the old lady’s out of town.

CJ
The old lady’ll have my head if I don’t get you to bed in the next half hour.

BARTLET
Yeah.

CJ
Besides, I understand you’ve got a big date tomorrow night.

BARTLET
I actually convinced her to let me out of the house for Valentine’s Day.

CJ
You’re taking her to the opera?

BARTLET
Mm, Verdi’s Otello. Romantic, huh? 

CJ
Isn’t that the one where the guy kills his wife?

BARTLET (beat)
It’s in Italian, I’m hoping she won’t notice.

CJ
Are you sure you don’t want me to call Curtis?

BARTLET
I’m good. Night, CJ.

CJ
Night, sir. Get some rest.

BARTLET (as CJ exits into her office)
Yeah.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT

CJ walks to her desk then stops, considering something.

CJ
Margaret?

MARGARET (entering)
Yes?

CJ (sitting at her desk)
Will you ask Debbie to move the President’s wake up call back to 8:30?

MARGARET
Mm-hmm.

CJ
And I’d like to take a look at the President’s schedule for tomorrow.

MARGARET
Sure.

MARGARET exits. We hear TOBY and another man, LAWRENCE LESSIG, talking as they come into CJ’s office.

TOBY
And Shevardnadze just pulled the section on executive power?

LESSIG
Replaced it with his own. The old constitutional bait-and-switch.

CJ
Hello.

TOBY
CJ Cregg, I’d like you to meet Professor Lawrence Lessig.

CJ
Hi.

TOBY
He’s a constitutional writer, he’s helping the folks from Belarus write their constitution.

CJ
You would’ve thought they would’ve written one of those by now.

LESSIG
They have. It’s three lines pledging allegiance to the Supreme Soviet.

CJ
Hence the rewrite.

LESSIG
Hence.

BARTLET’s voice is heard as he calls out, on his way into CJ’s office.

BARTLET (entering)
CJ, you have a copy of the BLS mass layoff report I can read in the residence?

CJ
Sir …

TOBY
Good evening, Mr. President.

BARTLET
Am I interrupting?

TOBY
Uh, sir, this is Professor Lawrence Lessig.

BARTLET
The Future Of Ideas? That Lawrence Lessig?

TOBY
He’s here to help with the Belarus constitution, he also helped with the Georgian constitution -

BARTLET
Founding father for hire - have quill, will travel.

LESSIG
No, no – no, no, the Belarusians will be the founding fathers. I’m more of a midwife.

BARTLET (shaking hands with LESSIG)
Well, it’s God work if you can help us bring some stability to that mess.

TOBY
Professor, maybe we should, uh -

CJ
Sir -

BARTLET
Where do you start a document of that importance?

LESSIG
Ah, I like to begin with a series of conceptual questions, and then proceed -

CJ
Excuse me, Professor Lessig, I’m sorry. This sounds fascinating, but the President really needs to get back to -

BARTLET
Oh, I think we can spare five minutes to discuss the roots of democracy, that is, if the professor has the time?

LESSIG
It would be an honor, sir.

BARTLET (leading LESSIG into the Oval Office)
Come then, let us sit as men do and discuss important things.

TOBY exchanges a glance with CJ as he follows.

BARTLET (exiting)
So what’s the latest in comparative constitutional theory? Is separation of powers still in vogue?

CJ checks her watch, tosses some papers on her desk and glumly follows the others.

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

ACT ONE

FADE IN: INT. - CJ’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

A light switches on and we see CJ slowly walk into her bedroom.

12:15 AM

CJ tosses down her purse and collapses onto her bed. A dog barks in the distance. CJ turns and looks at the bedside clock, which reads 12:24. She closes her eyes. The clock changes to 12:25. The phone rings, jolting CJ awake. The clock now reads 3:45. CJ reaches out to answer the phone.

OPERATOR (on phone)
Ms. Cregg, this is the White House operator. I have an urgent call from Commander Harper.

CJ (into phone)
Go ahead.

We hear the call being connected.

CJ (into phone)
Tell me you’re calling about some guy you just met in a bar.

KATE (as the camera switches to inside the Situation Room; into phone)
A United Brittania flight from London to New Delhi went off radar over the Caspian Sea an hour ago.

CJ (on phone)
A commercial plane?

KATE (into phone)
About a hundred passengers. Mostly British and French.

CJ (back to her apartment; into phone)
How many - ?

KATE (on phone)
Six Americans.

CJ (on phone as we cut back to the Situation Room)
We think it was a crash?

KATE (into phone)
It’s too early to tell. The – plane was off course and drifting into Iranian airspace.

CJ (back to her apartment; into phone)
I’ll be right in. Can you transfer me back to the switchboard?

KATE (on phone)
Yeah.

We hear the call being connected.

OPERATOR (on phone)
Ms. Cregg?

CJ (into phone)
Let’s wake some people up.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT

4:55 AM

CJ is on the phone talking to the British Prime Minister.

CJ (into phone)
Yes, of course we understand – and this is a terrible tragedy, but … yes, Madam Prime Minister, but … (pause) Ma’am, we’ve had no indication the Iranians were involved. (beat)  And I think it’s in all of our interests not to jump to conclusions.

CHARLIE enters.

CJ (into phone)
Yes, ma’am. (beat) Yes. (she hangs up)

CHARLIE
The British Prime Minister?

CJ
In all her glory.

CHARLIE
Funny, when I stopped working for the President, I thought I might start going home nights.

CJ
Well, at least you can’t complain you’re not getting overtime.

CHARLIE
You don’t pay me overtime.

CJ
Yeah. (as they both start walking down the hall) You wake up the guys at State?

CHARLIE
The Great Britain desk sent over some language for the condolence statement.

CJ
Good.

CHARLIE
And they suggested we invite the British Ambassador for breakfast.

CJ
Just what we need, more international intrigue.

CHARLIE
I thought you liked Lord John.

CJ
I adore Lord John, and when I was press secretary, I could adore him from afar.

CHARLIE (as CJ heads down a side hall)
You going to be in the Sit Room for a while?

CJ
Hoping to catch a ball game?

CHARLIE
Maybe a nap.

CJ
Call Barrow at State, set up some time with Chet.

CHARLIE
Chet?

CJ
He’ll know.

CUT TO: INT. - SITUATION ROOM – NIGHT

KATE and SECRETARY HUTCHINSON are talking and looking at a satellite graphic, a few military officers in the background.

KATE
Thirty minutes out of London, the flight was already six miles off course.

HUTCHINSON
We think they accidentally left the autopilot in heading mode.

KATE
You see the trajectory of the plane?

HUTCHINSON
Yeah.

CJ enters and walks up to them.

CJ
I just got off with the Prime Minister, they’re coordinating with the Ukraine on a search party in the Caspian, but she’s already pointing fingers.

KATE and HUTCHINSON exchange a look.

CJ
She pointing them for a reason?

There’s a slight pause.

HUTCHINSON
I’m sorry, are we waiting for the President?

CJ
No. Do we have any reason to believe the Iranians were involved?

KATE (beat)
We’ve been flying RC-135s off the northern coast of Iran.

CJ
Spy planes.

HUTCHINSON
Since last March. And the Iranian MTI that tracks the RC-135s produces very rough CAPI readouts.

CJ (to KATE)
English?

KATE
The United Brittania flight drifted into Iranian airspace on a track very close to our RC-135s’ flight path.

CJ
You think the Iranians mistook the flight for a US spy plane and they took a shot at it?

HUTCHINSON
It’s possible. The RC-135 is roughly the same size as a 737.

CJ
A 737 with a large dish on it.

KATE
A banner that says spy plane, but on a dark and stormy night -

CJ
We’re gonna have to find out what happened up there -

KATE
We’re talking to the Israelis. And Signals intel has a bunch of Iranian feeds from the time the plane went off radar, but, it’s going to take a while to translate.

CJ
I want updates every half hour.

CJ exits, KATE rising to follow her.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – NIGHT

We see a custodian winding a clock in the hallway as CJ and KATE exit the Situation Room.

CJ
So the Iranians taking potshots at our spy planes, technically, that’s fair game.

KATE
Also we don’t let them hit us. Did the President get into it with Prime Minister Graty?

CJ
He wasn’t on the call. She got pretty hepped up all by her lonesome.

KATE
Well, State’s been conducting secret talks with the Iranians on their nuclear program.

CJ
We’ve been making progress.

KATE
It’s a fragile conversation. If Iran’s involved and Graty makes this a thing -

CJ
I put in a call to Chet. Do you find it odd calling a high-ranking Iranian official Chet?

KATE
Well, it’s easier to say than Asefi Hussein Kamal bin Hamid.

CJ
Man, I’m fried.

KATE
You up late last night?

CJ
Ten-part lecture on the future of democracy in Belarus.

KATE
Democracy – the last guy scrapped term limits and made his political opposition disappear. Literally.

CJ (walking away)
Why they’ve asked for help.

KATE
CJ? (CJ stops) … Prime Minister Graty, she tends to overreact.

CJ
She’s a runaway train.

KATE
The President usually likes a heads-up if there’s a chance she’s making decisions with international ramifications. 

CJ (turning to leave)
He’ll be awake in a few hours, make sure I get those updates.

KATE
Yes, ma’am.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT

CJ is at her desk, with a TV news report playing nearby. MARGARET is gathering documents by the door. We hear the sound of the news anchor over the end of the previous scene, leading us into CJ’s office.

NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
… debris from what appears to be a commercial plane crash has begun to wash up in Astara, just north of the Iranian border …

CJ (to MARGARET)
You have my schedule?

MARGARET brings the schedule to CJ’s desk as the newscast continues.

NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
… officials fear this could be the wreckage of United Britannia Airlines flight 101 …

6:30 AM

CJ (looking at the schedule)
Yeah, we’re gonna need to pare this down. Get rid of my 10:30; have Charlie take the 12 o’clock with Karshner … please tell me this is a joke -

MARGARET
No, ma’am.

CJ
I’m meeting with Miss World?

MARGARET (nodding happily)
She’s from Bhutan. I have her bio, so you can be prepared.

CJ
For Miss World?

MARGARET
It’s a tradition. Every year the new Miss World comes in to lobby the White House.

CJ
On what?

MARGARET
AIDS in Africa, world hunger – she generally has a very good cause.

CJ
And she gets to meet with the Chief of Staff to the President of the United States?

MARGARET (beat)
Leo always thought that as a show of international good faith we should accord all due respect to -

CJ (standing to leave)
Pretty girls everywhere?

MARGARET
She’s a brilliant flautist.

CJ (exiting)
Get it off my schedule.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – NIGHT

As CJ passes the door to the Roosevelt Room she stops, seeing TOBY inside, at the table, studying a book. We can see the book is Constitutional Choices by Laurence H. Tribe.

CJ (entering)
You’re in early.

TOBY does not respond, still holding the book, rubbing his head.

CJ
Toby?

TOBY (looking up)
Yeah?

CJ
Whatcha doing?

TOBY
Reading.

CJ
Constitutional Choices …

TOBY
It’s amazing how tricky emergency powers are.

CJ
Okay.

TOBY
The executive in a young republic - you’re gonna need some type of emergency power, so do you write that in the constitution or does that lead to abuse?

CJ
Great. I really just came in because -

TOBY
See the predicament?

CJ
Toby.

TOBY
Right, we need to put out a, a, a condolence statement on the United Britannia crash – I’ll put Annabeth on it as soon as she gets in.

CJ (turning to leave)
Good. Charlie’s got some language from State.

TOBY
Building on a democracy. (CJ stops; TOBY chuckles) How do you shape a new world?

CJ
Right.

CJ exits.

CUT TO: INT. - MARGARET’S DESK – NIGHT

CJ walks from the hall up to MARGARET’s desk.

CJ
Have you reassigned Miss World?

MARGARET
Well, I thought maybe, I could -

CJ (writing on the schedule)
I’m sending Toby a Valentine.

KATE (walking up)
Excuse me – we just got a call from our base in Incirlik.

CJ
Okay.

KATE (handing some photos to CJ)
This is the satellite surveillance of the Caspian Sea from the time the plane went off radar. 

CJ (paging through the photos)
And these are … ?

KATE
Two jets flying out of the Iranian air base in Rasht, on course to intercept the United Britannia flight.

CJ takes a breath.

CJ
Margaret, call the switchboard, ask them to wake the President.

CJ and KATE head into CJ’s office.

CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE – DAY

CURTIS stands guard outside BARTLET’s bedroom door. CJ and KATE walk up to him.

CURTIS (turning to knock on the door)
Good morning, ma’am.

CURTIS opens the door and they enter the bedroom.

CURTIS
Mr. President?

BARTLET groggily turns in his bed as CJ, KATE, and CURTIS enter.

CJ
Good morning, sir.

BARTLET
Yeahhh … why are there three of you?

CJ
Mr. President, we think the Iranian Air Force mistakenly shot down a British commercial airliner.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – DAY

BARTLET, CJ, and KATE are walking down the portico, then enter a doorway into the hall outside the Communications area.

7:30 AM

BARTLET
I need to speak with Prime Minister Graty.

CJ
Sir, I spoke to her earlier and asked her to wait for us before making a statement.

BARTLET
What’s Iran saying?

KATE
Not much.

BARTLET
I’m sure that’s going over well.

CJ
Intel’s working on the Iranian feed. Sir, if the Iranians were aiming at our plane, it at least provides some explanation for their actions.

BARTLET
We called Marbury?

CJ
Already on his way.

BARTLET
And we should call Chet.

CJ
Also on his way.

BARTLET
Dammit! We were just making progress with the Iranians. Graty gets revved up and starts quoting Churchill -

CJ
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
She gets aggressive, Iran gets defensive, this thing’s gonna spiral. I need to talk her down.

As they pass through the outer office and into the Oval Office, KATE’s attention is drawn to a TV news report.

BARTLET
Let’s get her on the phone!

KATE
Sir …

They all stop and turn to look at the TV. We see PRIME MINISTER GRATY making a live statement.

GRATY (on TV)
We condemn the attack by Iran against 109 innocent men, women, and children aboard an unarmed United Britannia plane. This is a barbaric, monstrous crime committed against Great Britain, against Europe, against the United States, against humanity. There can be absolutely no justification -

BARTLET (peeved)
Well, I guess I’ll have to wait until she’s off camera.

As the three enter the Oval Office, we hear GRATY’s words as the scene fades out.

GRATY (on TV)
It shall not stand.

FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE.
* * *

ACT TWO

FADE IN: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET is meeting with KATE and CJ.

8:05 AM

BARTLET
Have we heard anything from Prime Minister Graty?

KATE
Debbie’s still trying.

BARTLET
Are we talking with British Intelligence?

CJ
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
They must have had something they haven’t shared, or she wouldn’t have been getting all Hans and Franz in prime time. Where’s the latest report from Hutchinson?

CJ (bringing him a report)
It’s right here, sir.

BARTLET
Marbury on the way?

CJ
He’s on his way.

BARTLET
And the networks, we schedule time with the networks?

CJ
We should discuss whether that will be necessary -

BARTLET
It wasn’t an hour ago, but now that’s there’s been a ‘monstrous crime’ committed against Britain and the United States, I’m gonna have to say something. (picking up the phone) Debbie, is she on the phone yet?!

CJ
Thank you.

KATE
Thank you, sir.

CJ and KATE exit into CJ’s office.

CJ
I want an update from Hutchinson, and you should put in a call to Barrow – see where we are with Chet. And make sure Lord John hasn’t stopped for an eye-opener on the way from the British Embassy.

The camera pans down to reveal ABBEY sitting in CJ’s office, waiting for her. CJ gets to her desk, turns, and sees her.

CJ
Mrs. Bartlet.

ABBEY
Hello, there.

CJ
Did you just get in?

ABBEY (with more than a hint of sarcasm)
About a half an hour ago … around the time I noticed my husband wasn’t in bed. I checked the bathroom, the sitting room, he was nowhere to be found. I get a little nervous – my husband’s not the healthiest guy, you know. So I called Curtis. He tells me the President’s in the Oval. Can you imagine my surprise?

CJ
There was a development.

ABBEY
You do remember waking me at 4 am?

CJ
Ma’am -

ABBEY
I thought we agreed to let him sleep.

CJ
I let him sleep until I couldn’t let him sleep any more.

ABBEY pauses, stands, slowly walks to the desk.

ABBEY
How late was he up last night?

CJ (beat)
Ma’am, I let him sleep as long as I could.

ABBEY takes a moment, then slowly walks out of the office.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

CAROL leads the Belarusian delegation into the room, where TOBY waits for them. As TOBY stands, CAROL makes introductions.

CAROL
Toby Ziegler … this is Alexander Zubatov, head of the delegation from the Republic of Belarus.

TOBY (shaking hands)
Pleasure to meet you, sir.

ZUBATOV
And, uh, we thank you for having us. (he gestures to the other seven members of the delegation, who bow and murmur greetings)

TOBY
Hi. (to CAROL) Could you check the lobby and see if you can find Professor Lessig?

CAROL (exiting)
No problem.

TOBY (gesturing to the chairs)
Please.

Some delegates takes their seats as TOBY moves back to his chair. He notices something ZUBATOV is holding.

TOBY
Is that a copy of our Constitution?

ZUBATOV
Yes. You know this document?

TOBY
Yes, I do.

ZUBATOV
I have many question.

TOBY
Well, that’s a good thing. Hopefully, over the course of the week, we can -

ZUBATOV
Uh, for example, it says here, President shall be commander of Army, Navy, et cetera.

TOBY
Ah. Yes.

ZUBATOV
Here … it says, uh, Congress shall have power to declare war.

TOBY
Yes.

ZUBATOV
Commander does not declare war?

TOBY
Theoretically, Congress needs to, uh -

ZUBATOV
Theoretically. So, your habit is to ignore document.

TOBY
No. (pause) Well, occasionally. (chuckles)

We hear LESSIG in the hallway, greeting someone with a “Good morning, how you doing?” TOBY starts out of the room.

TOBY
Excuse me.

As TOBY turns to the door, LESSIG enters.

LESSIG
Good morning.

TOBY
Morning.

LESSIG
Sorry I’m late, I was having breakfast with Justice Lang, and we got into the most fascinating discussion over the reformation -

ZUBATOV whispers to his delegation, who all stand.

LESSIG
- of the rule against perpetuities. Ah, I see we’ve got our noble patriarchs. Have you started?

TOBY
Well, I’ve been answering a few questions.

LESSIG
Excellent. Gentlemen, let’s begin.

Everyone (who has a chair) sits as LESSIG begins. MARGARET appears at the window, gesturing to TOBY. He tries to ignore her.

LESSIG
This week I hope to embark upon a conceptual journey into the world of democratic theory.

TOBY (standing, unable to ignore MARGARET any longer)
I’ll be right back. (to LESSIG) Excuse me, sorry.

LESSIG
I trust you’ve glanced at the preparatory materials -

MARGARET (as TOBY reaches the door)
She wants to see you.

TOBY (heading to CJ’s office)
You put a beauty queen on my schedule?

MARGARET
She did it.

TOBY (to CJ as he enters her office)
You put a beauty queen on my schedule?

CJ
The United Britannia flight was shot down by two Iranian fighters.

TOBY
On purpose?

CJ
We think it might’ve been a mistake. Kate’s gonna give you more, you need to brief.

TOBY
Okay.

CJ
And tentatively set up some time with the networks. Graty’s a little excited, he wants to distance himself.

TOBY
If he went on TV every time Graty blew a gasket -

CJ
Tentatively schedule. And Toby, in the briefing -

TOBY
‘Since the early hours of the morning, the President has done everything in his power to assist the British.’

CJ
Yeah, but don’t say ‘President.’

TOBY (beat)
‘The White House has done everything in its power’?

CJ
Yeah.

TOBY
It’s gonna make it sound like he got a good night’s sleep.

We hear the voice of LORD JOHN MARBURY calling from the hallway.

MARBURY
Gerald?

MARBURY walks down the hallway between CJ’s office and the Roosevelt Room.

MARBURY
Gerald? Gerald?

CJ
Good lord.

TOBY
CJ?

CJ (rising to go after MARBURY)
Toby, I gotta …

CJ catches up with MARBURY in the hallway.

CJ
Lord John?
 
MARBURY
Hello. Eh, you look familiar.

CJ
CJ Cregg, we’ve met a number of times.

MARBURY
Yes, yes, where’s Gerald? I do hope he’s recovered.

CJ
Leo has moved down the hall.

MARBURY
Oh, yes, I heard. Demoted on account of a heart attack. That’s cutthroat, even for American politics.

CJ
Actually, he’s been …

MARBURY
No, no, there’s no need to hedge. So you’re the … new Gerald.

CJ
I suppose.

MARBURY (holding out a hand)
Delightful.

CJ (shaking hands, gesturing toward the Oval Office)
If you’ll just …

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET is on the phone with GRATY. KATE is listening in on another phone.

BARTLET (into phone)
Maureen, of course we support – (beat) Yes, but until we know all the facts – (beat) Yes, Madam Prime Minister. We’ll be in touch. Thank you.

9:15 AM

BARTLET and KATE hang up their phones.

BARTLET
So much for a stiff upper lip.

The door opens and CJ ushers in MARBURY.

CJ
Mr. President.

BARTLET
John, thank God. Kate Harper, may I introduce -

MARBURY
I’m Lord John Marbury, the, uh, hereditary Earl of Shelbourne, the great-great-grandson of the former Viceroy. I have served as the Queen’s Minister in India, the Queen’s Minister in Pakistan, and I am presently the British Ambassador to the United States. Oh, and I have an uncle who once performed in the London Opera Company’s production of The Mikado, in the role of Nanki Poo.

KATE (shaking hands)
It’s a pleasure.

MARBURY
Yes, isn’t it?

BARTLET
John, please, I’m afraid your Prime Minister is doing her William the Conqueror thing again.

MARBURY
Prime Minister Graty’s own party thinks she’s soft on Iran. Her government is far from stable, and we have just lost almost 100 countrymen – so, are you surprised?

BARTLET
Not at all, really. But we think this might have been a mistake.

BARTLET hands some documents to MARBURY, who looks at them.

MARBURY
They accidentally fired two Anab AA-3 missiles at the side of a passenger jet?

KATE
Lord Marbury -

MARBURY
Oh, please, uh … call me John.

KATE
Oh, John -

MARBURY
Yes.

KATE
- it’s possible the Iranians thought they were shooting at a US spy plane.

MARBURY (beat)
So it’s your fault.

BARTLET
John …

MARBURY
Have you been spying on their nuclear facilities?

BARTLET
Yes.

MARBURY
Why do you think they want you to stop? Either the Iranians deliberately killed innocent British and American citizens, or they tried to shoot down your spy plane because they want to continue building nuclear weapons. They are a rogue nation on the verge of becoming a rogue nuclear power, and while I, by no means, wish to trivialize the … most appalling loss of life earlier this morning – one need not reread Thucydides to see this as an opportunity.

CJ
She’s going to use this as an excuse to bomb their nuclear plants?

MARBURY
Heavens, no. Of course the Prime Minister must demand remuneration for the victims – perhaps a formal apology. Even some elegiac groveling.

BARTLET
We all know the Ayatollah will never pay, let alone apologize for anything.

MARBURY
Well, then we will be forced to take appropriate measures.

There is a pause as the clock ticks.

MARBURY (with a half-smile)
Will there be mimosas with breakfast?

CUT TO: INT. - PRESS BRIEFING ROOM – DAY

Reporters shout questions as TOBY is at the podium.

REPORTER
Toby – will the President back the British if they respond with force?

TOBY
I’m not going to speculate.

REPORTER
If they need logistical support?

TOBY
I’m not going to speculate on Britain’s response. Gordon?

GORDON (another reporter)
What was the President’s reaction to Prime Minister Graty’s address?

TOBY
I haven’t discussed it with the President.

GORDON
Were we consulted before the Prime Minister’s address?

We go to ANNABETH’s office, where she is writing some notes while listening to the briefing on TV.

TOBY (on TV)
The White House has been working with the British since early this morning. 

ANNABETH stops writing and notices TOBY’s choice of words.

GORDON (on TV)
But was there a call with the British Prime Minister?

TOBY (on TV)
I don’t have the details right now.

GORDON (on TV)
Well, when can we get the initial tick-tock?

ANNABETH jumps up from her desk and leaves her office.

TOBY (on TV)
I’ll get back to you -

And we return to the briefing room.

TOBY (starting to leave the podium)
- thank you.

STEVE (another reporter)
Toby, the Prime Minister’s address -

TOBY
I don’t have any more for you right now.

STEVE (chasing TOBY to the door)
Uh, she called it a monstrous crime, is that how the President -

TOBY
The President is scheduled to address the nation at 6:00. I’d tune in.

TOBY exits the briefing room, to find ANNABETH standing in the hall holding a candy heart.

ANNABETH
For you.

TOBY
Why?

ANNABETH (handing TOBY the candy)
It’s Valentine’s Day. Go ahead, they’re yummy. Hey, what’s the tick-tock?

TOBY
It’s a minute-by-minute accounting of the President’s actions, the press -

ANNABETH
Often asks for it during a crisis.

TOBY
If you know, why do you ask?

ANNABETH
‘The White House has been working with the British since early this morning’?

TOBY
Yeah?

ANNABETH
The President needs to look strong. The President needs to look like he’s up to this. ‘The President has been working with the British since early this morning.’

TOBY
I got it, I got it.

ANNABETH
Apparently not, or they wouldn’t have asked for the tick-tock.

TOBY (biting into the candy, then making a face)
Yeah.

ANNABETH
Good, huh? I’ve got more if you want, for your special someone.

TOBY
Excuse me?

ANNABETH (walking away, singing)
I like Bhutan in spring, how about you … ?

TOBY
I’m still meeting with the beauty queen?

ANNABETH
Oh, yeah.

TOBY tosses the candy away, then enters the Roosevelt Room as LESSIG speaks.

LESSIG
And we say the President is the sole representative of the people because while he is elected by electors, these electors are elected by the people – upon the premise that they will vote for him.

The Belarusians look skeptical, or confused.

LESSIG
I can go through it one more time if you’d like.

ZUBATOV
No. No.

TOBY (to MAN at the table)
Is he explaining the electoral college?

MAN
We’ve covered it in some detail.

LESSIG
Toby – we’ve been discussing the American executive. I’m sure you could shed some light.

TOBY
I was thinking maybe we should push beyond American-style government.

ZUBATOV
Push beyond?

TOBY
Yeah.

LESSIG
Mr. Zubatov has many questions.

TOBY
Yes, but, perhaps this time would be better spent discussing a parliamentary system.

BELARUSIAN DELEGATE 1
We don’t want parliamentary system.

TOBY
Okay -

ZUBATOV
No, no, no – President Eliches needs broad powers.

BELARUSIAN DELEGATE 2
Like American President.

TOBY
Sir, your country has a history of brutal dictatorship. I don’t think a, a strong executive is, is such a good idea.

ZUBATOV (to LESSIG)
You agree with this.

LESSIG
Mmm, not entirely.

TOBY (rolling his eyes)
Half the faculty at Yale Law describes the American Presidential system as one of this country’s most dangerous exports, responsible for wreaking havoc on over 30 countries around the globe, it is a recipe for constitutional breakdown.

LESSIG
Well. I can see this is going to be a vibrant discussion.

TOBY smiles in frustration.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET, MARBURY, and KATE continue their discussion.

BARTLET
John, you can’t focus on the Ayatollah. President Alijani is a champion of reform.

11:15 AM

BARTLET
If our negotiations with Iran progress this time -

MARBURY
Alijani’s weak. And nonproliferation agreements won’t stop their efforts. It’ll just drive them underground. Bombing is the better solution.

BARTLET
The Iranians have spread out their nuclear facilities. We don’t even know where half of them are.

MARBURY
Well, we’ll bomb the half we can find.

ABBEY appears at the door. MARBURY spots her in delight.

MARBURY
Oh … Abigail! Blanket my loins, I’m, I’m tied to the stake.

BARTLET
Here we go.

ABBEY
Lovely to see you, John.

MARBURY
So many distractions, Mr. President. (looking at KATE) How do you get anything done?

BARTLET
God only knows.

ABBEY
Where’s CJ?

BARTLET
With Secretary Hutchinson.

ABBEY
May I have Kate for a minute?

ABBEY steps into the outer office. BARTLET gives KATE a nod, and she follows.

MARBURY
Tarry not long, gentle courtesan.

KATE looks behind her as she joins ABBEY in the outer office.

KATE
Did he just call me a -

ABBEY
Isn’t he delightful?

KATE
Yeah.

ABBEY
The President needs a break.

KATE
Okay.

ABBEY
He was up late last night, he was up early this morning – he needs a break.

KATE (checking her binder)
Well … we’ve got the French Ambassador and then the Iranians, but maybe after -

ABBEY
I mean now.

KATE (beat)
Maybe I should just check with CJ -

ABBEY
You could do that … or you could go back in there and get my husband.

KATE
Yes, ma’am.

KATE goes back into the Oval Office.

FADE OUT.
END ACT TWO.
* * *

ACT THREE

FADE IN: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

KATE is in a chair, trying to work, while MARBURY lounges on the sofa. He is reciting the Victorian-era poem A Birthday by Christina Rossetti.

11:45 AM

MARBURY
My heart is like a singing bird
Whose nest is in a water’d shoot;
My heart is like an apple-tree
Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit;
Raise me a dais of silk and down …

A cell phone rings. KATE goes to answer it.

MARBURY
Hang it with vair and purple dyes -

KATE (into phone)
Kate Harper.

MARBURY
Carve it in doves and pomegranates -

KATE (a finger to her ear)
Sorry, can you repeat that?

MARBURY
And peacocks with a hundred eyes.

CJ appears in the doorway.

KATE (into phone)
Yeah – we’ll send it over right away, thanks.

KATE hangs up.

CJ
Um … hello.

KATE (under her breath)
Oh, thank God.

MARBURY
CJ – so good of you to return.

CJ
Where’s the President?

MARBURY
Apparently on recess. Uh, may I use your phone?

MARBURY starts to dial a phone on the end table.

CJ (to KATE)
He went back to the residence?

KATE
The First Lady wanted him to rest.

CJ
Yeah. I guess we can try to delay the French.

MARBURY is carrying on a telephone conversation behind KATE and CJ.

KATE
I’m sorry, should I have … ?

CJ
No.

KATE
Just … wasn’t quite clear on the chain of command.

CJ
Really, it’s fine. Margaret?

MARGARET (appearing at the doorway)
Yeah?

CJ
Can you find Charlie and see if Leo’s in yet?

MARGARET
Sure.

CUT TO: INT. - ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

TOBY is pacing the room, with a cup of tea, talking to LESSIG and the Belarusian delegation.

TOBY
Slovakia, Slovenia … Bulgaria - they all chose parliamentary systems.

LESSIG
Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson … they all chose a presidential system.

TOBY
Only four presidential democracies have lasted longer than 30 years. Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison – they got lucky.

LESSIG (pointing to the delegation)
Well, they want a unifying national figure.

ZUBATOV
We need unifying figure.

TOBY
British Prime Minister is a unifying national figure.

ZUBATOV
Prime Minister Graty’s weak -

LESSIG
Subject to shifting coalitions -

TOBY
Subject to the people’s representatives, so she can be ousted – if she summarily starts locking people up who don’t like the White Album.

ZUBATOV
President Eliches is a good man, and he wouldn’t do this. He would create a stable environment for the new country.

TOBY
For the next ten years, yes … but (chuckles) this document isn’t about President Eliches, it’s about the 60 guys who come after him. You need systemic protections, safeguards that can last beyond a generation! You’ve gotta look beyond the moment, beyond the here and now.

A door opens behind TOBY. The Belarusians murmur and look on with great interest. TOBY turns to find ANNABETH and MISS WORLD in the doorway. MISS WORLD is wearing a stylish outfit, a tiara, and a sash reading ‘2004.’

ANNABETH
Your 12:30 is here.

The Belarusians smile and murmur some more. TOBY speaks uncomfortably.

TOBY (clears throat)
My, uh, t-, t- … 12:30 … 

TOBY turns to go.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is coordinating with CHARLIE. KATE is working at a table.

CJ (to CHARLIE)
I need you to take my 1:30 with Conrad and my 2:15 with Lauer.

CHARLIE
No problem.

As CHARLIE leaves, LEO comes in through the door.

LEO
You rang?

MARBURY, still on the phone on the sofa, notices LEO coming into the room.

MARBURY
I g- … uh … Gerald!

LEO (under his breath)
Sweet Lord in heaven.

MARBURY
It’s been too long!

LEO
Oh, I don’t think it has.

MARBURY (into phone)
One moment. (to LEO) I trust you’ve heard our news. Ohhh, terrible tragedy. But if it means that our paths may cross again, well, there is indeed some small consolation in that. (into phone) Yes …

CJ
Leo, I hate to pull you into this, but Toby’s plate is full and with Josh gone -

LEO
What do we got?

CJ
Well, the President’s in the residence, the Iranians are in the Mural, the French are at the gate, and then there’s Maude. (looking at MARBURY)

MARBURY (into phone)
The ball, as they say, is in your court.

LEO
I really can’t believe that we still let him in the building.

KATE
Tell me about it.

LEO
We have diplomatic relations with the Iranians now?

CJ
No, we have Chet.

LEO
Chet’s the new Phil?

KATE
Phil?

CJ
Chet’s the new Phil, but I was hoping you’d take the French, or you could … (looking at MARBURY again)

MARBURY (on phone)
Well, I’m not of that opinion, no.

LEO
Uh, French … are fine.

CJ
Excellent, you take the French, I’ll take Chet, and Kate can stay and entertain Lord Flibbertygibbet.

LEO
Good.

KATE
Not good!

CJ (as she and LEO exit)
Have fun.

MARBURY (into phone)
That’s your fault, not mine …

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

TOBY is sitting and having a conversation with MISS WORLD.

TOBY
So, you, you said you were from … ?

MISS WORLD
Bhutan.

TOBY
Uh-huh. I’m sorry, uh, uh, say that again?

ED and another staffer appear in the doorway. ED hands a folder to TOBY, but his eyes are on MISS WORLD.

ED
Toby, didn’t you ask for the … the Asian carp report?

TOBY
No.

ED
You sure?

TOBY
Pretty sure.

ED takes the folder back and takes a step towards MISS WORLD. TOBY stops him with a throat-clearing. ED and the other staffer exit.

TOBY
Uh, sorry, you were saying?

MISS WORLD
Yes, Bhutan. It’s just south of -

Now LARRY shows up in the doorway, holding a folder of his own, and staring at MISS WORLD.

LARRY
Toby, I brought you the latest, uh -

TOBY
Okay.

LARRY leans down to place the folder on the table in front of TOBY, his eyes still locked on MISS WORLD. 

LARRY
Thanks.

As LARRY stands he turns his face to TOBY.

LARRY (whispering)
You’re the man.

LARRY backs out of the office, looking at MISS WORLD, who smiles after him.

TOBY
So – Bhutan. Just south of -

Next MARGARET appears at the door.

MARGARET
Hi.

TOBY
Hello.

MARGARET stands in the doorway, smiling at MISS WORLD.

TOBY
Do you need something?

MARGARET turns to TOBY and shakes her head.

MARGARET
Do you need something?

TOBY
No, good, thank you.

MARGARET (nodding)
Great.

MARGARET slowly backs out of the door, taking another look at MISS WORLD before she departs. TOBY smiles wryly.

CUT TO: INT. - PRESS CUBICLES – DAY

ANNABETH is singing to herself as she distributes Valentine’s candies to the reporters’ desks.

ANNABETH
You’rrrre myyyy - funny Valentine;
Sweet, comic – Valentine
You make me smile with my heart …

GORDON appears down the hallway.

GORDON
Annabeth! 

ANNABETH
Happy Valentine’s Day!

GORDON
I’m still waiting for the tick-tock.

ANNABETH
Would you settle for a chocolate heart?

GORDON
Why wasn’t the President on the early call with Prime Minister Graty?

ANNABETH
So that would be a no?

GORDON
I got a tip from the Guardian he wasn’t on the call.

ANNABETH
Well, the British papers can be kinda dodgy.

GORDON (chuckling)
Is Toby around?

ANNABETH
He’s a little busy at the moment.

GORDON
Annabeth, if the President wasn’t up, the country has a right to know.

ANNABETH (holding up candy boxes)
I’ve got candy hearts.

GORDON
I can post this story with or without comment from the administration.

ANNABETH
Maybe now would be a good time to talk to Toby.

ANNABETH leads GORDON out of the cubicle area.

CUT TO: INT. - TOBY’S OFFICE – DAY

TOBY is still talking with MISS WORLD.

TOBY
No, I think large-scale s-, study of gene expression is a very noble cause.

ANNABETH leads GORDON into the office.

ANNABETH
Excuse us, I hate to bother you, but Gordon had a … (to MISS WORLD) oh, and this is – I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name?

MISS WORLD
Uh, Lynpo Palden Wangchuk.

ANNABETH
Right. This is Gordon, he’s a famous journalist from the Washington Post. In fact, Gordon has written some columns on the mapping of the human genome.

TOBY looks up in surprise. GORDON realizes MISS WORLD is in the room.

MISS WORLD
Oh, yes?

ANNABETH
And Miss … ?

MISS WORLD
Wangchuk.

ANNABETH
Wangchuk is very interested in microarray-based gene expression studies.

GORDON
Oh, really?

MISS WORLD
Well, yes, I think this research is quite important.

ANNABETH
Would you excuse us?

GORDON
Uh, sure, sure.

MISS WORLD
Yes, sure.

ANNABETH leads TOBY out of the office, as GORDON moves in to talk with MISS WORLD.

TOBY
What in God’s name - ?

ANNABETH
Gordon got a tip the President wasn’t on the early call with Graty.

TOBY
Okay.

ANNABETH
I figured we might want to stall him.

TOBY 
And you really think that …

TOBY and ANNABETH see GORDON and MISS WORLD engrossed in conversation.

TOBY
Okay, it might work.

NANCY (who has been on the phone in the Communications bullpen)
Toby? I have the First Lady for you.

TOBY takes the phone from NANCY.

CUT TO: INT. - MURAL ROOM – DAY

CHET is talking with CJ, with some other Iranians in the room.

1:40 PM

CHET
I mean, you have to control the British. They are jeopardizing more than just the nuclear talks.

CJ
They’re understandably upset.

CHET
Maybe. But with Graty’s saber rattling, even the educated are rallying around the Ayatollah. President Alijani is worried about the future of our reform movement.

CJ
Which is why the Ayatollah needs to apologize.

CHET
The President has been trying to reason with him, but with Graty’s threats, the Ayatollah can’t apologize. And really, why would he consider it?

CJ
Maybe to avoid compromising a potential relationship with the United States.

CHET
Did the United States apologize when the US Navy shot down Iran Air flight 655, killing 290 innocent people? (beat) And even if it were in his best interests, the Ayatollah’s a very proud man – especially when it comes to his Air Force.

CJ
You’ll do what you can.

CHET
I will try … but if you cannot control the British … (standing to leave) Miss Cregg.

CHET leaves with the Iranians, speaking in Farsi. LEO appears at the door.

LEO (entering)
Things went well with Chet, huh?

CJ
Yeah. How’d it go with the French?

LEO
Like talking to Madam Defarge.

CJ
The EU is scared to death of an Iranian nuke. Opportunity knocks.

LEO
Maybe we should just fall in line.

CJ
You’ve got to believe in the future of Iran, they’ve got garage-rock bands and pro-America rallies.

LEO
We play nice, democracy could be around the corner.

CJ
The reform movement has gained a lot of ground over the past ten years. Why do you think the Ayatollah’s refusing to budge? I mean, he can rebuild his nuclear plants, but the anti-Western sentiment it’ll generate if the RAF starts dropping bombs on Tehran …

LEO and CJ walk into the hallway, where they find TOBY.

TOBY
I just got a call from the First Lady, she wants to cancel the President’s address tonight.

CJ
Excuse me?

TOBY
She wants us to issue a statement instead, she thinks he’s not up to it.

LEO
That’s not her call.

TOBY
Pretty much what I said.

CJ
I’ll talk to her.

TOBY
Good.

LEO (noticing GORDON and MISS WORLD in TOBY’s office)
Is that the Miss …

TOBY
Yeah.

LEO (smiling)
I used to love this time of year.

CJ
Why is she with Gordon?

TOBY
He was asking for the tick-tock.

CJ
How long do you think we can -

TOBY
Annabeth thinks quite a while.

CJ
Keep me posted.

TOBY heads off as LEO and CJ continue down the hall.

LEO
So, Abbey’s been more involved since you got back from China?

CJ
Yeah.

LEO
Thank God for early retirement.

CJ
After China, Abbey and I met with the doctors. We came up with a plan. A full night’s sleep, a nap during the day, a way to manage things. Of course, getting him to cooperate is another story. I called Abbey last night. I thought we should wake him, but he’d been up till almost midnight and -

LEO
I always thought the wake up call was one of the hardest decisions to make. The President’s always going to want the call. But really – all you have to ask yourself at the end of the day is, would it have made a difference if he’d been awake? 

CJ thinks for a minute, then they continue to her office. 

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

KATE is watching a TV with MSNBC coverage of SENATOR VINICK on the campaign trail. As she watches, LEO and CJ enter the room.

VINICK (on TV)
It’s no surprise, Iran’s always been a problem. But this time they’ve painted themselves into a corner, and I urge the President to take all appropriate measures.

CJ
Easy for him to say. 

KATE
Hey.

CJ
Where’s Lord John?

KATE
He lost interest, something about a Miss World?

BARTLET comes storming into CJ’s office.

BARTLET
Can you believe these people?

LEO
Which people would you be referring to?

BARTLET
Hoynes, Vinick, Walken – pick one.

LEO
All on the ‘Iran is evil’ bandwagon?

BARTLET
Apparently, when you’re campaigning for the American presidency, there’s no need for nuance.

LEO
It is a French word.

BARTLET
When are we meeting with the French?

CJ
Leo sat with them.

LEO
They’re on the bombing bandwagon, too.

BARTLET
When do we sit with Chet?

CJ
Didn’t have much luck there, either.

BARTLET (sternly)
You talked to the Iranians without me?

There is a pause. CJ and LEO exchange looks.

CJ
Kate, Leo, can I have the room, please?

KATE and LEO exit.

CJ
I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t raise your voice at me in front of the staff.

BARTLET (almost shouting)
I need to manage this crisis, I needed to be in those meetings.

CJ
We handled the meetings.

BARTLET (sarcastically)
Yeah, you’re right, I don’t think my presence would’ve added much.

CJ
You were up in the residence, sir – you were unavailable.

BARTLET
All I have in this situation is influence; influence and relationships. If you take those things away from me, I am powerless!

CJ
The Ayatollah is praying for rain. I’m not sure Mohammed himself could convince him to change his mind.

BARTLET
Do you know how many hours I have sat with the Iranians, with the French, with Prime Minister Graty? I put in my time, I built relationships with these people, so that I can know when they’re headed for the deep end and I can rein ‘em in, which is exactly what I would’ve done if I were awake this morning!

CJ
I doubt that, sir.

BARTLET stops in consternation.

CJ
From the moment that Iranian pilot pulled the trigger, Prime Minister Graty was writing speeches. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men weren’t going to keep her from opening her mouth. So no, had you been in London on her doorstep this morning, I don’t think you could’ve reined her in. And the funny thing is, sir, I’m pretty sure you don’t think you could have, either. 

BARTLET looks at CJ for a moment, then turns and stalks into the Oval Office.

FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE.
* * *

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: INT. - COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN – DAY

ANNABETH is walking up to TOBY’s office, cellphone in hand. GORDON and MISS WORLD are still deep in conversation outside his office. TOBY comes out of his doorway.

ANNABETH (to GORDON and MISS WORLD)
Hey, how’s everybody doing?

GORDON
Fine. Fine.

ANNABETH
Great.

GORDON (to MISS WORLD as she shows him her tiara)
Go ahead, it’ll be a good time.

TOBY (to ANNABETH, as they walk out of the bullpen)
President’s speech is in the printer – (clears throat) assuming there is one. How are they? (referring to GORDON and MISS WORLD)

ANNABETH
Dandy. Don’t you just love Valentine’s Day?

ANNABETH heads off as TOBY walks to the Roosevelt Room, where the Belarusian delegation is finishing lunch, a map on an easel next to the table, conversation and collaboration everywhere.

LESSIG
Toby, good to see you. Grab a sandwich and listen in. I think I’m managing to pick up a few phrases. It’s not all that different from Polish, actually.

TOBY
Still on a lunch break.

LESSIG
Oh … they love the roast beef.

TOBY
You’re giving them a two-hour lunch after wasting the morning on a system of government that’s never going to work for these people?

LESSIG
I wouldn’t call it a waste.

TOBY
These guys have to walk out of this building on Friday with a set of laws to take back home to Minsk.

LESSIG
Not a set of laws, a sense of the rules of law.

TOBY (surprised)
You’re not planning on writing a constitution this week?

LESSIG
Are you familiar with Meyer vs. State of Nebraska?

TOBY
Nebraska passed a law making it illegal to teach anything other than English during World War I, Meyer wanted to teach German, Supreme Court said the law was unconstitutional.

LESSIG
Good. Now – where in the Constitution does it say you’ve got a right to teach German in school?

TOBY (beat)
You’re saying the document is irrelevant?

LESSIG
No … I’m saying the document is just the beginning. A constitutional democracy succeeds only if the constitution reflects democratic values already alive in the citizenry.

TOBY
Yes, but these Belarusians don’t have those values.

LESSIG
Which is why our most important job is to instill those values in their leaders, through discussion and debate.

TOBY
You’re talking about eight guys on a sightseeing trip to Washington. You think you teach democratic values to these eight guys, you’re gonna reverse 50 years of brutal dictatorship?

LESSIG (referring to some of the delegates)
Mr. Helakal was known as the only honest legislator in the government. Mr. Lipecki is the most respected judge in the country, and Mr. Zubatov, well … Mr. Zubatov is the editor-in-chief of Sovetskaya Belorussiya. His articles helped bring down the last dictator. How many guys do you think it takes?

TOBY takes a moment to consider.

CUT TO: EXT. - PORTICO – DAY

BARTLET comes out of the Oval Office and speaks to a Secret Service agent on guard outside the door.

BARTLET
Got a cigarette? (beat, as AGENT doesn’t respond) First Lady get to you?

AGENT
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
Come on, cough ‘em up.

The AGENT reaches into his coat and hands a pack of cigarettes to BARTLET. BARTLET steps further onto the portico and prepares to light one, as LEO approaches.

LEO
Aren’t those bad for the MS?

BARTLET
You wanna play doctor, too? (irritated, throwing the cigarette into the grass) Suddenly I’ve got 17 nursemaids. She didn’t wake me up this morning.

LEO
Okay …

BARTLET
If I was awake this morning, I could have -

LEO
What? Prime Minister Graty thinks you’re an intellectual snob, a Yankee Doodle windbag. Likely as not, you would have made things worse.

BARTLET
If an American dies and there’s even the slightest suspicion of international intrigue, she’s supposed to wake me.

LEO
Since when? If I’d used that rule you’d be dead by now from sleep deprivation.

BARTLET
Damn it, Leo, five minutes ago you were telling me to leave it all out on the field, now you’re telling me to stay off it?

LEO
I’m telling you to let her do her job so you can do yours.

BARTLET looks at LEO for a moment, then heads back inside, leaving LEO on the portico.

CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE – DAY

ABBEY is in the sitting room next to a large window, some reading materials on her lap. CJ approaches.

CJ
Excuse me – do you have a minute, ma’am?

ABBEY
I sent him back to work.

CJ
Yes, I saw him, thank you. (beat) Ma’am, I can’t have you confusing my staff.

ABBEY
Okay.

CJ
If you have a question, a concern, I need you to come to me.

ABBEY
What if I can’t find you?

CJ
Find me.

ABBEY
You gonna take away my key to the executive washroom, too?

CJ (beat, moving to sit)
Ma’am … I made a mistake this morning. 

ABBEY
He needed to sleep.

CJ
Yes, I agree with you. Mm, the mistake was not making the decision on my own.

ABBEY
You can’t make these decisions by yourself.

CJ
I’m the Chief of Staff.

ABBEY
You’re not a doctor.

CJ
It’s not a medical decision, it’s a question as to whether the leader of this country needs to be informed about something that puts the country’s citizens in jeopardy. What he does with that information, how he manages his disease, those are his decisions.

ABBEY (beat)
He was up until midnight. He’s not managing his disease.

CJ (beat)
You’re gonna have to take that up with him, ma’am.

CJ’s pager beeps. She checks it.

CJ (rising to leave)
I’m sorry. Excuse me.

CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT

BARTLET is going over some papers with CJ, KATE and HUTCHINSON waiting in the background, along with another OFFICER. There is a knock at the door.

BARTLET (as MARBURY enters)
John … thanks for sticking around.

MARBURY
No trouble at all, really.

5:00 PM

BARTLET
We’ve translated two radio transmissions from before the incident that we’d like to share with you.

MARBURY
By all means.

HUTCHINSON
At 0230 Greenwich Mean Time we believe this is an Iranian fighter calling in to military radar ground control in Rasht.

HUTCHINSON indicates to the OFFICER to play the tape. He presses a button on an audio device. We hear the pilot speaking in Farsi on the recording.

OFFICER (translating)
Unable to establish visual contact with RC-135. Hailed on military channels. No response, please advise.

The OFFICER stops the tape.

BARTLET
They thought it was our plane.

HUTCHINSON 
Here’s the response at 0233.

The OFFICER plays another recording, translating again.

OFFICER (translating)
Iranian Air Defense Command radar signal confirms aircraft as US RC-135. You are instructed to fire.

The OFFICER stops the tape.

MARBURY
Well, this is all very lovely indeed, but I’m not sure how it changes anything.

BARTLET
Damn it, John, the reform movement in Iran has real promise. Demographics are on our side.

MARBURY
Yes, you’ve been making that argument for some time, now. 

BARTLET
You’re gonna drive the Iranian people right back into the arms of the hard-liners.

MARBURY
The Iranians have a ballistic missile that reaches 2000 kilometers. That’s half the distance to London. And they’re making improvements – to their weapons technology, to their already formidable Air Force. How long do you think we can wait for democracy to sweep through Tehran? Five years? Ten years? Would you bet your capital on it?

CJ
We threaten to make this public. We call an emergency meeting of the Security Council, tell them we’re going to play the intercepts.

MARBURY
The intercepts prove that the Iranian Air Force shot down our plane. The Prime Minister won’t budge.

CJ
Not the Prime Minister, the Ayatollah. The Iranian Air Defense Command couldn’t tell the difference between a commercial airliner and a spy plane. It’s a little embarrassing.

KATE
For a man who’s proud of his air force.

CJ
We let the Ayatollah know what we have, odds are, he jumps at the chance to apologize for the actions of a rogue pilot rather than humble Iranian Air Defense Command. And if they issue even a vague apology …

MARBURY
Mr. President … Jack Stanley and his fiancee perished in that plane last night. Nicholas Ashe and his three small children. He was a Fellow at Oxford. The list goes on – but the casualties are nothing compared with what might happen should Iran successfully develop a nuclear weapon. They have over a hundred nuclear facilities. So it’s not a matter of three or four bombs, it’s a matter of three or four hundred, and this regime will not be afraid of selling to the highest bidder. 

BARTLET considers this, looks at CJ, then stands and heads for his desk. At last, he speaks.

BARTLET
Kate, set up the meeting with the UN. And have Chet get word to the Ayatollah he can apologize now or after he reads about it in the Times.

KATE (exiting)
Yes, sir.

MARBURY
You do realize the Ayatollah will be embarrassed and weakened. He’ll do nothing but redouble his nuclear efforts.

BARTLET
Diplomacy, John. The job of statesmen.

MARBURY
And I thought it was drinking and dancing.

CUT TO: INT. - HALLWAY – NIGHT

TOBY walks out of the Roosevelt Room as CJ comes down the hall behind him.

6:00 PM

CJ
Tell the networks they can have their time back.

TOBY
The Iranians are apologizing?

CJ
Let’s work on a statement for tomorrow’s papers. Where are we with Gordon?

TOBY leads CJ to the doorway of the Communications bullpen, where GORDON and MISS WORLD are still talking.

CJ
And I always looked down my nose at beauty pageants.

TOBY
You know, we should at least consider -

CJ
Yeah, give him the tick-tock. Tell him the Prime Minister was a courtesy call – I wasn’t sure Iran was involved, I didn’t think we needed to wake him. Just because the public thinks the President’s supposed to be up, doesn’t mean he’s supposed to be up.

TOBY
You know what the story’s gonna be?

CJ
They’re gonna be writing MS stories until the end of this administration. Give him the tick-tock.

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT

CJ enters her office and goes to her desk. BARTLET comes to the doorway from the Oval Office.

BARTLET
So maybe we should cancel the address.

CJ
I took care of it. Iran’s apologizing, Britain’s backing down, there’s no need for you to distance yourself from Graty. (beat) You’ve gotta trust me to make these decisions or there’s no point in having me in this job.

BARTLET
Yeah.

CJ
I spoke to Mrs. Bartlet. From now on, I’ll be making the wake up calls on my own. And your MS won’t be a factor in my decision.

BARTLET
Thank you.

CJ
Sir … these international crises drag on for days, one rolls right into the next. You need to take care of yourself, because there are going to be mornings when I’m gonna have to wake you up at 3:00 am.

BARTLET slowly walks back into the Oval Office.

CJ
Good night, sir.

BARTLET
Night.

As BARTLET walks into the Oval Office, he finds an envelope on his desk. As he opens it, ABBEY appears behind him near the fireplace.

ABBEY
Happy Valentine’s Day.

BARTLET (taking a card out of the envelope)
That what you’re wearing to the opera?

ABBEY
You have a 7:00 am call in the morning. I canceled the opera.

BARTLET
The whole opera?

ABBEY
No - just the part where we give the usher the tickets, and -

BARTLET (shouting)
Damn it, Abbey, I can manage my health without you taking my pulse every five minutes!

ABBEY
Is that what you were doing when you decided to stay up gossiping with the children last night?

CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT

CJ is working at her desk. We can hear the developing fight inside the Oval Office through the open door.

BARTLET (VO)
I was talking to Professor Lessig!

ABBEY (VO)
Oh, shove it, Jed - ‘It’s my disease, it’s my health, I can handle it’ - the hell you can!

CJ stands up and walks to the door.

ABBEY (VO)
You think you can run this country on four and a half hours sleep with MS? You’re out of your mind.

CJ closes the door. We can still hear the voices, just a little less loud.

BARTLET (VO)
Stop treating me like a child.

ABBEY (VO)
Then stop acting like one.

CJ returns to her desk.

ABBEY (VO)
Where would you be right now if I …

The voices trail off indistinctly, but we – and CJ – can still hear the fight continue, as CJ continues to work.

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

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The West Wing Transcript
Episode 6x14 – The Wake Up Call
Original Airdate: February 9, 2005