Chapter 25
“They’re turning him into the hero of every man and woman who’s ever served in the
military and he never served in uniform a day in his LIFE!” Hoffman was a little heated.
“He’s also offering himself up as the poster child for PTSD.” Amy countered. “That
has consequences; political consequences.”
“None of which the people care about right now. All they see are these sympathetic
faces and they want to HELP them.” Hoffman rebutted.
“I won’t deny it’s been positive press so far, but when Josh testifies himself tomorrow
the severity of the mental disorder is going to hit home with the American public.”
Amy pointed out. “Just keep using the phrase ‘mental disorder’ in every question that
comes from our side of the aisle.”
“Right.” Hoffman agreed but he sounded less than enthusiastic about the plan. Amy
hung up the phone shaking her head. Imbeciles! If they had half the political savvy of
Josh Lyman this would be game over already. She had to hold their hands at every
step of the way. The White House would be begging them to let this issue, and Josh
Lyman, go before she was through with them. Already the press were questioning the
judgment of President Santos in appointing Josh to this position, but there wasn’t a
consensus yet as to the wisdom of that move. It hadn’t helped, Amy admitted, that
President Bartlet, who was still hugely popular, blew off the concerns about Josh’s
mental fitness. He’d reminded the electorate too that Josh’s PTSD, just like the
servicemen and women he was championing, was contracted in the service of his
country.
It made for a nice Kodak moment and everyone paused for a sentimental journey, but
when push came to shove, and the cold hard facts were laid out, the tide would turn.
Then she would be the one with the ear of the President and the finger on the button
of legislation.
“Ms. Gardner? Annabeth Schott from the First Lady’s office is on line two?”
Well, well, and well again. “I’ll take it, thanks.” Amy took a minute, letting the First
Lady’s office sit on hold before she answered.
“This is Amy Gardner.”
“Hi Amy, it’s Annabeth.”
“What a surprise.” Amy drawled. “What brings the First Lady’s office to call the
Republican leadership’s office?”
“Mrs. Santos would like some time with you. Do you have any availability after 2?”
“I’ll have to check my schedule. What’s the topic of our meeting?”
“I don’t have that information.” Annabeth replied.
“Maybe you could check with Donna then and get back to me.” Amy suggested.
“Noooo, this came directly from the First Lady.”
“Donna is out of the loop on this?” Amy prodded.
“I’m not sure what Donna knows or doesn’t know, I only know that the First Lady
asked me to take care of this for her personally. So, after 2?” Annabeth explained.
“Looking at my schedule…I could give her a half hour at 3:30.” Amy offered.
“I’ll set it up. Thanks.”
“No, thank you.” Amy smiled. It looked like the White House just blinked. Clever to
reach through the East Wing, but it might be tricky to keep Donna Moss out of the
negotiations. Then it hit her. Tomorrow Josh would be on the hill giving his personal
testimony. No doubt the girl wonder would be at his side. They wouldn’t have to worry
about Donna intruding on the meeting at all. Maybe Helen Santos was more devious
than she’d previously given her credit for.
Step two of operation dump Lyman was on the books.
***********************************************
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need it.” Josh told Ainsley.
“You really do.” Donna corrected.
“You do, Josh.” Sam chimed in.
“I’ve been acting as legal rep for every witness this week and suddenly I need my own
counsel?” Josh questioned.
“That was more of an honorary title.” Ainsley told him. “It made for great TV and you
did very well with it, but even if your skills were more…”
“…existent?” Donna offered.
“Let’s say practiced.” Ainsley compromised. “You don’t have the objectivity to answer
questions about your personal health history and examine each for legal implications.
This is my job. Let me do it.”
Josh sighed. “If you say so, Mrs. Seaborn.”
“It’s Mrs. Hayes-Seaborn, as I’ve told 4 times today already.” Ainsley pretended to be
vexed. She understood Josh’s teasing to be a way to blow off some steam and just
how Josh treated those he as closest to.
“You’re just going to let her hyphenate her name like that?” Josh turned to Sam.
“As long as I can call her my wife, any other title is superfluous to me.” Sam reported
while he paged through a list of potential questions for Josh to practice.
“You won’t be seeing any hyphenating when we get married.” Josh waved a hand
between himself and Donna. “Right, baby?”
“Right. As long as you don’t look at any of the legal documents.” Donna agreed.
“What?!” Josh nearly fell out of his chair.
“I’ve made a name for myself in this business, do you honestly think it’s fair for me to
just give it up and take yours?”
“Yes.” Josh answered. “Besides, what’s wrong with taking my name? There might be
a few people who would say I’ve made quite a name for myself in politics too.”
“Hmmm..let’s see how this whole Congressional testimony thing goes. If you tank, I’ll
keep my name and hyphenate. If you do well…we’ll discuss it.”
“If I tank?” Josh objected. “Nice support there, Donna.”
“Then practice your answers with Sam and Ainsley to ensure you live to fight another
day with me.” Donna suggested but tempered her answer with a swift kiss. “You’ve
got a big day tomorrow and I will be right by your side the whole time.”
“Fine. Fire away with your first question…”
“Do you think-“ Sam started.
“Starting with Mrs. Seaborn.” Josh decided and with the roll of her eyes, Ainsley
began.
************************************************************************
“Mr. Lyman, we’ve heard testimony all week about the devastating effects of this
mental disorder. Given the testimony in front of us, how can you assure this
committee and the American people that you can effectively serve as Chief of Staff to
the leader of the Free World? That your mental disorder isn’t going to negatively
affect the President?” Hoffman asked. As the ranking Republican member of the
committee, he’d saved his questions for last.
Josh smirked and chuckled. “Something funny, Mr. Lyman?” Hoffman pressed. He
and his cohorts had been unable to shake Lyman up to now. This was his last
chance.
“I was just thinking about this drinking game we’d play in college.”
“Mr. Lyman?” Chairman Davis cut in.
“You know. The one where every time a certain word or phrase is used you take a
drink? I was just thinking, listening to your last question, that anyone drinking to the
phrase ‘mental disorder’ would be well and truly sauced after just that one questions.”
Josh explained. “You guys really need to get new talking points…or, you know, a
thesaurus.”
“If you’d answer the question please?” Hoffman pressed.
“My physicians, a past and present President, not to mention years of work history
under the PTSD diagnosis, will allay any concerns reasonable people have about my
ability to serve.” Josh answered.
“Nightmares, loss of control, emotional overreaction, and physical manifestations
such as increased heart rate and blood pressure…and you don’t think these
symptoms would affect your ability to serve as Chief of Staff?”
“They, in fact, have not. And for the record, I don’t experience any of those symptoms
on a regular basis and when I do become symptomatic I receive appropriate
treatment. I’m here today to make sure everyone who is dealing with this condition
has the same opportunity.”
“Don’t you think it’s ludicrous to expect someone with PTSD to react normally when
faced with combat decisions? Listening to explosions and gunfire in the sit room?”
Hoffman punctuated his question with his hand slamming down on the table, making
everyone jump. It got Josh too, and he could see in Hoffman’s eyes that he knew it.
“As you’ve learned over the past few days, Congressman, even an unexpected loud
noise like banging a table can be disconcerting to someone with PTSD.” Josh
drawled and the camera panned on an uncomfortable Republican leader who hadn’t
expected Josh to call him on his action. “But I’d counter your question with one of my
own. What is a ‘normal’ reaction to combat, explosions, and gunfire? Each one of us
brings our own perspective, experience, and judgment to the table when we’re
dealing with these life and death decisions. I take comfort in the fact that it is NOT my
voice alone that the President listens to in these circumstances. Nevertheless, my
perspective and judgment are valuable and valued by the President and as long as it
is, I will be honored to serve as his Chief of Staff.”
Donna tried to keep a solemn look on her face even though she was tempted to grin,
and high 5 Lou, who was seated next to her in the gallery behind Josh and Ainsley.
So instead, she surreptitiously looked at her watch. She was going to have to leave
soon to catch the end of the meeting in the East Wing.
“Your time is up, Congressman Hoffman. The committee would like to extend their
appreciation to Chief of Staff Lyman for bringing this very important investigation to
our attention. Thank you sir, you are excused. We would like to now call our last
witness. Please call-“
“Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, I have Mr. Lyman listed as the last witness of this
committee.” Hoffman interjected.
“There was an update to the schedule. We sent emails to everyone on the
committee.” Davis replied.
“This is highly unusual, Mr. Chairman.” Hoffman objected.
“This witness came forward at the last moment. He was unsure, originally, if his trip
abroad would enable him to testify before us. Happily, it’s turned out that he can join
us. Please call General Richard Kinney.”
General was called and sworn in while Josh watched the proceedings with great
interest.
“What’s he going to say?” Ainsley asked in a whisper.
“No. Clue.” Josh whispered back.
“Thank you for appearing before us today, General. We are honored to have your
testimony as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on this very important topic.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.” Kinney responded. Josh was now seated next to Donna
and had her hand firmly tucked into his.
“You had a statement to read before the committee asks questions, General?”
Kinney nodded. “Please proceed, sir.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here today because of the profound importance I place
on the fair treatment of all the men and women who have served, and are currently
serving their country in the armed forces.” He paused. “It pains me to consider for
even a moment that people who have in some cases risked their very lives might
have been discharged unfairly and in a manner that ensures they cannot get the
very help they need the most. Unfortunately, in the light of the evidence that Mr.
Lyman and his team have brought to me I see no choice but to conduct a thorough
review of each of these discharges individually. This will need to be done under the
purview of this committee and the team of US attorneys that Mr. Lyman has already
assembled.”
“Together, we will uncover if there were any wrongfully discharged service members
and if that be the case, we will rectify the situation with all due speed. People make a
considerable sacrifice to serve their country. They should receive everything they
have earned through their service when it’s been completed. I’m going to make sure
that happens…with Mr. Lyman’s assistance.”
“You will be working with the Chief of Staff in this matter, General?” The Chairman
confirmed.
“I can’t think of anyone better suited to oversee the formal investigation.” Kinney
acknowledged.
“I’m sorry, sir, but there has been a lot of discussion about Mr. Lyman’s ability to
carry out his duties given his recent announcement about his diagnosis of PTSD.
You don’t share those concerns.”
Kinney laughed. “Mr. Chairman, I was in the sit room with Mr. Lyman when we heard
the bomb explode in Abu Dhabi. If he was shaken or incapacitated in any way, I sure
couldn’t tell and I’m used to seeing men shaken in combat situations. When the
President went around the table for advice, Mr. Lyman’s opinions were sound and
reasonable, even if tragically misguided.” Kinney drawled and threw a glance over his
shoulder to meet Josh’s eyes before he continued. “I may not always agree with Mr.
Lyman’s analysis, but I can’t say that it isn’t well thought out and measured.”
“So, professionally, you have no concerns about Mr. Lyman serving as Chief advisor
to the President?” Davis asked.
“None.” Kinney answered and Lou literally hooted and had to cover her mouth before
she was asked to leave.
“Thank you, General Kinney. We’ll start our questions with colleague across the
aisle, Congresswoman Reynolds from Wyoming. Congresswoman?”
When she began her questions, Donna rose quietly from her seat. “You did great up
there. I’m very proud of you.” She whispered. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to come
with me for this?”
“I want to hear the General. I’ll meet you later.” He promised.
***************************************************
“Amy? The First Lady will see you now.” Amy had been left cooling her heels for over
30 minutes. Not, in her opinion, a good way to start off a conversation if Mrs. Santos
wanted her help.
“Thanks.” Amy muttered and slapped down the magazine she’d been perusing. She
gathered her briefcase and entered the First Lady’s office where Helen was seated at
her desk.
“Come in, Amy, have a seat.” Helen invited her.
“Thank you Mrs. Santos. I’m afraid Annabeth wasn’t able to advise me as to the
purpose of this meeting. I wasn’t sure how to prepare for it.”
“You like being prepared, don’t you Amy?”
“Yes, ma’am. I think every professional likes to be prepared.”
“Yes, professionals should always be prepared. The problem arises when
professional things become personal.” Helen told her. “Things between you and Josh
have gotten personal. Or maybe it’s that they started as personal and you’ve never
been able to completely move the relationship over into the professional category. I
guess at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.”
“Mrs. Santos, my position working for the Republican leadership necessitates an
antagonistic relationship between my office and Josh’s.” Amy pointed out.
“I’ve been in politics for awhile now, Amy, do you think I don’t know how it works?”
“Ma’am, I wasn’t implying-“
“Being the wife, or the husband, of a politician gives you a unique view on how things
work and you also learn to spot someone pulling the strings pretty damn fast. People
who manipulate for their side is par for the course in this town. People who
manipulate for their own advancement or for the personal destruction of others are
another matter entirely.”
“You don’t think Josh Lyman plays hardball?” Amy shook her head. “You don’t know
him very well.”
“I practically lived with Josh Lyman while we campaigned all over the country. He
certainly has killer instincts and he knows how to use them. But even he has a line
over which he does not cross.” Helen leaned closer to Amy. “Personally, I always
thought that had something to do with not wanting to disappoint Donna, or have her
think less of him, but again, that’s just my opinion.”
“Why have you asked me here, Ma’am?” Amy really didn’t want to hear about Donna.
“This war on Josh Lyman needs to stop.” Helen said simply. “As long as Josh is under
fire, my husband can’t get any Governing done.”
“We’re not trying to impede the President, ma’am. We simply want a seat at the table.”
“We can’t get to the table with the character assassinations and wild rumors that are
being floated by your…associates.” Helen stated.
“I’m afraid that was your own doing….well, not YOUR doing ma’am.” Amy corrected
herself. “But the Santos administration was offered several compromise measures
that would have avoided these messy hearings and character questions.”
“My understanding is that it wasn’t a compromise you were interested in as much as a
bulldozer maneuver.” Helen countered. “Do you think Matt Santos doesn’t trouble the
‘little woman’ with policy talk?”
“No, ma’am, I’m sure he does. But this game is played differently at this level. And it
isn’t played with Deputy Chief’s of Staff or First Lady’s. If Josh wanted to make a deal,
he should have taken the meetings. Now, it’s too late for that, for him. But if the
President would like to sweep the rest of this away, he has the power to do that.
Senator Whitman is prepared to meet with the President at any time.”
“How generous.” Helen stipulated. “But if there’s a meeting with the Senate Majority
leader, it will have to go through Josh. He’s the Chief of Staff.”
“This is what I’m saying, Mrs. Santos. I don’t how much longer he’s going to be able to
keep that position.” Amy said point blank.
“Actually, I think it’s the Senate Majority leader whose days are numbered.” Helen
smiled. “Do you know that when Matt was in Congress, we had to attend hundreds,
maybe thousands of fundraisers.”
“Mrs. Santos-“
“The only saving grace of those blasted things was that you’d travel in the same
circles with the same people over and over! Once you found some people in that
group that you could be friends with, you stuck to them like glue and shared
everything.”
“I’m sure it was difficult to-“
“Things like staffing issues, press issues…even marriage issues were talked about
over wine and cheese.” Helen noted. “One of the people I was lucky enough to
befriend in those early days was here visiting yesterday. You may actually know her
too. Kate…Kate Tandy?”
Helen watched with satisfaction when Amy’s eyes bugged out. “Or was it just her
husband that you were…close to?”
“John and Kate were already divorced when I met him.” Amy noted.
“Ah…sure.” Helen nodded. “They reconciled for awhile. I think it was after John
proposed to you, if I have my timelines right. Kate really wanted to make it work, but
then she discovered some things about him that made that impossible.”
“I see.”
“Do you? I think you do.” Helen agreed. “He was spending campaign money in
some…ethically troubling ways and the activity had been recent, so Kate was pretty
upset about it. When she confronted him, he told her he had some help squirreling
away the money; had split it with someone in fact.”
“I imagine a man trying to reconcile with his wife will say about anything.” Amy replied.
“That’s so very true. If he’ll say or do anything for a girlfriend, the stakes would be
even higher for a wife.” Helen admitted. “That’s why research is so very important. Do
you know who is amazing with research? Donna Moss.” Helen reached over to her
intercom. “Donna, could you join us for a moment?”
“I thought Donna would be standing by her man on the hill today.” Amy said nastily.
“She was. She just returned as a matter of fact. That was why we were delayed in
bringing you in; I was waiting for her. Ah, Donna, come join us. I was just filling Amy in
on our conversation with Kate about John.”
“It was very illuminating.” Donna nodded. “So were the accounts she was able to
recall and share with the Federal investigators. They talked for HOURS.”
“I think they still had some questions, though.” Helen said to Donna.
“Yes, they are certainly going to want to speak to John and his accomplice. I imagine
once they strike a deal with him, the accomplice is going to be held out to dry.”
“This is meant to what? Get me to back off Josh? Convince leadership to back off of
him?”
“No.” Donna answered. “We’re not concerned about that at all. The Federal
investigators are going to take you out of the equation and the Secret Service are
going to take care of your boss.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Amy maintained.
“I think the phrase you’re looking for is, “I don’t recall’.” Donna corrected her. “Did
you know, Amy, that it’s considered a felony to commit any crime that might harm the
President?”
“What has that got to do with me?”
“I don’t know, maybe nothing. But one of the men involved in setting off fireworks next
to the Presidential motorcade says it was your idea. He may be wrong though, I mean
it was a member of Whitman’s staff who actually paid the man off so who knows how
far up the ladder this goes?”
“Well, the Secret Service will eventually; they’re very thorough.” Helen noted.
“Extremely thorough.” Donna agreed. “So, we thought we’d take this opportunity to
say a final goodbye to you. We didn’t want you to be hauled away in leg irons without
making it crystal clear who was responsible for the downward spiral your life is about
to take.”
“Josh Lyman isn’t the only one in this administration who knows how to play hardball.”
Helen told her.
“Although he is the master.” Donna noted before she picked up the phone. “We’re
ready for you now.”
Two uniformed officers came into the First Lady’s office trailed by Josh Lyman who
was holding 4 bottles of beer.
“Amy, this is for you.” Josh gave her a bottle and handed another to Helen. Amy
looked at him quizzically. “You told me during the Stackhouse thing that when you lost
a round, you’d get a drink and take a shower, and when you won a round you’d get
two drinks. That’s why Donna gets two.” He explained and put a bottle in each of
Donna’s hands. “They have group showers in the Federal prison, but the option is
still open to you.”
“If you think, for one second-“ Amy sputtered.
“Ah!” Josh held a hand up to stop her. “Anything you say can and will be used
against you in a court of law. I think that’s how it goes, right guys?” Josh asked the
Officers.
“Ms. Gardner, if you’ll come with us please?” One of them requested politely.
“See, they’re asking all nice and everything, but it really is an order and not a
request.” Josh told her. Amy raised her bottle as if to strike and the second Officer
took it from her hand. “Goodbye Amy.”
“Bye.” Donna set a bottle down to wave. Once she was escorted out, they all tapped
bottles in a toast. “See? Wasn’t that better than getting rid of her all alone?”
“It did have a nice collegial feeling to it.” Josh admitted. “She is out of our lives for
good.”
“And not a moment too soon. How did you ever manage to date her, Josh?” Helen
asked in disgust.
“Joshua, tell Helen our rule about the time of the great sickness.” Donna requested.
“We don’t ever talk about it.” Josh shook his head solemnly.
“Ah.” Helen took another drink from her bottle. “How did the rest of the hearing go?”
“General Kinney made a surprise appearance in my defense and in support of a full
investigation.” Josh reported.
“That’s wonderful!” Helen exclaimed.
“Yeah, but on the way out, he said he wanted to make it perfectly clear that his
testimony in no way indicated he liked me at all.” Josh replied.
“Gee, honey, I think that’s really the best you could expect from the man given how
you two have gone head to head.” Donna mentioned.
“Yeah, anyway, it looks like the worst is behind us and only starting for the leadership
team.” Josh noted.
“Do you think they’re really going to be able to pin the fireworks incident on the
Senator and Congressman?” Helen asked.
“Probably not. Usually, those guys make sure there’s a few layers between them and
the guys doing the dirty work, but you never know. At the very least, they’re going to
be so tainted by this investigation and the ethics committees in the House and
Senate that they’ll never be able to keep their seats.” Josh surmised. “The scandal
may even cause them to lose control of the Senate in the mid terms.” Josh wiggled
his eyebrows.
“You don’t have to look so excited about a horrible scandal, Joshua. After all, they
devised it to get rid of you and cripple the President.” Donna pointed out.
“True, but in the end, they didn’t succeed. In fact, they failed so miserably that the
cost can’t even be measured yet.” Josh reasoned and pulled Donna into his arms for
an unusual display of public affection right in front of Helen. Donna figured he must
be riding high to kiss her in front of the First Lady. “And just think, Donnatella, what
we can accomplish if we get control of the House and Senate. It’ll be-“
“A whole new ballgame.” Donna laughed and finished with him. “Wherever have I
heard that before?”
The End.