THE WEST WING
7x17 - “ELECTION DAY, PART II”
WRITTEN BY ELI ATTIE & JOHN WELLS
DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER MISIANO
Transcribed by Walking, Talking, And Yelling At Clouds (kegofglory.blogspot.com)
TEASER
ELECTION DAY PT. II
FADE IN: INT. - SANTOS CAMPAIGN HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
JOSH is doing a TV appearance. We begin with a voiceover, then see him on a TV monitor in the room, and finally the camera moves to show him sitting and spinning the early results.
JOSH
Yeah, of course, it’s very gratifying to win Illinois. That’s Leo McGarry country, now he can leave that suitcase full of ballots in his hotel room.
INTERVIEWER (VO)
Yet, Texas is Santos country, could be facing a loss there.
JOSH
Congressman Santos isn’t running for the President of Texas. He’d like to win every state, he’s gunnin’ for Guam, too. But we’ve already won New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania – South Carolina, which practically no Democrat without spurs has ever won -
CROSSFADE TO: VINICK CAMPAIGN HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
BRUNO is doing a similar TV hit.
BRUNO
Senator Vinick has won Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Virginia. And as for South Carolina, Matt Santos couldn’t have made more trips to the state if he lived there.
CUT TO: JOSH
JOSH
We feel great about California. Polls are still open out west, the whole country’s at stake.
CUT TO: BRUNO
BRUNO
We’re very optimistic about Texas, and we’ll win the state of California.
CUT TO: JOSH
JOSH
Well, thank you, Jeff, it’s great talking to you, too.
INTERVIEWER (VO)
Thanks, Josh.
DIRECTOR (VO)
And, we’re out.
JOSH immediately yanks the earpiece out of his ear and leaps to his feet, talking to RONNA.
JOSH
Why the hell aren’t we dominating Texas?
RONNA
Like the wise man said, Santos isn’t running for President of Texas.
JOSH (referring to the setup of the live shot as they leave the room)
Think we have enough flags? We still have to convince people we’re not agitprop socialists?
RONNA
I think that sometimes, and I work here.
CUT TO: BRUNO
BRUNO
Thank you, Barbara.
INTERVIEWER (VO, in background)
That was Vinick campaign consultant Bruno Gianelli -
DIRECTOR (VO)
We’re out.
BRUNO removes his earpiece and stands, talking to BOB as they head out of the hotel room studio.
BRUNO
Ohio?
BOB
Not yet. They called Tennessee for us, Indiana, West Virginia -
BRUNO
God bless the coal industry. Wisconsin?
BOB
Leaning Santos.
BRUNO
Ohio …
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL BALLROOM – NIGHT
JOSH is trying to talk to DONNA over the sound of Foo Fighters playing Resolve once again. JOSH and DONNA make their way through the crowd in the ballroom, talking loudly.
JOSH (shouting)
What the hell is goin’ on in Ohio?
DONNA
You look terrible.
JOSH
The makeup’s really working, then.
DONNA
Minnesota’s official. And Bruce and Gene need a minute.
JOSH
Who?
DONNA
From the transition team.
JOSH
Tell ‘em we’re gonna wait and see if there’s a transition first.
DONNA
They said it was important.
JOSH and DONNA exit the ballroom into a hallway, crowded with Santos supporters and drink tables. Two men in suits stand down the hallway, waiting for JOSH.
JOSH (to DONNA)
Interrupt me after two minutes.
DONNA
If a state is called?
JOSH
Or make something up. Two minutes.
DONNA heads away as JOSH shakes hands with the two men.
JOSH
Bruce … Gene, how are ya?
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
The room is buzzing with activity as BRUNO and BOB walk in. JANE is on the phone. We start with a closeup of a TV screen with a NEWS ANCHOR reporting.
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
There are several polls across the country that have just closed -
JANE (into phone)
Check in every half hour. Okay, bye. (hangs up)
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
- polls that we’re not calling yet. These states: Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado -
JANE
They just called Minnesota for Santos.
BRUNO (walking up to the whiteboard)
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire … talk to me about the duck-boot belt.
JANE
They’re still too close to call.
BOB
That’d be something, huh?
BRUNO (sighing)
Come on, Ohio, come on …
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL HALLWAY – NIGHT
JOSH is not quite listening to the transition guys.
GENE
We have problems with the victory speech.
BRUCE
Big problems.
JOSH
What problems?
BRUCE
For starters – there’s nothing about economic sacrifice.
GENE
Have you seen CBO’s latest deficit projections?
BRUCE
Throw the old baseline right out the window.
GENE
If we can’t claim a mandate for economic sacrifice -
JOSH
A line in a speech doesn’t give us a mandate, there’s no spinning it.
BRUCE
We ran the national security language by Nancy McNally.
GENE
She agrees, we need a strong reference to burden-sharing, what with Kazakhstan out there ticking like a time bomb.
BRUCE
The Congressman mentioned burden-sharing less than 15 times in the campaign.
JOSH (eyebrows raised)
You counted?
GENE
Campaign’s over. Someone’s gotta be thinking about the governing.
JOSH
Do you have your changes written down?
BRUCE holds up a manila envelope. JOSH unhappily takes it and walks away.
CUT TO: INT. - MOTORCADE SUV ON THE STREET – NIGHT
MATT, HELEN, and BRAM are approaching the hotel.
BRAM
No rope line, no press pool – we’re goin’ in through the basement. No one sees you till you give your speech tonight. (phone rings, BRAM answers) It’s Bram.
JOSH (VO, on phone)
I need the Congressman.
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL – NIGHT
JOSH is walking through the crowded lower floor of the hotel.
JOSH (into phone)
They called Minnesota for us.
CUT TO: INT. - SUV
BRAM (to MATT, as he hands him the phone)
Good news.
JOSH (VO, on phone)
Bad news.
MATT (into phone)
If you guys are trying to play good-cop/bad-cop, your routine needs some work.
JOSH (VO, on phone)
We need to rewrite the victory speech, the transition team -
CUT TO JOSH in the hotel, going up some stairs.
JOSH (cont., into phone)
- wants sacrifice and burden-sharing instead of sunshine and light.
CUT TO MATT in the SUV.
MATT (into phone)
Josh -
JOSH (VO, on phone)
They counted the references -
CUT TO JOSH, now in a hotel hallway.
JOSH (cont., into phone)
- it’s my own fault, if I hadn’t -
CUT TO MATT.
MATT (into phone)
Don’t worry about it.
JOSH (VO, on phone)
It’s our first -
CUT TO JOSH.
JOSH (cont., into phone)
- governing document.
MATT (VO, on phone)
The propeller-heads are just trying to make their own jobs easier, you want something to worry about, worry about the next two hours.
JOSH comes around a corner. He sees DONNA, slowly walking toward him, a stricken look on her face.
JOSH (into phone)
Hang on – (to DONNA) Hey, what happened to you? Two minutes. 120 seconds, I was stuck in there with dull and duller, countin’ beads on my imaginary abacus -
JOSH sees DONNA’s face and realizes something is wrong.
JOSH
Ohio?
DONNA looks at JOSH, her face full of sadness.
JOSH
Texas, we won? We lost? We need a good lawyer, what?
DONNA (fighting to get the words out)
Leo was unconscious, in his room. Annabeth found him. (shakily taking a breath) He wasn’t … he wasn’t breathing. They’re taking him to the hospital in an ambulance now.
JOSH stares at DONNA, uncomprehendingly.
SMASH CUT TO: MAIN TITLES.
END TEASER.
***
ACT ONE
FADE IN: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT
We see CJ hang up her phone. She stares ahead, not hearing MARGARET at the door.
MARGARET
CJ? (a pause, CJ doesn’t react) CJ?
CJ (turning to MARGARET)
Is the President in his office?
MARGARET
He just got back. Should I get Will?
CJ nods. MARGARET exits. CJ slowly stands, making her way toward the Oval Office. She stops at the door.
CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT
BARTLET is going over some papers on his desk.
BARTLET (calling out)
Nancy?
NANCY
Yes, sir?
BARTLET (as the door opens and CJ slowly enters)
I thought I brought that Centcom report back from Air Force One. See if it’s in that pile of stuff I dumped on your desk.
NANCY
I’ll check, sir.
BARTLET
I have some serious issues with the force readiness report. We’ll need to get Hutchinson in here in the morning to go over it. (to CJ) Any word on Ohio, or Texas?
CJ (quietly)
Uh, no, sir.
BARTLET
I had to get out of Manchester. Sitting around my daughter’s house watching my son-in-law take his much-deserved electoral beating without being able to utter a self-satisfied ‘whoop’ was a bit more than I could bear. (calling to the outer office) Nancy, anything?
NANCY
Still searching, sir.
BARTLET
I probably left it on the plane. Call Andrews for me, will you? (to CJ) If the Republicans end up with a one-vote majority in Congress, we can chalk it up to my eldest daughter’s lousy taste in men. And her father’s pathetic efforts to -
CJ takes a breath, her face shaky – it stops BARTLET.
BARTLET
CJ, what is it?
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL LOADING DOCK – NIGHT
8:35 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
MATT, HELEN, and BRAM are walking from the dock into a service hallway, where LOUISE and RONNA come up to meet them.
MATT
Where is he?
LOUISE
They’re taking him to Methodist, the ambulance should be there by now.
MATT
Where’s Josh?
RONNA
He just left for the hospital.
HELEN
Was Leo talking?
LOUISE
We don’t know.
HELEN
Should we be going to the hospital?
LOUISE
No, no, press doesn’t have this yet.
MATT
Why not?
LOUISE
Polls out west are open for another 90 minutes, the longer that we -
MATT
You want to try and keep this a secret for an hour and a half?
LOUISE
A quarter of the country is still voting.
MATT
And I’m asking all four quarters to trust me to be their leader. I am not hiding the health problems of my Vice President.
BRAM (referring to the hallway)
It may not be the best place to have this conversation.
LOUISE
Anything that highlights any uncertainty -
MATT (brushing past her)
I am not having this conversation. We’re issuing a statement to the press, now.
LOUISE (as they get on a freight elevator)
Congressman, this is still a campaign, and there’s only two kinds, the pitiless and the dead. Every minute we stand here, votes are being cast. Undecideds vote late in the day. If they were looking for a reason to vote Vinick, a press release from us could just punch their lottery ticket.
HELEN
It’s gonna come out. Ten minutes, 15 minutes, the paramedics, somebody at the hotel or the hospital’s gonna say something.
LOUISE
Maybe we get lucky and it takes an hour for the press to confirm and get something on the air -
HELEN
They’re not gonna wait to confirm it, they’re gonna go with the rumor.
LOUISE
I know he’s your friend, he’s my friend, too. But we can’t be sentimental about this, or we will have a Republican President. Who will gut education, he will auction off Social Security, and cut taxes till we’re bleeding red ink. And when Leo wakes up – he will kick your ass for letting that happen, you know he will.
MATT (as the elevator door opens)
Start working on a statement. (walking off) Get me to a phone, I wanna call the hospital.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
BOB is on the phone, holding a finger in his ear as we hear chatter and TV news coverage in the background. JANE and BRUNO are looking over the whiteboard.
BOB (into phone)
Yeah, ah – (calling to the room) All right – they’re calling Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, all for us!
Staffers applaud in celebration, as BOB listens some more and turns back to the room.
BOB
Minnesota for Santos, Wisconsin -
BRUNO
What about Ohio?
BOB
Nothing yet.
BRUNO
Iowa?
BOB
Too close to call.
BRUNO
Texas?
BOB
Nope.
JANE
What do we got left out West?
BRUNO
We’ll take Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, probably Nevada. Santos gets, uh, Hawaii, and Washington, uh …
BOB (still holding the phone, noticing the TV)
Hey! Here we go.
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
- we are now prepared to call the state of Ohio for Senator Arnold Vinick -
The room erupts in cheers.
BOB
Yes!
BRUNO
Texas! Come on! Come on, what do we know about Texas!?
CUT TO: INT. - HOSPITAL HALLWAY – NIGHT
JOSH and DONNA are running down the hallway. They turn a corner and see a Secret Service agent.
JOSH
Where is he?
CUT TO: INT. - HOSPITAL ELEVATOR – NIGHT
The bell dings, the door opens, and JOSH and DONNA rush inside. The door closes … we hear only the soft Muzak in the background, as JOSH and DONNA stare at the floor numbers changing above the door. The almost silent scene lasts for twelve seconds, but it seems like a lifetime; JOSH and DONNA, helpless, waiting for the elevator to carry them to their friend, their faces frozen in shock, fear, and trepidation.
The door opens and JOSH and DONNA race out, down another hallway and turning another corner. Secret Service agents are stationed every few feet down the hall. At the end of a hall they find ANNABETH, tears streaking her face, inconsolable. She stands up from a chair and goes to JOSH.
JOSH
Hey.
ANNABETH (a catch in her voice)
He died, Josh.
They stand looking at each other a moment, then ANNABETH collapses in JOSH’s arms, sobbing. JOSH holds her, mouth open, unable to catch his breath.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
The staff is updating the whiteboard and listening to the election coverage.
RONNA
What’s the count?
LOUISE
166-179.
RONNA
No Texas yet?
A phone rings. It’s BRAM’s. He pulls it out and answers it.
BRAM (into phone)
It’s Bram.
LOUISE, EDIE and the others look at him.
BRAM (hand over the phone, whispering)
It’s Josh.
BRAM turns and heads out, as we hear a NEWS ANCHOR.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
- South Dakota, DC, Delaware, Montana, Wyoming – any of those states would be enough for Santos to tie up this game at this moment in time -
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
BRAM knocks and enters, giving the phone to MATT, as the coverage on the TV continues.
BRAM
It’s Josh, for the Congressman.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV, cont.)
- The key battleground states that we have not yet been able to project winners in: Texas, -
MATT (into phone, as HELEN watches intently)
Yeah?
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV, cont.)
- Congressman Santos’ home state. Look at these numbers; 51 percent so far for Santos, -
MATT’s head drops, and he reaches out a hand for HELEN. BRAM watches. MATT’s face tells the story.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV, cont.)
- 49 percent for Vinick. Fifty-four percent of the precincts reporting -
CUT TO: INT. - OVAL OFFICE – NIGHT
BARTLET is at his desk, talking on the phone with ABBEY. As he talks, CJ comes slowly out of her office and makes her way to the desk.
BARTLET (into phone)
Yeah, we don’t know much yet. (beat) I’m heading back out to Andrews in a couple of minutes to fly down. (beat) I think Mallory’s already there for the election night. (beat) I’ll be sure.
As CJ reaches the desk, BARTLET pauses.
BARTLET (into phone)
Honey, can you hang on a second?
CJ stands there, tears on her cheeks, her face stricken. BARTLET knows what it means.
BARTLET
When?
CJ (through tears)
Just a few minutes ago. Donna just called me.
BARTLET sets down the phone, stands up, and walks around the desk. He and CJ embrace, a long, emotional hug.
BARTLET (as they part)
Thank you, CJ.
CJ
Mr. President.
CJ walks back to her office. BARTLET breathes deeply, as tears start from his eyes. He catches his breath and makes his way back to his chair. He picks up the phone.
BARTLET (into phone)
Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I have some very bad news.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
VINICK and SHEILA are sitting on a sofa, watching election coverage on TV.
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
Let’s recap where we stand, right after 9:30 here on the East Coast, if we look at the popular vote, real numbers -
There is a knock at the door and BRUNO comes in.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
- with 14 percent of the vote now in, Arnold Vinick with 49 percent -
BRUNO
Senator, I’ve got Matt Santos on the phone.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
- Matthew Santos with 48 percent -
VINICK
What, he want to concede already?
BRUNO
No, sir. (walking the phone to VINICK) You’ll want to take this call.
VINICK (into phone)
Matt?
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
- 270 needed to be elected President -
We see VINICK react to what MATT is telling him.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
MATT is on the phone talking to VINICK.
MATT (into phone)
Well, thank you, Senator, I – I’ll pass that along to everyone here.
We hear the news starting to break on the TV in the background.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
For those of you just tuning in to our election night coverage -
MATT (into phone)
Yeah, I appreciate that. Thank you. (hangs up)
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV, cont.)
- we bring you breaking news, and some would say, heartbreaking news at this hour. Once again, Leo McGarry has been pronounced dead by Dr. Elliott M. Gross of the Texas Methodist Medical Center. -
CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE WEST WING – NIGHT
White House staffers stand in silence, watching the same TV coverage.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
- He was rushed to the hospital after a massive heart attack, his second in as many years. Vice Presidential candidate, White House counselor and chief of staff, Labor Secretary and decorated Vietnam veteran -
CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT
MARGARET and CJ stand silently, crying, as another newscaster is heard.
NEWSCASTER (on TV)
The Chicago native played a major role in shaping every Presidential election of the past quarter-century. And, we are unsure at this moment in time how the sudden and tragic death of Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Leo McGarry -
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL BALLROOM – NIGHT
The ballroom that was so festive earlier, with music and celebrating, is now quiet and somber as Santos supporters stand and watch the TV, with yet another NEWS ANCHOR heard.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
Some believe that McGarry had considerably more weight and experience, particularly in matters of foreign policy, than the top of the ticket -
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
Back to MATT and HELEN as they watch the report from the first NEWS ANCHOR.
NEWS ANCHOR (somberly, on TV)
More than one Democratic operative might be saying, with the loss of this party eminence and elder, what now for the Santos campaign?
HELEN, her eyes red, turns to MATT as he wraps an arm around her and holds her close.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
With McGarry’s name still stamped on every ballot -
FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE.
* * *
ACT TWO
FADE IN: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
MATT is having a strategy session with several advisers, including HELEN, BRAM, LOUISE, BARRY GOODWIN, and a DNC staffer named KLAIN.
9:15 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
LOUISE
We need to put out some kind of statement quickly.
MATT
What are my options?
GOODWIN
Well, you could put forward another name, make it harder for Vinick to make an issue out of this, or God forbid, contest a result he doesn’t like.
HELEN
Could he do that?
GOODWIN
We don’t have a lot of precedent to guide us here.
MATT
You want me to pick another running mate in the next five minutes, why not just stop the elevator between floors, I’ll pick a whole Cabinet.
LOUISE
The polls don’t close for 50 minutes out west and it may take just a few thousand votes to decide this election.
KLAIN
We just can’t put forward another name. Article 3, Section 1 of the DNC charter gives the power to name a replacement to the DNC. You can recommend a name, but you’re gonna have to make clear the DNC gets to approve it.
MATT
I am not naming a new running mate in the next five minutes. Leo is on the ballot – if I win, he wins. Nothing we can do about that now.
HELEN
So what happens next?
GOODWIN
Electoral College vote in December.
KLAIN
Most states’ electors are free to vote for anyone for Vice President.
MATT
So I can ask them to vote for someone other than Leo?
GOODWIN
Yes, but Vinick could claim that you’re circumventing the voters.
MATT
The alternative being … ?
GOODWIN
Wait till you take office in January, nominate someone under the 25th Amendment.
LOUISE
Can we please - ?
KLAIN
Which might be more respectful of Constitutional process.
GOODWIN
Vinick would not be able to argue the public’s not being represented, and if congressional -
LOUISE
Okay, guys, before we get too deeply into Robert’s Rules of Order, may I remind you people are still voting, we haven’t won the damn election yet, now he’s gotta get down to that ballroom now, and reassure the voters out west.
MATT
We’ve got a draft statement?
LOUISE
Speechwriters are working on it.
MATT
No adjectives, no frilly language – I lost a friend here tonight, okay? (beat) Leo’s family?
BRAM
His daughter, Mallory, was in the hotel. She’s headed to the hospital.
HELEN
Is Josh still there?
BRAM
Last I heard.
LOUISE
You need him back?
MATT
I need Josh to be wherever he needs to be. Now, get me that statement. (standing) Thanks.
CUT TO: INT. - HOSPITAL HALLWAY – NIGHT
JOSH is standing by a window, staring numbly out into the dark. DONNA comes up to him.
DONNA
They called Ohio for Vinick. (JOSH sniffles) Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma. North and South Dakota. We picked up Minnesota, Wisconsin.
JOSH (still staring out the window)
Texas?
DONNA
Not yet.
JOSH (still numb)
Polls are still open out West, Congressman needs to make a statement – calm nervous undecideds in California and Pacific Northwest -
DONNA
Lou’s already on it.
JOSH
He needs to make it now, there’s no -
DONNA
They know that.
JOSH
Somebody needs to tell the President.
DONNA
I called CJ.
JOSH (finally turning back to the hallway)
Where’s Mallory, she was - here a couple of seconds -
DONNA
She just went to call her mom.
A pause. JOSH looks ahead, stunned.
JOSH (quietly)
Wow. (beat) How is the Congressman? Have you talked to Lou, or Bram?
DONNA
Yeah, he’s in shock. Like the rest of us. (beat) Shouldn’t we get back to the hotel?
JOSH (choking out the words)
So, no Texas yet?
DONNA
Come on - I’ll drive.
DONNA takes JOSH’s arm, then guides him down the hallway.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
VINICK and his advisers are meeting.
BOB
They shouldn’t have subjected him to the stresses of a big race.
JANE (bitterly)
After his last heart attack they practically wheeled him from the O.R. straight to the nominating convention.
BOB
Santos needed him, he needed a guy with 200 years experience to balance out those training wheels.
VINICK
Santos still hasn’t made a statement?
BOB
Nope.
VINICK
Condolences, support for the family?
JANE (bitingly)
They’re probably still trying to figure out what to say. ‘Hey, sorry, thought he had a few thousand more miles in him. Oops.’
VINICK levels a look of surprise and consternation at JANE. She responds with a quick apologetic gesture. A silence settles over the room.
SHEILA
The polls close in California in 45 minutes and we’re still not as strong as we should be in the south. Orange County, San Diego, the San Fernando Valley -
VINICK
You think I should make a statement?
SHEILA
Undecideds all over California are driving to the polls right now, trying to figure out which lever to pull.
JANE
No doubt some Democrats, too, wondering if Matt Santos is up to the job without Leo McGarry behind him pulling the strings.
BOB
Santos hasn’t made a statement ‘cause he just lost his rationale for having enough experience to run the country. It’s hard to reassure without your reassurance.
VINICK (to BRUNO)
You’re quiet, all of a sudden.
BRUNO (who has been sitting silent through all this)
Yeah.
BOB (scoffs)
Ah - if Santos wins the election, it, it’s – bait and switch, it’s false advertising. He’s got a full slate of tainted electors, and I’m not so sure a Republican Congress ratifies his election as President.
JANE
If we even get a Republican Congress.
VINICK
You’re suggesting – I challenge a Santos win?
JANE
We can’t let Matt Santos take this country into mass confusion and a tainted electoral process while troops are air-dropping into Kazakhstan!
VINICK
You want me to go out there and say people shouldn’t vote for Matt Santos, because Leo McGarry died?
There’s a knock at the door, and a staffer enters, giving a paper to SHEILA.
SHEILA
We have to be very careful, we could create a backlash for ourselves.
VINICK
How about creating a conscience for ourselves? I’ve known Leo for 20 years, can we please not use him as a step stool? You think voters don’t know exactly what this means without our jamming it down their throats?
SHEILA
Voters are doing some jamming of their own. We’re neck and neck in California, and Texas is still too close to call. If we don’t want this to come down to absentee ballots, we’re going to need to do something, and do it now.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
MATT is on the phone. We see a NEWS ANCHOR on the TV.
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
The question is, how it might affect voters on the West Coast -
MATT (into phone)
I know you did, Senator.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
- where polls remain open.
MATT (into phone, as LOUISE enters)
Well, I picked him ‘cause he was the best man for the job, of course I knew that he’d had – (pause) Well, I’ll take that under advisement. Thanks for the suggestion. (hangs up) Senator Coffer selflessly offered himself as a possible Vice President, in the service of his country.
HELEN
God bless America.
LOUISE silently hands MATT a piece of paper.
MATT
Am I gonna hate this?
LOUISE
Probably.
MATT, HELEN, and LOUISE head out of the suite. We see them coming down some stairs to the ballroom, with Foo Fighters still playing on the stage, this time the song is Miracle. MATT takes HELEN’s hand as they walk. The group enters the back of the ballroom. LOUISE whispers to the stage manager, who nods and heads up to the stage, telling Dave Grohl that MATT is here to make a statement. Grohl brings the song to an end, with a smattering of applause. LOUISE steps up to a microphone.
LOUISE
Congressman Santos would like to make a statement at this time.
MATT walks up to the mic at center stage. The room is almost silent, just the sound of camera shutters clicking and a few coughs.
MATT
America has lost a giant tonight. And I’ve lost a friend. Leo McGarry dedicated his life to public service. To the notion that every citizen is responsible for making this country a better place.
CUT TO: INT. - CJ’S OFFICE – NIGHT
CJ is watching MATT on C-SPAN.
MATT (on TV)
That we have a sacred duty to participate in our democracy. To leave America stronger for the next generation.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
VINICK, BRUNO, and the others are watching MATT on MSNBC.
MATT (on TV)
If I win this election, the country will be worse off, because Leo McGarry will not be there to help me run it. But, I don’t want anyone to vote for or against me because of Leo McGarry. This race wasn’t about him, and it isn’t about me.
CUT TO the ballroom.
MATT
It’s a vision for America that will outlast Leo, and outlast me. There’s an America that’s bigger than any of us. And for those of you who have not yet voted - it is the only thing that should matter when you go to the polls tonight.
CUT TO CJ, as MATT says:
MATT (on TV)
Thank you.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT TWO.
* * *
ACT THREE
FADE IN: INT. - HOTEL HALLWAY – NIGHT
An elevator door dings, and the door opens. JOSH, DONNA, and ANNABETH slowly and sadly step out.
10:40 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
Other staffers in the hall step to the side in respect. One female staffer reaches out to ANNABETH and gives her an embrace. The three make their way to the war room, where we hear a NEWS ANCHOR continue his report on the election. The staffers in the room greet and console JOSH, DONNA, and ANNABETH with hugs.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
Once again, we remind our viewers, the red states are Vinick states, the blue states are Santos states. The rest, the white states, are states that have closed their polls, but we don’t have enough information to project a winner -
LOUISE (breaking apart after hugging JOSH)
Polls just closed in the West.
BRAM
All over but the counting.
JOSH walks up to the whiteboard, now mostly filled in with red and blue marker.
LOUISE
Texas is down to the wire, California’s looking like a photo finish, Oregon and Nevada are both too close to call.
BRAM
They just called Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming for Vinick.
DONNA (seeing the board from the back of the room)
We won Arizona?
RONNA
And Washington state, New Mexico -
LOUISE
Basically a tie.
JOSH (speaking Latin)
Omnes una manet nox.
RONNA
What’s that?
ANNABETH (smiling)
Old campaign saying of Leo’s.
DONNA
‘Same night awaits us all.’
JOSH
Where is the Congressman?
BRAM
Uh, in his suite, calling House candidates. Two more seats in California and we have a chance to take back the House.
EDIE
We’re projected to win at least four.
DONNA
What about the Senate?
LOUISE
Senator McKenna lost Pennsylvania. And Fuller lost Maine. Republicans retain the majority.
DONNA
And the President’s son-in-law?
BRAM
Double-digit whipping. He’s about to concede any minute. It was on CNN.
LOUISE
If he can find the podium.
JOSH
Are they playing it as a defeat for the First Family?
BRAM
I think they’re playing it as a victory for his Congressional district.
JOSH snorts into a laugh.
CUT TO: INT. - WHITE HOUSE RESIDENCE SITTING ROOM – NIGHT
BARTLET is on the phone with his daughter Ellie. CJ slowly walks in and approaches him.
BARTLET (into phone)
No, no, I’m fine. (beat) You and Vic come up for the funeral. (beat) Hasn’t been set yet, it’ll probably be in a few days. (beat) All right, sweetheart. (beat) I love you, too. Good night. (hangs up; to CJ) Ellie worrying about her father.
CJ (handing BARTLET some sheets of paper)
The list of condolence calls so far. When you have a moment, let us know which ones you’d like to return personally.
BARTLET (looking over the list)
Hmm.
After a moment BARTLET turns his attention to the TV.
BARTLET
It’s odd, really, watching yourself being replaced on national television. Planned obsolescence, Presidents and mid-sized family sedans.
CJ
Yes, sir. (beat) Would you have run again if you could?
BARTLET (chuckling)
I think Mrs. Bartlet might have had something to say about that, don’t you?
CJ
Well, the electorate can be very persuasive when they want something badly enough.
BARTLET
In the service of two mistresses, these past eight years. That’s been my fate. Thank God for the 22nd Amendment, (grinning) I’m spared that particular conversation with Abbey.
BARTLET reflects for a moment, looking off into the distance.
BARTLET
First time I met Leo, we argued.
CJ
About what?
BARTLET
Monetary – something, role of the Fed -
CJ
Who won?
BARTLET
I did. I’m sure if you could ask him, he’d say he did. (beat) We almost lost him 15 years ago. Did you know that? Abbey and I used to talk about it. (sighs) I was prepared then. Not today.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
JOSH hangs up a phone. He looks grimly ahead.
11:45 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
DONNA (calling out)
CBS may call Maine for Vinick.
LOUISE
Tell ‘em they can’t.
DONNA
Great, I’ll pretend I’m their political director -
LOUISE (yelling)
We’re less than a tenth of a percentage point apart! Anything below one percent is an automatic retabulation. I’ve got 50 election lawyers waiting by the Judicial Courthouse in Augusta, now get on the phone and tell ‘em they can’t.
DONNA (walking away)
Okay.
EDIE (at the whiteboard with RONNA)
You realize we have 50 lawyers in Maine and not a single one in Oregon, with almost twice the electoral votes?
RONNA
How did that happen?
EDIE
Oregon looked safe.
RONNA
Well, it’s not safe, it’s dangerously unsafe, it’s unsafe at any speed.
EDIE
We don’t have a single lawyer there.
RONNA
Well, how are we gonna - ?
LOUISE
Guys, pull two lawyers from Nevada, ship ‘em to Oregon, problem solved. What’s goin’ on in the ballroom, anybody still down there?
EDIE
Oh, the Foo Fighters finally ran out their playlist, and Dave Matthews is into his third encore, and the bar’s out of Corona.
LOUISE
How are we coming on the too-close-to-call-it’s-time-to-go-home-and-get-some-sleep statement?
BRAM
The Congressman’s tinkering with it.
JOSH (finally snapping out of his reverie)
The Congressman doesn’t read that.
BRAM
He wanted to go over it -
JOSH
The Congressman doesn’t read that from a podium, if we’re sending everyone home, we send Goodwin out there. Don’t turn the next President of the United States into a junior high school principal.
DONNA
You think this’ll go all night?
BRAM (looking at the TV)
Maybe not. Turn up the volume?
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
- we are just getting word right now at this hour, we are prepared now to call Vermont and its three electoral votes, and Iowa, and its seven electoral votes, for Senator Arnold Vinick.
LOUISE buries her head in her hands.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
A total of ten electoral votes for Vinick. With both candidates’ home states of Texas and California decidely up for grabs, those ten votes could be decisive -
RONNA (at a different TV)
Oh, God – look at this.
NEWS WOMAN (on TV)
- calling the state of Maine for Senator Vinick. Maine and its four electoral votes now belong squarely in the red column, Maine being a big and a welcome surprise -
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
The Vinick staffers are celebrating, clapping and smiling, as BOB makes his way through the crowd.
BOB (to staffers)
All right, thanks. Appreciate it. (coming up to BRUNO) Huh?
BRUNO
Not yet, my friend, not yet.
JANE (walking up)
That was the Speaker, they just called the Maine Second for Zolosky, we lost the House. South Carolina Statehouse, Illinois and Colorado, too.
BOB
How’d the Speaker sound?
JANE
He sounded unemployed.
We hear the NEWS ANCHOR in the background.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
- Jed Bartlet, closed hours ago, and the state remains too close to call at this time. And now, with over 85 percent of polling places now in, we are prepared to call Texas for native son, Congressman Matthew Santos. Thirty-four electoral votes will be added to the Santos -
BOB, BRUNO and JANE react in dismay.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
Now it’s the Santos staffers’ turn to celebrate, whooping and cheering. LOUISE pops open a bottle of champagne.
DONNA
Are you sure you don’t wanna wait until we hear about -
LOUISE
Hey, who cares what we’re gonna hear? He won his home state. Worst-case, he’s Governor, Senator, he can clear as much brush as he wants, let’s go right now -
BRAM rushes past LOUISE and out into the hall, where more members of the campaign are happily celebrating and singing Deep In The Heart Of Texas.
BRAM
Hook ‘em, horns! (he picks up RONNA and spins her around)
RONNA
Thirty-four electoral votes! Who needs Maine and the crummy maple syrup caucus?
BRAM
That’s Vermont.
RONNA
Yeah, them, too!
BRAM gives high-fives to several other staffers, then stops and looks down the hall as the singing continues. MATT and HELEN are grinning happily, exchanging looks with BRAM. MATT pulls HELEN close and they start to dance in the hall. DONNA stands in the hall, looking around for something.
BRAM (to DONNA)
It’s all down to California now.
DONNA
Have you seen Josh?
BRAM
Not in a while.
DONNA walks away.
CUT TO: INT. - A DIFFERENT HOTEL HALLWAY – NIGHT
The elevator door opens and DONNA steps out. This hallway is quiet, with only a few Secret Service agents stationed along the way. DONNA goes up to one, guarding a door.
DONNA
Have you seen Josh Lyman?
The agent gestures inside the room.
DONNA (going in)
Thank you.
DONNA walks through a doorway and we see it’s LEO’s suite. It looks much the same as it did when ANNABETH came in earlier that night and found LEO. JOSH is there, leaning against a desk, staring ahead. We see LEO’s watch and glasses, still on the table. His shoes, on the floor. The debris from the paramedics strewn behind the shoes toward the bathroom. JOSH takes a breath, and sniffles. He’s clearly been crying.
JOSH
I called housekeeping. I didn’t want Mallory – (sniffles again) – coming here and finding the paramedic stuff.
A pause, as DONNA nods slightly.
DONNA
We won Texas. (JOSH lets out a breath) California would put us over. (beat) You’ve done a remarkable thing. (JOSH starts to cry) Win or lose, an extraordinary thing.
JOSH
I talked him into this, into joining the ticket.
DONNA
Nobody ever talked Leo into doing anything he didn’t want to do. And he’d want you upstairs. Not down here. You belong up there, it’s your night.
DONNA walks up to JOSH, her hand on his shoulder.
DONNA
He was so proud of you, Josh.
JOSH collapses in sorrow, burying his head in DONNA’s chest.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
VINICK is sitting watching TV election coverage. His advisers are there as well.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
The Republican base must have been pleased as they watched the actual results come in.
VINICK
If I lose California, that’s it. Take my marbles and go home.
BRUNO
You are not gonna lose California.
BOB
We should’ve spent more time there.
JANE
Well, we didn’t.
BRUNO
Spent more time where? The South, which we won hands-down?
JANE
Not South Carolina.
BRUNO
With a Democratic governor who probably filled out every Santos ballot by hand? How are we possibly -?
BOB
We could challenge this in court! Find a few precincts out west where, uh, McGarry was the reason they voted Democrat -
BRUNO
They’ll laugh you out of the courthouse. What are you gonna seek -?
VINICK
Everybody, shut up! This is not about Leo McGarry, that’s not why we’re weak in Southern California. It’s San Andreo.
BOB
Your support of nuclear power isn’t why we’re weak in Texas, weak in New Mexico, weak in -
VINICK
The hell it isn’t. This isn’t about skin color. Sometimes the voters don’t decide – circumstance decides, history decides.
BOB
All right, let me – let me at least talk to the lawyers. Hodder’s got a team meeting downstairs.
VINICK (beat)
You have a number where I can reach Santos?
JANE
It is too premature to start talking about calling -
VINICK
I want a number. I’m gonna dial it as soon as they call California, and I want my daughter in here. Where is she?
SHEILA
She’s putting your grandkids to bed.
BRUNO
Turn up the TV.
VINICK
What?
BRUNO
Turn up the damn television -
BOB leans over and turns up the volume.
NEWS ANCHOR (on TV)
- turning tide, ironically, Vinick’s experiencing a small surge in late balloting, possibly due to the death of Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Leo McGarry, and showing a great deal of strength in the north to offset predictably low turnout -
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
The same news report is playing here. HELEN and MATT walk into the war room.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont., on TV)
- in San Diego County, near the site of last month’s nuclear accident. States I’m sure that Vinick never anticipated winning after the catastrophic nuclear accident in California a few weeks ago. Some websites went as far as to predict that Vinick was the loser of this election. We are now ready to call California for Arnold Vinick, by what appears to be over 80,000 votes. Senator Vinick is the winner in his home state -
MATT and HELEN react with disappointment. We hear a few gasps from staffers. LOUISE marks the whiteboard – 266 electoral votes for Vinick, 260 for Santos.
RONNA
What’s left?
BRAM
Oregon and Nevada. Vinick wins either one -
RONNA
We have to win them both.
JOSH (calling out to the room)
Every lawyer we got, get ‘em on planes to Oregon and Nevada!
FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE.
* * *
ACT FOUR
FADE IN: INT. - HOTEL BALLROOM – NIGHT
Reporters and Santos supporters sit and wait, reading, talking, just passing the time. Some are sleeping. A low murmur is heard throughout the room. Over it all, the sound of the TV, with more commentary on the exceedingly close election.
3:30 AM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
It’s hard to say if the election will even be decided tonight. The, uh – Oregon and Nevada, a meager 12 electoral votes between them, are all that separate one of these two men from the Presidency -
CROSSFADE TO: INT. - VINICK CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
A similar scene, with staffers sitting and looking at reports, reading, drinking coffee, eating fast food. We see the whiteboard, with almost all the states colored in red or blue. A different TV news report is heard.
NEWS REPORTER (VO, on TV)
This election has been predicted for weeks now to be one of the closest elections we’ve seen in recent years. Both camps have been prepared for a protracted legal battle, though both are still hopeful that their candidate will prevail tonight, once the final tallies are in -
CROSSFADE TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
Once again, staffers are taking notes, reading, on the phone, a constant murmur of conversation. We hear the first NEWS ANCHOR again, with the final shot of JOSH intently focused on the TV.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
In Nevada, more than 90 percent of the precincts have reported, and in Oregon, that number is more like 92 percent – and still, the votes are too close to give a clear picture of where this race is heading tonight -
CROSSFADE TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
VINICK is sitting in his room, his sleeping grandchildren next to him, watching the same TV reporter that we heard in his campaign headquarters.
NEWS REPORTER (VO, on TV)
Arnold Vinick, having retired from his Senate seat, may be facing a much different kind of retirement if he doesn’t come up with those four more electoral votes tonight. Four votes that could make him the leader of the free world – the leader of the Western world. This could be for Vinick, the final political chess move of his career.
CROSSFADE TO: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
HELEN is at a desk, typing away on a laptop. MATT sits on the couch, his gaze fixed on the TV.
NEWS ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
At least both candidates can claim to have won their home states, which in the case of Matt Santos, could be a springboard for a future second run at the Presidency, or statewide office.
REPORTER (VO, on TV)
Even if Matt Santos manages -
There’s a knock at the door.
BRAM
Congressman?
MATT turns to the door, where BRAM and LOUISE enter.
MATT (to LOUISE)
You have a concession speech ready?
LOUISE
You’re not gonna need it.
MATT
Make sure you have language about how this wasn’t a racial or ethnic thing. Let’s all join hands and – unite behind – you know.
LOUISE
Yes, sir. Thank you, Congressman. (She and BRAM turn to leave)
MATT
Bram, make sure I have a direct number for Senator Vinick in Los Angeles.
BRAM exits.
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL HALLWAY – NIGHT
BRAM walks out where LOUISE grabs him. There’s still quite a few people moving about in the hall.
LOUISE
Don’t give him Vinick’s number without talking to me first.
BRAM
He, he just said he wants me to get a direct line -
LOUISE
If I didn’t know what he said why would I tell you to ignore it?
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
BRUNO is pouring a cup of coffee.
BOB
More coffee?
BRUNO
I was just gonna mainline adrenaline. I couldn’t find the clean needle.
BOB
When this is over, we should go into business together. Ying and Yang Political Consultants, Inc. - Our motto can be, ‘It ain’t about the ideals, it’s about the money, stupid.’
BRUNO (laughing)
Pithy. You don’t think it might scare off prospective clients?
BOB
Hmm. Only the neophytes. We’d be fightin’ off five-term Congressmen with a stick. Seriously, we should talk about it.
BRUNO
You’re not going with the Senator? Tiny cubicle in the West Wing, your own table at the Oval Room, guaranteed spot in every book index for the next four years?
BOB
Not much of a ‘make the trains run on time’ kind of guy. I like the gladiatorial arena, two candidates whackin’ away at each other with a healthy ad buy.
BRUNO
Thanks. But I am done. I’m goin’ home.
BOB
Yeah, where’s home?
BRUNO
Upstate New York, Essex County. Bought a big house on the Hudson there that I never get to see. I was thinking about planting some flowers … putter around the garden a little.
BOB (doubtfully)
Flowers.
BRUNO smiles as he continues to work on his laptop.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
MATT is having a discussion with GOODWIN and KLAIN.
GOODWIN
We’re ahead by 2000 votes in Oregon. Anything less than 3500’s an automatic recount.
KLAIN
Nevada, we’re behind by a few hundred, but anyone can request a recount, so it’s not -
MATT
Yeah.
GOODWIN
We have legal teams on the ground now, both in Salem and Carson City.
HELEN (as JOSH enters in the background)
So do the Republicans.
LOUISE
We need to talk about a possible legal challenge from the law firm of Vinick, Vinick, and Vinick, in case we win.
GOODWIN
Well, Oregon is ripe for a challenge.
KLAIN
Nevada’s got a large number of seniors with winter homes, I mean, how many of them voted in their home states?
GOODWIN
Ten thousand voters had absentee ballots both in New York and Florida four years ago.
KLAIN
We’ve had some reports of voter fraud on Indian reservations, intimidation of Latino voters -
MATT
But that’s just a few complaints.
LOUISE
A few might be all we need.
MATT
Well, if that’s how I win, it gives me a mandate for what, chasing ambulances?
There’s a pounding on the door, and the sound of cheering from the hall.
GOODWIN
What the hell is that?
BRAM comes in, grinning.
BRAM
We just won Oregon.
There’s clapping, someone says, ‘All right!’ and MATT pounds his fist on the table in celebration.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
It’s quiet here now, as the staff is intently locked on watching the TV. VINICK is pacing nervously.
NEWS REPORTER (on TV)
It all comes down to Nevada. Winner takes all has always been a part of the Silver State’s ethos, but what happens in Nevada tonight certainly won’t stay in Nevada, as the nation’s future President is entirely and completely -
BOB
We decimated our field operation in Nevada.
SHEILA
To move it to California, where we won. By only 80,000 votes.
JANE
We should’ve taken the bodies from anywhere but Nevada.
SHEILA (to VINICK)
The RNC has a team of lawyers waiting outside, they want to file for a recount in Nevada immediately if Santos wins.
VINICK
No.
BRUNO
If Santos wins Nevada, it’ll be by maybe ten, 20,000 votes, there are over a million registered -
VINICK (firmly)
No.
SHEILA
I know you don’t want one of those junk lawsuits that you rail about in speeches -
VINICK
You’re damn right, I don’t.
SHEILA (cont.)
- this isn’t that, this is about people getting who they voted for, this is about taking a few extra days to ensure that our voters were heard.
BRUNO
Thousands of voters in Nevada are sunbirds. They’re registered in other states, too. More than four years ago, over 10,000 New York -
VINICK
I’ll be a winner, or I’ll be a loser. I won’t be a sore loser.
BRUNO
Senator, if you win – believe me, the Santos people are gonna be filing a lawsuit before the Secretary of State of Nevada is finished reading the results.
SHEILA
Sir, this is it. There are not second acts in American politics, not any more. You hate this, we all hate this, but if this happens, and you don’t challenge it – you’re gonna wake up, in a week, maybe two, and regret it for the rest of your life.
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL HALLWAY – NIGHT
JOSH is at the end of the hallway, staring out a window into the dark. MATT is slowly walking up the hallway behind him.
4:45 AM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
MATT (stopping)
Hey.
JOSH (turning to MATT)
Congressman, you need something?
MATT (walking up to JOSH)
No, no – I had to get out of that room. Same old talking heads babbling the same drivel to fill up airtime. They could just run it on a continuous loop, no one would even notice tonight. (stopping in front of JOSH) Did we even campaign in Nevada? ‘Cause I seem to vaguely remember something about a convention center a couple of months back.
JOSH
It was an airplane hangar. We were on the ground about 20 minutes. I should’ve had you move there a couple of years ago. Maybe even, headline a show at the MGM Grand.
MATT (shrugging)
Yeah, well – who knew? Barry Goodwin and the lawyers are planning a march on Washington if we don’t win. What do you think?
JOSH
I think you got some of the best legal minds in the party in there.
MATT
Come on. Straight up.
JOSH (beat)
I think you’re young – smart, the party’s presumptive nominee four years from now, win or lose. You take it to court, you’re the guy who screams at the ump ‘cause they don’t like the call at the plate, nobody votes for that guy again.
MATT thinks it over, then slowly walks to the window behind JOSH. He turns off the lamp on the table by the window. JOSH and MATT spend a moment in silence.
MATT (his voice rough)
Been a hell of ride, though, hasn’t it?
JOSH
Yeah. (turning to MATT) It has.
RONNA appears, nervously, at the end of the hall.
RONNA
Congressman? We think they’re getting ready to call Nevada.
CUT TO: INT. - BARTLET BEDROOM – NIGHT
In the darkness, a phone rings. BARTLET rouses himself from sleep and answers it.
BARTLET (into phone)
Yeah? (beat, with a sigh) Send her in. (hangs up)
BARTLET turns on the bedside lamp and lifts himself up on his side. There’s a knock at the door.
BARTLET (calling out)
Yeah?
CJ (opening the door)
Sorry to disturb you, Mr. President. You wanted me to wake you when there was a result?
BARTLET (groggily)
Do we have a winner?
CJ (smiling)
Yes, sir, we do.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
The room is chaos. Cheering, celebration, excitement, bottles of champagne. BRAM lifts up ANNABETH. MATT and HELEN kiss and hug. JOSH lifts his arms in exultation. As the cheering continues, JOSH turns to see DONNA standing behind him, and they embrace in joy and happiness. Over DONNA’s shoulder, JOSH sees MATT and HELEN. MATT points at JOSH and mouths, ‘Thank you.’ JOSH replies, mouthing, ‘You’re welcome.’
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
The room is quiet. VINICK sits, leaning over, holding his hands together.
JANE
It’s only 30,000 votes.
BRUNO
You have to challenge it.
SHEILA
Shall I bring in the lawyers? They’re waiting outside.
VINICK
You really think it’s a counting error? Anybody know how many Hispanics live in Nevada now?
BOB
Yeah. But how many of ‘em are illegal?
VINICK sits for a moment, thinking. The others watch him closely. Finally he sighs, sits back, and stretches his arms behind his head.
VINICK
Get the President-Elect on the phone.
The others’ faces drop with disappointment and resignation.
VINICK
I want to congratulate him.
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL BALLROOM – NIGHT
The room is electric as Santos supporters cheer, shout, and wave signs. LOUISE is at the microphone.
LOUISE (loudly)
Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention, please? (the crowd quiets) You’ve heard me say it before, and I have meant it every single time.
We see MATT standing off to the side, waiting. BRAM leans over to him.
BRAM
Ah, speech is on the podium.
MATT
Thanks, Bram.
LOUISE (VO, on microphone)
But now it has the voice of millions and the force of law -
MATT (to BRAM)
For everything.
BRAM
It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.
LOUISE (VO, on microphone)
Please help me welcome -
MATT (to BRAM)
I think we may find a way to top it.
Back to LOUISE at the podium.
LOUISE
- the next President of these United States and the next First Lady, Matthew and Helen Santos!
The crowd erupts as the U2 song Beautiful Day plays over the speakers. MATT and HELEN smile giddily, and make their way onstage. MATT and HELEN greet LOUISE, then stand and wave joyfully to the crowd. We see BRAM, RONNA, EDIE, and LOUISE enthusiastically applauding. After a moment MATT steps up to the podium.
MATT
Thank you! Thank you so very much.
VOICE FROM THE CROWD
Thank you!
MATT
Thank you – and thanks for stickin’ around all night. You know, if you haven’t left this room in a while, the sun is comin’ up!
The crowd cheers again.
CUT TO: INT. - VINICK HOTEL SUITE – NIGHT
VINICK is now alone. He’s in the bathroom, cleaning up his face and getting ready for bed. We hear MATT’s speech on a TV in the suite.
MATT (VO, on TV)
First I want to say a special word of thanks to Senator Vinick, and I ask you all to join me in applauding his lifetime of service.
Hearing this as the crowd cheers and applauds, VINICK comes out of the bathroom and looks at the TV.
MATT (on TV)
Arnie Vinick made this a better campaign and he’s made this a better country for all of us. (more cheering, as we see VINICK’s face watching)
CUT TO: INT. - HOTEL BALLROOM – NIGHT
MATT
My father was a barber, my mother a domestic servant. And I never dreamed that I’d have this chance to serve so many people in so many ways.
CUT TO: INT. - SANTOS WAR ROOM – NIGHT
The room appears empty, the TVs showing MATT’s speech, the whiteboard, champagne bottles and trash strewn about. As MATT continues to speak, we see JOSH, still there, walking across the room.
MATT (on TV)
It would be easy for me to stand here – and claim a sweeping mandate for the next four years. I can’t do that. This was a razor-thin election. My intention is to be the President of everyone -
JOSH walks up to the whiteboard, gets a blue marker, and colors in the final state, Nevada.
MATT (cont., on TV)
- black or brown, yellow or white, Republican or Democrat. (more cheering) I’ve got a lot of reaching out to do. America has become more polarized, you can’t run for President and not see that.
JOSH leans down to add Nevada’s electoral votes to the total on the whiteboard, showing 272 for Santos. He circles that number.
MATT (cont., on TV)
Our votes may have been divided, but our country will not be divided. (more cheering) Because ultimately, it’s not about left or right -
DONNA appears at the doorway and sees JOSH there alone. She leans on the doorway and watches.
MATT (cont., on TV)
- it’s about doing right. Together – we are going to lift up those who’ve been left out. We are going to ensure that the promise of America -
JOSH turns from the whiteboard and sees something on an easel in the room. He stands there regarding it.
MATT (cont., on TV)
- is not the privilege of the few, but the birthright of all Americans.
JOSH slowly steps his way up to the display on the easel. DONNA continues to watch in the background, leaning on the doorway.
MATT (cont., on TV)
I am more grateful than I can say. You have given me an opportunity that comes to few people. Perhaps fewer are worthy of it.
We see what JOSH is looking at. An assortment of photos from the campaign are pinned on a bulletin board. Prominently in the middle of the display is a large photo of MATT and LEO, arms upraised, at a campaign event.
MATT (cont., on TV)
God bless you, and God bless America.
We hear the thunderous applause and cheering from the crowd at MATT’s speech. JOSH silently considers the photo of LEO on the bulletin board.
JOSH (whispering)
Thanks, boss.
DISSOLVE TO: END TITLES.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END.
* * *
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The West Wing Transcript
Episode 7x17 – Election Day, Part II
Original Airdate: April 9, 2006
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