WEST WING TRANSCRIPT: Season Seven - Institutional Memory (S7E21)

THE WEST WING
7x21 – “INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY”
WRITTEN BY DEBORA CAHN
DIRECTED BY LESLI LINKA GLATTER

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

Link To My Blog Post For This Episode


TEASER

INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY

FADE IN: INT. – DANNY’S APARTMENT – MORNING

CJ, wearing a bathrobe, is packing up her toothbrush in the bathroom. DANNY comes in.

DANNY
You could leave it here, you know, on the off chance you’re back here someday with bad breath.

CJ
You’re sweet. (kisses DANNY) What time is it? (she goes into the bedroom and starts throwing clothes into an overnight bag)

DANNY
6:45.

CJ
How did that happen?

DANNY
I thought maybe Barton’s tonight.

CJ
For dinner?

DANNY
Yeah.

CJ
I have the trade commission.

DANNY
Oh, okay.

CJ
Did I say I was free?

DANNY
Yeah.

CJ
Oh, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t speak when I don’t have my book in front of me.

DANNY (as she rushes about the apartment)
That’s okay, my sister’s in town tomorrow night, you wanna meet us?

CJ
We’re finalizing the budget.

DANNY
Well, she’s here Thursday, too.

CJ
Intelligence review.

DANNY switches on the TV to MSNBC.

DANNY (calling out to CJ, who is back in the bathroom)
All right, I’m bailing on dinner.

CJ
I’m sorry, this week is just -

DANNY
No worries.

CJ (now putting on a sweater)
I feel bad, I’d love to meet your sister.

DANNY
You would. She’s like me, but with bigger teeth, it’s something.

CJ
This week is just -

DANNY
‘No’ is a perfectly acceptable answer. (CJ grunts in exasperation) I gotta be able to ask, right?

CJ (putting on a jacket and primping her hair in front of the mirror)
I just feel bad saying ‘no’ all the time, it makes me feel like a heel.

DANNY
So I shouldn’t ask, I should just sit by the fire and wait for my booty call?

CJ
Of course not.

DANNY
I mean, it’s okay, I’m not turning it down, but it’s limiting.

CJ (putting on a necklace)
You make it sound like I’m trying to avoid you.

DANNY
I didn’t say that.

CJ
I don’t make booty calls.

DANNY
You don’t make any calls, kind of how it works out.

CJ
What?

DANNY
You’re elusive, part of the draw.

CJ (sighing)
You know what? It’s way too early for this.

DANNY
What?

CJ
It’s 6:45 AM.

DANNY
Hey. I’m kidding.

CJ (putting on earrings)
Are you?

DANNY
Yeah. Everybody take a breath.

CJ
Okay. I’m sorry.

DANNY
There’s nothing to be sorry about.

CJ
You’re right. This will all be easier in two weeks, it really will.

CJ bends down and kisses DANNY; as she starts to stand, DANNY pulls her back and kisses her again. As she heads out the door, DANNY watches her and sighs.

CUT TO: INT. – WHITE HOUSE FOYER – MORNING

CJ is entering, with MARGARET there to greet her.

MARGARET
Hi.

CJ (handing MARGARET a giant binder)
Tell Cooper I found 14 errors in 16 pages, they should think about proofing these things before they hit my desk.

MARGARET
Would you like to take a walk?

CJ
What did you think was happening now?

MARGARET
I thought you could go across the street, get some breakfast, maybe a scone.

CJ
I don’t want a scone.

MARGARET
They have fruit.

CJ
I’m not hungry.

MARGARET
It’s a nice day with fresh air, you could have a little fun.

CJ (as they reach MARGARET’s desk)
I still have a schedule, right, we’re not just pretending I have a job, like dad, who no longer runs the company but still shows up at the office every day?

MARGARET
It’s a full day, but not crazy. You could say hello to Will Bailey.

CJ (as MARGARET stands in front of her office door)
Step aside.

MARGARET steps backward, still between CJ and the door.

MARGARET
Charlie and I were trying to get a jump on some filing. We thought we’d have it all cleaned up before you got in, but things got a little out of control.

CJ
I’ve seen messy before.

MARGARET (taking another step back)
I don’t think you should go in there.

CJ
Yeah, I’m getting that.

MARGARET
Seriously. (her back is now against the door)

CJ
Margaret -

MARGARET relents and moves out of the way. CJ opens the door, finding her office filled with moving boxes and file containers.

CJ (sighing)
You’re not filing – you’re packing.

MARGARET
Yeah.

CJ
Yeah. Okay.

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

ACT ONE

FADE IN: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

We are back where we left off, as CJ gingerly steps into her office crowded with boxes.

MARGARET (following her in)
Most of this is going to the archive, a guy named Martine is supposed to come pick it up.

CJ
Don’t worry about it.

MARGARET
We’re gonna move it somewhere in the meantime but we haven’t settled on where.

CJ
Margaret -

MARGARET
I shouldn’t worry about it.

CJ
You shouldn’t, get Fred and Herb in here.

KATE (appearing in the doorway)
Wow -

CJ
Nice, huh?

KATE
This is grim.

MARGARET
Roosevelt Room in ten.

CJ
What am I doing there?

MARGARET
A casual conversation about your future.

CJ
Another one?

MARGARET
We’re nearing the end of the list. (under her breath) This is a guy from Hollis -

CJ
Hey, how about this is the end of the list, how about we cancel the rest and send a thanks but no thanks?

MARGARET
Ten minutes. (she leaves)

KATE
Job interviews?

CJ
Headhunters waving stock options and corporate jets, and all I have to do is show up at the occasional board meeting. Why should I find that appealing?

KATE
They don’t know you’re a masochist.

CJ
I like to work for a living, is that odd?

KATE
I get it.

CJ
You must be getting these.

KATE
Yeah. Defense contractors, mostly.

CJ
You interested?

KATE
Maybe. It’s hard to get excited about anything after this.

CJ
Yeah.

KATE
I’ve got a call with the Chinese defense minister at 4:00. You should sit in.

CJ
Tell Margaret. (as KATE starts to leave) Hey, where’s your transition memo?

KATE
It’s coming.

CJ
When?

KATE
Soon.

CJ
Did you start it?

KATE
Yeah, sure, final touches.

CJ
I want it today.

KATE
Absolutely. (exits)

There’s a knock at the door. It is FRED and HERB.

HERB
We were summoned?

CJ
You were. I read the first half of the budget last night and couldn’t find the deficit reduction. It shouldn’t be buried on page 600, it should be up top.

FRED and HERB stare at CJ wordlessly.

CJ
Is it on page 600?

FRED
No.

CJ
Where is it?

HERB
There isn’t any.

CJ
What do you mean, there isn’t any?

FRED
There’s no -

CJ
President said he wanted deficit reduction worked into this budget, I said it should be 50 percent. Was that not clear?

HERB
We thought it was along the lines of, ‘I’d like a pony.’

FRED
Nobody actually expects to get the pony.

CJ
I want the pony!

HERB
Fifty percent deficit reduction is unrealistic.

CJ
It isn’t. Go back and find enough revenue raisers and cost savers to cut the deficit in half. And then release it, to White House, OMB, and the agency senior staff this afternoon for comments. (handing them the budget binder) We need to integrate everybody’s feedback.

FRED and HERB are at a loss for words.

CJ
What?

HERB
You’re talking about doing a ton of work on a document nobody will ever read. It’s a formality.

FRED
We’re leaving office.

CJ
Really?

FRED (to HERB)
I don’t know where we’re gonna find $150 billion.

CJ
I told you where you could find it, did we or did we not -

FRED
The tax you proposed was massive.

HERB
Was that your idea, or the President’s?

CJ
It was the President’s idea to cut the deficit, it was my idea to propose doing so with -

FRED
With a massive increase -

CJ
Stop saying ‘massive.’

HERB
We have to get jobs when we leave here, we can’t propose -

CJ
Do it! And send the damn thing out for departmental review, now.

FRED
Okay -

HERB
Yeah.

They sheepishly leave. WILL appears at the door.

CJ
What?

WILL
Uh … wanted to see what all the yelling was about.

CJ
What are you, just walking around?

WILL
Senioritis. Having a little trouble getting motivated. (as they head out to MARGARET’s desk) I probably shouldn’t share that with the boss, huh?

CJ
Where’s your transition memo?

WILL
My epitaph?

CJ
They’re important documents that make it possible for your successor to take the baton. Write one.

WILL
Greg Thatcher’s moving over to State. Santos made him an offer and he wants to get started as soon as possible.

CJ
Did he write a transition -

WILL
I’ll deal with the transition memo.

CJ
Then I guess it’s okay. He’s leaving Friday?

WILL
Today, I think. You should – say goodbye, or something.

CJ
Yeah, tell him to stop in.

As CJ turns back to her office, MARGARET appears and stops her.

MARGARET
You’re needed in the Roosevelt Room.

CJ
I want you to call all 30 department heads and explain that when I said I needed the transition memos today, I wasn’t making a funny.

MARGARET
Your Hollis meeting is right now.

CJ
Give me five minutes. Get him a Coke. (picking up her phone)

MARGARET
I don’t think we should keep him waiting.

CJ
He’s a headhunter, I’m a highly placed official in what was once considered a fairly prestigious organization, and he can sit quietly and have a Coke.

MARGARET
It’s not a headhunter from Hollis, it’s Franklin Hollis.

WILL’s head spins around.

WILL (heading out to look)
Franklin Hollis is in the Roosevelt Room?

MARGARET
Yes.

CJ
No, he’s not.

MARGARET
What do I get out of lying in this moment?

WILL opens the office door and looks out. He sees several people in the Roosevelt Room, including a seated bearded man with no tie.

WILL
Franklin Hollis is in the Roosevelt Room.

CJ
Really?

KATE (coming in the other door)
Hey! There’s a guy in the Roosevelt Room, looks just like Frank Hollis, the hair, glasses, whole bit.

WILL
It’s Frank Hollis.

KATE (heading to the door by WILL)
Really?

MARGARET
He just bought an island – and Montana.

CJ (frantically fixing her hair)
He didn’t buy Montana, he bought – most of Montana.

KATE (next to WILL, looking)
Oh, my God -

CJ
Don’t stare!

WILL
Can I meet him?

KATE
I wanna meet him.

WILL
Oh, we shouldn’t go in together, it would look not cool.

KATE
What’s the last thing you did that looked cool?

MARGARET
I touched his hand. We shook.

WILL
Now I’m uncomfortable.

KATE (to CJ)
Hey, tell him I want a piece of Montana.

WILL
He’s not giving it away.

KATE
Why, what’s he gonna do with it?

CJ (showing her teeth to KATE and WILL)
Teeth?

KATE
You’re fine.

WILL
Eeewww …

CJ crosses the hall and enters the Roosevelt Room, where HOLLIS is dealing with his staff.

HOLLIS
Okay, thanks guys, I’ll catch up with you in the lobby in a minute -

CJ (as HOLLIS’ entourage leaves)
Good morning, Mr. Hollis, I’m CJ Cregg.

HOLLIS (shaking hands)
Call me Frank.

CUT TO: INT. – WHITE HOUSE HALLWAY – DAY

WILL and KATE are walking in the hall.

KATE
My dad had 200 shares of Hollis in 1992. Sold ‘em.

WILL
You’re kidding.

KATE
Didn’t see it going anywhere.

WILL (as they stop outside the Roosevelt Room, looking in the windows)
Think CJ goes to work for him?

KATE
He probably wants a toady to make nice with the FCC.

WILL
I’m heading over to the D triple C in a few minutes.

KATE
They’re making you an offer?

WILL
I think so.

KATE (looking impressed)
Will Bailey, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Sounds pretty good.

WILL
Could be. Nice place to work. I get my hands in a lot of races without the water torture of any one race, and I’d stay in Washington, which is nice.

KATE (intrigued)
You think?

WILL
Yeah, I mean … no pressure, but I like the idea of giving the future an opportunity to unfold of its own accord.

KATE
Our future?

WILL
Yeah.

KATE
I like that idea, too.

They part ways, both smiling.

CUT TO: INT. – ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

HOLLIS and CJ are meeting, HOLLIS with a closed laptop on the table in front of him.

HOLLIS
I’m prepared to put together a fairly attractive package, if you’re willing to …

CJ looks hesitant, almost uninterested.

HOLLIS
I’m not boring you, am I?

CJ
No, certainly not.

HOLLIS
Usually that doesn’t happen till I start in on the nanotechnology.

CJ
No, I’m sorry, I, I, I, I’m just, um – (clears throat) uh, familiar with the package these days.

HOLLIS
Well, what does the package look like these days?

CJ
You’re prepared to dramatically change my standard of living if I’m prepared to sit on your board and spend an hour a month advising you on your strategic relationship with the FCC.

HOLLIS
Well, that sounds like a waste of your time to me.

CJ
It does?

HOLLIS
That’s not the package.

CJ
Okay.

HOLLIS
I’m starting a foundation. Because, if I hold on to all this money I start to look impolite. I wanna find a single problem I can attack, something which might actually have some kind of substantive effect – maybe I should be, fighting AIDS in Africa, or maybe it’s malaria, could be clean air or, election reform, I don’t know. But, my sense is that, you would have a unique perspective on what that could be and, how to make it happen.

CJ
A single problem.

HOLLIS
It’s a complicated question -

CJ
Highways. (beat) Is what you’re looking for.

HOLLIS
Really.

CJ
It’s not sexy. No one’ll ever raise money for it. But nine out of ten African aid projects fail because the medicine or the personnel can’t get to the people in need -

HOLLIS
Infrastructure’s a problem.

CJ
Blanket the continent with highways and then maybe get started on plumbing.

HOLLIS
Also not sexy.

CJ
Makes for a lousy telethon.

HOLLIS
It does. (they exchange smiles) Well – if you think that’s what needs fixing, I’ll give you ten billion dollars to fix it.

CJ’s eyebrows raise.

CUT TO: INT. – DCCC OFFICE – DAY

WILL has arrived to meet with the DCCC GUY.

DCCC GUY
Hey, Will, come on in.

WILL
How goes it?

DCCC GUY
Good. (as he hands off a clipboard to another man) Thanks. (shaking hands with WILL), Listen, Andy Lowry. He’s gonna be calling you about tickets to the inaugural. We’re out. I’m sure you guys probably are, too, but I had to get him off my call sheet.

WILL
I’ll see what I can dig up.

DCCC GUY (getting coffee)
Thanks. So, uh, you gonna take some time off, go – sit on a beach or something?

WILL
Maybe. I thought about hiking the Appalachian Trail, which I’ve always wanted to do, but don’t really wanna do it in February. If I sit around until May when it’s warm I’ll lose my mind.

DCCC GUY
Well, weekend in Vegas.

WILL
More likely.

DCCC GUY (as they move to sit in his office)
Yeah, listen, uh, we wouldn’t rush you. The D triple C, we are dead until March anyhow. Takes us that long just to recover from the inaugural. So, you know, you come back when you’re ready, help us put together a strategy for the whole board.

WILL
Which races you think you’re looking at?

DCCC GUY (looking at some maps on the wall)
Uh, Maryland 3rd, North Carolina 1st – Florida 15th’s gonna be a big one.

WILL (noticing something on the map)
Oregon 4th? Heffinger is stepping down?

DCCC GUY
No. There’s always the hope that we can unseat him … but it’s obviously a long shot, I should probably take it off the list.

WILL
Ah, he’s a real son of a bitch, if you can boot him, you should. I ran Chulo’s campaign against him in ‘94. Lost by 15 points, but – he’s one mean bastard.

DCCC GUY
Well, he’s got an iron grip on that district.

WILL
He hasn’t done a thing for ‘em, he’s barely a seat warmer. There’s gotta be someone who can kick his ass.

DCCC GUY
Yeah, but the question is who?

WILL
Um, I’m sure you’ll dig up someone.

DCCC GUY
You’re not gonna find a sane person on this planet willing to pick a fight with John Heffinger.

WILL
Really?

DCCC GUY
Mmm-mm, no way. I mean, go for it. I love the attitude. If you find me someone, we’ll run him. Just not gonna hold my breath. (pointing at the map again) Mmm, Illinois 5th should be exciting, looks like, uh, Faye Green wants to retire. (WILL keeps looking at the map of Oregon) And there’s gonna be all kinds of craziness in Arizona.

CUT TO: INT. – WHITE HOUSE – DAY

CJ is walking slowly out of the Roosevelt Room towards MARGARET’s desk. MARGARET, working with boxes in CJ’s office, rushes out.

MARGARET
How was it, was he fascinating? He may not have people skills, he’s used to talking to machines, you can’t hold that against him. I think you should consider it, you can’t say no to everything. At least think about it? (CJ is staring off in a daze) Oh my gosh, you’re thinking about it.

CJ
It was just a conversation.

MARGARET
But it was an interesting one.

CJ
Very.

ANDY WYATT appears.

ANDY
Hi.

CJ
Andy!

ANDY
How are you?

CJ
Well, it’s good to see you. (hugging)

ANDY
I didn’t wanna interrupt, I was in the building, I thought I’d ask Margaret if you had a hole in your schedule somewhere.

CJ
I wish I could, I’m a little slammed today.

MARGARET (lugging a box in the background)
You can do it now.

CJ
Really?

MARGARET
You have nothing now.

CJ (to ANDY)
I have nothing. Come in.

CJ leads ANDY into her office.

CJ
How are the twins?

ANDY
Oh, amazing. Inexhaustible. Uh, we spend a lot of time arguing about socks.

CJ
You’re pro, they’re con?

ANDY
Oh, Molly’s con, Huck’s pro. (handing CJ some pictures) But never more than one at a time.

CJ (looking at the pictures)
God, they’re gorgeous.

ANDY
Yeah. (they sit) They get to spend more time with their dad these days now that Toby’s … not working.

CJ
That must be … nice.

ANDY
So, Presidential pardons, ‘tis the season, right?

CJ
It is …

ANDY
Is Toby on a list somewhere?

CJ
The DOJ and the pardon attorney are reviewing applications but I don’t think anybody’s had an opportunity to … talk to the President about it.

ANDY
Are you planning to?

CJ
Bring it to the President?

ANDY
I know this is awkward and he’s pissed off a lot of people – including you. And God knows, the President, but he was attempting to save the lives of three astronauts suffocating to death in a tin can somewhere west of the moon.

CJ
Yeah.

ANDY (cont.)
The Union for Concerned Scientists thinks he should get a medal. So does the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, the Arms Control Advocacy Collaborative, the Council for a Livable World -

CJ (softly)
Andy -

ANDY (cont.)
Did you read the profile in the New York Times Magazine? There’s a petition.

CJ
I saw it.

ANDY
Thousands of names, CJ. A lot of people who think it’s time for Bartlet to come home to his base, and acknowledge the fact that carpeting the heavens with nukes is a crappy idea.

There’s a pause.

ANDY
I know the President was angry, he has every right to be. But we’re talking about prison. (another pause, as CJ hands the pictures back to ANDY) Maybe the President’s calmed down, I’d like you to talk to him about it.

CJ
I’ll see what I can do.

ANDY (takes a beat, stands)
He was your friend for a long time.

CJ (looks up at ANDY)
I’ll see what I can do.

ANDY exits. CJ leans back in her chair, troubled.

FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT ONE.
* * *

ACT TWO

FADE IN: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

Some workmen carry boxes past MARGARET’s desk. MARGARET goes into CJ’s office.

MARGARET
You should get going.

CJ
Yeah, did you call Charlie?

MARGARET
He’s on his way. Herb told me to tell you the budget went to department heads for review an hour ago.

CJ
He didn’t want me to check the changes before it went?

MARGARET
I think he didn’t.

CJ
He’s a little turd.

MARGARET
I’ll let him know.

MARGARET exits as CHARLIE enters.

CHARLIE (holding some files)
This is the preliminary list. DOJ and the pardon attorney are finalizing their recommendations.

CJ
This didn’t go to the President yet?

CHARLIE (as CJ starts looking at the files)
No, they’re gonna send it to him in the next day or two. This is just the people who actually applied for pardon. The President can add his own names, but I don’t think he’s added any yet.

CJ
This is everyone who applied?

CHARLIE
They’ve cut some people already. They’ve been through it a few times.

CJ
Did you see the earlier lists?

CHARLIE
I’ve got copies, you want me to -

CJ
Did you read them?

CHARLIE
Yeah, but I don’t remember every name -

CJ
Toby Ziegler?

CHARLIE (beat)
Never appeared on a list.

CJ (sighing)
Which means he didn’t apply.

CHARLIE
Nope.

CJ
But if the President wanted to commute his sentence, he could.

CHARLIE
He could do whatever he wants to in this area.

CJ
Yeah -

CHARLIE
Is he asking about it?

CJ
The President? He isn’t.

CHARLIE
Are you?

CJ
I don’t know.

CHARLIE
It’s a tough call.

CJ
Yeah. Thanks. (CHARLIE heads out one door as CJ starts out past MARGARET’s desk) Anything serious, you can find me at the President-Elect’s office, but I can’t imagine this taking any longer than 15 minutes.

MARGARET
They asked for a CV.

CJ
The Santos people?

MARGARET
Yes.

CJ
They asked for my resume?

MARGARET
Yes.

WILL (appearing in the hall)
Hi.

MARGARET
Should I send them a list of references?

CJ
No, you shouldn’t.

WILL (as CJ goes back to her desk)
I’d be happy to speak on your behalf.

CJ
To the Santos people?

WILL
Oh. They shouldn’t really need references.

CJ
They’re offering me a job, purely as a courtesy, which I’ll pretend to consider, purely as a formality.

WILL (as they head out the other door)
I think there were some mistakes in the budget draft that went out.

CJ
You read it already?

WILL
Yeah.

CJ
It’s 800 pages.

WILL
Okay, I didn’t – but Lucy Benoit did and she’s got some crazy stories.

CJ
Well, who’s Lucy Benoit?

WILL
New reporter, business desk at the Times.

CJ
What happened to Jack?

WILL
Shingles.

CJ
Really?

WILL
Raging.

CJ
Shingles doesn’t force a man into retirement.

WILL
Um, tax fraud is, I think, the real story. Shingles is a cover.

CJ
If I’m in the market for a cover, I think I’d pick something that’s not -

WILL
Viral.

CJ
Yeah.

WILL
Any port in a storm.

CJ (as they near the door)
I’m going across the street, will you be sad you don’t have a coat?

WILL
I’m fine.

CUT TO: EXT. – PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE – DAY

It’s a bright, brisk, breezy day. WILL and CJ are coming out of the Northwest Gate.

CJ
So Whosy Benoit?

WILL
Lucy, yes, she seems to think we’re proposing a 50-cent-per-gallon gas tax, which I assume must be a mistake?

CJ
Why does a reporter have a budget I haven’t released yet?

WILL
Seventy-three department heads have it.

CJ
Well, they’ve had it for less than two hours, don’t you think they’d wanna read a page or two before they start leaking?

WILL
I’m thinking no, since she’s not the only reporter with a question. Can I tell her it’s a mistake?

CJ
You can’t.

WILL
Because we’re not talking about it yet?

CJ
That, too, but it’s also not a mistake.

WILL
Fifty cents a gallon? You don’t mean five cents?

CJ
I don’t.

WILL
That’s insane, you know how many people you’re gonna piss off with a tax like that?

CJ (chuckling)
Oh, ho, ho, many, many.

WILL
Why does the President wanna stir up so much animosity two weeks before we leave office?

CJ
I don’t know, because he’s old and dotty?

WILL
Well, he has a reason -?

CJ
He does.

WILL
But we’re not ready to discuss it with the press.

CJ
We’re really not.

WILL
I will kill the rumors.

CJ
Then kill whoever’s blabbing about it ‘cause we’re not ready to release it.

WILL (hunching up his shoulders)
It’s really cold out here.

CJ
I told you to wear a coat!

WILL
Hey – what do you think about Tony Sharkey?

CJ
From Treasury? His wife is younger than his daughter, but otherwise, he’s okay.

WILL
You think he gets anywhere in a race against John Heffinger?

CJ
Oregon 4th? Hmmm … probably not.

WILL
D triple C’s afraid to run anybody against Heffinger, I think they’re wimping out.

CJ
Well, if Tony Sharkey’s their only option, I see their point.

WILL
Tony Sharkey’s my opening salvo, I’m asking if you’ve got anybody better.

CJ
From Oregon.

WILL
Yeah, I was thinking maybe, Ina Horton, but she keeps publishing these articles on eminent domain that make her sound a little like Mao Tse-tung.

CJ
Paul Kravitz is from Oregon, he put together our whole immigration plan. He’d scare Heffinger’s pants off. Also – Gil Siverly’d be great.

WILL
You’ve been very helpful.

CJ
No problem.

WILL heads back to the White House as CJ heads for the OEOB.

CUT TO: INT. – TRANSITION OFFICE – DAY

CJ enters the office, still busy with staffers and phones ringing. She goes up to the RECEPTIONIST’s desk.

RECEPTIONIST
Hello.

CJ
Hi. I believe I’m here to see the President-Elect.

RECEPTIONIST
Great. What’s your name?

CJ (taken aback)
CJ Cregg.

RONNA (coming up to CJ)
Ms. Cregg! (shaking hands) Ronna Beckman, we met in Pittsburgh.

CJ
Good to see you.

RONNA
Nice to see you, too. The President-Elect is just finishing a call. (leading her back to MATT’s office) Can I take your coat?

CJ (taking off her coat)
Sure, thanks.

CUT TO: INT. – COMMUNICATIONS BULLPEN – DAY

A young man, GIL SIVERLY, enters and sees WILL.

SIVERLY
Hey.

WILL
Gil Siverly! (shaking hands)

SIVERLY
How’s it going?

WILL
Good. Thanks for coming by.

SIVERLY
Wow – people are packing up, huh?

WILL
Weird, isn’t it?

SIVERLY
Sure is.

WILL (leading SIVERLY into his office)
Have a seat. DOE must be in boxes, too, right?

SIVERLY
Well, the Secretary’s on his way out. We assumed that Santos would want a whole new staff, what with his education program and all – but so far, they’re asking a lot of us to stay put.

WILL
Well, were you ready to move on?

SIVERLY
I’ve been at the Department of Education for six years. Change wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

WILL
Ever think about running for office?

SIVERLY (pause)
Really?

WILL
D triple C thinks John Heffinger’s seat in the Oregon 4th is ungettable. I think they’re wrong.

SIVERLY
Oh, Heffinger’s been there for 15 years, I mean – they love him.

WILL
They know him. Nobody loves him.

SIVERLY
Be a nasty fight.

WILL
The best ones are.

SIVERLY (letting out a breath, considering it)
I don’t know … uh, don’t get me wrong, I think Heffinger is an idiot and he’s probably corrupt … (sighs) But I don’t wanna move back home, and spend the next two years of my life begging money from everybody I know just so I can get my ass handed to me.

WILL
I think you’re underestimating the voters. We’ve been running dead fish against Heffinger the last ten years. We put someone with a heartbeat in the ring, he’s going down.

SIVERLY (long pause, looking straight at WILL)
If it was anybody other than Heffinger.

WILL (a bit frustrated)
Yeah.

CUT TO: INT. – MATT’S OFFICE – DAY

MATT and CJ are having their meeting.

MATT
Let’s start with you coming to work for me.

CJ
Sir, I’m, I’m so flattered that you’d even consider it, but Josh is gonna do a terrific job as Chief of Staff -

MATT
Of course he is.

CJ (cont.)
And I’ll be available to answer questions on the phone any time. You don’t need to create an emeritus position just to keep me as a resource.

MATT
Who said anything about (chuckling) an emeritus position?

CJ
Sir, you’re a true gentleman, and I app-

MATT
CJ, this isn’t a courtesy call, this is an offer.

CJ
Seriously?

MATT
Institutional memory is an invaluable commodity. I’m not dumb enough to think that we should be reinventing the wheel here, your name comes up at the top of every ‘must hire’ list we’ve made. We are going to take office in the middle of a military incursion that you helped launch. We don’t just want you, we need you.

CJ
The Russians are much more willing to talk now than they were before the election. Between Josh and your Secretary of State the situation will be well supervised, I don’t think you have anything to worry about -

MATT
My Secretary of State’s going to be Arnold Vinick.

CJ
What?

MATT
I’m waiting a couple of days to announce it, but … he’s on board.

CJ
Arnold Vinick?

MATT
He’ll be a huge help with Central Asia, but it’s a big job and I don’t want it taking over my Presidency. We’ve got a Cabinet to break in, we’ve got a legislative program to sell -

CJ
Sir, I really never entertained the notion I’d stay in the White House, I’ve – been here a long, long, time -

MATT
Give me two years, CJ. Just until we get things settled. Special Counselor to the President?

CJ
Sir, I, I wish that I could -

RONNA (entering)
I’m sorry, we’ve got to …

MATT (sighing, to CJ)
I’d love to, talk to you more about this, but, uh, they’ve kinda got me at a sprint today. So I see I’m gonna have to make this fast and dirty, I’m the President-Elect of the United States, I’m asking you to help your country, so I’m probably not gonna take no for an answer, so you go home and you think about it and call me back with a yes. Thanks for coming in, CJ.

MATT walks out with RONNA, leaving CJ there thinking.

FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT TWO.
* * *

ACT THREE

FADE IN: INT. – WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

KATE walks into the foyer and sees CJ coming back in from meeting with MATT.

KATE
Hey, there you are.

CJ
Yes.

KATE
You know I asked you to be on the phone with the Chinese defense minister?

CJ
Yeah.

KATE
Looks like we’ll need you to make the call.

CJ
Okay -

KATE
Signal will put it through, but the defense minister wants to feel like we’re approaching him, so don’t say anything like, ‘thanks for calling.’

CJ
Got it.

They’ve reached MARGARET’s desk, as MARGARET hands a few papers to CJ.

MARGARET
Transition memos.

CJ
These are all of them?

MARGARET
So far.

CJ
There’s supposed to 30, this is three.

MARGARET
More to come.

CJ (to KATE)
Is yours in this pile?

KATE (as they enter CJ’s office)
Not yet. Soon.

CJ (loudly)
What exactly is the problem? (throwing down the papers, turning to KATE) You may be asked to stay on, you may not. You may get promoted. Other people are coming in. They need to know where to find the pencils, they need to know what your staff was up to, or finishing, or starting, they need to know how to do what you do, this is an important part of governing. We’re still governing, why is this like pulling teeth?

KATE
You’ll have it by the end of the day.

CJ
Thank you.

CJ, sighing, sits on the couch. She sighs some more. KATE walks over near her.

KATE
Are you okay?

CJ
I think I just got an offer I can’t refuse from Matt Santos.

KATE
That’s great.

CJ gives KATE a look, then rubs her head.

KATE
That’s not great.

CJ
You’ve been here two years, it looks different on the far side of eight.

KATE (sitting)
Still – nice to get the offer.

CJ
They’ll be approaching you soon, I’m sure.

KATE (uncertainly)
Sure …

CJ
Um – what do you think happens … if I ask the President to commute Toby Ziegler’s sentence?

KATE
Are you gonna ask him?

CJ
I don’t know.

KATE
Really?

CJ
I – I’m asking for your opinion.

KATE
My opinion is he – compromised a crucial Defense Department program. He undermined the President’s authority. He committed a federal offense, he goes to jail.

CJ
He’s got young children, who for the next five years are gonna have to look at him in an orange jumpsuit across an aluminum picnic table. And don’t get me wrong, I, I’m furious at him. I wanna kick him in the stomach a few times, but I don’t want him to rot in the federal pokey.

KATE
Well, it’s not your decision, it’s the President’s. If he wants to pardon him, he will.

CJ
So you think I don’t even bring it up.

KATE
If you wanna bring it up, bring it up, but – I don’t think this one slipped the President’s mind.

CJ (softly)
Yeah.

KATE
Did Toby apply?

CJ
No.

KATE
He may not wanna put the President in the position of saying yes or no.

CJ
Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t. Still …

KATE
You should talk to him at least. No matter what you do, give him a call.

CJ (reluctantly)
Yeah.

KATE (beat)
Have you spoken?

CJ
To Toby? Uhh … (standing, walking across the office) No, not since he left.

DANNY (entering)
Hi.

KATE
Hi.

DANNY (to KATE)
Bye.

KATE
Yes. (she quickly stands and exits)

DANNY (to CJ)
Got a few minutes?

CJ
Right now?

DANNY
Yeah, can I kidnap you? Quick lunch?

CJ
It’s a little late for lunch.

DANNY
You eat already?

CJ
I didn’t -

DANNY
See, gotta eat, come on.

CJ
I have a packed day

DANNY
We’ll make it quick, very snappy. Come on, I, I wanna … it’s important.

CUT TO: INT. – WILL’S OFFICE – DAY

KATE walks up to WILL’s doorway and knocks.

KATE
Got a minute?

WILL
Of course.

KATE closes the door, then turns to WILL at his desk.

KATE (a bit irritated)
Santos people offered National Security Advisor to Glen.

WILL
Really?

KATE
Yeah.

WILL
And he’s saying yes?

KATE
Yeah.

WILL
Damn.

KATE (sitting on the sofa)
I know, I knew it was a long shot and I’m young for it, but still -

WILL
You wanted it. (he stands and sits next to KATE) Well, they’ll offer you something else.

KATE
Not under Glen, he can’t stand me.

WILL
He’s probably scared of you.

KATE
Um, whatever, he’s not giving me a job.

WILL
That sucks.

KATE
Sucks a lot. (beat) How’d it go at D triple C?

WILL (dismissive)
Nice offer, but could be a little crazy-making. It’s already monopolized my whole day, I got stuck on this one race that they think can’t be won and I do.

KATE
Which one?

WILL
Oregon 4th. I thought if I could find them the right guy maybe they’d get behind the idea but, as it turns out, there’s a real dearth of ballsy Oregonians.

KATE
Open it up. Find somebody good, they can always establish residency in Oregon, right?

WILL
Sure. They buy a house 180 days before the primary and they’re in, but then we’re running a carpetbagger against a 15-year incumbent.

KATE
Yeah, but it’s better than nothing. I mean, what are you looking for if Oregon weren’t a factor?

WILL
Place needs a fresh face. Somebody smart, but not so wonky that you can’t put him in front of a TV camera.

KATE
No, don’t worry about that, find someone you like. You can always coach them through talking on a camera. I mean, after the press secretary stint you pretty much have that down.

WILL
More or less.

KATE
And God knows you know all there is to know about policy and campaigning, and you could probably push a monkey through the process. Between your Washington experience and your local politics experience -

KATE stops. A thought has come to her mind. She looks up at WILL expectantly. WILL slowly realizes what she’s thinking.

WILL (standing)
No … that doesn’t make any sense.

KATE
Yeah, it does.

WILL
It doesn’t. I’m not moving to Oregon, for one thing.

KATE (beat)
Of course you are.

WILL
No, I’m not, we’re -

KATE
We’re what? You’ll win, you should run.

WILL
No, I won’t, and -

KATE
It’s the right thing to do.

WILL (cont.)
No, seriously -

KATE (absolutely convinced)
You’ll win.

WILL mulls it over.

WILL
You could …

KATE
What? Move to Oregon?

WILL
I don’t know -

KATE
I’m not moving to Oregon -

WILL
This is stupid, I’m not moving to Oregon either.

KATE
No, I think you are.

CUT TO: EXT. – WASHINGTON SIDEWALK – DAY

CJ and DANNY are walking, with CJ quickly pacing ahead of him.

DANNY
You cold?

CJ
I’m fine.

DANNY
You’re racing there, you wanna slow down?

CJ
I’m sorry, I just wanna get to the place so we have time to eat and get back.

DANNY
Oh, there’s no place, this is it. There’s a vendor up the block, we’ll have a hot dog.

A pause, as they continue to walk.

CJ (unconvincingly)
Great. So, what was so important?

DANNY
What?

CJ
You said it was important.

DANNY
It’s this. The walk, the day.

CJ
That’s it?

DANNY
Yeah, you’re locked up in that building all day long, and it’s gorgeous out here, I thought you should see it.

CJ (stopping)
I have a packed day. That’s really sweet, but today is not the time for it.

DANNY
Okay, sorry -

CJ
No, it’s okay.

DANNY
I thought it might do us good to see each other in the daylight. We’re together from 11:00 to midnight or 5:00 to 6:00 AM, we’re both half asleep. Leads to a lot of tension that I think is probably unnecessary, like this morning, for example. I thought it might be a healthy 20 minutes. You could tell me about your day.

CJ
My day …

DANNY
Yeah.

DANNY takes her arm and they start across the street.

CJ
Franklin Hollis showed up in my office with the most attractive offer I think I’ve ever heard, which I believe I’ll have to turn down because I had a meeting with the President-Elect and it looks like I’m gonna work in the White House a couple more years -

DANNY stops as CJ continues ahead a few steps.

CJ
I don’t see a guy with a hot dog.

CJ turns around to DANNY, who has a troubled look on his face.

DANNY
Did you say yes?

CJ
To Santos? Not yet, probably tomorrow.

DANNY (a bit upset)
That’s great, just … wow.

CJ
What?

DANNY (taking a moment, slowly walking up to CJ)
Did you consider talking to me about it?

CJ
Are you serious?

DANNY
Yeah, I’m serious.

CJ (taken aback)
No, I didn’t.

DANNY (shaking his head)
That’s great.

CJ
We don’t have that kind of relationship yet.

DANNY
Apparently.

CJ
What made you think you should be making decisions about my career?

DANNY
One, I’m not trying to make ‘em, I’m trying to be a part of a conversation about ‘em, and two, if we don’t have that kind of relationship what kind do we have?

CJ (astonished)
I don’t … (scoffs) I don’t wanna answer that question right now. We agreed to discuss this after the inauguration.

DANNY
Not if you’re working for Matt Santos we’re not.

CJ
You know what -?

DANNY
First hundred days, agenda settings, first State of the Union, ‘talk to me after we release the budget,’ summit at Tashkent, what else?

CJ
Okay -

DANNY
We keep shovin’ this conversation downstream. At some point you have to choose to have a relationship. We’re not 25 anymore, at our age you can’t date a little and screw a little and wait around to see if you get sentimental at Christmas. You have to decide you’re gonna make another person a part of your life. A partner.

CJ (starting to leave)
I don’t have time for this right now -

DANNY
Yes, you do! I called Margaret before I came by, I’m not a moron, I called and you have 20 minutes, hell, you have an hour. You’re not the busiest girl in America, that’s not your life any more. (beat) Look – I’m not tryin’ to turn you into Doris Day. I know if we have a future together, I’d be Mr. CJ Cregg. That’s fine … but you don’t even see me in the picture, do you?

CJ looks around uncomfortably. She can’t meet DANNY’s eyes.

DANNY (hurt)
Thank you. That’s useful information.

DANNY turns and walks away, leaving CJ standing on the sidewalk, looking troubled.

FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT THREE.
* * *

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: INT. – WHITE HOUSE HALLWAY - DAY

CJ enters from outside, her arms crossed against the cold. As she turns a corner she finds MARGARET looking for her.

MARGARET
President-Elect needs to speak to you.

CJ
Right now is not the best time.

MARGARET
I tried to push it but he’s already in the building.

CJ stops, gathering her thoughts.

CJ (heading toward her office)
Fine.

MARGARET
Sorry.

CJ
It’s fine. But I have to go through the federal budget with a lice comb, it’ll take hours, that’s why we left room in the schedule, this is not a quiet day, it’s a full day.

CJ, frustrated, enters her office and tosses her coat on her chair, staring into the distance. Almost immediately MARGARET is at her door.

MARGARET
He’s here.

CJ (as MATT enters)
Mr. President-Elect -

MATT
Walk with me to the Situation Room.

MATT leads CJ out of the office and into the hallway.

MATT
Fifty cents on the gallon?

CJ
You read our budget?

MATT
It’s supposed to be a placeholder document.

CJ
Paperweight, yes.

MATT
You are proposing a tax, that would hammer the working poor and make Democrats look like Norwegian socialists.

CJ
It’ll cut the deficit, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases, curb our addiction to Middle East oil, you don’t think there’s a way to sell an upside?

MATT
Of course there is, your Senate Republicans’ll set their hair on fire.

CJ
The President wanted to present the country with a road map for reasonable governing.

MATT
Road map, huh? For the country or me?

CJ
It’s exactly what he would’ve done if he didn’t have to mudwrestle Congress over every line of every -

MATT
Congress isn’t going anywhere!

CJ
It opens a dialogue -

MATT
CJ., now is not the time -

CJ
Now is exactly the time, we’re hemorrhaging money into Kazakhstan, the Republican Congress spent us into a bottomless hole -

MATT
I noticed.

CJ
You’ve got a hundred days to corral House Democrats and launch a legislative program that brings the budget back to balance or you’re gonna spend the next four years living in the shadow of our failures.

MATT
Look, I’m not arguing on limits on deductions and you’ve got $100 billion in spending cuts that I’m all for, but come on -

CJ
Congress will reject your first budget out of hand unless the Bartlet version is so inflammatory yours can’t help but look reasoned and measured.

MATT catches on, and takes off his coat. As they continue walking -

MATT
Why not go after, uh, capital gains? Or up the income ceiling on Social Security taxes if you wanna raise a ruckus? President’s been talkin’ about that for five years.

CJ
Yes, but -

MATT
He’s never even considered a gas tax before. Was this even his idea?

CJ
The President supports -

MATT
Yes or no?

CJ
If we propose a 50 cent gas tax it’s a non-event if you propose a five cent tax. Jed Bartlet just saved you $30 billion.

MATT
Eh – you mean you just saved me $30 billion.

CJ
Well -

MATT
You’re not wrong, it’s a good idea. How long did it take you to talk him into it?

CJ (sighs)
More than five minutes, less than twenty. If your staff can’t get you on board faster than that, they don’t know what they’re talking about.

MATT
Yeah, that’s a good rule of thumb.

CJ
We’re not trying to leave a dead cat on your doorstep. A gas tax increase may be the single best thing that could ever happen to this country.

MATT
Yeah. (turns to away up the stairs) Tell the President I’d appreciate it if he pulled it from his budget. (beat) You think it’s worth doing? (CJ nods) Come work for me. We’ll do it together.

MATT leaves and CJ is left with her thoughts, again.

CUT TO: INT. – TOBY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

We hear a knock at the door. TOBY opens it, finding a Secret Service AGENT standing there.

AGENT
Good evening, sir. Mind if I take a quick look?

TOBY shrugs as the AGENT enters. Behind the AGENT is CJ, waiting outside the door. TOBY looks around uncomfortably as the AGENT returns.

AGENT
All clear. Thank you.

CJ enters, handing TOBY a bag containing a wine bottle.

TOBY
Thanks.

CJ (taking off her coat)
It’s not a gift, I need a drink.

TOBY (closing the door)
Would you like to sit?

CJ
I sit all day.

TOBY
Should I be feeding you, or just the booze?

CJ
Booze is fine, I can’t eat today.

TOBY
You sure, I made a chicken?

CJ
No. So, how are you?

TOBY (opening the wine)
Oh, groovy.

CJ
When do you go?

TOBY
26th.

CJ
What have you been doing?

TOBY
Well, cooking this chicken took some time. I read a lot. I’ve read, really, all the books at this point.

CJ
Anything good?

TOBY
I’ll make you a list. I read the Constitution, I think I found a typo.

CJ (taking a piece of chicken)
In the Constitution?

TOBY
Yeah.

CJ
Did you call the publisher?

TOBY
I think it’s a typo in the original.

CJ
Constitution?

TOBY
Yeah.

CJ
Sounds unlikely. (taking another piece of chicken)

TOBY
I read two versions, because I have time – and, there’s an inconsistent comma.

CJ
No -

TOBY (pouring wine)
So I looked at every English language publication that exists, half of ‘em have the comma, half of ‘em don’t.

CJ
Really?

TOBY
Yeah, so I called the National Archives – and had some woman look at the original. She said she wasn’t sure if it was a comma or a smudge.

CJ
There’s a smudge?

TOBY
Yeah, a smudge. Of law.

CJ
Does it change the -?

TOBY
It changes the meaning of the takings clause.

CJ
Seriously? I’m sure it doesn’t.

TOBY
I called Tom Merrill, he thinks it does.

CJ
Really? Should we – do something?

TOBY
I’m gonna write it up. I have a window in the calendar.

CJ
It’s Petersburg, right?

TOBY
Yeah. Low security, which certainly outshines the alternatives, but still …

CJ (taking a drink)
Yeah.

TOBY
Bunks. Ten in a room.

CJ
Like camp.

TOBY
Exactly like camp.

CJ
Sorry. Maybe we should try to do something.

TOBY
Dig a tunnel?

CJ
Andy came by, she mentioned the idea of a pardon.

TOBY is caught a little by surprise.

TOBY
She and I apparently need to have a conversation about who talks to whom concerning my future.

CJ
She’s worried about the twins.

TOBY (getting riled)
For a moment, I actually thought you came here ‘cause you gave a crap, and wanted to see how I was doing!

CJ (giving it back to him)
I gave a crap enough to inquire if you wanted a pardon, despite the fact that you walked out on me and walked out on the President while we still had a job to do. You don’t need a pardon, you need a frying pan to the side of your head!

TOBY
I don’t want a pardon.

CJ
Well - that simplifies matters, thanks. (beat) You don’t wanna consider what this will do to Molly and Huck?

TOBY
You think I haven’t?

CJ
Okay. (starts picking at the chicken again)

TOBY (beat)
And you? They must be flocking.

CJ (chewing)
Yep.

TOBY
Well, that’s gotta feel pretty good.

CJ
Frank Hollis made me an offer.

TOBY
Yeah?

CJ
But so did Matt Santos.

TOBY
Well, he has to.

CJ
No. It’s a serious offer. He made me an offer. He made Arnold Vinick an offer. (TOBY’s jaw drops) Secretary of State.

TOBY
He did not.

CJ
He did.

TOBY
Wow … that might be the smartest thing he’s ever done.

CJ
Impressive, huh?

TOBY
Well, you’d be a get, too, are you gonna do it?

CJ (taking a drink)
Mmm – probably. I … I don’t know, it’s, uh – complicated.

TOBY
Why?

CJ
Danny Concannon.

TOBY (chuckling)
Yeah, I heard something about that.

CJ
We’ve been spending time together, which is perfectly nice, but he’s getting way ahead of himself, I mean – I’m not ready to shape my life around a guy I’ve been with for a month. It doesn’t make sense.

TOBY
You didn’t pick him up at a bar last Thursday, you’ve been close for eight years.

CJ
But that doesn’t mean it magically falls into place once we take the leap. What? I’m not resisting.

TOBY
You’re not?

CJ
I’m not one of those women who can’t handle a good thing when it’s standing in front of them.

TOBY
Good.

CJ
Why don’t you sound convinced?

TOBY
You spend your whole life – working for – powerful, demanding men 24/7, that’s a lot of testosterone in your world.

CJ
Which has what to do with anything?

TOBY
Well, maybe you didn’t need to date. You had Josh and Sam, and me, and 180 reporters flirting with you day in and day out.

CJ
Come on -

TOBY
It’s a lot of positive male attention. Now you’re slotting in Matt Santos, (chuckling) maybe Frank Hollis?

CJ
So what, you think this is all some sort of Freudian temper tantrum?

TOBY
You showed up here at 8:00 at night with a bottle of wine asking me about a pardon we both know is out of the question, telling me about a man who’s crowding you. I think a lot of things.

CJ
You think I came here to take advantage of you before they cart you off to the big house?

TOBY
I think you don’t know why you came here. You’re a woman with a lot of options. You’re acting like the world’s backing you into a corner, bouncing from one thing to the next from – Bartlet to Santos to Danny to me. Maybe you should stop bouncing, pick something. What do you want?

CJ
I don’t know. (beat) I’d like to learn how to make a chicken like that.

TOBY
Stick a lemon up it, throw on some rosemary.

CJ
Yeah?

TOBY
Yeah. Little salt.

CJ
I’d like to learn how to ski. I think that would be soothing, be a ski bum, operate the ski chair for six months, clear my head.

TOBY
It’s a chair lift.

CJ
Well, first I’d learn the lingo, take it from there.

CJ and TOBY both slowly smile, then break into a chuckle.

TOBY
I missed you.

CJ (laughs)
Yeah. We had it good there, for a while.

TOBY
Yeah, we did.

TOBY gets emotional and starts to choke up.

TOBY
You should go.

CJ
You kicking me out?

TOBY
Yeah.

CJ (setting down her glass)
Okay.

TOBY (opening the door)
Thanks for asking about the pardon.

CJ
Of course.

TOBY
No, not ‘of course,’ you didn’t have to.

They embrace in a long hug. Finally CJ goes out the door. TOBY closes it, then goes to the window to watch her get into her car.

CUT TO: EXT. – OUTSIDE TOBY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

AGENT (opening the door for CJ as she comes down the steps)
Where to?

CJ stops. She thinks. We go back inside the apartment as TOBY watches. We are unable to hear what she tells the AGENT.

CUT TO: INT. – DANNY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

DANNY opens his door. Once again the AGENT is standing there, with CJ nervously behind him in the hall.

AGENT (entering)
Good evening, sir.

CJ and DANNY stand there, looking at each other, as the AGENT does his check. He returns to the door.

AGENT
Thank you, sir.

DANNY
Thank you.

CJ enters. DANNY closes the door then faces CJ, who is nervously swaying back and forth before she speaks.

CJ
I missed the window. That’s what’s going on here. I … missed the window to figure out - how to do this.

DANNY
How to - ?

CJ
Share my life with another person, how to be a partner or whatever condescending way you put it this afternoon -

DANNY
Oh, I, I wasn’t trying -

CJ
I don’t know how to do it. Maybe at one point I did, maybe I never did, but it’s over now, it’s too late. This and skiing, it’s too late, it’s not gonna happen -

DANNY
CJ -

CJ
You said yourself, it, it’s not an accident that this hasn’t come together. This is who I am. I’m good at my job, Danny. I’m good at working. I’m not good at this.

DANNY
You’re right, you suck at it, you’re gonna need a tremendous amount of training.

CJ (chuckling in disbelief)
You’re not gonna -!

DANNY
I am, actually.

CJ (cont.)
Train me!

DANNY
Well, I’ll call it something else, that sounds bad, but we’ll deal with it.

CJ
Uh, I, I don’t need training.

DANNY
No, uh, of course not.

CJ
That’s not funny.

DANNY
No, it isn’t. You’re gonna get good at it. We’re gonna get good at new things.

CJ
You don’t know that.

DANNY
I do.

CJ
Don’t make it sound like it’s nothing!

DANNY
You didn’t miss it.

CJ
What if I did?

DANNY
You didn’t miss it -

CJ
What if we can’t -

DANNY
We’ll figure it out, all of it.

CJ (heavy sigh)
Oh, you …

DANNY
You can be scared. No, that’s okay. But you’re not gonna walk away from me because you’re scared. I’m not that scary.

A long moment as they look at each other. CJ then uneasily starts to sway again, trying to figure out how to proceed.

CJ
So, uh, do you want me to take … one of the board of directors’ jobs? It’s only a couple of hours a month -

DANNY
Where the hell did that come from?

CJ
I’m trying, you, you wanna be involved, I’m, I’m -

DANNY
I want you to do what you want. Take the job at the White House, I just want you to talk to me about it, I want us to talk about what it’ll mean and how we’ll make it work. I want us to talk like we’re gonna figure it out together. I want us to talk, because I like the sound of your voice. I just wanna talk.

Again, a long moment as they look at each other.

CJ
Franklin Hollis - wants me to take $10 billion and go and fix the world.

DANNY
That sounds like fun. Does that sound like fun to you? (CJ nods) Do you wanna work at the White House?

CJ takes a beat, then slowly shakes her head. As DANNY smiles at her, she smiles back.

CJ
There’s a typo in the Constitution.

DANNY
Well, someone should look into that.

CJ
Toby’s gonna deal with it.

DANNY
Okay. What else? 

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

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

The West Wing Transcript
Episode 7x21 – Institutional Memory
Original Airdate: May 7, 2006