WEST WING TRANSCRIPT: Season Seven - Tomorrow (S7E21)

THE WEST WING
7x22 – “TOMORROW”
WRITTEN BY JOHN WELLS
DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER MISIANO

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

Link To My Blog Post For This Episode


TEASER

TOMORROW

FADE IN: MORNING, WASHINGTON DC, JANUARY 20

We see scenes of the sun rising over Washington; the National Mall, Air Force One parked at Andrews, statuary, the Capitol. MATT is sitting in the window of Blair House, sipping coffee and looking out over the city. We CROSSFADE to JOSH, in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He rolls over and checks his clock – 6:02 AM. A hand caresses his back, and he rolls back over as we see DONNA is there in bed with him.

CROSSFADE TO: INT. – CJ’S APARTMENT – MORNING

CJ is pouring herself a cup of coffee as we hear a TV newscaster in the background. She picks up a newspaper, then sits as the TV audio continues.

TV ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
It promises to be a cold and windy day here in the capital, as a predicted 140,000 spectators will crowd the Capitol mall to watch Matthew Santos take the oath of office as the next President of the United States. It’s the end of an era as President Bartlet steps down after eight often tumultuous years in the Oval Office. President Bartlet’s popularity certainly helped Matthew Santos in this tight electoral race, giving him -

CROSSFADE TO: INT. – WEST WING – MORNING

WILL walks through the Roosevelt Room, carrying a briefcase and a cup of coffee. He continues through the empty Communications bullpen, flipping on a light switch, then enters his office. Everything is empty; shelves, desktops, letter trays. At his desk, he finds a pink Spaldeen ball. He bounces it thoughtfully as we see a piece of paper taped to his computer monitor that reads, ‘The Contents Of This Computer Have Been Archived.’ WILL starts bouncing the Spaldeen off the office wall.

CROSSFADE TO: INT. – RESIDENCE SITTING ROOM – MORNING

BARTLET is standing at the window, looking out. ABBEY comes out of the bedroom and joins him.

ABBEY
Oof. It’s gonna be cold on that dais today.

BARTLET
Hmmm.

ABBEY
Who in his right mind decided that January would be the best time of year to hold an outdoor ceremony north of the equator?

BARTLET
Jefferson – Adams, Franklin.

ABBEY
They should have lined ‘em up and shot ‘em.

BARTLET
That’s what King George had in mind.

ABBEY
January 20th?

BARTLET
They got a few things right.

ABBEY
Habeas corpus, sure - freedom of speech, but … separation of powers, what a crock.

BARTLET continues to stare out the window, deep in thought. ABBEY watches him, her eyes starting to well up.

ABBEY
You did a lot of good, Jed. (BARTLET turns his head to look at her) A lot of good.

They reach out their hands to each other.

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

ACT ONE

FADE IN: An establishing exterior shot of BLAIR HOUSE.

CUT TO: INT. – SANTOS BLAIR HOUSE APARTMENT – DAY

MATT and HELEN are getting dressed for the inauguration.

HELEN
Pearls or the gold cross?

MATT
Uh, gold cross.

HELEN
You don’t think it makes me look a little bit like Mary Magdalene on the …

MATT
Gold cross.

HELEN (making a face, then seeing what MATT is putting on)
What are you wearing?

MATT
Long underwear.

HELEN
It’s gonna make you look bulky.

MATT
Lou doesn’t want me to wear an overcoat when I take the oath of office.

HELEN
It’s gonna be ten below out there.

MATT
Youth, vitality -

HELEN
Frostbite?

MATT
Never too early to start thinking about the re-elect.

HELEN (laughing)
That was a short honeymoon. (looking in the mirror) I’m gonna go with the pearls.

BRAM appears in the doorway.

BRAM
Mr. President-Elect. Mrs. Santos.

HELEN
Good morning, Bram.

BRAM
The National Security Adviser and General McLean are here, then we should run you through today’s schedule.

MATT
Yeah. I, I’ll be right down. Thanks.

HELEN (as BRAM exits)
You notice how he just knocked and walks right in?

MATT
Oh, I know, honey, I, I, I’ll talk to him about it.

HELEN
We’re gonna have to figure out some kind of signal … when we want some privacy. Like a, necktie on the doorknob.

MATT
Hmmm. (HELEN turns him around to help with his tie) Thanks. (sighs)

HELEN
General McLean, huh?

MATT
Yeah. I think he’s gonna give me the card with the nuclear codes.

HELEN
It’s a card?

MATT
Yeah -

HELEN
Really?

MATT
Mmm, so I’ve been told.

HELEN
Better not leave that laying around.

MATT (rubbing his eyes)
Oh, God …

HELEN
Come on, it’ll be an adventure. (they smile at each other) It’s what you told me when you wanted to run for city council, and I didn’t want you to. ‘Come on. – It’ll be an adventure.’

HELEN finishes fussing with MATT’s tie and then smooths the front of his shirt.

HELEN
Perfect.

CUT TO: INT. – WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

CHARLIE walks slowly down a hallway and into the foyer. As he heads for the entryway, CJ comes in the entrance.

CHARLIE
National Weather Service just issued an Ice Storm Warning for all of southern New England.

CJ
Anything we can do?

CHARLIE
Send them some salt? (they start for CJ’s office) The pardon attorney needs the President’s signature on the clemency warrants.

CJ
The President decided on the final list of names?

CHARLIE
Late last night. Thirty-six pardons, 17 commutations.

CJ
Anybody who’s gonna set the press’s hair on fire?

CHARLIE
Peggy Ann Green.

CJ
Pot-pushin’ Peggy?

CHARLIE
It’s medicinal.

CJ
Yeah, I bet the first joint’s free.

CHARLIE
Well, DEA isn’t gonna be happy.

CJ (to MARGARET, as they reach her desk)
Morning, sunshine.

MARGARET
Chief Usher’s waiting for you, and Will’s already in there.

CJ and CHARLIE enter her office.

WILL
Big ice storm in New England, could be up to a quarter of an inch of accumulation on the ground.

CJ
Send ‘em salt.

MARGARET (entering)
And Mallory called, wants to drop by in about an hour.

CJ
Leo’s Mallory?

MARGARET
Said she has something she wants you to pass on to the President. (as CJ heads for her desk) You ready for Curtis? 

CJ
Sure.(as MARGARET leaves, to WILL) Did you write your note for the flak jacket yet?

WILL
I don’t know if I have any useful advice to pass on, really.

CJ
It’s tradition. You can’t break the chain, just make it funny.

WILL (to CHARLIE)
Have we got a pardon list? Fourth estate’s chomping at the bit.

CHARLIE
Yeah, last night.

WILL
Anybody that’s gonna add a little spice to my final briefing?

CHARLIE
Peggy Ann Green.

WILL
Granny Pot! Hot diggity dog, a final act of self-immolation before the hungry hordes.

CJ
You sound positively giddy.

WILL
I was reaching for something more like mild delight.

CHARLIE
You enjoy being a human pinata on C-SPAN?

WILL
You never know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

CJ (as MARGARET brings in CURTIS SCHAEFER) Mr. Chief Usher, what can we do for you today?

SCHAEFER (putting a couple of thick binders on CJ’s desk)
I thought I should take a moment to remind you of today’s schedule for the orderly removal of the Bartlet’s things from the building. As soon as the President and First Lady leave for the Capitol, 90 members of my staff will begin packing the Bartlet’s possessions. Precisely at noon, 16 moving vans will line up at the South Portico, and an additional 30 staff members will arrive at the West Wing (CHARLIE and WILL depart in the background) to pack the Oval Office -

CUT TO: INT. – SANTOS BLAIR HOUSE APARTMENT – DAY

BRAM is going over the day’s schedule with MATT as he pours a cup of coffee. ANNABETH, JOSH, RONNA, and DONNA are in the room as well.

BRAM
After the Mass at Holy Trinity you come back here, before heading across the street to the White House for a 10:00 AM reception with the President, First Lady, and members of the JCCIC.

HELEN
JCCIC?

DONNA
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

MATT
Hence the acronym.

BRAM
Following the reception the President-Elect and the President will, uh, travel to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremonies in a single limousine.

HELEN
Mrs. Bartlet and I gotta hitch?

MATT
Hike up that skirt, you’ll do fine. (HELEN playfully kicks him)

BRAM
The President and the First Lady will then be escorted to the podium on the west terrace while you and Mrs. Santos are taken through the Capitol to be introduced to the crowd. Ronna?

RONNA
Speaker Sellner will deliver the opening remarks, followed by the invocation, followed by performances by Keb’ Mo’ and Gloria Estefan.

MATT
I’m looking forward to that.

HELEN
That’s because you’re not gonna be wearing pantyhose in ten-degree weather.

RONNA
Followed by a poetry reading by Jimmy Santiago Baca. And then at noon exactly, you take the oath of office. Followed by a 21-gun salute, and the Marine Band playing Hail To The Chief.

MATT and HELEN look at each other.

HELEN
Just in case you weren’t feeling important enough after they gave you the nuclear launch codes.

RONNA
You then give your inaugural address.

ANNABETH
And after the proceedings, you will escort the Bartlets to the limo, that will take them to Andrews for their trip home to New Hampshire.

MATT
Do I get to start, governing, any time in here?

JOSH
As soon as you’ve taken the oath of office, we start moving staff into the West Wing.

HELEN
Do we really have to go to nine parties tonight?

DONNA
You only have to stay for 20 minutes or so. One dance, shake a few hands, then on to the next.

MATT
What kind of dance?

ANNABETH (as HELEN looks at MATT with surprise)
What’s the name of your favorite song? I’ll sneak it to the orchestras.

HELEN
Oh, no, I am not dancing to You Can Leave Your Hat On.

BRAM
Sir, we should really head to the church.

MATT (as they all stand to leave)
Let’s get it on.

CUT TO: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

MARGARET is standing in front of CJ’s desk.

MARGARET
We’re supposed to leave our credentials at the front desk, when we exit the building, and they’ve asked that we vacate our parking spaces by 2:00 PM.

CJ
Not a problem, I walked today.

MARGARET
Really?

CJ
Yes, I often walk.

MARGARET
You do?

CJ
Sometimes I walk. I’m gonna walk a lot more when I get back to California.

MARGARET
Los Angeles being a pedestrian nirvana.

There is a knock at the door, and WILL enters.

WILL
That was disappointing.

CJ
What was?

WILL
You see my final briefing?

CJ
Nope.

WILL
They didn’t push back on pot-pushing Peggy.

CJ
You must be heartbroken.

WILL
Inconsolable. There’s a train derailment in New England.

CJ
The ice storm?

WILL
Just came over on CNN.

CHARLIE (entering)
Got a minute?

CJ
Apparently I’m good until 2:00, and then I’ve gotta move my car.

CHARLIE (placing some papers on CJ’s desk)
Pardon attorney brought the warrants for the President to sign. He called her early this morning. Asked her to add a name.

CJ sits upright and looks through the papers.

CHARLIE
It’s the last one.

CJ gets to the bottom of the stack, turns to CHARLIE with an inscrutable look, then:

CJ (to WILL)
You may get your wish for a final pasting on national television.

CUT TO: INT. – OVAL OFFICE – DAY

We see BARTLET, dressed casually and hunched against the cold, walking with his cane along the portico and into the Oval Office. As he gets to his desk DEBBIE comes in from the outer office.

DEBBIE
Good morning, Mr. President.

BARTLET
Morning.

DEBBIE
How are you feeling this morning?

BARTLET
Unemployed.

DEBBIE
A lot of that going around the building. Uh, Dr. McNally is waiting to give you your security briefing, uh, you asked me to remind you to write a note to the President-Elect. And Ms. Cregg is anxious to speak with you.

CJ enters with KATE and WILL.

CJ
Mr. President -

BARTLET
Good morning, all.

CJ
You heard about this ice storm up in -

BARTLET
New England, yeah.

CJ
Unfortunately the storm caused a train derailment.

KATE
On Amtrak’s regional route between Portland, Maine, and Boston.

BARTLET
Any fatalities?

KATE
Thirteen injuries so far, the worst is a badly broken leg. But with the extreme weather, we’re gonna need an emergency rescue operation before everybody freezes to death out there.

BARTLET
Sounds like a state matter.

KATE
Normally, yes, but it’s between the Exeter and Haverhill stops.

WILL
Also known as the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border.

BARTLET
The governors are fighting over jurisdiction.

KATE
Governor Sidley says it’s New Hampshire’s problem, Governor Wilkins says it’s a Massachusetts issue.

BARTLET (sighing)
Debbie, get the Governor on the phone, please.

DEBBIE (heading out to her office)
Which Governor, sir?

BARTLET
Whichever one you can get on the line first.

WILL
Shouldn’t we consider nationalizing the Guard, sir, send in units?

KATE
Don’t you think that’s something a President might wanna avoid in his final hours in office?

WILL
So, we should survey the accident site to resolve the border dispute, what are we supposed to do, send in a team of cartographers?

DEBBIE (at the door)
Both governors are on the line, sir.

BARTLET
Thank you. (reaches for the phone, then stops; to WILL and KATE) Pick a number, two or four.

WILL (simultaneously)
Two.

KATE (simultaneously)
Four.

BARTLET (glares at them, then picks up the phone; into phone)
Governor - call up a Guard unit and get ‘em to this crash site, no one gives a damn where the accident is. (pause) Be that as it may, sir, you are about to become a star player in my soon-to-be-written autobiography. (beat) It’s the right decision, thank you. (hangs up)

BARTLET nods at WILL and KATE, and they exit.

WILL
Thank you, sir.

KATE
Thank you.

CJ remains standing in front of the desk, holding a folder. BARTLET sits and begins looking through a binder on his desk.

BARTLET
You’re hovering, Claudia Jean.

CJ
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
Whatta you got there?

CJ (handing over the folder)
The pardons and clemency warrants for your signature.

BARTLET stops, looking straight at CJ.

BARTLET
I haven’t decided to do it.

CJ
No?

BARTLET (slowly reaching to take the folder from CJ)
Do you have an opinion?

CJ
I’m sure you’ll do whatever you think is best. Toby’s is the last one in the folder.

BARTLET
Anything else?

CJ
No, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.

BARTLET opens the folder, and pulls out Toby's pardon from the bottom of the pile, regarding it.

DEBBIE (VO, from the door)
Governor Wilkins is still holding on two.

BARTLET
Tell him I’ll be right there.

BARTLET sets the paper down, off to the side of his desk.

FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT ONE.
* * *

ACT TWO

FADE IN: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

MALLORY and CJ are seated in chairs, catching up.

CJ
How’s the baby?

MALLORY
Wonderful. Noisy. All boy.

CJ
Sam’s coming back to work for Josh.

MALLORY
Wow, that’s great! How is he?

CJ
Engaged.

MALLORY
Good for him. Say hello for me, would you?

CJ
He’s in town, you can tell him yourself.

MALLORY (scrunching up her face, shaking her head)
Hmmm …

They both chuckle as MALLORY stands to take something out of a bag on the sofa.

MALLORY
I’ve been going through Dad’s stuff. (handing a wrapped package to CJ) And I found something the President might want to have back.

CJ
You don’t wanna give it to him yourself?

MALLORY
It’s a little sentimental.

CJ
I’ll make sure he gets it.

MALLORY nods, then picks up her coat and bag.

MALLORY
Thanks. Dad loved every moment he spent here.

CJ smiles, as MALLORY turns and exits.

CUT TO: INT. – OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET is at his desk, signing pardons, with DEBBIE standing over his shoulder collecting them as he does.

DEBBIE
Mrs. Bartlet called, asked me to remind you that the Santoses are expected in the residence in less than 55 minutes. (pause, as BARTLET keeps signing) She also asked me to mention that you need to leave time enough to change before they arrive.

BARTLET (still signing)
Mrs. Bartlet doesn’t want me wearing penny loafers and a cardigan to the Inaugural?

DEBBIE
That’s about the gist of it, yes, sir. Did you write that note to President-Elect Santos yet?

BARTLET (still signing)
Saving that for last.

BARTLET finally hands the last paper in the stack to DEBBIE.

BARTLET
All done.

DEBBIE (referring to TOBY’s pardon, that BARTLET had set aside)
What about that one?

BARTLET (standing)
I’m still on the fence.

DEBBIE
You do realize that you turn into a pumpkin at noon?

BARTLET
I’m gonna take one final stroll around the joint; make sure nobody’s making off with the cutlery.

DEBBIE (as they both exit)
Fifty-three minutes.

CUT TO: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

WILL comes in the door.

WILL
Did he sign it?

CJ
Not yet.

WILL
Is he going to sign it?

CJ
I have no idea.

WILL
You think he should sign it?

CJ
I think the Founding Fathers left it to the President to decide who should and shouldn’t get clemency.

WILL
National Guard on the way to the train accident?

CJ
Yep.

WILL
You know we probably witnessed the final act of governance of the Bartlet administration. The President serving as national schoolmarm on a snow day.

JOSH (appearing in the doorway)
Hey, nice job on Granny Ganja. I would’ve thought you would have gotten a little more of a rise out of ‘em on that.

WILL
Yeah, me too.

JOSH
You do the flak jacket note yet?

WILL
Little writer’s block.

JOSH
Just, make it funny.

WILL
Right. (leaving, to CJ) Let me know if he signs it.

JOSH
Signs what?

CJ
You’re a little early.

JOSH
The Santoses went to church, so I got an hour to kill before heading over to the Capitol. (sitting) Thought I’d drop by, and make one last stab at getting you to stay on.

CJ moves around in her seat a bit distractedly, then sets her arms down on her desk.

CJ
9:30 tomorrow morning Dulles to LAX nonstop, glass of bad Merlot, three bags of peanuts and an Ambien. But – thanks for asking.

JOSH
Danny?

CJ
Waiting at LAX with a tub of sunscreen. (they both smile) So – Baker for VP? You’re gonna have quite a battle up on the Hill.

JOSH
We’re hoping Vinick at State helps grease the skids a little. (beat) You ever stop thinking of this as Leo’s office?

CJ
No. (beat; suddenly) Oh, hey, I’ve got something for you.

CJ pulls out a crumpled sticky note and hands it over to JOSH. It reads ‘WWLD?’

JOSH (taking the note)
WWLD?

CJ
What would Leo do?

JOSH stares at the note. CJ watches him, with a small smile.

CJ
You’re gonna do great, Josh. You don’t need me.

CUT TO: INT. – HALLWAY – DAY

BARTLET is making the rounds, holding his cane and with a Secret Service agent behind him. He first meets CAROL.

BARTLET
Morning, Carol.

CAROL
Mr. President.

BARTLET (shaking hands)
Thanks for all your hard work, couldn’t have done it without you.

CAROL
Thank you, Mr. President.

BARTLET next greets an older man with a buzz cut.

BARTLET
Morning, Ray.

RAY
Morning, sir.

BARTLET (shaking hands)
Thank you. (to a woman standing in the hall) Hey, Carla.

CARLA (shaking hands)
Mr. President.

BARTLET continues down the hall, meeting ED and LARRY.

BARTLET
Larry – (shaking hands) Gonna finally get some time with the kids now, I hope.

LARRY
Oh, absolutely, Mr. President.

BARTLET (shaking hands with ED)
Ed, thanks for your help.

ED
Uh, no, sir, thank you.

BARTLET
Yeah. (waving at someone off camera) Tom. (going through a doorway into the Communications bullpen, seeing NANCY) Nancy, how’s your mother doing?

NANCY
She’s fine now, Mr. President.

BARTLET
Tell her I’m looking forward to seeing her again soon, would you, please?

NANCY
Absolutely, sir.

BARTLET (shaking her hand)
Thank you.

BARTLET walks into WILL’s office, finding him on the phone.

WILL (quickly hanging up and standing)
Mm, gotta go – do you need something, sir?

BARTLET
Heard a rumor about you and the Oregon 4th, any truth to it?

WILL
D triple C thinks it’ll be a pretty tough race.

BARTLET
Give me a call, I’ll come up there and help you pound in some lawn signs.

WILL
I’ll have a mallet ready, sir.

BARTLET takes a quick glance towards the office next door.

BARTLET
Excuse me, will you? (moves around to the next office, which is CHARLIE’s. A large crowd of staffers has gathered in the Communications bullpen to watch) Morning, Charlie.

CHARLIE
Mr. President.

BARTLET
You made a decision about your future?

CHARLIE
Georgetown Law.

BARTLET
You got the early acceptance?

CHARLIE
I think the letter from you may have helped a little, sir.

BARTLET (grinning, hands a small book to CHARLIE)
I don’t need this any more, I thought maybe you could get some use out of it.

We see it is a small, well-worn book with ‘The Constitution of the United States of America’ on the cover. CHARLIE can’t stop looking at it.

BARTLET
I was trying to remember if my father had given it to me when I was in the 10th grade or the 11th. I considered getting you a tie, with the scales of justice on it. Figured you’d use this more.

CHARLIE (a little choked up)
Thank you, Mr. President.

BARTLET (shaking his hand)
Thank you, Charlie.

BARTLET exits, leaving an emotional CHARLIE.

CUT TO: INT. – LIMOUSINE – DAY

MATT is looking out the window pensively as he and HELEN travel from church to the White House.

HELEN
Homily seemed a little pointed.

MATT
Hmm?

HELEN
The Cardinal. You don’t think he was pushing the ‘swords into plowshares’ stuff a little hard?

MATT
Well, he’s right, this Kazakhstan thing is a mess. We got thousands of our – soldiers in the middle of Central Asia, and they haven’t a clue as to what’s next.

HELEN
Nine inaugural balls. You think I’m supposed to wear nine gowns?

MATT
Do you have nine gowns?

HELEN
Nooo.

MATT
Well, then, probably not.

They smile at each other.

CUT TO: INT. – OVAL OFFICE – DAY

BARTLET is back at his desk, writing his note for MATT. DEBBIE is hovering over him.

DEBBIE
Nineteen minutes and counting, sir.

BARTLET
Almost done.

DEBBIE watches fitfully as BARTLET finishes writing, then folds up the letter and puts it into an envelope. She shakes her head slightly as BARTLET takes the envelope and writes ‘President Santos’ on it.

BARTLET (sliding the envelope to the center of the desk)
Well. That’s it.

DEBBIE (indicating TOBY’s pardon, still on the side of the desk)
What about that final pardon warrant?

BARTLET
There’s still time.

DEBBIE
Not much.

BARTLET (checking his watch)
Two hours and 19 minutes.

DEBBIE (checking her watch)
Two hours and 18.

There’s a knock at the door and CJ enters from her office, carrying MALLORY’s wrapped package.

CJ
Mr. President - Aren’t you supposed to be in the residence getting ready for the Santoses’ arrival?

DEBBIE
Yes.

BARTLET (standing)
Just leaving.

DEBBIE
Ha, so he keeps saying.

CJ
Mallory came by this morning and asked me to give you this. I was gonna ask Debbie to send it with you on the plane, but … (handing it to BARTLET)

BARTLET
Why didn’t she stop in and say hello?

CJ
I don’t think she wanted to bother you on your last day.

DEBBIE
Sixteen minutes, sir.

BARTLET
I’m a fast dresser.

DEBBIE
Not that fast. (taking the package from BARTLET) Why don’t I put this in your briefcase for the plane. (exits)

CJ (seeing the envelope on the desk)
Your letter to President-Elect Santos?

BARTLET
Mm-hmm.

CJ notices TOBY’s pardon still on the desk. She looks up at BARTLET. A smile grows on her face. BARTLET looks up at her. He smiles back. They exchange wordless feelings.

BARTLET
It’s been a pleasure, Claudia Jean.

CJ
The pleasure’s been all mine, sir.

CJ turns and exits, as BARTLET gives her a small nod. He looks back at his desk, regarding TOBY’s pardon. He thinks. He sits, picking up the paper and placing it in front of him. BARTLET leans his head back, sighing deeply. He sits silently for a few moments. At last, he puts on his reading glasses, takes a pen, and signs his name to the pardon. He stands, knocks his hand on the desk, then carries the pardon out of the Oval Office to give to DEBBIE.

FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT TWO.
* * *

ACT THREE

FADE IN: EXT. – BLAIR HOUSE – DAY

MATT and HELEN are making their way out of Blair House into the brilliant sunshine, thanking the staff outside the door. They shake hands and express their thanks to them, then turn and follow RON BUTTERFIELD out onto Pennsylvania Avenue. A man in the background calls out, ‘Good luck, sir’ and MATT turns to acknowledge him. He and HELEN stop, with the White House right across the street before them.

HELEN (as MATT looks around)
You okay?

MATT
Yeah. Sure.

HELEN
We could make a run for it, you know. Catch the first plane out of Dulles, head down to Panama.

MATT
I hear Uruguay’s – nice.

HELEN
Southern hemisphere, it’s summer down there.

MATT
Cheaper housing.

HELEN
You speak the language.

MATT
Ah! What about the kids?

HELEN
We’ll send ‘em a postcard.

MATT (grinning)
They’ll be pissed.

HELEN takes MATT’s arm and they walk towards the White House.

CUT TO: INT. – WHITE HOUSE STAIRCASE – DAY

BARTLET and ABBEY are heading downstairs.

BARTLET
I left enough time.

ABBEY
No, you didn’t.

BARTLET
I was ready before they got here, wasn’t I?

ABBEY
That’s because they’re running late.

BARTLET
When was the last time someone actually was late to meet us?

ABBEY
Eight years ago to the day. Get used to it, it’s gonna happen a lot more. Oh, the girls are going to be waiting for us when we get to the farm this evening. It was supposed to be a surprise, try and act like it.

BARTLET (stopping outside the East Room)
Tonight? I was looking forward to some peace and quiet.

ABBEY
I know, that’s why I’m warning you – (as BARTLET motions for her to follow him) Oh, uh – I don’t want you to look stricken when you see them.

BARTLET
Does it have to be tonight?

ABBEY
They just wanted to show you their love and support in your hour of need. They’re afraid you might have some re-entry issues in returning to live amongst us mere mortals.

BARTLET (as they enter the East Room)
Have I been so out of touch?

ABBEY
When was the last time you used a telephone? Or went to a bank? Or drove a car?

BARTLET
It’s just like riding a bike, only more horsepower, right?

GINGER (who had been among the staffers following the BARTLETs)
Excuse me, Mr. President? – the Santoses have arrived. They’re in the Blue Room.

BARTLET
Thank you. (as ABBEY quickly walks away) Abbey?

ABBEY turns back to BARTLET, who reaches out a hand and motions for her to join him. She does, and as he takes her hand, they stand there and look at the East Room and its chandeliers and tile floor and vaulted ceiling.

CUT TO: INT. – LIMOUSINE – DAY

The Presidential motorcade rolls down the street, escorted by police cars and motorcycles. MATT and BARTLET are inside.

MATT
Nine inaugural balls. How’s that supposed to work?

BARTLET
You’ll wanna skip the champagne when they do the toast. (MATT chuckles) I’m afraid I made a bit of a mess this morning and it may eat into your news cycle.

MATT
Oh?

BARTLET
The pardons.

MATT
Granny Pot, I heard.

BARTLET
And a few others.

MATT nods, a bit stolidly.

BARTLET
How’s the speech?

MATT
It’s okay. Couple of good lines. There’s no ‘ask not what your country can do for you,' but …

BARTLET
JFK really screwed us with that one, didn’t he? (they smile) Have you chosen a Biblical quotation for the oath?

MATT
Kings 3:9 through 11.

BARTLET (thinks a moment)
‘Grant thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people’?

MATT
That’s the one.

BARTLET
Good choice. (pause) You know what I’m gonna miss the most? The Marine Corps Band. Those guys can really play. Ask them to do Semper Fidelis – they’ll knock your socks off.

CUT TO: EXT. – OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL – DAY

The motorcade pulls through an archway and stops by a side entrance. A Secret Service agent opens the car door for MATT to exit. RON BUTTERFIELD opens the door for BARTLET. BARTLET and MATT greet some dignitaries.

WOMAN
Mr. President – Senator Wirth will escort you to the podium. (gesturing inside) This way, Mr. President-Elect.

BARTLET
I guess this is where our paths diverge.

MATT
You sure you’re ready to retire?

BARTLET (shaking hands)
See you on the podium.

WOMAN
Mr. President-Elect -

MATT takes a moment to watch BARTLET departing with his group, then walks into the Capitol.

CUT TO: INT. – WILL’S OFFICE – DAY

WILL and KATE are watching the TV coverage. CHARLIE comes in to join them.

TV NEWSCASTER (VO, on TV)
Capitol Police estimate today’s crowd at over 140,000, with an additional 800,000 expected to line the parade route later. Incoming Secretary of State Arnold Vinick is here. (we see VINICK on the TV screen) Senator Vinick surprised many Republicans – surprised everyone across the board, really – by accepting a position in Matt Santos’ Cabinet, perhaps eschewing his own chances to run again in four years.

CUT TO: INT. – CAPITOL HALLWAY – DAY

MATT comes out of a doorway, followed by BUTTERFIELD, and finds HELEN waiting for him. They all begin to walk down the hallway, with many onlookers standing there watching them pass.

HELEN
It’s gonna be cold out there.

MATT
Yeah.

HELEN
I hope brevity is in order.

MATT
I cut the speech down to about 80 pages in the car.

HELEN
The Gettysburg Address was, what, four minutes long?

MATT
Lot of run-on sentences, though.

HELEN
Didn’t a two-hour inaugural address kill a President once?

MATT
William Henry Harrison, but, uh – you know, he was 68. He refused to wear a coat.

HELEN
You refused to wear a coat.

MATT
But I’m wearing long underwear.

HELEN
Ohhh!

They turn a corner to see a Marine honor guard marking their path.

MARINE
Order. Arms!

CUT TO: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is packing up a few last folders, with a TV covering the inaugural.

TV ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
The dignitaries on the platform have taken their positions. And now here are President Bartlet and the First Lady making their way to their seats on the podium.

We see BARTLET and ABBEY on the TV, finding their seats.

TV ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
After eight years in the White House, they are officially handing over the reins to the Santoses in a few short minutes.

We see some photographs on CJ’s desk, including a couple of her and BARTLET earlier in the administration.

MARGARET (entering)
CJ – (handing her a folder) The President’s office just sent this over, says it needs to go to the pardon attorney immediately.

CJ takes the folder and opens it, quickly reading what’s inside. She looks back to the TV, where BARTLET is happily greeting well-wishers on the stand. She smiles.

TV ANCHOR (VO, on TV)
President Bartlet surprised both supporters and critics with his willingness to use American force abroad, and his aggressive pursuit for peace on the world stage.

CUT TO: EXT. – INAUGURAL STAGE – DAY

The stage is packed with people, as BARTLET makes his way through, shaking hands. We then cut to the entryway above the stage, where MATT and HELEN are waiting for the appropriate time to enter.

HELEN
Man, I hope Janet Spragens has her TV on.

MATT
Who?

HELEN
Senior year, she beat me out for the last varsity spot on the swim team.

MATT
Guess what?

HELEN
What?

MATT
You win.

A pause, as HELEN tries to suppress a big grin.

HELEN
Though she did get Don Vogel to take her to the prom instead of me.

MATT
We’ll call it even, then.

HELEN
Naw – pretty sure Janet had to put out so Don would take her.

MATT can’t help but laugh. They look at each other happily. They take deep breaths and look ahead. We hear the announcer introducing HELEN.

ANNOUNCER (VO)
Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Helen Santos.

HELEN
No turning back now.

HELEN gives MATT a kiss, then she heads onto the stage.

ANNOUNCER (VO)
Ladies and gentlemen, the President-Elect of the United States, Matthew Vincente Santos.

MATT heads out onto the stage. There are massive cheers. MATT waves and smiles, shakes hands with some of the dignitaries onstage. We hear the invocation being given by a speaker, who we eventually discover is CARDINAL EDWARD DOHERTY.

DOHERTY (VO)
Oh, Lord – we come together on this historic and solemn occasion to inaugurate a President.

The scene shifts to WILL’s office, where WILL, KATE, and CHARLIE are watching on TV.

DOHERTY (cont., VO, on TV)
We pray, oh Lord, for President-Elect Santos, to whom you have entrusted leadership of this great nation. Give our new President and all who advise him calmness in the face of storms -

The scene moves to the Communications bullpen, where a large crowd of staffers is watching TVs. We see ED, LARRY, and CAROL among them.

DOHERTY (cont., VO, on TV)
- encouragement in the face of frustrations, and humility in the face of triumph. We pray that this good and generous country -

CUT TO: EXT. – INAUGURAL STAGE – DAY

A closeup of MATT sitting among the crowd onstage as CARDINAL DOHERTY continues his invocation. We then see BARTLET and ABBEY also watching from their seats.

DOHERTY (cont., VO)
- may be a blessing to the nations of the world, and fulfill the hopes of our Founding Fathers. This we ask in your most holy name. Amen.

The crowd cheers and applauds. Music begins, and we see KEB’ MO’ at the microphone, playing a guitar and singing America The Beautiful. As he performs, we see a montage of some people on the stage: JOSH and DONNA, ANNABETH, a man we haven’t seen before (it’s Aaron Sorkin), BARTLET and ABBEY. Later we see a closeup of MATT.

CUT TO: INT. – WHITE HOUSE – DAY

As KEB’ MO’ continues singing, the camera zooms in from the outer Oval Office, where the ceremonies are seen on a TV, into the Oval Office itself. The room is empty and quiet, just as BARTLET left it – until SCHAEFER enters, leading a group of movers with carts, bags, ladders and other equipment. We see a montage of the workers packing up items, taking paintings off the walls, picking up lamps, wrapping furniture and other items in protective padding. Someone picks up BARTLET’s collection of glass paperweights. Someone else picks up a photograph of ZOEY. We see furniture and boxes being carried out of the Oval Office to outside the White House as KEB’ MO’ finishes his performance back at the Capitol.

CUT TO: INT. – OUTER OVAL OFFICE – DAY

DEBBIE is standing, watching the TV coverage intently. Workers are behind her, packing up items in her office. As we hear the ceremonies continue on the TV, DEBBIE lifts her eyes to the clocks on the wall. They read three minutes before noon.

SPEAKER (VO, on TV)
Speaker of the House, Mark D. Sellner.

SELLNER (on TV)
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, to administer the Presidential oath of office.

In one of the White House hallways, we see workers bring in ladders and use their tools to remove the official photograph of BARTLET and hang the photograph of MATT in its place. As the CHIEF JUSTICE speaks, we return to the stage at the Capitol.

CHIEF JUSTICE
Please raise your hand and repeat after me: I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States.

MATT (right hand raised, left hand on a Bible held by HELEN)
I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States.

CHIEF JUSTICE
And will to the best of my ability -

MATT
And will to the best of my ability -

CHIEF JUSTICE
Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

MATT
Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

CHIEF JUSTICE
So help me, God.

MATT
So help me, God.

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause. We hear Hail To The Chief being played by a band. MATT and HELEN embrace as the CHIEF JUSTICE greets BARTLET. MATT and HELEN wave to the crowd.

CUT TO: INT. – CJ’S OFFICE – DAY

CJ is watching the ceremony on TV. A small smile appears on her face. She picks up the remote control and switches off the TV. We can see her office is nearly empty, except for the remaining furniture.

FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT THREE.
* * *

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: INT. – WHITE HOUSE FOYER – DAY

Members of the new administration are filing in through the security entrance. The SECURITY GUARD greets them as they enter. JOSH and DONNA are at the head of the line, walking into the foyer with SAM, RONNA, BRAM, ANNABETH and others behind them.

SECURITY GUARD
Good afternoon, ma’am, good afternoon, sir.

SAM
Hey, Jerry -

SECURITY GUARD (shaking hands)
Good to see you, sir.

SAM
Good to see you, too.

JOSH and DONNA stop in the middle of the foyer, taking it in. SAM comes up to them.

SAM
Home, sweet home.

SAM, DONNA, and the others start heading off, as JOSH stands there.

CUT TO: INT. – ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY

DEBBIE is leading RONNA to the Oval Office, giving her instructions on the way.

DEBBIE
Your most important job is keeping track of who’s going in and out of the Oval Office. The first thing you’ll need to do is establish who’ll have walk-in privileges, usually it’s just the First Lady and the Chief of Staff. At some point, the President’s gonna ask you to take away his wife’s walk-in privileges. Don’t do it, no matter how much he begs.

They’ve now reached the outer Oval Office.

DEBBIE
You have the right to attend the morning staff meeting. I never went, because the senior staff was already appropriately intimidated by my stern visage and dry wit. (getting something out of a drawer) But you’re young, you have a baby face, they are gonna try to walk all over you, you should go -

DEBBIE looks up to see RONNA has drifted to the doorway and is looking into the Oval Office with awe and admiration. DEBBIE walks up behind her.

DEBBIE
Your desk sits right outside this door. You prepare his schedule, you decide who goes in and who doesn’t. Your most frequent response to any question will be ‘no.’ Say it with empathy - and you’ll be fine.

DEBBIE heads back to the outer office while RONNA looks inside the Oval, smiling and blinking back tears.

CUT TO: EXT. – OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL – DAY

BARTLET, MATT, and HELEN come out a door to where the motorcades are parked. BUTTERFIELD is standing there.

BARTLET (to BUTTERFIELD)
Where’s Mrs. Bartlet?

BUTTERFIELD
Already inside the car, sir.

BARTLET (turning to MATT)
Nice speech.

MATT (smiling)
No JFK …

BARTLET
No, but you’ve got time. I left something for you on the desk. Just some random thoughts.

MATT
I look forward to them, sir.

BARTLET (reaching out his hand)
Make me proud, Mr. President.

MATT (shaking hands)
I’ll do my best, Mr. President.

BARTLET smiles, nods to HELEN, then climbs inside the limousine. MATT and HELEN watch the motorcade depart.

CUT TO: INT. – LIMOUSINE – DAY

BARTLET and ABBEY are on their way to Andrews.

ABBEY
What in the world was he trying to prove by not wearing an overcoat?

BARTLET
Youth and vigor. He looked like a leader.

ABBEY
He looked like a lunatic.

BARTLET
A young and vigorous lunatic.

There is a pause. ABBEY looks at BARTLET, as he looks out the window.

ABBEY
Jed?

BARTLET
Hmm?

ABBEY
You made it.

BARTLET looks back at ABBEY, whose eyes are starting to well.

ABBEY
You’re still here.

BARTLET
Yeah. I’m still here.

ABBEY reaches over and takes BARTLET’s hand.

CUT TO: INT. – CHARLIE’S OFFICE – DAY

CHARLIE is standing, watching TV coverage of the inaugural parade. There’s a shot of MATT and HELEN walking in the street, waving to onlookers.

NEWSCASTER (VO, on TV)
As they head into the final block of the parade here on Pennsylvania Avenue, the President and First Lady stepped out of the motorcade -

BRAM (in the doorway, carrying a box)
Is this 137 B?

CHARLIE (beat)
Yeah. (as BRAM brings his box to the desk) This gonna be you?

BRAM
Looks like it.

CHARLIE (shaking hands)
Charlie Young.

BRAM
Bram Howard. Parade almost over?

CHARLIE
Yep.

CHARLIE regards BRAM, as he takes off his coat and scarf and starts settling in.

CHARLIE
Watch out for the thermostat. (getting his coat) Hair one way or the other is the difference between convection oven, and meat locker.

BRAM is digging through his box, paying no attention to CHARLIE. CHARLIE slowly makes his way to the door, watching BRAM.

CHARLIE
Have fun.

BRAM
You bet.

CHARLIE makes his way through the Communications bullpen and out towards the foyer, with the hubbub and noise of new staffers moving in. They’re carrying boxes, greeting each other, finding their way around. In the foyer, CHARLIE finds WILL and KATE.

CHARLIE
Wanna see a movie?

WILL
It’s 2:00 in the afternoon.

CHARLIE
You got anything better to do?

KATE
No, I guess we don’t.

WILL
Is there even a movie theatre around here?

CHARLIE
I have no idea.

The three head for the door.

CUT TO: INT. – HALLWAY – DAY

CJ is making her way out. Something catches her attention, and she walks up to a door and opens it. It is the press briefing room, empty except for a few cameras. She walks up on the platform and stands behind the podium, as if she’s ready to give one last briefing. A voice breaks her reverie.

STEVE (a reporter, standing in a doorway)
You look good up there.

CJ (chuckling)
Thanks.

STEVE (as CJ steps down)
We missed you.

CJ
Can’t say the feeling’s mutual.

STEVE (as CJ heads for the door)
President Bartlet pardoned Toby Ziegler today. Any comment?

CJ
Nope.

STEVE
You have an opinion?

CJ (at the door)
Sure, I do. (she exits)

CUT TO: INT. – HALLWAY – DAY

A White House staff official, CARTWRIGHT, is holding a binder and leading DONNA and ANNABETH down a hallway toward some offices.

CARTWRIGHT
Unfortunately, the suite that Mrs. Bartlet was using is going to be torn up for most of the next year while we restore the marble and original moldings. (opening a door, they enter a large office, with a desk and a conference table) We’re hoping that this suite will meet with Mrs. Santos’ approval.

ANNABETH (looking around)
Nice.

CARTWRIGHT
Ms. Schott – (indicating another door) the office for the First Lady’s press secretary would be over here.

ANNABETH
Great, thanks.

CARTWRIGHT (as ANNABETH heads into her office)
Ms. Moss, if you’ll follow me -

CARTWRIGHT leads DONNA through a short passageway and into another large office, which features a fireplace behind the desk.

CARTWRIGHT
We’re hoping this will meet with your approval.

DONNA
Oh, it’s lovely. I’m sure the First Lady will be very happy here.

CARTWRIGHT
Oh, no, I’m sorry. The First Lady’s office is next door. As her Chief of Staff, this would be your office.

DONNA is caught dumbstruck.

DONNA
Yes. This will be fine.

CARTWRIGHT nods and leaves, and DONNA gazes about the office with a huge smile.

CUT TO: INT. – OVAL OFFICE – DAY

RONNA opens the door, bringing MATT into the Oval Office. He makes his way slowly to the desk, surveying the room as RONNA watches. We see the Santos family photos are already on the desk, as MATT picks up the envelope left behind by BARTLET. He takes out the  note and reads it. He breaks into a smile, takes a deep breath, and looks up.

RONNA
Shall we get started with the Joint Chiefs, sir?

MATT
Yes, thank you.

RONNA leaves, closing the door. MATT settles into the chair, taking a few more deep breaths.

CUT TO: EXT. – WHITE HOUSE NORTHWEST GATE – DAY

CJ makes her way through the gate, waving to the guard inside. She starts walking across Pennsylvania Avenue when a MAN with a young daughter stops her.

MAN
Excuse me … excuse me, uh, do you work in there?

CJ
I’m sorry, what?

MAN
We thought we saw you come out the gate, you work at the White House?

CJ
No. (a long beat) No, I’m sorry, I don’t.

MAN
Must be something, huh?

CJ (smiling)
Yeah, something.

CJ turns and walks away, the White House in the background.

CUT TO: INT. – OVAL OFFICE – DAY

MATT’s meeting with the Joint Chiefs is breaking up, with military officers making their way out of the Oval Office.

MATT (to a couple of officers)
General, Admirals, I’m sure we’ll talk about this more in detail tomorrow, but I do appreciate your candor.

OFFICER
Thank you, sir.

GENERAL
Thank you, Mr. President.

As the OFFICERS leave, JOSH, SAM, and BRAM come up to MATT’s desk.

MATT
They want 10,000 more troops in Kazakhstan, on the ground for logistical support.

SAM
Public opinion is already divided over our mission in Central Asia, do you really wanna be putting more troops on the ground in your first week?

MATT
We may not have a choice.

JOSH is staring at MATT with a small smile on his face.

MATT
What?

JOSH
You look good back there.

MATT smiles, nodding at JOSH and SAM. RONNA appears at the door.

RONNA
Excuse me, sir. It’s almost 6:00. The First Lady called to remind you to head back to the residence to change for the inaugural balls.

MATT
Thanks, Ronna, tell her I’ll be up there in 15 minutes.

SAM
Thank you, Mr. President.

BRAM
Thank you, Mr. President.

Everyone leaves except JOSH.

MATT
What’s next?

MATT and JOSH sit at the desk, as JOSH starts to go over some affairs of government.

JOSH (as the audio fades)
Sir, the, uh, Senate Democrats want you to move fast on the education bill, then we can move on to the tough stuff, immigration, energy policy …

CUT TO: INT. – SPECIAL AIR MISSION AIRCRAFT – DAY

A STEWARD walks along the corridor and knocks at a door.

BARTLET (inside)
Come in.

The STEWARD enters.

STEWARD
Colonel Gantry says we’ll be landing in New Hampshire in 20 minutes.

BARTLET
Thank you.

The STEWARD exits, and we see BARTLET and ABBEY are sitting in the large office of the aircraft. BARTLET stands, puts a binder into his bag, and sees the wrapped package that MALLORY had brought to the White House. He takes it out and tears off the paper. He opens the box, unwraps the paper inside – and sees it is the framed napkin with ‘BARTLET FOR AMERICA’ written on it, the napkin LEO had slapped on the easel when he first talked to BARTLET about running so long ago, the framed napkin BARTLET had given to LEO after his appearance before a congressional committee back in 2001. BARTLET, emotional, walks over to ABBEY and hands the item to her, then sits next to her, looking out the window.

ABBEY
What are you thinking about?

BARTLET (still looking out the window)
Tomorrow.

The final shot is the VC-25 aircraft, banking over the ocean, on its way toward New Hampshire.

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

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

The West Wing Transcript
Episode 7x22 – Tomorrow
Original Airdate: May 14, 2006