Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY ON THE WEST WING:

HEY. SO, CHARLIE

YOU EVER GET A NIGHT OFF?

NO, ACTUALLY.

NO, I MEANT 'CAUSE IT'D BE COOL TO GO OUT OR SOMETHING.

SHE ASKED YOU OUT?

YES, SIR.

I SHOULD HAVE LOCKED HER

IN THE DUNGEON.

ARE YOU THE JACKASS CHOKING OFF FUNDING

FOR THE O'DWYER CAMPAIGN IN THE CALIFORNIA 46th?

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS HAPPENING?

YOU IDIOT! I'M JOEY LUCAS!

WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU?

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE ME BEG.

I WAS ASKING YOU

TO BE THE VICE PRESIDENT.

I'M UPPING YOUR PROTECTION.

I'M STARTING COLLEGE IN A MONTH.

WELL, YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF FRIENDS

TO WALK YOU TO CLASS.

President: I DON'T LIKE PUTTING HIM IN THIS POSITION.

Leo: I KNOW.

I JUST DIDN'T WANT YOU TO THINK

I WAS GETTING ANY PLEASURE

FROM PUTTING HIM IN THIS POSITION.

HE KNEW THE VOTE WAS GOING TO BE TIGHT.

IT'S IRONIC.

YEAH.

I MEANT, IT'S IRONIC THAT IT ALL COMES DOWN

TO A VOTE ON THE ETHANOL TAX CREDIT.

YEAH. 50-50 TIE.

I UNDERSTAND THE IRONY.

ARE YOU BEING BRUSQUE WITH ME?

IT'S 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

I'M JUST SAYING YOU CAN'T BLAME ME.

IT'S WHAT YOU GET FROM HAVING

AN EVEN NUMBER OF SENATORS.

YEAH, YOU SHOULD BLAME THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S WHAT I USUALLY DO.

YEP.

RON, AM I GOING TO MEET HER

ON THE PLANE?

YES, SIR.

ZOEY'S GOT A NEW AGENT ON HER DETAIL.

I HEARD.

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE AGENTS?

I'VE SEEN 'EM. THEY GOT THE HAIR

AND THE BACKPACKS AND THE CLOTHES

WALKING AROUND CAMPUS STRAPPED WITH A .44 MAGNUM

WITH A WIRE IN THEIR EAR.

THEY REALLY BLEND IN, HUH?

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

WHEN IT'S YOUR KID, YOU DON'T WANT 'EM BLENDING IN.

YOU WANT 'EM WEARING A SIGN THAT SAYS

"I'M CARRYING A LOADED GUN AND THE SAFETY'S OFF."

CAN I SAY THIS ONE LAST TIME?

NO.

IF YOU GET TIRED...

LEO...

STAY AT THE HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT.

I WON'T GET TIRED.

YOU WON'T SLEEP ON THE PLANE.

YOU'LL BE RUNNING AROUND ALL DAY

AND YOU GOT THE FUND-RAISER AT NIGHT.

I WANT TO COME HOME AFTER THE FUND-RAISER.

THAT'S A FULL DAY AND NIGHT

PLUS ROUND TRIP, D.C. TO LOS ANGELES, IN 24 HOURS.

IT'S REALLY NO GOOD FOR YOU.

IT'LL BE FINE.

BE THAT WAY.

YOUR IMPERSONATION OF MY MOTHER

IS GETTING SHARPER AND SHARPER, YOU KNOW THAT?

THANK YOU.

( chuckles )

( jet engines whining )

Leo: HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT.

President: I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

C.J.! CHARLIE! MY FLYING COMPANIONS.

C.J.: GOOD MORNING, MR. PRESIDENT.

Charlie: GOOD MORNING, SIR.

EVERYBODY ON BOARD?

C.J.: YES, SIR.

PRESS IN A GOOD MOOD?

NO, MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULDN'T SAY THEY WERE.

WHY NOT?

WELL, THEY'RE NOT WILD ABOUT TAKING OFF

AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING, SIR.

IT'LL BE GREAT.

WE'LL RACE THE SUN TO THE PACIFIC HORIZON.

I'LL TELL 'EM THAT.

I'M SURE IT'LL PICK 'EM RIGHT UP.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

SAM, IT'S GOING TO BE 50-50 ON THE ETHANOL TAX CREDIT.

I CAN STILL MAKE A COUPLE CALLS.

MAKE ALL THE CALLS YOU WANT. IT'S GOING TO BE 50-50.

SIR, JOSH AND I WOULD LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY

TO TALK ABOUT THE AL KIEFER MEETING.

YOU TWO ARE SO FREAKED OUT ABOUT THIS AL KIEFER MEETING.

SIR... LISTEN TO HIM, JOSH.

YES, SIR.

YOU TWO WANT TO SEE THE BEST PART

ABOUT HAVING MY JOB?

COLONEL, THIS IS THE PRESIDENT.

I'M READY TO GO.

SPF-15?

I BROUGHT THE SPF-15 AND THE SPF-30.

HAVE YOU TRIED THE LANCOME HIGH-PROTECTION SUNSTICK

FOR FACE AND LIPS?

NO, DID YOU BRING IT?

PLUS THE ELIZABETH ARDEN MODERN SKIN CARE DAILY MOISTURIZER.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WE'LL BE IN CALIFORNIA FOR ONE DAY?

THERE'S TANNING TIME BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00.

AND WE HAVE SENSITIVE ALABASTER SKIN.

CAMERON'S GOING TO INTRODUCE A BILL TOMORROW MORNING.

GAYS IN THE MILITARY? YEP.

IT'S CAMERON. WHO CARES?

I HAVE A FEELING TED MARCUS MIGHT CARE.

HE'S NOT GOING TO KNOW. HE MIGHT.

YOU WERE FLYING ALL NIGHT, DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, YOU'LL GET BACK TO HIM.

YEAH.

PLUS IT'S CAMERON SO WHO CARES?

MARCUS IS GOING TO CARE.

Charlie: C.J.

YOU WANTED ME TO TELL YOU

WHEN HE HEADED FOR THE COCKPIT.

THANK YOU.

THIS MAN HAS GOT TO BE STOPPED.

HOW YOU DOING?

HEY.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING

TO BE ABLE TO BE AS ATTENTIVE

ON THIS TRIP AS YOU LIKE.

THAT' OKAY. YOU'RE WORKING.

WELL, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO LISTEN

TO SOME OF THE MANY LESSONS YOU'VE BEEN GIVING ME

ON HOW TO BE A BETTER BOYFRIEND

AND I KNOW THAT ATTENTIVENESS...

NO, THIS IS ONE OF THE TIMES WHEN IT'S OKAY.

OKAY.

IT'S HARD TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN THOSE TIMES AND THE OTHER TIMES.

I KNOW.

DOESN'T THAT SUCK FOR YOU?

A LITTLE BIT, YEAH.

DON'T BE NERVOUS.

YEAH.

( knocks )

President: COME ON IN.

MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS SPECIAL AGENT GINA TOSCANO.

HOW DO YOU DO?

HOW DO YOU DO, MR. PRESIDENT?

I'LL STEP OUT, SIR.

THANK YOU, RON.

I'M SORRY WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE

TO MEET BEFORE NOW.

YOU'VE BEEN WITH ZOEY'S DETAIL WHAT?

TWO WEEKS TODAY, SIR.

YOU WERE IN THE ARMY?

YES, SIR. HOW'D YOU GET THERE?

I WAS ARMY ROTC. AH. WHERE?

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

YOU'RE A MOUNTAINEER.

THAT'S WEST VIRGINIA, MR. PRESIDENT.

I'M A CAVALIER.

WITH A DEGREE IN?

CRIMINOLOGY, SIR.

SO YOU WERE COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT?

YES, SIR, WITH MILITARY POLICE.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I'M 27, SIR.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU TRAINED FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT?

A YEAR AND A HALF, SIR.

WHAT WERE YOU, THE FIRST ONE TO SIGN UP?

YES, SIR.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU KNOW ZOEY'S DATING

MY BODY MAN, CHARLIE YOUNG, RIGHT?

YES, SIR.

YOU KNOW ABOUT THE LETTERS?

OF COURSE, SIR.

ARE THEY WHITE SUPREMACISTS?

I CAN'T TELL YOU FOR SURE, MR. PRESIDENT.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING FAIRLY CLOSELY

WITH THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER'S DATABASE

YOU DON'T HAVE ARTIST SKETCHES

OR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES OR ANYTHING?

NOT MUCH OF EITHER ONE, MR. PRESIDENT, BUT I KNOW WHAT

I'M LOOKING FOR IN A CROWD

IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ME, SIR.

IT IS.

YES, SIR.

OKAY.

ZOEY'S 19 AND SHE WANTS TO BE A TEENAGER.

SHE WANTS A COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND I CAN'T BLAME HER.

I LOVED COLLEGE.

SO DID MY OTHER DAUGHTERS.

I WANT ZOEY TO BE COMFORTABLE

WITH HER PROTECTION.

I DON'T WANT HER TRYING TO GIVE YOU THE SLIP.

IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO TELL ME IF SHE'S CUTTING ENGLISH LIT.

IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO TELL ME IF SHE'S DYING HER HAIR BLUE

OR GOING TO A STRIP CLUB

OR WHATEVER SHE'S DOING WITH HER FRIENDS.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR JOB IS.

YES, SIR.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

GINA? YES, SIR?

IF SHE'S CUTTING ENGLISH LIT

I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

NO DEAL, MR. PRESIDENT.

OKAY.

( chuckles )

Leo: WE DIDN'T SAY IT ENOUGH.

Larry: WE AGREE.

Leo: ETHANOL ACCOUNTS FOR 20% OF IOWA'S CORN CROP.

Ed: WHICH DOESN'T MEAN A LOT OUTSIDE OF IOWA.

Larry: BUT STILL...

THE TAX CREDIT CREATED 16...

...16,000 NEW JOBS

THAT'S WHAT WE NEVER SAID ENOUGH.

WE AGREE. IS IT OVER?

SAM'S BEEN CALLING SENATORS FROM THE PLANE

FOR THE LAST HOUR AND A HALF.

THE NEXT TIME MY PHONE RINGS

IT'S GOING TO BE HIM TELLING ME IT'S OVER.

AT LEAST WE'RE GOING TO WIN.

YEAH.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, LEO.

YOU NEED TO SIGN THIS.

OKAY.

AND THIS.

OKAY.

WHERE IT SAYS YOUR NAME, LEO.

YOU'RE NOT THE BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER.

LOOK, I SAID I WAS SORRY.

I'M NOT UPSET.

I HAD TO STAY BEHIND FOR THIS.

OF COURSE.

THERE'LL BE OTHER TRIPS, MARGARET.

I KNOW.

THERE'LL BE OTHER TRIPS.

GOOD.

JUST NOT TO CALIFORNIA.

YES, TO CALIFORNIA. WHEN?

THEY GOT 54 ELECTORAL VOTES OUT THERE.

SOMETHING TELLS ME WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE STRANGERS.

( phone rings )

LEO McGARRY'S OFFICE.

IT'S SAM.

GET THE VICE PRESIDENT OVER HERE.

YEAH.

GUYS, EVERYBODY.

SORRY, BUT WE'RE LANDING IN A FEW MINUTES

AND I WANTED TO GO OVER THE ITINERARY.

AT THE MOMENT, WE'RE ON SCHEDULE.

THE PRESIDENT WILL BE GREETED AT THE AIRPORT

BY CONGRESSMAN HARK AND JANSEN

THE MAYOR AND VARIOUS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

IT'S PHOTOS ONLY.

NO FORMAL REMARKS.

WE'LL DEPART THE AIRPORT AT 6:20 FOR THE HOTEL

AT WHICH POINT I PREDICT

WE WILL NO LONGER BE ON SCHEDULE.

AT THE HOTEL, THE PRESIDENT WILL GET

HIS MORNING SECURITY BRIEFING

FOLLOWED BY TWO HOURS OF PERSONAL STAFF TIME.

AT 10:00 A.M., WE'LL LEAVE FOR ORANGE COUNTY

FOR A MEETING WITH CIVIC LEADERS

WHERE THE PRESIDENT WILL HEAR A DISCUSSION

ON THE CURRENT PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION

TO PROHIBIT THE BURNING OF THE FLAG.

AT 3:00 P.M. WE GO TO THE A.M.E. CHURCH IN SOUTH-CENTRAL

FOR A TOWN HALL MEETING ON SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

THAT TAKES US TO TONIGHT

AND THE EVENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.

THE FUND-RAISER AT THE HOME OF THEODORE MARCUS.

YOU'LL WEAR COATS AND TIES.

YOU WILL REMAIN OUTSIDE IN THE ROPED-OFF PRESS AREA

UNLESS YOU'VE GOT 50,000 BUCKS A COUPLE

TO GET A LOOK AT THE GOOD STUFF.

WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES

WHERE THE LOCAL TIME IS 5:40 A.M.

AND THE TEMPERATURE'S... OOH, A BALMY 73 DEGREES.

JOSH. YEAH?

NEED ANY HELP WITH YOUR LUGGAGE THERE?

NAH, YOU'RE FINE.

THERE WERE MESSAGES FOR YOU AT THE DESK.

I'VE SPENT HALF THE NIGHTS OF MY LIFE IN HOTEL ROOMS

AND I STILL CANNOT...

DAVE LEVY.

LATER. YOU SURE THIS ISN'T FOR YOUR ROOM?

IT'S FOR YOUR ROOM.

MANDY?

LATER. YOU SURE?

IT'S FOR YOUR ROOM.

THE DEPUTY WHIP.

LATER. YOU KNOW, THERE USED TO BE KEYS.

GIVE ME THAT.

YOU STUCK IT IN, YOU TURNED IT, YOU'RE...

I LOOSENED IT FOR YOU.

ROB DREYFUS FROM POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

LATER.

JOEY LUCAS.

REALLY?

YEAH.

SHE CALLED? YES.

SHE'S HERE? IN THIS HOTEL.

SHE'S HERE IN THIS HOTEL?

YES. SHE'S AT THE FUND-RAISER TONIGHT.

REALLY. YES.

YES.

REALLY?

YES.

WHY DID SHE CALL?

TO TELL YOU THAT SHE'S HERE AT THE HOTEL

AND SHE'S COMING TO THE FUND-RAISER TONIGHT.

REALLY? HMM. YES.

JOSH, YOU'VE GOT A CRUSH ON JOEY LUCAS

AND I THINK YOU SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

'CAUSE YOU'RE REALLY BOTHERING ME.

THAT'S SOMETHING I CARE A LOT ABOUT.

YOU SHOULD CALL HER.

I DON'T HAVE A CRUSH.

CALL HER RIGHT NOW.

I'LL SEE HER TONIGHT.

"GATHER YE ROSEBUDS WHILE YE MAY," JOSH.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS TIME TO GATHER ROSEBUDS

'CAUSE LATER ON YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO.

INTERPRETING THE CLASSICS

WITH POET LAUREATE DONNATELLA MOSS.

I'M JUST SAYING CALL HER OR STOP BUGGING ME.

LET'S CALL HER.

REALLY?

YEAH. LET'S DO IT.

CALL HER AND THEN WE'LL DO EVERYBODY ELSE.

I HAVE ALABASTER SKIN, YOU KNOW.

DIAL THE PHONE.

I'M JUST SAYING.

ALSO, TED MARCUS CALLED.

WHAT?

TED MARCUS CALLED.

HANG ON.

DAMN...

I'D BETTER CALL HIM FIRST.

GOOD MORNING.

YOU BEAT ME TO THE DOOR. GOOD MORNING.

CAMERON INTRODUCED HIS RESOLUTION ON THE FLOOR THIS MORNING.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

HOUSE RESOLUTION 973--

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE.

BANNING GAYS IN THE MILITARY.

I'VE BEEN ON A PLANE ALL NIGHT.

HE INTRODUCED IT ON THE FLOOR THIS MORNING.

SERIOUSLY. STUDIO CHAIRMAN-- NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.

JOSH, LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT MY HOUSE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

WHAT DO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

TED, I CHECKED INTO MY HOTEL 15 MINUTES AGO.

WHAT'D YOU HAUL MY ASS OUT HERE FOR?

I THINK YOU WANT TO WATCH YOUR GENERAL TONE WITH ME.

I'M SENDING YOU HOME TOMORROW WITH $21/////2 MILLION.

WHAT DO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

CAMERON'S BILL IS A JOKE.

NOT TO ME. IT'S THE HOUSE; IT'S PROCEDURE.

YOU KNOW HOW MANY BILLS NEVER GET A HEARING

LET ALONE A VOTE? THAT'S IT?

YEAH. YOU CAME TO ME WITH THAT?

I CAME TO YOU BECAUSE YOU TOLD ME TO.

NOW, I'VE GOT A CAB WAITING OUTSIDE...

YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

I'M BEING SILLY.

YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT NOTHING.

THE PRESIDENT'S LOOKING FORWARD

TO IT. EXCELLENT.

FELLAS, YOU CAN PACK IT UP-- THE PARTY'S OFF.

TED? TED...

EVERYBODY, CARMINE, I'M SORRY, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE FOOD AND THE FLOWERS?

UH, GIVE THEM OUT TO THE GUYS.

YOU'RE A ROTTEN BLUFFER, TED.

MM, YOU'RE RIGHT-- THAT'S WHY I NEVER DO IT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CANCEL THE FUND-RAISER.

WELL, IN FACT, I ALREADY DID.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT'LL BE EATING ROOM SERVICE TONIGHT.

TED... YOU'VE GOT A CAB WAITING.

THAT WAS ABRUPT, AND I APOLOGIZE.

YOUR APOLOGY'S ACCEPTED.

YOU CAN'T CANCEL THE FUND-RAISER.

OH, YET WITNESS THE LOADING OF THE TRUCKS.

I'M NOT GO... THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE A JOKE TO OUR PEOPLE.

DISRESPECTED BY THE DEMOCRATS?

WHATEVER WILL I DO? TED...

PARTICULARLY, WITH MY $3 BILLION?

TED, NO ONE IS GOING TO PASS A BILL

BANNING GAYS IN THE MILITARY.

IF THE HOUSE EVER PASSED SUCH A BILL

AND THE SENATE EVER PASSED SUCH A BILL

THE PRESIDENT WOULD NEVER SIGN SUCH A BILL.

FANTASTIC.

OKAY?

FANTABULOUS.

SO YOU WON'T FLAKE ON ME?

WE'RE FINE. THE PARTY'S ON?

YOU BET.

GOOD.

AS SOON AS I HEAR

THE PRESIDENT SAY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

LOOK... GIVE HIM A CALL AND ASK HIM

WHAT TIME I SHOULD BE TUNED TO MY TELEVISION

TO HEAR HIM SAY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND YOU KNOW IT.

THEN WE GOT OURSELVES A PROBLEM.

DON'T SCREW AROUND WITH ME, JOSH.

I'VE BEEN PRESIDENT A LOT LONGER THAN HE HAS.

Margaret: LEO...

YEAH?

THE VICE PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU.

MORNING, LEO.

MORNING, MR. VICE PRESIDENT.

STILL 50-50, HUH?

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOING TO STAY.

SAM TALKED TO HUNTINGTON?

HE TALKED TO HUNTINGTON

HE TALKED TO GIANELLI, HE TALKED TO CALLEY

AND MARTINSON AND RATHBURN...

RECENTLY?

THIS MORNING.

NOBODY'S MOVING.

IT KIND OF LOOKED LIKE

IT WAS GOING TO TURN OUT THIS WAY.

NOT TO ME.

I WAS SURPRISED.

WELL, I WAS IN THE SENATE WITH 94 OF THESE GUYS.

ANYWAY...

YEAH.

THE PRESIDENT NEEDS YOU TO GO DOWN THERE

AND FULFILL ONE OF YOUR TWO CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

AND VOTE FOR THE ETHANOL TAX CREDIT.

WE NEED YOU TO BREAK THE TIE.

HE ALSO ASKED ME TO TELL YOU

THAT HE REGRETS PUTTING YOU

IN THIS POSITION.

( sighs )

YOU GOT TO GET ME OFF THE HOOK, LEO.

YOU CAN'T ASK ME TO DO THIS.

JOHN, I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL.

I DON'T THINK YOU DO.

I KNOW...

I SPENT EIGHT YEARS IN THE SENATE

VOTING AGAINST THIS TAX CREDIT.

I WAS RIGHT, BY THE WAY, AND I'M STILL RIGHT.

BUT THE POINT IS...

16,000 NEW JOBS.

$4 BILLION INVESTED IN PLANT AND EQUIPMENT...

THE POINT...

BECAUSE THE TAX CREDIT MADE IT ECONOMICAL.

LEO, THE ETHANOL TAX CREDIT HAS ACCOMPLISHED

EXACTLY NONE OF ITS GOALS.

PRODUCTION IS NEXT TO NOTHING.

IT WILL NEVER BE LARGE ENOUGH

TO REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL

AND IT REQUIRES SUBSTANTIAL ENERGY TO PRODUCE

WHICH TOTALLY WASHES OUT ANY OVERALL CONSERVATION EFFECT.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

WHAT'S THE POINT?

THE REPUBLICANS WILL MAKE ME EAT IT FOR DINNER

WHEN MY TIME COMES, AND YOU KNOW THAT.

SO LET'S GET SERIOUS.

MR. PRESIDENT, I RISE TODAY TO SAY THAT THE AMERICAN FLAG

IS PROBABLY THE MOST RECOGNIZED SYMBOL IN THE WORLD.

WHEREVER IT STANDS, IT REPRESENTS FREEDOM.

MILLIONS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO SERVED OUR NATION IN WAR

HAVE CARRIED THAT FLAG INTO BATTLE.

THEY HAVE BEEN KILLED JUST FOR WEARING IT ON THEIR UNIFORM

BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE MOST FEARED POWER TO TYRANNY

AND THAT IS LIBERTY.

( applause )

MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS NOT A PERFECT NATION--

BUT TO THE WORLD

OUR FLAG REPRESENTS THAT WHICH IS RIGHT

AND TO AMERICANS IT REPRESENTS

WHAT CHIEF JUSTICE CHARLES EVANS HUGHES REFERRED TO AS

"OUR NATIONAL UNITY, OUR NATIONAL ENDEAVOR

OUR NATIONAL ASPIRATION..."

I'VE JUST COME FROM TED MARCUS'.

WHAT DID HE WANT?

HE'S THREATENING TO CANCEL TONIGHT

UNLESS THE PRESIDENT COMES OUT PUBLICLY AGAINST 973.

IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

I EXPLAINED THAT.

AND WHAT DID HE SAY?

HE TAKES IT SERIOUSLY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS

AND HE IS DISTRESSED

BY THE PRESIDENT'S SILENCE ON THE SUBJECT

AND HE FEELS THAT IT'S A BETRAYAL OF THE GAY COMMUNITY

FOR HIM TO BE SO PUBLICLY SUPPORTIVE

OF THE PRESIDENT TONIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

IT'S NOT IN THE INTEREST OF HIS CAUSE

FOR THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THIS TODAY.

IT'LL GIVE CREDIBILITY AND ATTENTION...

AND USE ALL THOSE WORDS

WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM.

TELL HIM A MAN OF HIS MEDIA SAVVY WILL UNDERSTAND

THE PRESIDENT CAN'T BE QUITE SO PUBLICLY BLACKMAILED.

Toby: AND SHOULD THE PRESIDENT CHOOSE

TO STAY AT HIS HOTEL TONIGHT

RATHER THAN KOWTOW TO THE HOLLYWOOD BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

IT'LL ONLY SERVE TO SOLIDIFY HIS PUBLIC REPUTATION

WITH THE ELECTORATE AS A MAN OF CHARACTER.

FRANKLY, BUYS US MORE

THAN $21/////2 WORTH SUPPORT.

USE THOSE WORDS.

TELL HIM IF HE GOES AHEAD WITH THE PARTY

HE GETS TEN MINUTES ALONE WITH THE PRESIDENT.

ALL RIGHT. I CAN SELL THAT.

LET'S GO BACK.

HOW'S HE DOING IN THERE?

HE'S GOT THAT LOOK ON HIS FACE

LIKE HE'S THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO KILL HIMSELF.

Woman: AND IT IS DISGRACEFUL

THAT SOME INDIVIDUALS WOULD DESECRATE THE FLAG

THAT OUR NATION'S VETERANS

HAVE FOUGHT SO VALIANTLY TO PROTECT.

( applause )

Man: MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS TERRIBLY IMPORTANT

THAT WE FINALLY ENACT LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR OUR FLAG.

AND I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT

FOR THE FLAG DESECRATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

President: I'M SORRY. I'VE JUST BEEN TOLD

I HAVE TO GO NOW.

THIS IS A DEBATE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO CONTINUE

IN TOWN HALLS, CITY HALLS, STATE LEGISLATURES

AND THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THERE IS A POPULATION OF THIS COUNTRY

THAT SEEMS TO FOCUS A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY

ON THIS CONVERSATION.

SO MUCH SO, THAT I AM MOVED TO ASK THIS QUESTION--

IS THERE AN EPIDEMIC OF FLAG BURNING GOING ON

THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF?

I MEAN IT, MAN.

IS THERE AN EMERGENCY LEVEL OUTBREAK OF FLAG DESECRATION

NO ONE'S KEPT ME POSTED ON.

THERE IS NOT.

SO LET'S BLOW OFF THE KIEFER MEETING.

TOBY, THERE'S NO REASON FOR YOU TO FEEL THREATENED BY AL KIEFER.

I DON'T.

EXCELLENT, 'CAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO IT OVER LUNCH.

I HAVE TO EAT WITH AL KIEFER?

BACK AT THE HOTEL.

BETTER YET... CHARLIE, WHERE'S ZOEY HAVING LUNCH?

A PLACE IN SANTA MONICA CALLED THE PLAYA CANTINA.

WHY? SHE WANTED AN L.A. EXPERIENCE.

THAT SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD, SAM?

THEY MAKE GUACAMOLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

IS THAT AN L.A. EXPERIENCE?

I THINK SHE MEANT THE PEOPLE.

WELL, THERE AREN'T GOING TO BE ANY PEOPLE TODAY.

WILL YOU BE JOINING HER, SIR?

SOUNDS LIKE FUN, DOESN'T IT?

SIR, WOULDN'T IT BE EASIER BACK AT THE HOTEL?

YEAH, BUT THE HOTEL WOULDN'T MAKE THE GUACAMOLE

RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

I NEED A MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT TED MARCUS.

WE'LL DO IT IN THE CAR.

WHO'S TALKING TO LEO?

HE'S WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT.

President: YOU COME IN THE CAR, TOO.

SIR, THIS LUNCH WITH AL KIEFER...

THOSE PEOPLE OVER THERE DON'T LIKE ME THAT MUCH.

THEY JUST HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOU LIKE WE HAVE, SIR.

YOU WOULD HONESTLY THINK THERE WAS AN EPIDEMIC

OF FLAG BURNING GOING ON ENDANGERING COUNTLESS LIVES...

DON'T PUT TOO MUCH STOCK IN WHAT HE HAS TO SAY...

I'M HAVING LUNCH WITH MY DAUGHTER.

YOU GUYS SIT WITH KIEFER

AND LET ME KNOW WHAT'S WORTH LISTENING TO.

WE'LL SEE YOU THERE.

I'M NOT COMING IN THE CAR?

NO, YOU KNOW WHY?

YOU MADE FUN OF THE GUACAMOLE.

I DIDN'T.

I COULD TELL YOU WERE THINKING IT.

FAIR ENOUGH. GOOD.

President: SURPRISED YOU FOR LUNCH-- I'M THE BEST.

I WANTED TO EAT LUNCH IN L.A.

YOU ARE.

WITH PEOPLE, WITH L.A. PEOPLE.

I WANTED THE ATMOSPHERE.

THEY CLEARED OUT THE PLACE.

YEAH, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND

THE GUY MADE GUACAMOLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. DAD...

THIS IS FATHER/DAUGHTER FUN TIME.

I WAS HAVING FUN

BUT YOU COME WITHIN 100 METERS OF ME

AND MY PROTECTION, LIKE, QUADRUPLES.

OH, YOU KNOW, I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT...

YEAH...

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT IS.

WHAT, IS SOMEBODY AFTER ME IN CALIFORNIA?

ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN CALIFORNIA, ZOEY.

YOU GOT YOUR SMOG, YOUR FREEWAY SHOOTINGS

BRUSH FIRES, MUD SLIDES, PLUS, APPARENTLY...

THERE IS A MAD RASH OF FLAG BURNING GOING ON

AND YOU DON'T WANT A PIECE OF THAT.

SEE, YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY.

RIGHT THERE...

RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, THEY MADE THE GUACAMOLE.

( laughs )

ON THE FLAG BURNING

THE BOTTOM LINE COULDN'T BE CLEARER--

IF HE SAYS NOTHING

HE TAKES A HIT, BUT NOT A FATAL ONE.

IF HE STANDS IN OPPOSITION TO THE AMENDMENT

YOU CAN ALL START UPDATING YOUR RESUMES.

I DON'T BUY THAT.

ME, EITHER. PEOPLE RESPECT A PRESIDENT

WITH THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS.

AL... YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS EXACTLY THE WRONG WAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY DEFENSE.

YOU COULD LEAD THE CHARGE.

YOU JUST SAID WE COULDN'T.

NO, I DIDN'T.

YOU JUST SAID IF WE WERE VOCAL

IN OUR OPPOSITION TO FLAG BURNING WE TAKE A FATAL HIT.

THAT'S RIGHT... AND I'M SAYING

DON'T STAY QUIET AND DON'T OPPOSE IT.

LEAD THE CHARGE... THE OTHER WAY.

( laughing )

WHAT?

C.J., HAS AL SAID SOMETHING

I SHOULD LISTEN TO YET?

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW, SIR.

MR. PRESIDENT, DO YOU WANT TO SEW UP REELECTION RIGHT NOW?

DO YOU WANT TO LOCK DOWN YOUR SECOND TERM

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, IN THIS ROOM.

WHAT DO YOU GOT?

WHY DO YOU ENCOURAGE HIM, SIR?

WHAT DO YOU GOT, AL?

TRUCKLOAD OF VOTERS, MR. PRESIDENT--

ABOUT 47%...

OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE MEN...

POOL AND PATIO TYPES

WHO VOTED AGAINST YOU BY 20-PLUS POINTS.

THEY SHARE...

AN AFFINITY TO AUTHORITY--

A PRESIDENT--

AND THEY SEE YOU AS SMART AND HAVING VISION.

SO, WHY DIDN'T THEY VOTE FOR YOU?

BECAUSE THEY ALSO SEE YOU AS A WIMP.

TWO-THIRDS ON THE THERMOMETER RATING

PLACE YOU ON SOME DEGREE OF WEAK.

WE'VE HEARD THESE NUMBERS BEFORE.

YEAH, BUT I NEVER GET TIRED OF HEARING THEM, YOU KNOW...

ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER.

LOOK, I GET THAT THIS IS NOT

THE MOST POPULAR IDEA IN THE ROOM

BUT I GOT NUMBERS AND I KNOW NUMBERS

AND I TRUST NUMBERS, AND THE REASON WHY

YOU'RE ALL LOOKING A LITTLE PALE RIGHT NOW IS SO DO YOU.

THIS IS NOT THEORETICAL.

FLAG BURNING AMENDMENT

MADE IT THROUGH THE HOUSE

20 VOTES OVER THE REQUIRED TWO-THIRDS.

IT HASN'T MADE IT THROUGH THE SENATE YET

BUT IT'S COME AWFULLY CLOSE, AND THAT DAY WILL COME.

THAT DAY WILL COME SOON.

LAWS AGAINST FLAG BURNING

ARE OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORED IN THE POLLS

AND A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WON'T BE SUBJECT

TO A PRESIDENTIAL VETO

OR OVERTURNING BY THE SUPREME COURT.

LOOK...

THIS ALL ADDS UP

TO ONE THING, MR. PRESIDENT-- IT'S OVER.

THE GAME'S BEEN PLAYED AND WON

BUT BECAUSE OF GUYS LIKE ME

YOU GET TO KNOW THE RESULTS BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE DOES.

SO, YOU GET TO PICK WHICH SIDE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON

AND NOT ONLY DO WE GET TO BE ON THE WINNING TEAM

WE GET TO LEAD THE WINNING TEAM.

( phone ringing )

EXCUSE ME.

TOBY, YOU'RE SMILING.

I JUST FIGURED OUT WHO YOU WERE.

HE'S GOING TO SAY SATAN.

NO, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO RUNS INTO THE 7-ELEVEN

TO GET SATAN A PACK OF CIGARETTES.

Charlie: MR. PRESIDENT...

YEAH, CHARLIE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS LATER.

WE WILL?

YEAH.

UH, MR. PRESIDENT...

MEN WITH POOLS AND PATIOS THINK I'M WEAK.

I DON'T WANT TO MENTION THE 49 TIMES

WE ASKED YOU NOT TO TAKE

THIS MEETING.

WAS THAT MARCUS ON THE PHONE?

WE SOLD HIM ON TEN MINUTES IN A ROOM WITH YOU TONIGHT.

NO WAY I CAN GET OUT OF IT?

TEN MINUTES.

I USED TO LIKE PARTIES, YOU KNOW THAT?

I JUST WANTED A REGULAR LUNCH, YOU KNOW...

IN A RESTAURANT WITH PEOPLE.

MY FATHER SEES DANGER, LIKE, BEHIND THE CURTAINS.

HEY, ZOEY, DO ME A FAVOR.

WALK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ME, WOULD YOU?

GINA... LET'S GET IN THE CAR, OKAY?

( classical music playing )

C.J.: LOOK AT THIS HOUSE!

Toby: YEAH.

I MEAN, LOOK AT THIS HOUSE.

IT'S A NICE HOUSE.

YOU KNOW...

WHAT?

YOU HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY DRESS.

YOU LOOK VERY NICE.

YOU'RE NOT EVEN LOOKING.

I'M LOOKING AT THE HOUSE.

EXCUSE ME, I WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.

I'M MARK MILLER.

I'M HEAD OF NEW PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AT PARAGON.

C.J. CREGG.

TOBY ZIEGLER.

OH, IT'S GOOD TO MEET YOU BOTH.

UH, C.J., I WAS WONDERING IF MY MONEY BUYS ME

A FEW WORDS ALONE WITH YOU.

THROW IN A BOX OF CHOCOLATES AND A PAIR OF NYLONS--

GET YOU A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

SURE.

I'LL BE OVER AT THE BAR, DRINKING A LOT

IF ANYBODY WANTS ME.

NOBODY WILL.

I'LL COME RIGHT OUT WITH IT, C.J.

I'M A BIG FAN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YEAH, AND I THINK THERE'S A PLACE

FOR YOU IN OUR COMPANY.

DOING WHAT?

DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT'S THAT?

DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS.

WHAT'S THAT MEAN?

YOU'D BE DEVELOPING FEATURE PROJECTS.

MOVIES?

YEAH.

YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU DON'T WANT ME.

YOU WANT TOBY OR SAM. I'M NOT A WRITER.

NO-NO, WE HAVE WRITERS.

WELL, I CERTAINLY CAN'T DIRECT OR ACT.

NO, YOU'D JUST BE IN DEVELOPMENT.

AND WHAT'S THAT?

SHEPHERDING PROJECTS-- DEVELOPING THEM.

I THOUGHT A GUY WRITES A MOVIE AND A GUY DIRECTS THE MOVIE.

SURE.

AND IN BETWEEN THERE ARE

DESIGNERS AND TECHNICIANS AND ACTORS.

YES.

SO, TELL ME WHAT I DO AGAIN.

DEVELOPMENT.

OKAY.

WELL, AT THE MOMENT, I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD JOB

AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS.

I, UH, I SURE APPRECIATE...

SAM...

UH, WOULD YOU EXCUSE ME, MARK?

I'M... SORRY. SURE.

I'VE GOT TO... YEAH.

HI.

TALK TO SAM ABOUT A-A THING

THE, UH, PRESIDENT WANTS ME TO... OH.

PRETEND YOU'RE TALKING TO ME.

I AM TALKING TO YOU.

WALK ME OUTSIDE.

DID HE OFFER YOU A DEVELOPMENT DEAL?

YES.

ME, TOO.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS?

NO.

ME, NEITHER.

"IF THERE'S A BEDROCK PRINCIPLE

"UNDERLYING THE FIRST AMENDMENT

"IT'S THAT THE GOVERNMENT

"CANNOT PROHIBIT EXPRESSION OF AN IDEA

SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S DISAGREEABLE"--

JUSTICE WILLIAM BENNETT WRITING FOR THE MAJORITY.

I'M A REAL FAN, DAVID.

I'M NOT JUST A JOHNNY-COME-LATELY.

IT'S NOT JUST BAYWATCH AND KNIGHT RIDER WITH ME.

THANK YOU, BUT MY POINT...

I MEAN, NICK FURY, PANIC AT MALIBU PIER

THE CARTIER AFFAIR...

( chuckling )

PLEASURE COVE, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

EXCUSE US.

HE WAS SO INTO ME.

YOU'RE FRIGHTENING THE GUESTS.

DAVID HASSELHOFF-- I'M JUST SAYING.

HE'S MARRIED.

THIS IS CALIFORNIA.

A GIRL CAN DREAM.

STOP DRINKING NOW.

MATT PERRY, RIGHT THERE.

GOOD-BYE. ( sighs )

Man: JOSH...

I KNOW THAT VOICE.

HOW LONG WAS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR YOU

TO SAY HELLO TO ME?

I GOT YOUR PHONE MESSAGE THIS MORNING

BUT I-I KIND OF BEEN RUNNING AROUND.

I DIDN'T SEE YOU UNTIL NOW.

I SAW YOU.

WELL, TH-THEN, YOU SHOULD'VE SAID HELLO TO ME.

YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE ABSORBED

IN HIGH-LEVEL CONVERSATIONS.

I CAN ASSURE YOU I WAS NOT.

WELL, THEN...

"WELL, THEN," WHAT?

HELLO.

HELLO.

( chuckling ): HELLO.

( laughing )

UH...

YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST HERE FOR THE DAY

AND... JOSH...

YEAH.

CAN YOU NOT, UH...

JUST...

JUST...

DON'T LEAVE THE PARTY, OKAY?

OKAY. OKAY?

SORRY.

Leo: JOHN... I KNOW WE'VE HAD OUR UPS AND DOWNS

BUT LET ME BE YOUR GUY FOR A SECOND.

YOU CAN'T BE THINKING

ABOUT BEING THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT IN HISTORY

TO BREAK A TIE GOING THE OTHER WAY.

I'M NOT LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY.

THEN, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR, JOHN?

YOU'RE GOING TO GET INK EITHER WAY.

LEO...

I KNOW IT EATS AT YOU

THAT THERE'S FRICTION BETWEEN YOU AND MY STAFF.

YOU THINK THEY DON'T RESPECT YOU...

AND THEY DO.

THEY JUST DON'T TRUST YOU

AND, FRANKLY, NEITHER DOES THE PRESIDENT.

WELL... I MEAN, I KNOW THAT'S BLUNT...

BUT, GOD, JOHN, I'M THE ONE WHO CONVINCED HIM

TO PUT YOU ON THE TICKET...

AND I'M GOING TO BE THE ONE STANDING HERE

WHEN YOU MAKE HISTORY

WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING TO OR NOT.

LEO, ONE OF THESE DAYS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ALLOW

FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT MY MOTIVES

MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE SINISTER.

YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE REMARKABLY SMUG

AND, FRANKLY, SO IS THE PRESIDENT

AND THE FACT THAT YOU THINK I GIVE A DAMN

THAT THERE'S SOME FRICTION BETWEEN US

IS CERTAINLY PROOF ENOUGH OF THAT.

JOHN, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SET FOOT IN THE WEST WING.

YOU WILL NOT BE ON THE TICKET IN THREE YEARS.

LEO...

I THINK YOU GUYS SET ME UP.

YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

CAN JUST ARRANGE FOR A 50/50 TIE IN THE SENATE?

I THINK THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

CAN DO PRETTY MUCH WHATEVER HE WANTS.

YOU'RE WRONG.

( sighs )

WELL...

WHERE'S THE PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW?

AT TED MARCUS'S FUND-RAISER.

I THINK IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO CALL HIM.

( door shutting )

WELL, WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF REASONS, THE LAST REASON CAN BE

YOU CAN'T FIRE THE VICE PRESIDENT.

I CAN ASK FOR HIS RESIGNATION AND DON'T BE A SMART ASS.

I GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING

AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LIKE THE SOUND OF IT.

WHAT?

HE'S RIGHT AND WE'RE WRONG.

ABOUT WHAT?

About the ethanol tax.

Sam: MR. PRESIDENT, LEO'S RIGHT.

SAM'S WEIGHING IN.

SIR, I PUT McCAMBRIDGE, AIELLO AND DANE

IN A HEADLOCK TO VOTE OUR WAY.

LET'S SEND THEM BACK.

WE'LL LOSE 53-47 AND TAKE

THE VICE-PRESIDENT OFF THE HOOK.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO WHAT SAM SAID.

YES, SIR.

I'm not done with Hoynes, but dump it.

SIR, THE THING ABOUT THE VICE PRESIDENT

IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION...

I'LL CALL HIM FROM THE PLANE.

CRAZIEST DAMN THING I'VE EVER HEARD OF.

JAY, YOU CAN'T DRIVE

ALL THOSE CARS YOU HAVE.

WELL, NOT ALL AT ONCE.

I KNOW NOT ALL AT ONCE, BABY, BUT YOU HAVE...

HI. CLAUDIA JEAN, THIS IS VERONICA WEBB.

WELL, HI.

C.J. CREGG.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

CAN I TALK TO YOU A SECOND?

SURE. EXCUSE ME.

WHAT'S UP?

JAY, THE PRESIDENT APPRECIATES

YOUR LAYING OFF LEO McGARRY

THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

IT HASN'T GONE UNNOTICED.

HEY, YOU GUYS GIVE ME MONOLOGUE MATERIAL

EVERY NIGHT, YOU KNOW.

WELL, IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU.

YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BE GREAT?

IF YOU COULD GET THE PRESIDENT

TO DRIVE HIS BIKE INTO A TREE AGAIN.

( laughing )

SEE, THAT'S MY BREAD AND BUTTER.

THAT'S WHAT I LIVE ON.

YOU'RE A VERY FUNNY BOY, JAY.

HOW DOES SHE LOOK LIKE THAT?

OH... CLEAN LIVING.

PRAYER.

C.J.!

MM. GOT TO GO.

SORRY, THERE'S A THING I GOT

TO TALK TO SAM ABOUT REGARDING A....

PRETEND LIKE YOU'RE TALKING TO ME AGAIN.

OKAY. THIS TIME LET'S USE CODE NAMES.

WHERE'S JOSH?

HE'S OVER THERE TALKING TO THAT WOMAN.

INTERESTING.

OF COURSE, IT'S POSSIBLE

THEY'RE JUST PRETENDING TO BE TALKING.

INDEED.

SO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE DID FOR LUNCH TODAY?

WHAT?

WE HAD A MEETING WITH A DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER

WHO TOLD US THAT WE COULD

SEW UP RE-ELECTION IF THE PRESIDENT LED THE CHARGE

IN FAVOR OF A FLAG BURNING AMENDMENT.

I HEARD.

HOW'D YOU HEAR?

I HEAR EVERYTHING.

IT WAS A STUPID JOKE

BUT I DON'T GET A SYMPATHY LAUGH?

SERIOUSLY...

THIS GUY HAD SOME PRETTY SCARY NUMBERS.

C.J.: JOSH, GUESS WHAT?

I THINK I JUST MADE A THREE-PICTURE DEAL.

A THREE-PICTURE DEAL TO DO WHAT?

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER.

THIS IS JOEY LUCAS AND HER ASSISTANT, KENNY.

YOU'RE RUNNING O'DWYER'S CAMPAIGN IN THE 46th.

YES.

SAM SEABORN.

HI. TOBY ZIEGLER.

HELLO.

C.J. CREGG. HI.

I KNOW WHO YOU ALL ARE.

I WAS JUST TELLING HER ABOUT KIEFER'S NUMBERS.

I'VE SEEN THOSE NUMBERS.

WE SHARED

THE CALIFORNIA POLLING DATA.

AND?

KIEFER ASKED THE WRONG QUESTIONS.

HIS POLLS SAID

80% OF THE PEOPLE, WHEN ASKED IF THEY FAVORED

A FLAG BURNING AMENDMENT SAID YES

WHICH IS ROUGHLY THE SAME PERCENTAGE

WHO'D SAY THEY FAVOR SENDING LITTERBUGS TO PRISON.

HE NEVER ASKED THEM HOW MUCH DO THEY CARE.

PLEASE, PLEASE SAY THAT YOU DID.

HOW GOOD AM I LOOKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW?

THAT DEPENDS ON THE CALIFORNIA NUMBERS.

37%, OR LESS THAN HALF

OF THOSE WHO SAY THEY'D FAVOR THE AMENDMENT

RATED THE ISSUE FAIRLY OR VERY IMPORTANT.

12%, OR LESS THAN A THIRD OF THAT GROUP

SAID THAT THE ISSUE WOULD SWING THEIR VOTE.

THE ONLY PLACE THIS WAR IS BEING FOUGHT

IS IN WASHINGTON.

YOU'RE LOOKING VERY GOOD TO ME RIGHT NOW.

I THOUGHT SO.

GOOD TO MEET YOU.

PLEASURE.

NICE MEETING YOU.

YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW BIG YOU JUST SCORED

WITH TOBY AND SAM RIGHT NOW?

YES.

BUT STILL...

WHAT?

I THINK IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE PRESIDENT

STAND UP AND SAY SOMETHING ABOUT FLAG BURNING

I THINK HE SHOULD SAY PEOPLE SHOULDN'T DO IT.

I THINK HE SHOULD SAY

THAT IT'S A FORM OF PROTEST

THAT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IS TERRIBLY TROUBLING.

YOUR POLL SAYS THAT?

I SAID THAT, AND SO DO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

VOX POPULI, VOX DEI.

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE VOICE OF A DOG.

THE VOICE OF GOD, JOSHUA.

GOD.

YES.

I CAME HERE WITH SOMEONE.

I'M, I'M SORRY?

I CAME HERE WITH SOMEONE.

OKAY. UM...

I... I SHOULD GO.

I HAVE TO GO.

WAIT. WILL YOU CALL ME SOMETIME

NEXT TIME YOU COME OUT HERE?

ABSOLUTELY.

I WILL CALL IN ADVANCE OF MY COMING.

IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU, TOO.

MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU

THAT I'VE GOT A LARGE MICROPHONE AT MY DISPOSAL

AND I'M GOING TO DEMAND THAT YOU PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE

THAT YOU ARE GOING TO VETO CAMERON'S BILL IF IT PASSES.

IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS, TED.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GET VOTED ON.

NO, I'M SAYING, AS A GESTURE.

AS A SYMBOL.

I'M SAYING, AS A GESTURE, AS A SYMBOL

YOU MAKE THAT PUBLIC DEMAND, TED

AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE CAMERON'S BEST FRIEND.

THE PEOPLE IN MY HOUSE WANT THIS

AND THEY'RE COMPLAINING TO ME

THAT YOU TAKE THEIR MONEY AND RUN

WITHOUT LISTENING.

OH, GOD, TED.

GIVE ME THE NAME OF ONE PERSON

WHO'S COMPLAINING TO YOU

AND I'LL CALL THEM PERSONALLY

AND TELL THEM I WILL NEVER SIGN A LAW LIKE THAT.

WELL, THEN, WHY WON'T YOU...?

TED.

WHY WON'T YOU SAY THAT PUBLICLY?

BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, TED.

BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL POLITICS

AND YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD OF ADOLESCENT TANTRUM!

AND DON'T YOU EVER SLAP JOSH LYMAN AROUND AGAIN.

THAT GUY IS THE WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF.

HE'S NOT ONE OF YOUR ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

DON'T SCREW WITH ME-- I'M NOT IN THE MOOD.

I MEAN IT. YOU'RE RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW, RIGHT THIS SECOND

THE WORST THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN

TO GAY RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY IS FOR ME TO PUT THAT THING

ON THE DEBATING TABLE.

WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS THE MINUTE I OPEN MY MOUTH.

DO YOU GET THAT?

I'M A HUMAN STARTING GUN, TED.

YOU GOT TO TRUST ME.

I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.

I DO TRUST YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

DO YOU? YES, I DO

AND I LIKE YOU, TOO.

THANK YOU.

HAVE YOU ENJOYED YOURSELF TONIGHT?

NO.

ME NEITHER.

I-IF YOU DON'T MIND MY SAYING, MR. PRESIDENT

Y-YOU LOOK MORE TIRED THAN YOU DID

WHEN I SAW YOU A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

IMAGINE HOW TIRED I'M GOING TO LOOK

WHEN YOU SEE ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS FROM NOW.

I HAVEN'T SLEPT WELL, LATELY.

I KEPT EVERYONE UP ON THE PLANE ON THE WAY OUT.

YOU KNOW, WE LEFT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

I REALLY WANT TO TRY TO SLEEP ON THE WAY BACK.

THAT WAS IT?

YEAH.

JUST BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE WAS WITH SOMEBODY?

SHE SAID SHE WAS WITH SOMEBODY.

OH, JOSH.

DONNA, SHE'S WITH SOMEBODY.

SHE COULD HAVE JUST BEEN SAYING THAT.

WHY WOULD SHE JUST HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT?

FOR THE ALLURE.

OH.

GO SEE HER BEFORE WE LEAVE.

IT'S 1:00 IN THE MORNING.

KNOCK ON HER DOOR.

I'M NOT GOING TO KNOCK ON HER DOOR

AT 1:00 IN THE MORNING.

YES, 'CAUSE YOU'RE WHISKING BACK TO WASHINGTON

AND YOU HAD TO SEE HER ONE MORE TIME BEFORE YOU LEFT

'CAUSE GOD KNOWS WHAT FATE AWAITS YOU THERE.

ARE YOU OKAY?

GATHER YE ROSEBUDS, JOSH.

DONNA, I AM NOT GOING TO KNOCK ON HER DOOR.

( clucking like a chicken )

WERE YOU JUST CLUCKING LIKE A CHICKEN?

WAS THAT WHAT THAT WAS? YEAH.

I COULDN'T IF I WANTED TO.

I DON'T HAVE HER ROOM NUMBER.

YES, YOU DO. * PHONE MESSAGE.

* PHONE MESSAGE.

FIRST OF ALL, DON'T DO THAT THING ANYMORE

WITH THE * PHONE MESSAGE, PHONE MESSAGE *

AND?

TELL THEM I'LL BE DOWN IN ONE MINUTE.

HOW'S SHE GOING TO KNOW I'M KNOCKING ON THE DOOR?

THERE'S A BUTTON OUTSIDE-- A LIGHT FLASHES.

TELL THEM I'LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE.

JOSH.

AL.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

YOU KNOW, I GOT THE WRONG ROOM.

UH, I DON'T THINK SO.

YOU LOOKING FOR JOEY?

YEAH.

SHE'S RIGHT HERE.

NO. I-I-I-I'M NOT.

I WAS STOPPING TO SAY

A QUICK GOOD-BYE. DON'T BOTHER.

WHO'S OUT THERE?

I WANTED TO SAY A QUICK GOOD-BYE.

WE'RE TAKING OFF

AND, UH..

THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO US TONIGHT.

THAT WAS HELPFUL.

SHE SAID GOOD-BYE.

I KNOW.

GOOD-BYE.

ANYWAY, MR. VICE PRESIDENT, IT'S TAKEN CARE OF.

WE CAN PUT IT TO REST.

Thank you, sir.

YOU'RE WELCOME. GOOD-BYE.

Good night.

WAIT.

JOHN...

I WANT TO TELL YOU...

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN IOWA

I REALLY ADMIRED THE WAY YOU HUNG IN THERE

ON THE ETHANOL TAX CREDIT.

YOU WENT OUT TO IOWA AND SAID THE SAME THINGS

YOU'D BEEN SAYING IN THE SENATE FOR EIGHT YEARS

EVEN THOUGH YOU KNEW IT WASN'T GOING TO PLAY.

MY CONFESSION IS, YOU AND I AGREE ON ETHANOL

BUT YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE TO SAY IT.

YOU STOOD IN THERE, EVEN THOUGH YOU KNEW

YOU WERE GOING TO LOSE IOWA AND WHO KNOWS WHAT AFTER THAT.

ANYWAY...

I JUST WANTED TO SAY...

YOU HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY, JOHN.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'M GOING TO TRY AND GO TO SLEEP NOW.

Good night, sir.

YEAH.

( heavy sigh )