A Friend in Deed Chapter 9:
Donna's POV
Having Josh on the Hill first thing in the morning has advantages and
disadvantages. In the plus column, there's the fact that it's
considerably quieter, his office stays organized a few hours longer,
and I can get my work done undisturbed. In the minus column, there's
the fact that it's considerably quieter and there's no one to banter
with. Although there isn't any banter at all, lately.
Ben popped in a few minutes ago on his way to an interview with
Lionel Tribbey. He was in a very good mood and didn't even make a
pretense of looking for Josh. He told me to save some room for a
celebratory lunch, but I told him I didn't think I would be able to
get out for lunch today. He'll want to talk about Josh and the
discussion I had with Josh and I'm just not up for that today.
Margaret stopped by with another research project from Leo. I love
Margaret, I really do, but the sympathetic looks she was giving me
just started getting on my nerves, so I was glad when Leo called her
back to the office. I dug into the research, I love making notes
cards for these projects, and had a lot accomplished by the time Josh
returned. I recognized his footsteps coming down the hall and looked
up, excited to tell him about what I'd discovered in my research when
my jaw dropped to my desk.
"Oh my God, Josh! You were only on the Hill for a few hours. Who did
you get in a fight with?" Josh has a black eye and I can't imagine
the apology bouquet I'm going to have to send now. Then another
thought occurs to me. "Should I call CJ? Is this going to be a thing?"
"Your faith in me is heartening, Donnatella. I did not get into a
fight on the Hill. I got this last night defending the virtue of a
young mother of 2 who was being assaulted at a bus stop on my way
home last night." Josh responded.
"Uh-huh. You got drunk didn't you?"
"That's my story, Donna, and I'm sticking to it." I know he's telling
a lie and not a little lie either, but a huge whopper of a lie.
Still, it's kind of like bantering, so I accept it and move on.
"Okay, as long as I don't have to send an apology bouquet to anyone…
Ben stopped by. Did you know he was interviewing here for a position
in the counsel's office?"
"Yeah. He mentioned it this morning."
"He's planning on coming back after his interview and wanted to have
lunch."
"We don't have anything scheduled over lunch, do we?"
"No, but-"
"You should go. I think he wants to celebrate his new job." There was
a pause as our eyes met and a silent message was sent between
us. "He's a good guy, Donna. Maybe he'll even take the job in the
counsel's office."
"Maybe…" I tried to smile, but failed. "I'll let you know when he
gets here."
"Thanks. Get Hardin on the phone for me, will you?"
"Sure." Happy for the excuse to get out of his office, I quickly
turned around and went back to my desk. Josh is telling me I should
go out with his friend, not because he doesn't want to go out with
me, but because he can't and he'd apparently rather see me with
someone he knows and trusts than the usual `gomers' I pick out on my
own. Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better.
"Leo, Lionel Tribbey wants to know if you can spare 10 minutes to
meet a candidate for the associate counsel's position." Margaret
informed him.
"Why do I have to meet him? If Tribbey likes the guy, he should hire
the guy."
"Apparently, `the guy' is being courted by the big firms in D.C. and
Lionel feels that a meeting with the Chief of Staff might help seal
the deal."
"How about a meeting with the Deputy Chief of Staff? Put him on
Josh's schedule."
"Lionel said we can't do that since he's an old college friend of
Josh's."
"Fine, I'll meet with him for 10 minutes, but that's really it."
"I'll have him escorted up." Margaret nodded and went to relay the
message.
Within 5 minutes there was another knock at his door.
"Ben Abrahms, may I introduce Chief of Staff Leo McGarry." Margaret
introduced them before exiting the room and closing the door.
"Mr. Abrams…have a seat."
"Please, call me Ben, sir. It's an honor to meet you. I appreciate
you taking the time out of your schedule."
"Lionel tells me you're considering a job in the counsel's office."
"I was."
"But you aren't any longer?" Leo tried to understand.
"I got an offer at Hogan & Hartson yesterday."
"Well, you'd have to be pretty stupid or pretty dedicated to turn
that down."
"I think Josh would tell you I'm neither." Ben returned with a smile.
"Then what are we doing here?" Leo was getting agitated.
"Originally, when I scheduled the interview, I was sincerely
interested in the position. Josh has told me about what a great
privilege it is to work for President Bartlet, and how much he's
learned from you."
Leo paused a moment as he took in this indirect praise from a man he
considered his son.
"Well, at the risk of inflating his already oversize ego, I'd have a
hard time getting the President's agenda through Congress without
Josh Lyman."
"He won't hear it from me. It's just that seeing him again, it's made
me realize the sacrifices he's made to serve at the pleasure of the
President, the least of which is financial."
"That's part of the service, I'm afraid. Long hours, crappy pay, and
living in the spotlight. Working at the White House is a glamorous
job." Leo smiled.
"May I ask you something, sir?"
"Sure."
"Josh mentioned living in the spotlight, too. Is he really under that
much scrutiny? Do other people really care what he does when he's not
working? Where he goes, who he dates, that sort of thing?"
Leo's antenna went up at the mention of dating, but he answered the
question.
"In the course of pursuing the President's agenda, Josh has sometimes
had to play the heavy and as a result he has made quite a few enemies
on the other side of the aisle..and even a few on our side of the
aisle." Leo paused. "What's this about, Ben. Why go to all the
trouble to come in and interview for a position you don't really
want?"
"I care about my friend. He helped me out at a time when I was going
through some tough times and he's always been a loyal, caring friend.
I'd like to return the favor, and there was no other way someone like
me could get a meeting with someone like you." Ben let the silence
hang for a few seconds. "Have you noticed anything different about
Josh in this last week?"
"He's been quiet, but he had a big thing with Donna earlier in the
week, so I figured it was due to that. Is there something else I
should know about?"
"When Donna and I had dinner the other night, she told me that you
frequently tap her to work on special projects for you. She said she
particularly enjoys working on those projects because she feels like
she's making a substantial contribution when you ask for her help."
"She does great work. Donna's research is always thorough and well
thought out. I'd steal her away from Josh in a heartbeat if I didn't
think it would give Josh a coronary." Leo admitted.
"Actually, sir, it might be the best thing you could do for his
heart." Ben replied and waited a beat for his meaning to sink in.
"You really think so?" Leo asked.
"Having spoken to both of them, I am in a unique position to know so…
I won't take any more of your time, sir. I appreciate it."
Leo stood to shake hands with Ben. "Are you sure there's nothing I
can do to persuade you to reconsider a position here. I think you'd
make an excellent addition to the team."
"Thanks, but I'm sure Josh could give you a laundry list of reasons
why you're probably better off without me. Goodbye, Mr. McGarry." Ben
opened the door to leave and Margaret almost fell inside. "Goodbye,
Margaret."
Chapter 10