Original subtitles

ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I ACCIDENTALLY SLEPT WITH A PROSTITUTE.

REALLY?

CALL GIRL.

ACCIDENTALLY. YES.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND. DID YOU TRIP OVER SOMETHING?

YOU'RE GOING TO TRY AND REFORM HER. NO.

THE PRESIDENT LIKES YOU AND HE'D LIKE TO KEEP YOU ON

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS.

WE CAN HIRE A NEW MEDIA CONSULTANT? ABSOLUTELY.

ANYONE BUT MANDY.

WHO SHOULD WE GET? MANDY.

WAIT... WHAT?!

AN AIR FORCE TRANSPORT

CARRYING MORRIS TOLIVER EXPLODED IN MID-AIR.

THE ORDER CAME THROUGH THE SYRIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY.

I'M GOING TO BLOW THEM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH

WITH THE FURY OF GOD'S OWN THUNDER.

C.J.'S LOOKING FOR YOU.

HUH?

C.J.'S LOOKING FOR YOU.

DONNA? YEAH.

"GOOD MORNING" IS A GOOD WAY TO START.

GOOD MORNING.

WHAT'S UP? C.J.'S LOOKING FOR YOU.

TELL HER I'M IN THE OFFICE.

JOSH, I'M SAYING

C.J. IS LOOKING FOR YOU.

WHAT DID I DO?

HOW WOULD I KNOW?

'CAUSE YOU KNOW EVERYTHING.

I DO KNOW EVERYTHING. DONNA...

I'M SEEING YOU SAY THAT NOW, BUT ANYTIME I WANT TO MAKE

A SUBSTANTIVE CONTRIBUTION...

YOU MAKE PLENTY OF SUBSTANTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS.

LIKE WHAT? THIS!

THIS COULD BE SUBSTANTIVE.

I NEED A RAISE.

SO DO I.

YOU'RE MY BOSS.

I'M NOT THE ONE WHO PAYS YOU.

YES, BUT YOU COULD RECOMMEND THAT I GOT A RAISE.

DONNA, SHE'S LOOKING FOR ME.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO TALK ABOUT A RAISE?

THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO TALK ABOUT A RAISE.

DONNA, YOU'RE NOT A VERY NICE PERSON.

YOU GOTTA GET TO KNOW ME.

DONNA...

( heavy sigh )

THE BEST I CAN COBBLE TOGETHER

FROM THE SMALL SHARDS OF INFORMATION

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO OVERHEAR

IN THE RESTROOM AND AT THE DANISH CART...

DONNA...

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE'S A SITUATION INVOLVING SAM, A WOMAN

AND C.J. BEING DENIED INFORMATION ABOUT SOMETHING?

OKAY, HERE'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO...

HIDE IN YOUR OFFICE?

NO, I'M NOT GOING TO "HIDE IN MY OFFICE"

I AM GOING TO GO INTO MY OFFICE

AND DEVISE A STRATEGY.

THAT IS WHAT I DO.

I'M A PROFESSIONAL.

I'M NOT A LITTLE BOY.

MMM, THAT'S THE SPIRIT.

BUT IF SHE CALLS, I'M AT THE DENTIST.

I'LL BE BACK IN AN HOUR. GOT IT.

( screams )

WOW, ARE YOU STUPID.

YOU CAN'T BE MAD AT ME FOR THIS.

REALLY? LISTEN...

LET'S SEE IF CAN FIND IT IN ME.

WAIT-- SHE WAS HERE? YES.

EXCUSE US, DONNA?

HOW DID I MISS THAT?

I DON'T KNOW, BUT YOU CAN KISS THAT RAISE GOOD-BYE.

SENIOR STAFF IN FIVE MINUTES.

THANKS.

A CALL GIRL?

HERE'S THE THING.

A CALL GIRL, JOSH?

YOU'RE NOT ASKING IF I'D LIKE A CALL GIRL NOW, ARE YOU?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SERIOUS THIS IS?

I REALLY DON'T THINK IT IS THAT SERIOUS.

WHY NOT?

SOME THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND--

FIRST OF ALL, HE DIDN'T KNOW

THAT SHE WAS A CALL GIRL WHEN HE SLEPT WITH HER.

HE DID NOT PAY HER MONEY.

HE DIDN'T PARTICIPATE IN, HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF

OR WITNESS ANYTHING ILLEGAL.

OR FOR THAT MATTER, UNETHICAL, IMMORAL OR SUSPECT.

OKAY, A COUPLE THINGS FOR YOU TO BEAR IN MIND--

NONE OF THAT MATTERS ON HARD COPY!

YOU'RE OVERREACTING.

AM I? YES.

AS WOMEN ARE PRONE TO DO?

THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT.

YES, IT IS.

NO, IT ISN'T.

IT'S ALWAYS WHAT YOU MEAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT, C.J.?

I THINK I'M THE BEST JUDGE OF WHAT I MEAN

YOU PARANOID BERKELEY SHIKSA FEMINISTA!

WOW, THAT WAS WAY TOO FAR.

NO, NO.

WELL, I'VE GOT A STAFF MEETING TO GO TO

AND SO DO YOU, YOU ELITIST, HARVARD, FASCIST

MISSED-THE-DEAN'S-LIST- TWO-SEMESTERS-IN-A-ROW YANKEE JACKASS.

FEEL BETTER GETTING THAT OFF YOUR CHEST THERE, C.J.?

I'M A WHOLE NEW WOMAN.

YOU LOOK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS, BY THE WAY.

DON'T TRY AND MAKE UP WITH ME.

I'LL TALK TO SAM. I'LL TALK TO SAM.

TOBY. HEY.

HOW WAS LAST NIGHT?

THE LONGEST DINNER OF MY LIFE.

THE PRESIDENT WAS UP FROM THE TABLE

EVERY FIVE MINUTES

TEEING OFF ON CASHMAN AND BERRYHILL.

HE'S BARKING AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

HE'S SCARING THE HELL OUT OF FITZWALLACE

WHICH I DIDN'T THINK WAS POSSIBLE.

HE'S SNAPPING AT THE FIRST LADY.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT BLOWING UP HALF OF NORTH AFRICA...

HE'S SNAPPING AT MRS. BARTLET?

THIS MAY BE A GOOD TIME TO TELL THE PRESIDENT

ABOUT SAM AND THE CALL GIRL.

SHE KNOWS? YEAH.

I'M AFRAID I HAVE THAT INFORMATION

AND I'LL BE IN TO SEE YOU, MY FRIEND, VERY SHORTLY.

HOW THE HELL DID I GET INTO TROUBLE?

TODAY? YOU GOT OUT OF BED.

President: THIS IS CRAP, LEO. IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS.

THIS IS AMATEUR HOUR.

Leo: CASHMAN AND BERRYHILL

HAVE TO REVISE THE RESPONSE SCENARIO

SO THAT THEY SPEAK TO STATE'S CONCERN...

CASHMAN AND BERRYHILL ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET.

CASHMAN AND BERRYHILL ARE TRYING TO MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A CLOWN.

AND STATE SHOULD CONCERN ITSELF

WITH WHAT I DAMN WELL TELL THEM

TO BE CONCERNED WITH.

DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

SO I'VE DISCOVERED.

GOOD MORNING, MR. PRESIDENT. GOOD MORNING.

AND MOREOVER, YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WORKS.

THE CHIEFS ARE MOVING AS SWIFTLY AS THEY CAN

EVEN THOUGH TIME ISN'T A FACTOR.

GOOD MORNING, MR. PRESIDENT.

GOOD MORNING.

CASHMAN AND BERRYHILL HAVE A REASONABLE POINT

WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

MRS. LANDINGHAM, I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND MY GLASSES ANYWHERE.

COULD YOU PLEASE DO WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO

WHEN I CAN'T FIND MY GLASSES?

CERTAINLY, SIR.

IT'S BEEN 72 HOURS, LEO.

THAT'S MORE THAN THREE DAYS

SINCE THEY BLEW HIM OUT OF THE SKY.

AND I'M TIRED OF WAITING, DAMN IT. THIS IS CANDY ASS.

WE'RE GOING TO DRAW UP A RESPONSE SCENARIO TODAY.

I'M GOING TO GIVE THE ORDER TODAY.

WE'RE GOING TO STRIKE BACK TODAY.

I WISH YOU WOULDN'T SAY "HIM," MR. PRESIDENT.

WHAT?

THREE DAYS SINCE THEY BLEW "HIM" OUT OF THE SKY?

OF COURSE, THAT'S FINE WHILE IT'S JUST YOU AND ME, SIR

BUT IN THERE, WITH FITZWALLACE AND THE CHIEFS

I HOPE YOU SAY "IT" OR "THE AIRPLANE," NOT HIM.

YOU THINK I'M TAKING THIS PERSONALLY.

I THINK.

WHY THE HELL SHOULDN'T I TAKE IT PERSONALLY?

I THINK THE FACT THAT MORRIS WAS ON THE PLANE AND...

AMERICANS WERE ON THAT PLANE.

I MET MORRIS FOUR OR FIVE TIMES.

LET'S NOT DO THIS LIKE HE WAS MY SON.

MRS. LANDINGHAM!

MR. PRESIDENT, I STILL THINK WE NEED TO TALK...

I CAN'T FIND MY GLASSES.

YES, SIR. WE'RE ON IT.

THANK YOU.

THE DIRECTOR IS WAITING.

UM... YEAH, LET'S HAVE HIM.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO SAY?

NOTHING.

YOU SURE.

YEAH, I GOT STAFF.

I'LL SEE YOU IN AN HOUR.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, LEO.

HI. HOW'S HIS MOOD?

"HOW'S HIS MOOD"?

YEAH. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

TOBY SAID THAT...

AND I SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

HEY, SAM, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

IT'S TRUE.

YOU'RE KIDDING ME.

I HAVE THE BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT.

WHAT BROADCAST?

LISTEN TO THIS.

CONGRESSMAN BERTRAM COLES, APPEARING ON

THE RADIO IN HIS HOME DISTRICT.

RIGHT. THE FIFTH.

EASTCHESTER COUNTY, PART OF LOFTON.

WHERE WE JUST RECOMMENDED

CUTS IN FUNDING FOR THE M-6 BEACON.

WHAT'D HE SAY?

HE WAS ON THE BROADCAST

ALONG WITH SEVERAL OFFICERS FROM CROMWELL AIR FORCE BASE

WHEN HE SAID, REGARDING THE PRESIDENT BEING WEAK ON DEFENSE:

"FOLKS DOWN HERE ARE PATRIOTIC--

"FIERCELY PATRIOTIC.

"THE PRESIDENT BETTER NOT PLAN TO VISIT THIS BASE.

IF HE DOES, HE MAY NOT GET OUT ALIVE."

HE SAID THAT.

YOU BELIEVE IT?

SITTING WITH MILITARY OFFICERS. YEAH.

DON'T TAKE THE BAIT.

JOSH...

DON'T TAKE THE BAIT.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THE BAIT.

THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW AGAINST IT.

THERE IS. WHY'D YOU GET HIM STARTED?

THREATENING THE LIFE OF THE PRESIDENT.

HE'S TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE. HOW ABOUT CONSPIRACY?

THEY WERE MILITARY OFFICERS. HOW ABOUT TREASON?

TOBY...

A MEMBER OF OUR OWN PARTY!

THAT WAS A DEMOCRAT WHO SAID THAT!

HEY, IT'S BAD. I KNOW.

THAT'S IT?

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

HAVE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

BRING HIM IN FOR QUESTIONING PENDING FELONY CHARGES.

TOBY'S RIGHT-- WHAT'S THE GOOD OF BEING IN POWER

IF YOU CAN'T HAUL YOUR ENEMIES IN FOR QUESTIONING?

WE'RE REALLY NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?

YEAH, WHAT WE NEED TO DO

IS ARREST PEOPLE FOR BEING MEAN TO THE PRESIDENT.

THERE IS NO LAW, THERE IS NO DECENCY.

HE'S JUST GETTING THAT NOW.

LISTEN UP--

IN THE EVENT AN ATTACK ORDER IS GIVEN TODAY

WE'LL NEED A HALF HOUR ON THE NETWORKS.

UH, WHEN DO THEY NEED TO BE TOLD?

90 MINUTES NOTICE.

WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE. TOBY--

WORK ON A DRAFT FOR THE PRESIDENT.

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE HITTING.

YEAH, YOU AND ME BOTH.

LEO...

IT'S MILITARY. YOU'LL KNOW WHEN YOU KNOW.

SAM, COORDINATE WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT GUY... BEACH?

AND WHOEVER THE SPOKESPERSON IS. HUTCHINSON.

LET'S DO THIS RIGHT.

NOT MUCH CHANCE OF THAT.

WE NEED TO BE FULLY STOCKED.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, PENTAGON...

WE'LL NEED THE EMBASSY OFFICE...

WE SHOULD GET McMARTIN ON BOARD.

HE'S STANDING BY.

AND ADAMLEY AT THE PENTAGON. GOT HIM.

SO YOU'RE ALL SET. GOOD.

SO HOW DO WE TELL THEM WHAT WE KNOW

WITHOUT TELLING O.E.M. WHAT WE KNOW?

WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. THAT SHOULDN'T BE HARD.

OH, SAMUEL? YEAH.

COULD YOU STOP BY MY OFFICE AROUND LUNCHTIME?

SURE.

THINK SHE KNOWS? YEAH.

WHY?

SHE TOLD ME SHE KNOWS.

COULD YOU AND I TALK FOR A MINUTE?

YEAH, IN MY OFFICE. I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

HOLD ON. STAY THERE.

TOBY.

YEAH.

DID YOU HEAR WHAT BERTRAM COLES SAID?

YEAH. AND...?

THE SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATES

ALL THREATS MADE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S WHITE HOUSE POLICY NOT TO COMMENT

ON THOSE INVESTIGATIONS.

ARE YOU SAYING THERE WILL BE

A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION?

I REALLY CAN'T COMMENT ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

DAMN, I GOT TO GET BACK TO MY OFFICE.

NO ONE HERE WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED

IF NO ONE PAID ATTENTION TO THE PROCESS

SO MAYBE THE THING WILL WEAR ITSELF OUT.

THIS IS ON AGRICULTURE?

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

HEY.

WE'RE DONE.

HI.

HI.

YOU WANTED TO SEE ME.

YES.

I THINK I KNOW WHY.

DO YOU?

YES, LOOK...

YOU SUSSED IT OUT, HUH?

C.J.-- LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, SAM.

YOU'RE A SMART GUY, BUT IF YOU AND I COULD FIGURE IT OUT

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THERE'S NO ONE IN MY PRESS ROOM

WHO COULD FIGURE IT OUT?

THERE'S NOTHING TO FIGURE OUT, C.J.

YOU CAN'T SPEND TIME WITH A CALL GIRL; YOU'LL GET CAUGHT.

CAUGHT DOING WHAT?

DON'T GET CUTE WITH ME.

YOU ARE AWARE

THAT I DIDN'T KNOW

SHE WAS A CALL GIRL, RIGHT?

BUT YOU WENT BACK TO SEE HER.

I WENT BACK TO SEE HER.

I DIDN'T GO BACK TO SOLICIT HER.

IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

YOU WORK IN THE WHITE HOUSE

50 FEET FROM THE OVAL OFFICE, AND YOU'RE CONSORTING...

CONSORTING?!

I'M FRIENDLY WITH A WOMAN. I LIKE THIS WOMAN.

THIS WOMAN POSES NO THREAT TO THE PRESIDENT

AND IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT, OWING TO MY FRIENDSHIP

THIS WOMAN MAY START LIVING HER LIFE IN BOUNDS

ENSURING FOR HERSELF A GREATER FUTURE

AND ISN'T THAT WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING?

OH...

C.J., THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I SEE...

YOU'RE HELPING HER SEE THE ERROR OF HER WAYS.

I'M THERE BECAUSE I LIKE HER.

I'M THERE BECAUSE IT'S THERE THAT I'D BE

IF THIS WERE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

I'M NOT SLEEPING WITH HER. THIS ISN'T TAWDRY.

I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS, I CARE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

AND I CARE WHAT IT IS!

I THINK IT'S TIME YOU ALL SPENT

A LITTLE LESS TIME LOOKING GOOD AND...

...MORE TIME BEINGGOOD? YES.

I'VE HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE. ONE OTHER THING...

ARE WE DONE? WHEN I SAY

"ONE OTHER THING," THAT MEANS

WE'RE NOT DONE, THAT THERE'S ONE OTHER THING.

YEAH, I'M RESENTING THE HELL

OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW.

IT WAS TOUGH TO TELL FROM YOUR TONE OF VOICE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT? I BEG YOUR PARDON?

WHAT'S THE "ONE OTHER THING"?

I'M YOUR FIRST PHONE CALL.

WHEN?

BEFORE, NOW, IN THE FUTURE

ANY TIME YOU'RE INTO SOMETHING AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT.

AND YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT YOU THOUGHT THERE WAS NOTHING TO IT

'CAUSE YOU SAT DOWN WITH JOSH

AND YOU SAT DOWN WITH TOBY.

ANYTIME YOU'RE INTO SOMETHING AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT

YOU DON'T KEEP IT FROM ME.

I'M YOUR FIRST PHONE CALL.

I'M YOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE.

YOU HAVE TO LET ME PROTECT YOU

AND YOU HAVE TO LET ME PROTECT THE PRESIDENT.

IS THAT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT?

WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, SAM, IS YOU'RE A HIGH-PROFILE

VERY VISIBLE, MUCH-NOTICED MEMBER...

THREE THINGS THAT MEAN THE SAME.

YOU WON'T LET THIS GO.

CAN I GO NOW, C.J.?

BECAUSE WHAT I THINK IT'S ABOUT IS YOU.

ONCE AGAIN, LETTING THE CHARACTER COPS WIN IN A FORFEIT

BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE GUTS OR THE STRENGTH

OR THE COURAGE TO SAY "WE KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT FROM WRONG

AND THIS IS NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!"

REALLY.

YES!

STRENGTH, GUTS OR COURAGE.

YES!

YOU JUST SAID THREE THINGS THAT ALL MEAN THE SAME THING.

C.J....

WE'RE DONE TALKING NOW. YOU CAN GO.

ABOUT THE RETALIATORY STRIKE--

DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO TARGET...

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TARGET, SAM.

THE COMMANDANT OF THE SECOND DIVISION

DOESN'T TEND TO INCLUDE ME IN HIS THINKING.

I'LL SEE YOU LATER.

COUNT ON IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS JUST THINKING?

WHAT'S THAT, ADMIRAL?

THIS IS DIFFERENT COFFEE THAN WE USUALLY HAVE.

KEEP YOUR SEATS.

Fitzwallace: GOOD MORNING, MR. PRESIDENT.

WHAT HAVE WE GOT?

THREE RETALIATORY STRIKE SCENARIOS.

ARE THEY OPERATIONAL? AT THE PRESIDENT'S COMMAND.

NO PREP TIME?

WE'RE THERE.

ALL THREE SCENARIOS MEET THE OBLIGATIONS

OF PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE

AND POSE MINIMUM RISK

TO AMERICAN PERSONNEL AND ASSETS.

SCENARIO ONE, OR PERICLES ONE

TO USE IT'S CODE NAME...

WHAT IS THE VIRTUE OF A PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE?

I'M SORRY?

WHAT IS THE VIRTUE OF A PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE?

WHY IS IT GOOD?

THEY HIT AN AIRPLANE--

WE HIT A TRANSMITTER.

RIGHT? THAT'S A PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE.

SIR, IN THE CASE OF PERICLES...

THEY HIT A BARRACKS, WE HIT TWO TRANSMITTERS.

THAT'S ROUGHLY IT, YES, SIR.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO.

I MEAN, THIS IS WHAT WE DO.

YES, SIR, IT'S WHAT WE DO.

IT'S WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE.

WELL, IF IT'S WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE

DON'T THEY KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT?

SIR, IF YOU WOULD TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO PERICLES ONE...

I HAVE TURNED MY ATTENTION TO PERICLES ONE.

IT'S TWO AMMO DUMPS, AN ABANDON RAILROAD BRIDGE

AND A SYRIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.

THOSE ARE FOUR HIGHLY RATED TARGETS, SIR.

BUT THEY KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

THEY KNOW WE'RE GOING DO THAT.

THOSE AREAS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED

FOR THREE DAYS NOW.

WE KNOW THAT FROM THE SATELLITE.

WE HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE... SIR...

THEY DID THAT, SO WE DID THIS.

IT'S THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

MR. PRESIDENT...

AM I RIGHT, OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE?

NO, SIR, YOU'RE RIGHT, SIR.

THEN I ASK AGAIN

WHAT IS THE VIRTUE OF A PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE?

IT ISN'T VIRTUOUS, MR. PRESIDENT.

IT'S... ALL THERE IS, SIR.

IT IS NOT ALL THERE IS.

SIR, ADMIRAL FITZWALLACE... EXCUSE ME, LEO.

PARDON ME, MR. PRESIDENT, JUST WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

A DISPROPORTIONAL RESPONSE.

LET THE WORD RING FORTH

FROM THIS TIME AND THIS PLACE, GENTLEMEN--

YOU KILL AN AMERICAN, ANY AMERICAN

WE DON'T COME BACK WITH A PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE

WE COME BACK WITH TOTAL DISASTER!

MR. PRESIDENT, ARE YOU SUGGESTING

WE CARPET-BOMB DAMASCUS?

I AM SUGGESTING, GENERAL, THAT YOU AND ADMIRAL FITZWALLACE

AND SECRETARY HUTCHINSON AND THE REST OF THE NATIONAL

SECURITY TEAM TAKE THE NEXT 60 MINUTES AND PUT TOGETHER

AN AMERICAN RESPONSE SCENARIO THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME THINK

WE ARE JUST DOCKING SOMEBODY'S DAMN ALLOWANCE!

Josh: I HAVEN'T EATEN LUNCH YET.

IF ANYONE'S GOING...

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I WOULD LIKE SALAD, SOUP OF SOME KIND

AND IF YOU WERE TO RUN ACROSS

A SANDWICH, THEN HANG THE EXPENSE.

RIGHT.

AND I WOULD LIKE A BOTTLE OF WATER.

THIS IS CHARLES YOUNG.

I'M SUPPOSED TO VET YOU.

I-I BEG YOUR PARDON?

VET YOU. I'M SUPPOSED TO VET YOU, INVESTIGATE

TO DISCOVER IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS.

I'M JOSH LYMAN, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF.

HOW ARE YOU?

IS IT, UH... CHARLES?

CHARLIE.

CHARLIE, HAVE A SEAT IF YOU LIKE.

I DON'T MIND STANDING.

DONNA! WHAT?

NEVER MIND THE SALAD.

I'M NOT GOING TO EAT IT ANYWAY

BUT I WOULD LIKE A BOTTLE OF WATER

AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

FINE.

SO HAVE A SEAT.

I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS.

IT'S A VERY SENSITIVE JOB.

IT'S ALSO A VERY HARD JOB.

20-HOUR DAYS AREN'T UNCOMMON.

LONG TRIPS AT THE LAST MINUTE.

A LOT OF WAIT AND HURRY UP.

MOREOVER, THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE

TO MAKE YOURSELF INVISIBLE IN PLAIN SIGHT, AS WELL AS

AN UNDENIABLE FORCE IN FRONT OF THOSE

WHO WANT MORE TIME THAN WE WANT TO GIVE.

SOMETIMES THE PEOPLE I'M TALKING ABOUT

WILL BE KINGS AND PRIME MINISTERS.

YOU UNDERSTAND SO FAR?

UH, SIR, I'M SORRY, BUT I THINK

THERE'S BEEN SOME KIND OF MISTAKE.

REALLY.

SEE, I CAME HERE, I FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION FOR...

YEAH, I HAVE YOUR PAPERWORK.

RIGHT. SEE, I CAME HERE.

I WAS LOOKING FOR A JOB AS A MESSENGER.

YES.

I HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH MISS DiLAGUARDIA

AND SHE TOLD ME TO WAIT.

YES.

AND THEN SHE TOLD ME TO COME HERE.

WE ASKED MISS DiLAGUARDIA TO KEEP AN EYE OUT.

SHE'S RECOMMENDING YOU FOR A DIFFERENT JOB.

SIR, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING...

PERSONAL AIDE TO THE PRESIDENT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CALL ME "SIR."

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

A PERSONAL AIDE TO THE PRESIDENT.

TRADITIONALLY A YOUNG GUY

20, 25 YEARS OLD, EXCELS ACADEMICALLY.

STRONG ON PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCRETION.

PRESENTABLE APPEARANCE.

BUT, SIR...

WE OBVIOUSLY GET QUITE A FEW CANDIDATES

WHO MEET THOSE QUALIFICATIONS

SO THE REST IS JUST GUT INSTINCT.

OR YOU COULD BRIBE ME.

SIR, I, UH...

SERIOUSLY, CHARLIE.

WE CALL THE PRESIDENT "SIR."

EVERYONE ELSE IS, "HEY, WHEN AM I

GOING TO GET THAT THING I ASKED FOR?"

YOUR WATER.

THERE'S BEEN A MISTAKE.

I'LL SAY. DONNA!

I SHOULD GO.

"INSUCCESSFUL"?

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE UP OUR OWN WORDS.

OH, AND LIKE THERE'S NO CHANCE IT'S A TYPO?

CHANGE IT, WOULD YOU? SERIOUS PEOPLE ARE

GOING TO READ THAT.

CHARLIE, YOU'RE STANDING AGAIN.

WELL, SEE, I CAME HERE FOR A MESSENGER JOB.

WHY AREN'T YOU IN COLLEGE?

WELL...

YOU KNOW, THESE TRANSCRIPTS--

YOUR GRADES ARE BETTER THAN MINE.

MR. LYMAN...

WELL, NOT REALLY, BUT THEY'RE CLOSE.

IT WAS AN EASY SCHOOL.

NO, COME ON, I-I'M LOOKING

AT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM GUIDANCE COUNSELORS.

I'M LOOKING AT A.C.T. SCORES.

YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE?

WELL, I-I HAVE A LITTLE SISTER AT HOME.

YOU TAKE CARE OF HER?

YES, SIR.

YOUR PARENTS ARE GONE?

MY MOM, SHE'S A POLICE OFFICER.

SHE WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON DUTY A FEW MONTHS AGO.

FIVE MONTHS AGO.

KEEP YOUR SEATS.

THERE'S A DELEGATION OF CARDIOLOGISTS

HAVING THEIR PICTURES TAKEN IN THE BLUE ROOM.

YOU WOULDN'T THINK YOU COULD FIND A GROUP OF PEOPLE

MORE ARROGANT THAN THE 15 OF US

BUT THERE THEY ARE, RIGHT UPSTAIRS IN THE BLUE ROOM.

YOU CALLED ME?

YES, SIR.

MR. PRESIDENT, WE'VE PUT TOGETHER

A SCENARIO BY WHICH WE ATTACK HASSAN AIRPORT.

THERE'S THREE MAIN TERMINALS AND TWO RUNWAYS.

IN ADDITION TO THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES

WHICH COULD REGISTER IN THE THOUSANDS

THE STRIKE WOULD TEMPORARILY CRIPPLE

THE REGION'S ABILITY TO RECEIVE

MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND BOTTLED WATER.

NOW, I THINK MR. CASHMAN AND SECRETARY HUTCHINSON

WOULD EACH TELL YOU WHAT I'M SURE YOU ALREADY KNOW, SIR

THAT THIS STRIKE WOULD BE SEEN

BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD

AS A STAGGERING OVERREACTION

BY A FIRST-TIME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

AND WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR ALLIES

WITHOUT A WESTERN COALITION

WITHOUT GREAT BRITAIN AND JAPAN

AND WITHOUT CONGRESS

YOU'LL HAVE DOLED OUT

OVER $5,000 WORTH OF PUNISHMENT

FOR A 50-BUCK CRIME, SIR.

MR. PRESIDENT

A PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE

DOESN'T EMPTY THE OPTIONS BOX FOR THE FUTURE

THE WAY AN ALL-OUT ASSAULT WOULD...

( clearing throat )

DOES, UH, ANYONE HAVE A CIGARETTE?

THIS OTHER PLAN.

PERICLES ONE, SIR.

PERICLES ONE, YES.

NO CIVILIAN CASUALTIES?

WE CAN'T PROMISE THAT, SIR.

BUT YOU'RE AS CERTAIN AS YOU CAN BE?

YES, SIR.

AND WHAT ARE THE MILITARY IMPLICATIONS?

WE'LL CRIPPLE BOTH THEIR INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

AND THEIR SURFACE-TO-AIR STRIKE CAPABILITY.

VERY WELL.

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

YOU GIVE ME THE GO ORDER, SIR.

( sighs )

MR. PRESIDENT.

THIS IS FITZWALLACE.

I HAVE A GO ORDER FROM THE PRESIDENT.

START THE CLOCK ON PERICLES ONE.

STANDBY FOR CONFIRMATION CODE.

WE'RE UNDERWAY.

WELL DONE, MR. PRESIDENT.

50-BUCK CRIME?

I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL WE'RE DOING HERE.

CHARLIE, I'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU HERE

FROM THE COUNSEL'S OFFICE

AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL SECURITY.

THESE QUESTIONS ARE ROUTINE.

THERE'S NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT?

IS IT BECAUSE THE MESSENGER JOB IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE?

BECAUSE MAYBE IF I CAME BACK AT A DIFFERENT TIME...

CHARLIE, THIS JOB'S ACTUALLY BETTER

THAN THE MESSENGER JOB.

IT PAYS MORE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIDE

AROUND TOWN ON A BICYCLE

AND INSTEAD OF BEING A MESSENGER, YOU GET TO BE

PERSONAL AIDE TO THE PRESIDENT.

I SEE, SO MAYBE IF I COME BACK...

HEY, SAM.

THIS IS SAM SEABORN

DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

THIS IS CHARLIE YOUNG.

HE'S HERE FOR TED'S JOB.

IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU.

UM... I WAS HERE FOR THE MESSENGER JOB.

DEBBIE'S GOT AN EYE FOR PERSONNEL.

I'VE GOT A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND MY OWN BIKE, SO...

I GOT MORE QUESTIONS.

EVER TRIED TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT?

NO, SIR.

WHAT THE HELL'S BEEN STOPPING YOU?

SERIOUSLY, CHARLIE.

I GOT TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE.

NO, YOU DON'T.

YES, I DO.

WHY?

BECAUSE I DO.

CHARLIE, ARE YOU GOING TO COME TO WORK EARLY, STAY LATE

DO YOUR JOB EFFICIENTLY AND DISCRETELY?

WELL, AS I WAS SAYING TO MR. LYMAN...

THANK YOU.

WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

CHARLIE, I WONDER IF YOU COULD TELL ME

ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL LIFE?

YOUR FRIENDS, WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO.

I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU.

SAM.

WELL, TH-THERE'S MY SISTER, DEANNA, AND, UM...

I-I'M SORRY, I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.

HE'S ASKING IF YOU'RE GAY, CHARLIE

AND I WOULDN'T ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION.

ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT, LET'S TAKE A WALK.

FEEL FREE TO SUE OUR ASSES OFF.

I'LL REPRESENT YOU, IF YOU LIKE.

LET'S GO.

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

IT'S NOT ALL THAT RIDICULOUS.

I KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU DIDN'T KNOW

YOU WERE GOING TO BE HELD

TO A HIGHER STANDARD WHEN YOU TOOK THIS JOB.

I DON'T MIND BEING HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

I MIND BEING HELD TO A LOWER ONE.

SAM, DIGGING YOUR HEELS IN ON THIS...

LOOK WHO'S TALKING.

DIGGING MY HEELS IN?

ANOTHER WORD FOR THAT

WOULD BE "PRINCIPLED," RIGHT?

LEO'S OFFICE.

WHAT?

IT'S HAPPENING.

HE'S RIGHT HERE.

IT'S HAPPENING?

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.

THE ORDER WAS GIVEN AT 1627, CODE NAME-- PERICLES ONE.

FOUR TARGETS, ALL MILITARY.

TWO MUNITIONS DUMPS IN NORTHERN RASHAN

SAFFIAN BRIDGE AND I.H.Q.

WHAT'S THE ESTIMATED TIME?

ABOUT 6:30 EASTERN.

YOU CAN COME TO THE SIT ROOM IN 20 MINUTES

FOR A WEAPONS BRIEFING.

IN THE MEANTIME, TOBY, SAM

THE PRESIDENT WILL GO ON NETWORK AT 9:00.

SO START ZEROING IN.

HEY, GUYS, NO PHONE CALLS IN OR OUT.

AND C.J.

NOTHING TO THE PRESS

TILL YOU GET THE HIGH SIGN FROM ME.

THEY'LL WONDER WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT.

THEN LET'S NOT HAVE ANY FUSS.

I COULD USE A FEW MINUTES WITH THE PRESIDENT AT SOME POINT.

YOU AND ME BOTH.

I'M NOT KIDDING, LEO. THIS IS THE FIRST...

HE'LL BE THERE.

YOU'LL TALK TO ME?

YES.

HOW YOU DOING?

FINE.

LEO, TOBY SAYS HE'S SNAPPING AT THE FIRST LADY.

NOT NOW, JOSH, OKAY?

I MEAN, YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT NOT NOW.

MARGARET.

HEY, LEO, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

WHAT?

I'M INTERVIEWING THIS KID FOR TED MILLER'S JOB

AND HE'S A REAL SPECIAL KID.

HE'S APPLIED HIMSELF IN SCHOOL.

I'M SURE HE'D BE ARTICULATE IF HE WEREN'T TERRIFIED.

HE'S POSTPONING COLLEGE

TILL HIS SISTER GETS OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?

FATHER'S LONG GONE.

HIS MOTHER WAS A UNIFORM COP HERE IN D.C.

WAS?

SHE WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE LINE FIVE MONTHS AGO.

I REALLY LIKE HIM, LEO.

I WANT TO HIRE HIM.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

HE'S BLACK.

SO IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS.

THEY DON'T HOLD THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE PRESIDENT.

I'M NOT WILD ABOUT THE VISUAL.

A YOUNG BLACK MAN HOLDING HIS OVERNIGHT BAG.

JOSH, I HOLD THE DOOR

OPEN FOR THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S AN HONOR.

THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, THIS ISN'T CASTING.

WE GET THE GUY FOR THE JOB

AND WE TAKE IT FROM THERE.

GOOD.

AND I'M FAIRLY SURE I'M RIGHT ABOUT THIS.

YEAH, GOOD.

TWO HOURS.

A LITTLE LESS.

LEO.

YES?

CHAIRMAN FITZWALLACE.

SEND HIM IN.

WE'LL BE FINE.

YEAH.

OH, THINGS HAVE MOVED

SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THIS OFFICE LAST.

HOW ARE YOU, ADMIRAL?

JOSH LYMAN.

JOSH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

TOUGH DAY.

Fitzwallace: IT'LL BE A LOT TOUGHER

ON THEM THEN ON US.

GOOD.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SET HIM DOWN, LEO.

I KNOW.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE

TO TALK TO THE COUNTRY A LITTLE BIT.

THIS IS NOT THE LAST ONE OF THESE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO.

BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SET HIM DOWN.

ANY ADVICE?

OH, IT'S NOT MY PLACE.

YEAH, IT IS.

TELL HIM IT'S ALWAYS LIKE THIS THE FIRST TIME.

TELL HIM HE'S DOING FINE.

HE'S NOT DOING FINE.

YEAH, HE IS.

PRESIDENTS DON'T MAKE NEW FRIENDS.

THAT'S WHY THEY'VE GOT TO HANG ONTO THEIR OLD ONES.

YOU'LL KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

YEAH.

OH, HEY, FITZ?

THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL AIDE.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT A KID.

YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH A YOUNG BLACK MAN

WAITING ON THE PRESIDENT?

I'M AN OLD BLACK MAN AND I WAIT ON THE PRESIDENT.

THE KID'S GOT TO CARRY HIS BAGS AND...

YOU GOING TO PAY HIM A DECENT WAGE?

YEAH.

TREAT HIM WITH RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE?

YEAH.

THEN WHY SHOULD I CARE?

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

I GOT SOME REAL HONEST-TO-GOD BATTLES TO FIGHT.

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THE COSMETIC ONES.

THANKS, ADMIRAL.

GOOD LUCK.

SEE YOU LATER.

EVENING, TOBY.

EVENING, SIR. SORRY I CAN'T STOP.

GO.

ESTIMATED B.D.A.?

IT'S MY FIRST BOMBING, I DON'T KNOW YET.

TOBY, YOU NEED HELP?

NO.

SHEILA, IF YOU NEED ME FOR ANYTHING...

I'M STANDING HERE WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO.

Cathy: WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS.

I'M SORRY, TOBY'S NOT AVAILABLE

TO SPEAK ON THE PHONE AT THE MOMENT.

NO, SAM'S NOT AVAILABLE EITHER.

WHY IS NO ONE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ON THE PHONE?

THEY'RE PLANNING MY SURPRISE PARTY.

"UNPROVOKED AND COLD-BLOODED."

IT NEEDS A THIRD.

TOBY?

QUICKLY.

THE AGM-84E-SLAM.

CATHY, SAM CUT THE PARAGRAPH TEN MINUTES AGO.

COMING OUT ON THE RED-LINE.

THE 84E-SLAM?

"STAND-OFF LAND ATTACK MISSILE."

DISTINGUISH IT FROM THE AGM-84D, OR HARPOON

WHICH IS AN ANTI-SHIP MISSILE.

THANK YOU.

"UNWARRANTED, UNPROVOKED."

YES, AND "COLD-BLOODED."

"UNWARRANTED..." "UNPROVOKED..."

AND "COLD-BLOODED."

WHERE ARE YOU...? TWO SECONDS.

JUST TWO SECONDS.

C.J.

LISTEN...

WHAT?

I'M SORRY ABOUT BEFORE.

YEAH.

I'M JUST REALLY VERY FOND OF HER IS ALL.

GO BACK TO WORK.

RIGHT.

Man: C.J., WHAT'S ALL THE ACTIVITY.

WHAT ACTIVITY?

FITZWALLACE WAS IN LEO'S OFFICE.

ADMIRAL FITZWALLACE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS.

LEO McGARRY IS WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF.

I'M YOUR HOST C.J. LET'S PLAY OUR GAME.

IS IT HAPPENING?

NO.

WHY ALL THE ACTIVITY?

MENUDO'S IN THE BUILDING.

C.J.

I HONESTLY THINK YOU OF ALL PEOPLE...

WE NEED TO TALK.

I HAVEN'T CALLED A FULL LID.

THERE'LL BE A BRIEFING

IF THE PRESIDENT HAS ENGAGED THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE.

THANKS. SINCE I'VE ONLY BEEN A WHITE HOUSE REPORTER

FOR SEVEN YEARS I APPRECIATE YOUR CLEARING THAT UP.

WHAT?

NOT FOR NOTHING, BUT I KNOW SAM SEABORN'S BEEN GOING AROUND

WITH A $3,000- A-NIGHT CALL GIRL

AND I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT I KNOW.

ASK ME INSIDE, C.J.

INSIDE.

WHERE'S CHARLIE?

HE'S FILLING OUT HIS EMPLOYMENT STUFF AT PERSONNEL.

HOW'S HE DOING?

HE LOOKED PRETTY FREAKED.

HE'S A GAMER. I CAN PICK 'EM.

IF YOU SAY SO.

I HAVE NOTHING TO DO.

I CAN SEE.

WHOA.

EXCUSE ME.

EVERYONE RUNNING AROUND

LIKE THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD DEPENDS ON IT

WHICH I SUPPOSE IT DOES.

EVERYONE RUNNING AROUND, WORKING.

ME, I GOT NOTHING TO DO.

YES.

LIKE A WRITER ON A MOVIE SET.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A MOVIE SET?

NO, BUT I HEAR STORIES.

YOU WANT TO DO MAIL?

AT LEAST THERE'S SOME COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT

WHATEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY HAS ALREADY HAPPENED.

JOSH, YOUR OFFICE SUCKS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

WHY CAN'T YOU TELL ME

THAT THERE IS A PERSON IN MY OFFICE?

HEY, THE FIRST TIME, I DIDN'T KNOW.

THE SECOND TIME, I DIDN'T CARE THAT MUCH.

I MEAN IT, IT'S A HOLE.

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

I START WORK NEXT WEEK.

I CAME TO GET PSYCHED.

YOU PICKED A REALLY BAD TIME TO GET PSYCHED.

BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT GAVE THE ATTACK ORDER

AND YOU'RE GETTING READY TO GO ON THE AIR?

NO, IT'S BECAUSE...

PLEASE, JOSH, EVERYONE'S RUNNING AROUND

LOOKING CASUAL.

TOBY AND SAM ARE LOCKED IN WITH THE SPEECH WRITERS.

YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO.

WHAT IS IT, AN I.H.Q.?

A COUPLE OF ARMORIES?

YOU WANT TO SAY IT A LITTLE LOUDER, MANDY?

I DON'T THINK SYRIAN AIR DEFENSE COMMAND HEARD YOU.

I BROUGHT YOU A PRESENT.

WHY ARE YOU BEING NICE TO ME?

BECAUSE I'M PSYCHED TO GET STARTED WITH WORK.

IT'S BEEN PRETTY BAD AROUND HERE SINCE IT HAPPENED.

I HAD A HUNCH.

A COMBINATION OF AMERICAN LIVES AND MORRIS.

THE IDEA OF USING ANY FORCE AT ALL.

HE ALWAYS SAID HE'D BE IN HIS HEAD.

HE WASN'T READY FOR IT.

HOW DO YOU GET READY FOR IT?

WHAT'D YOU BRING ME?

WHAT?

I WANT MY PRESENT.

YEAH.

IT'S A PICTURE I FOUND.

A PICTURE OF YOU AND ME...

AND SOMEONE'S DRAWN ALL OVER MY FACE WITH A MAGIC MARKER.

THAT WAS ME.

AH.

DURING MY PERIOD OF HATING YOU.

THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY MUCH ANYTIME.

SURE.

THIS WAS TAKEN THEN NIGHT WE MET.

AT THAT SEAFOOD PLACE BY THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.

LOOK AT THAT.

YOU COULDN'T STOP STARING AT ME.

YOU WERE WEARING QUITE THE ENSEMBLE.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS THE WARDROBE YOU WERE

LOOKING AT THERE, LUCKY.

YOU GUYS ARE DOING OKAY, JOSH.

( phone ringing )

YEAH.

YEAH.

THEY FOUND A JOB FOR ME.

WELL, I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

LISTEN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE THIS NICE TO ME

WHEN WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER, RIGHT?

NOT A CHANCE.

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

HEY, WHAT'S UP?

Danny: I MEAN, I OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOR A STORY

BUT AS A COURTESY TO YOU, C.J.

I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO BE ASKING AROUND.

DANNY, IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

DOESN'T LOOK THAT WAY.

IT IS THAT WAY

I JUST GOT THROUGH TELLING YOU THAT.

C.J.

SAM KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG.

WOULD IT MAKE MY LIFE EASIER

IF HE WASN'T FRIENDS WITH THIS WOMAN? ABSOLUTELY.

BUT SAM IS A GROWN-UP.

I DON'T GET TO CHOOSE HIS FRIENDS

AND YOUR READERS DON'T GET TO JUDGE THEM.

AND THERE'S SOMETHING COMMENDABLE

ABOUT SAM'S BEHAVIOR HERE.

DON'T ASK ME WHAT, BUT THERE IS.

I'M STICKING BY HIM TILL THE PRESIDENT ORDERS ME OTHERWISE.

I'LL LOOK VERY UNFAVORABLY ON THOSE WHO SEEK ONLY TO

TO MAKE US LOOK LIKE FOOLS. DOWN, GIRL.

I'LL DROP IT.

GOOD. THANK YOU.

BUT C.J., YOU'D BETTER GET DEE'D UP HERE.

'CAUSE NOT EVERYBODY'S A GOOD GUY.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO START TO GET TRACTION ON SOMETHING

WHICH MAYBE SOMEBODY ELSE ISN'T SUCH A FAN OF

AND THEY'RE GOING TO PUT A TAIL ON SEABORN

IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.

REMEMBER, I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SOMEHOW...

I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU'D TELL ME...

NO WAY.

THEY'LL KEEP IT IN THEIR POCKET

TILL THE EVE OF SOMETHING BIG.

BILL SIGNING, STATE OF THE UNION, MAYBE THE CONVENTION.

I'M ON IT.

( phone ringing )

YEAH?

I'LL WAIT FOR HIM.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU

A TEN MINUTE HEAD START ON SOMETHING.

WHAT FOR?

BEING A GOOD GUY.

WHAT'S THE TIP?

YEAH. THANK YOU.

WE'RE OUT OF SYRIAN AIRSPACE.

THIS USED TO BE THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL'S OFFICE

TILL TOBY AND THE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF CONQUERED AND PILLAGED.

THE MAP ROOM, ROOSEVELT ROOM

OVAL OFFICE, CHIEF OF STAFF.

THE ONLY THING LEFT TO DO IS SAY HELLO TO THE PRESIDENT.

WE'RE GOING ON THE AIR IN A FEW MINUTES

WITH A NATIONAL ADDRESS, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH...

WHERE THE HELL DID HE GO?

CHARLIE.

WHAT HAPPENED TO PARAGRAPH NINE?

IN THE RED-LINE.

I'M SORRY, PARAGRAPH EIGHT.

WE CUT THAT A HALF AN HOUR AGO.

FRANCE WILL READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

Toby: HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE NEW PARAGRAPH?

Bartlet: I CAN'T LOOK AT ANYTHING, FELLAS.

MRS. LANDINGHAM, I NEED MY GLASSES.

SIR, SHE'S TALKING TO THE PORTERS RIGHT NOW.

WHEN DO WE GET THE B.D.A.?

THERE'S A PROBLEM.

WHY?

WE GET HELP WITH INFORMATION

FROM SOURCES INSIDE THE SYRIAN INTELLIGENCE...

Bartlet: SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

WE JUST BLEW UP THE SYRIAN INTELLIGENCE...

WILL SOMEBODY GET ON THE PHONE TO CNN

AND FIND OUT IF WE HIT ANYTHING?!

MR. PRESIDENT.

IT'S THE B.D.A., SIR.

THANK YOU.

NOW IF I ONLY HAD MY GLASSES.

THE PORTERS HAVE SEARCHED YOUR BEDROOM.

THIS HAS BEEN SINCE THIS MORNING.

WE COULD HAVE BROUGHT IN AN OPTOMETRIST.

AN OPTOMETRIST CAN'T FOLD HIS EQUIPMENT INTO A BRIEFCASE.

Bartlet: I DON'T NEED AN OPTOMETRIST NOW, THANK YOU, NANCY.

I JUST NEED THE GLASSES HE PRESCRIBED.

IF YOU'LL TAKE A MINUTE

TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PHOENIX...

I GOT THE BRIEFING ON THE PHOENIX.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE SIDEWINDER.

THE PHOENIX!

I GOT THE BRIEFING ON THE PHOENIX LAST NIGHT.

I STUDIED THE REPORT.

HUTCHINSON WAS THERE.

THE PHOENIX, THE A-61, THE SPARROW AND THE SIDEWINDER.

ARE WE COVERED?

C.J.: YES, SIR.

Man: TEN MINUTES TO AIR.

FOR WANT OF A PAIR OF GLASSES.

TELL HIM.

WE'RE LOOKING. SHE'S LOOKING.

THANK YOU.

IN THE MEANTIME, CAN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW PARA...

OH, CRAP, I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING.

CHARLIE, TELL HIM.

MR. PRESIDENT...

YOU SAID YOU READ THE PHOENIX REPORT IN...

WHAT?

YOU SAID YOU READ THE PHOENIX REPORT

IN YOUR PRIVATE STUDY LAST NIGHT, SIR.

WHAT OF IT? WHO IS THIS?

HAVE A STEWARD GO TO THE PRESIDENT'S STUDY.

HAVE HIM LOOK UNDER THE PAPERS ON THE COFFEE TABLE.

MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS CHARLES YOUNG...

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR NEW PEOPLE NOW.

ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT.

EXCUSE ME, MR. PRESIDENT.

A MINUTE, PLEASE?

LEO...

WHAT DO YOU NEED, LEO?

WELL, YOU'VE GONE THROUGH EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR YOU

AND EVERYONE WHO'S MARRIED TO YOU.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHO ELSE YOU COULD GET MAD AT

SO I WAS AFRAID THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MIGHT BE NEXT.

OH, BY THE WAY, WHEN WE'RE DONE HERE

YOU'RE SENDING ABBEY SOME FLOWERS.

( sighs )

DID YOU KNOW THAT 2,000 YEARS AGO

A ROMAN CITIZEN COULD WALK

ACROSS THE FACE OF THE KNOWN WORLD

FREE OF THE FEAR OF MOLESTATION?

HE COULD WALK ACROSS THE EARTH UNHARMED

CLOAKED ONLY IN THE PROTECTION OF THE WORDS: "CIVIS ROMANUS"--

"I AM A ROMAN CITIZEN."

SO GREAT WAS THE RETRIBUTION OF ROME UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD

AS CERTAIN, SHOULD ANY HARM BEFALL EVEN ONE OF ITS CITIZENS.

WHERE WAS MORRIS'S PROTECTION?

OR ANYBODY ELSE ON THAT AIRPLANE?

WHERE IS THE RETRIBUTION FOR THEIR FAMILIES?

AND WHERE IS THE WARNING TO THE REST OF THE WORLD

THAT AMERICANS SHALL WALK THIS EARTH UNHARMED

LEST THE CLENCHED FIST OF THE MOST MIGHTY MILITARY FORCE

IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND

COMES CRASHING DOWN ON YOUR HOUSE!

IN OTHER WORDS, LEO, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DOING HERE?!

WE ARE BEHAVING THE WAY A SUPERPOWER OUGHT TO BEHAVE.

OUR BEHAVIOR HAS PRODUCED SOME CRAPPY RESULTS.

IN FACT, I'M NOT 100% SURE IT HASN'T INDUCED IT.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I'M TALKING ABOUT 286 AMERICAN MARINES IN BEIRUT.

I'M TALKING ABOUT SOMALIA.

I'M TALKING ABOUT NAIROBI.

AND YOU THINK RACHTETING UP THE BODY COUNT

IS GOING TO ACT AS A DETERRENT?

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I DO.

THEN YOU ARE JUST AS STUPID AS THESE GUYS WHO THINK

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS GOING TO BE A DETERRENT FOR DRUG KINGPINS

AS IF DRUG KINGPINS DIDN'T LIVE THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES

UNDER THE POSSIBILITY OF EXECUTION.

AND THEIR EXECUTIONS ARE A LOT LESS DAINTY THAN OURS

AND TEND TO TAKE PLACE

WITHOUT THE BOTHER AND EXPENSE OF DUE PROCESS.

SO, MY FRIEND, IF YOU WANT

TO START USING AMERICAN MILITARY STRENGTH

AS THE ARM OF THE LORD...

YOU CAN DO THAT.

WE'RE THE ONLY SUPERPOWER LEFT.

YOU CAN CONQUER THE WORLD LIKE CHARLEMAGNE

BUT YOU'D BETTER BE PREPARED TO KILL EVERYONE

AND YOU'D BETTER START WITH ME

'CAUSE I WILL RAISE UP AN ARMY AGAINST YOU

AND I WILL BEAT YOU.

HE HAD A TEN-DAY-OLD BABY AT HOME.

I KNOW.

WE ARE DOING NOTHING.

WE ARE NOT DOING NOTHING.

WE'RE DESTROYING...

FOUR HIGH-RATED MILITARY TARGETS.

AND THIS IS GOOD?

OF COURSE, IT'S NOT GOOD.

THERE IS NO GOOD.

IT'S WHAT THERE IS.

IT'S HOW YOU BEHAVE IF YOU'RE THE MOST

POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD.

IT'S PROPORTIONAL. IT'S REASONABLE.

IT'S RESPONSIBLE. IT'S MERCIFUL!

IT'S NOT NOTHING.

FOUR HIGH-RATED MILITARY TARGETS.

WHICH THEY'LL REBUILD AGAIN IN SIX MONTHS.

THEN WE'LL BLOW THEM UP AGAIN IN SIX MONTHS!

WE'RE GETTING REALLY GOOD AT IT.

( sighs )

IT'S WHAT OUR FATHERS TAUGHT US.

WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO?

WHEN I THINK OF ALL THE WORK

YOU PUT INTO GETTING ME TO RUN

AND WHEN I THINK OF ALL THE WORK

YOU DID TO GET ME ELECTED

I COULD PUMMEL YOUR ASS WITH A BASEBALL BAT.

( chuckling )

( laughing harder )

OH. HERE'S ONE YOU'LL LIKE--

BERTRAM COLES.

I LIKE ANYTHING THAT STARTS WITH BERTRAM COLES.

LET'S HAVE IT.

COLES GOES ON THE RADIO YESTERDAY

AND HE SAYS PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT LOVE AMERICA

AND YOU'D BETTER NOT COME DOWN THERE

'CAUSE YOU MIGHT NOT GET OUT ALIVE.

BERT'S CALLING ME OUT?

APPARENTLY, THE PEOPLE

IN BERT'S DISTRICT ARE SO PATRIOTIC

THAT IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HIMSELF

WERE TO SHOW UP, THEY'D KILL HIM.

( both cracking up )

ZIEGLER MUST BE BALLISTIC.

TOBY IS ON IT.

OH, BY THE WAY, WHO WAS THAT KID BEFORE?

THE ONE WHO FIGURED OUT WHERE MY GLASSES WERE?

WELL, IF YOU WANT HIM, THAT'S YOUR NEW BODY MAN.

WHAT'S HIS STORY?

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON IN THERE?

I DON'T KNOW.

HEY, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A STORY GOING AROUND

THAT HAS THE SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATING BERTRAM COLES

FOR THREATENING THE LIFE OF THE PRESIDENT?

NO.

MAGGIE GREENWALD IS QUOTING YOU AS SAYING

"THE SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATES ALL THREATS

"MADE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT

AND IT'S WHITE HOUSE POLICY NOT TO COMMENT."

YEAH.

DID YOU SAY THAT?

YEAH.

HEY, YOU DON'T SUPPOSE

THAT'S HOW THE STORY GOT STARTED, DO YOU?

YOU KNOW WHAT, C.J.?

YOU TELL BERT COLES THAT TOBY ZIEGLER SAID

THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN.

THIS WAS JUST, I THINK, A BAD DAY.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU

HE'S ORDINARILY AN EXTREMELY KIND MAN

PLACING A VERY HIGH PREMIUM ON CIVILITY.

TODAY... SURE.

IT'S JUST BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT FEW DAYS FOR HIM.

I THINK I SHOULD PROBABLY GO.

EXCUSE ME, CHARLIE.

CAN I SEE YOU INSIDE, PLEASE?

COME ON, IT'S OKAY.

I'M JED BARTLET.

I'M CHARLES YOUNG.

BUT YOU PREFER "CHARLIE," RIGHT?

LISTEN, LEO McGARRY FILLED ME IN

ON THE SITUATION WITH YOUR MOTHER.

I'M SO VERY SORRY.

I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND, BUT I TOOK THE LIBERTY

OF CALLING TOM CONNOLLY, THE FBI DIRECTOR.

WE HAD THE COMPUTER SPIT OUT SOME QUICK INFORMATION.

YOUR MOTHER WAS KILLED

BY A WESTING .38 REVOLVER FIRING KTW's

OR WHAT ARE KNOWN AS "COP KILLER" BULLETS.

NOW, WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS YET

IN BANNING THAT WEAPON AND THOSE BULLETS OFF THE STREETS

BUT WE'RE PLANNING ON TAKING A BIG WHACK AT IT

WHEN CONGRESS COMES BACK FROM RECESS.

SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

YOU WANT TO COME HELP US OUT?

YES, SIR, I DO.

THANKS, CHARLIE.

( clears throat )

30 SECONDS, PLEASE.

ALL SET?

YOU TELL ME.

IT'S A PRETTY UGLY TIE.

MY GRANDDAUGHTER GAVE ME THIS TIE.

MY NEPHEW GAVE ME AN ASHTRAY HE MADE AT SUMMER CAMP. GET AWAY FROM ME.

THROW THIS GUY OUT OF THE BUILDING!

STAND BY.

After the President's address, as I say, we'll take you back

to Steve Alvarado with the Pentagon

and Alison Cutler on Capitol Hill.

I'VE NEVER FELT LIKE THIS BEFORE.

IT DOESN'T GO AWAY.

Here now, the President.

My fellow Americans, good evening.

A short while ago, I ordered our armed forces

to attack and destroy four military targets

IN NORTHERN SYRIA.

THIS IN RESPONSE TO THE UNWARRANTED, UNPROVOKED

AND COLD-BLOODED DOWNING THREE DAYS AGO

OF AN UNARMED AIR FORCE JET CARRYING 58 PASSENGERS