March 2004
This is going to be awful. He’s going to be insufferable for days. I know it. I know
Josh Lyman and this is how he behaves when he scores an unbelievable
political maneuver like he did today. TWO Supreme Court Justices, including the
first woman to ever be nominated as Chief Justice. It’s historic.
So naturally, it will be “Victory is mine” and “Who da man?” for days now. I
should have called in sick today, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to be in the
room when President Bartlet nominated Judge Lange; Mulready I could have
done without, but Lange? No way.
President Bartlet makes his nominations and the press corps goes wild. The
press corps; one of the most cynical groups in the district, is standing and
cheering for these nominees. Okay, Joshua, I’ll admit it…you ARE da man. I don’
t know of another person on the planet who could have pulled this off. The
craziest part of all this, is that during his alcohol induced conversation with me,
he called me ‘brilliant’! He keeps saying without me, this moment would never be
happening. ME! Donna Moss, a college dropout who talked her way into the
Bartlet campaign. It’s overwhelming.
The press is firing questions at the trio by the podium when I feel an arm around
my shoulder. I must have been really distracted not to feel Josh coming.
“Who’s da man?” he asks and I roll my eyes for form.
“You are Joshua.” I reply dutifully.
“You don’t need to sound so snarky about it.” He tells me. “After all, you’re the
woman behind the man in this case.”
“Behind?” I turn a raised eyebrow to him.
“Next to?” He tries again and I let him off the hook. “Hey, that makes you ‘da
woman’! So what would ‘da woman’ like to do to celebrate our collective victory
here.”
I pretend to think about it for a minute. “Shots at the Hawk and Dove.” I respond
and have the pleasure of watching his face turn green.
“Really?” he squeaks.
“It’s been a tough nomination process. Let’s get toasted.” I continue. “I’m thinking
a 21 year old bottle of Scotch, like you shared with the Senator.”
His eyes narrow when he realizes I’ve been making him ill on purpose. “You are
Machiavellian, do you know that?”
“I learned it all from you.” I tell him sincerely and our eyes lock.
“I’m not such a great teacher, ask Ryan.”
“You’ve been a great teacher for me.”
“That’s different.” He looks away and I don’t have the courage to ask him how it’s
different with us. Instead, I decide to take advantage of his offer to celebrate.
“Ristorante i Ricchi.” I say firmly.
“Doooonnnna…if will be filled with work people.” He whines.
“It will be filled with wonderful pasta and delicious wines and cheese…” I purr into
his ear. “You asked me what I wanted to do. I want to go to Ristorante i Ricchi
and spend lots and lots of your considerable wealth.”
“Where do you get these ideas about my bank account?” Josh turns back to me
to argue. “I work on a Government salary too, you know.”
“I’m a girl on a budget, Josh, and the ‘Government salary’ for the Deputy Chief of
Staff is considerably higher than mine, I’m sure. Besides, your mom told me you’
re loaded.”
“My Mother?!”
“She’s always telling me you should buy me a nice dinner when we’re working
late and that I shouldn’t let you be a cheapskate about dinner because you’re
loaded.”
“Nice.” Josh scoffs. “Do you tell her I always buy dinner when we work late?”
“I may have left out that part.” I admit.
“Donna!”
“Come on, Josh, it’s take out or delivery with you. Do you really think you
deserve credit for that?”
“Fair point.” Josh acknowledges. “You better call for a table then.”
“Thanks.” I give him a quick kiss on the cheek and get going to make a
reservation. When I turn back to look at him, he’s still staring at me with this
wistful look on his face. I wish I could see that expression more often. It does
amazing things to me.