13.
“I can’t say that I’m surprised that Josh chose a beautiful blond to deliver the white flag.” Hoynes
commented drolly.
“Actually, I’m here at the behest of Leo McGarry. Josh doesn’t want me within a city mile of you.”
Donna replied saucily. “And I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not carrying a white flag either.”
“Would you like something to drink?” Hoynes offered.
“I’m fine thanks, but I would like an opportunity to speak privately.” Donna eyed several staff members
in the suite with them.
“People? I’d like the room.” Hoynes directed and his staff all quickly exited.
“Hmmm…Josh dismisses people just the same way. Did you learn it from him, or him from you?”
Donna asked.
“He learned everything from me, Donna.” Hoynes bragged.
“Somehow I doubt that very much. There are some similarities in your style, but then the paths
diverge.”
“Huh. Well, if you’re not here to deliver the flag of surrender, just what is your objective here?”
“To make a proposal.” Donna stated. “The Governor would like to offer you the Vice Presidential spot
on the Democratic ticket.”
Hoynes laughed. “I wasn’t aware it was his to offer.”
“He’s leading in delegates.” Donna reminded him.
“By a slim margin and we’re chipping away at the Super Delegates bit by bit.” Hoynes tossed back and
poured himself a tall glass of ice water.
“There are always a few nervous rats willing to jump ship at the first sight of water, but you need more
than a few to overcome the Governor’s lead, and you’re not going to get them.”
“He LIED about a degenerative disease while he campaigned for the Presidency. Do you really
think…”
“What I think is immaterial. He has the most votes and he’s going to have the nomination. You can
hitch your wagon to his star and be the Vice President of the United States, or you can take your ball
and go home. The party will remember which choice you make in four years time either way. Give it
some thought.” Donna advised and got up to leave.
“Donna?”
“Senator?”
“He’s leaking the offer right now, isn’t he?” Hoynes guessed.
“Josh is hardly predictable, Senator. Who knows what someone unstable like him might decide to do.”
Donna got her last dig in and closed the door behind her.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“She should be back by now.” Josh checked his watch again.
“Sit. Down.” Toby advised him.
“I’m just saying…Hoynes is a snake and she should be back by now.”
“She’s fine. She’s hardly been gone long at all.” Sam reassured him.
“It was a STUPID IDEA to send her.” Josh said loudly in order to get Leo’s attention; he succeeded.
“It was an inspired idea.” Leo maintained. “And you would realize that if you were thinking strategically
instead of…not.”
“I leaked the damn story, didn’t I?” Josh demanded and had Jed Bartlet laying a calming hand on his
shoulder.
“You did your job very well. Now trust Donna to do hers.” Jed counseled him.
“John Hoynes is a snake…especially when it comes to women.” Josh muttered.
“Donna can handle him.” Jed winked.
“CNN is running it now.” CJ announced from the doorway. “With luck, they’ll catch Donna on her way
out of the building.” Josh blew out a disbelieving breath. “She’ll be fine, relax. Would somebody get
this man a drink?” She asked the room at large.
“I’m thinking about joining him.” Leo muttered.
“Leo!” CJ hit the campaign manager affectionately on the shoulder.
“I’m just saying Josh could drive a man to drink…even if he weren’t an alcoholic.” Leo explained.
“If I agree can we move on to another subject?” Toby asked.
“What subject would you prefer?” Sam countered.
“Almost…you know, anything.” Toby replied.
“How are the Yankees doing, Toby?” CJ offered innocently.
“I said ‘almost’ anything.” Toby repeated. “I think we should have another statement ready.”
“For what?” Leo wondered.
“For if Hoynes turns us down, which, really, is not beyond the realm of possibility despite what Kreskin
over here says.” Toby jerked his thumb at Josh.
“He’s not going to be happy about it, but he’s too pragmatic to turn us down.” Josh noted.
“Says you.” Toby shot back.
“Yes. Says me.” Josh literally got in the speech writer’s face.
“Boys. Settle down.” CJ stepped between them. “Josh, let’s go get some coffee.”
She led him from the room by the elbow.
“He COULD be wrong you know.” Toby pointed out.
“Yeah, but he’s not.” Leo shrugged. “You’ve got the announcement ready to go?”
“Yes.” Sam responded.
“We’re still tweaking.” Toby said at the same time.
“What’s left to tweak?” Sam asked.
“We have to see what Hoynes says before we know what we have to tweak.”
“Is it just me, or are tensions running a bit high around here, Leo?” Jed asked.
“It’s not just you.”
“I thought things would calm down once we won in Florida.”
“You thought wrong.” Leo shrugged again. “Things aren’t going to calm down for the next several
years if things go our way.”
“Someone remind me why I want this job again?” Jed asked the room at large.
“Air Force One is pretty cool, I hear.” Sam offered. “You get to throw out the first pitch of the baseball
season…Oh! The Marine Corps band can…”
“Enough!” Toby begged. “Governor…are you sure Hoynes is the one?”
“I thought we’d already made this decision.” Jed’s eyebrow rose in question.
“Well, on paper, it looks like a good idea. It’s just that the more I think about it…” Toby admitted.
“It’s a marriage of political convenience, Toby.” Leo interjected.
“And I’m not indifferent to that, but…”
“I think the time for debating the subject is over.” Sam joined in. “Now we wait to see what Hoynes says
in response.”
They all turned in unison back to the television set in anticipation of Hoynes’ appearance.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I could drive over there.” Josh suggested.
“And most likely miss her on her way back here.” CJ reasoned.
“Maybe.” Josh continued his pacing and nearly pushed CJ into the wall when he spotted Donna
entering the campaign headquarters in his haste to get to her. “Hey. How did it go? What did he say?
Did he mess with you at all?”
“Ummm…” Donna looked around at the crowd they were attracting. “Maybe we could debrief in Leo’s
office?”
“Right. Yes. Sure.” He pulled her by the hand very quickly to Leo’s office which he burst inside without
so much as a knock. CJ followed right behind them.
“Donna’s back.” He announced.
“So we see.” Jed smiled. “What said the Senator from Texas?”
“He’s mulling it over.” Donna shared. “But he’s feeling pretty boxed in, I’d guess. He figured Josh was
leaking the VP offer too.”
“Nobody accused him of being stupid.” Leo surmised.
“Now what?” Sam asked.
“We wait.” Josh shrugged. “It won’t be long. He’s going to want to try to take back the reins by making
a counter proposal.”
“Like, how about I’m the Presidential nominee and the Governor could run for VP?” Sam chuckled.
“Something along those lines, yes.” Josh agreed. “He’ll have some conditions of his own but he’ll come
around.”
“Okay. We wait.” Leo decided. “But let’s have a plan B just in case.”
“You’re questioning my read on this situation?” Josh asked.
“I’m saying we should be prepared for all contingencies.” Leo countered. “CJ, we don’t confirm
anything until we get a response.”
“Got it, boss.” CJ saluted.
“We have one last primary people. Where are we with that?” Leo demanded.
“The Governor is doing a sit down with channel 5 first thing tomorrow.” CJ reported.
“We’ve got 3 rallies set up throughout the rest of the day.” Donna shared. “All three are on college
campuses.”
“Good work.” Leo nodded. “He does well there.”
“From there we’ll get more volunteers ready to mobilize for GOTV. I’d like to capitalize on the Governor’
s family’s presence there?” Donna directed the last to the man himself.
“Zoey is flying in at 9:30.” Jed told them. “Liz said she’ll be available for whatever you need.”
“Where is Liz?” Sam asked.
“She and Abbey are doing a thing with the League of Women’s Voters tonight.” Leo replied.
“They’ve been a huge hit on the trail.” CJ added. “We get press requests for them wherever we go.
Zoey does great with the college crowd.”
“If only I could get my middle daughter to sway the scientific community.” Jed drawled.
“I know you don’t like to use your family…” Leo began.
“I don’t.” Jed affirmed.
“But this is part of the deal. You should be proud of how well they each do out there.” Leo continued
undeterred.
“I am. I just wish it wasn’t necessary.” The Governor muttered.
“It is.” Leo confirmed. “Get over it.”
“Who’s in charge here again?” Governor Bartlet asked the room at large. Without hesitation each
person present pointed to Leo. “Terrific.”
“Okay. That’s it for now. Whoever hears from Hoynes first better bring it to me second.” Leo shooed
them all out of his office. Josh took Donna directly to their office and shut the door.
“Tell me every word, every gesture.” He requested and Donna replayed the scene for him.
“He didn’t make any untoward advances?” Josh confirmed.
“Untoward advances?” Donna had a hard time keeping a straight face.
“The man has a reputation, Donna.”
“Uh…so do you, Joshua.”
“Not like that!” He protested.
“No…not exactly.” Donna teased. “It went fine. He was perfectly professional. My guess is you’ll be
getting a call within the hour.”
“You think he’s going to call me?” Josh asked in disbelief.
“I do.” Donna nodded. “I think he feels a little guilty about how he used you and he’s going to want to
mend this particular political fence. He strikes me as the kind of person who wants to keep all of his
options open.”
“You want to put a wager on that ‘feeling’?” Josh moved a little closer to her.
“What did you have in mind?”
“I win and you take me to dinner.”
“And if I win?” Donna played along.
“I take you to dinner.” Josh kissed her briefly.
“I seem to recall you offering me this wager before.”
“Yeah, but you were reluctant to take me up on it last time.”
“You’ll never know how tempted I was.” She admitted before answering her cell. “Yes, I can set that up
for the Senator. I’ll get back to you shortly.” She snapped shut her cell phone. “Senator Hoynes would
like to meet with you and the Governor at your earliest convenience.” She announced with a grin.
“Looks like we’re going out for dinner.” Josh grinned back.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“This doesn’t feel at all like a Mafia meet to you?” Governor Bartlet asked his Director of Political
strategy.
“I’m Jewish, sir. I don’t have much experience with the Mafia.” Josh replied.
“But you’ve watched “The Godfather” right?”
“Sir…”
“While we’re waiting for John and his contingent to show up, I think this might be a good time to ask
you about your intentions toward Donna.”
“Oh, God. Really?”
“The woman works for me, has for years, and I know her family. I think I have duty, in loco parentis so
to speak, to look out for her.” Jed teased.
“Hoynes is here.” Josh announced gratefully.
“Okay, but we’re coming back to this subject.” The Governor promised and walked forward with Josh
to meet Hoynes and his entourage at the restaurant they’d chosen to meet. A back room had been
reserved for both privacy and security but once it had been swept, only the candidates and Josh
entered and took seats around the square table.
“Your…emissary brought me your generous offer to run as your Vice President.” John began.
“It would bring closure to this hard fought primary battle, John.” Jed responded.
“Before the final primary, Jed?”
“Obviously, timing is something that can be worked out on your timetable, Senator.” Josh intervened
as the waitress came in to take their drink orders. All three men stuck to soft drinks predicting that
they should keep their wits about them.
“I have a few more conditions of my own.” Senator Hoynes shared.
“Which are?”
“A seat at the table.” Hoynes answered. “I won’t spend my time wasting away at the Naval Observatory
while you run the Government single handedly.”
“Your experience and relationships in the Senate would be invaluable in my administration.” Jed
allowed.
“I’m going to need some help settling campaign debt.”
Jed turned his head to get Josh’s input.
“Once we’re united behind one ticket, we can help with that.” Josh nodded and sat forward. “Name the
last condition.”
Hoynes smirked. “You endorse me for President when you’re done regardless of who else is running.”
Josh sat back to let the Governor take that one.
“I’ve always believed loyalty should be rewarded.” Jed nodded too. “You have my word.” He held out a
hand to Hoynes who shook it. “You and Josh will work out the details?”
“Yes, sir.” John agreed and waited until Jed left the other two men alone. The waitress returned,
looking confused at how the party of three had become a party of two, but she left all three drinks
anyway.
“I shouldn’t have made this personal between us.” Hoynes acknowledged.
“All politics is personal, Senator. Isn’t that what you’ve always told me?”
“Between the candidates, sure, but between us?”
“Seems to me there was plenty of ‘personal’ between us too.” Josh shrugged. “Or are you going to tell
me you didn’t take it personally that I left your staff to work for the Governor?”
“Truthfully? I thought you were stupid to leave my staff to work for Bartlet. I bet that you’d come back
with your tail between your legs within 3 months; that bet cost me $100.” Hoynes chuckled. “Then
when you became serious competition, it simply pissed me off that I hadn’t listened to you in the first
place.”
“It would probably be best for all concerned to wait a week or so after the last primary before we…”
“I shouldn’t have dismissed your expertise when you worked for me and I shouldn’t have brought your
father into any of this at all. I’m sorry for that.”
Josh took another sip of his drink but refused to meet Hoynes eyes. “All’s fair…”
“It might be fair, but it doesn’t mean it was right.”
“Gee, John, I wasn’t sure you knew there was a difference.” Josh said snidely.
“I have one other…consideration.”
“I can’t wait to hear this.” Josh grumbled.
“When the time comes, I’d like you in my office; chief of staff.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“It’s more than you’ll get from Bartlet.”
“My loyalty is to the Governor.”
“For now, sure.” John shrugged. “But it will be McGarry sitting next to the Oval, not you. You come with
me and it will be Chief of Staff to the Vice President for awhile, but then you’ll be calling the shots in
the West Wing.” John rose and threw a couple bills on the table. “Think about it.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
14.
“Yes, Senator. I’ve outlined the schedule for you as well as the topics we want to push in each of the
markets.” Donna pointed out while Senator Hoynes completed his makeup job for the interviews he
was about to embark on. “I’ll be here to give you a quick refresher between each one, but since there
isn’t much time…”
“I’ll have it down before we start.” Hoynes assured her. “Josh has looked these over?”
“Yes, sir.” Donna tried not to grimace. The Senator didn’t have the trust with her that she enjoyed with
Governor…yet, so she tried to blow off his constant need for assurance that Josh had given his
permission for whatever it was they were doing.
“Okay, give me a few minutes to look this over?”
“Of course, Senator. I’ll be just outside if you have any questions or concerns.” Donna stepped out
into the hallway and took a cleansing breath. The campaign had exploded since Senator Hoynes
joined the ticket one week away. There was definitely a lot of energy, but she wasn’t yet convinced it
was all for the good. For one thing, she didn’t trust Senator Hoynes. Josh may have forgiven him for
his personal assault in the press, but Donna wasn’t so quick with her forgiveness; especially when she
was convinced the Senator would do it all again in a heartbeat if he thought it would benefit him.
“Donna? Is the Senator ready?” One of the technicians asked.
“He’s just finishing hair and makeup, then he’ll be right out.” She smiled reassuringly. She fervently
hoped that Josh and Leo knew what they were doing because to her way of thinking, John Hoynes
wasn’t the real thing and never would be.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Good job on the prep. He looked good.” Josh complimented Donna.
“He’s a quick study.” Donna replied.
“Nobody ever accused the man of being stupid.” Leo added. “Toby, I want you and Sam on debate
prep with Josh and me today.”
“Which I’m fine with…” Toby replied.
“Imagine my relief.” Leo deadpanned.
“But I think we need to take a minute to consider how we’re going to get tagged with the latest ad
coming out from the teacher’s union. We’re going to get accused of using adorable school children in
television ads to inflate the national debt.” Toby continued.
“And that’s different from every other Democratic candidate how?” CJ asked.
“It’s different because he’s the standard bearer now and anything that sticks to us will trickle down to
every down ticket race there is.” Toby answered hotly.
“That’s not really our biggest concern is it?” Sam interjected.
“It should be.” Toby countered. “The Governor can’t take another hit right now.”
“We asked the union to hold off on the ad, they refused. What do you want from me?” Leo spread his
arms out in gesture of frustration.
“I think Hoynes should get out in front of it.” Toby answered. “He can afford to take the body blow and
it deflects the press from pressing the Governor on it.”
“Do we really want to give the Senator that much importance in this debate?” Donna asked the room
at large and got a questioning glance from Josh. “It’s just that we don’t want to give the appearance of
the Governor ducking the issue or the Senator calling the shots.”
“We’re all on the same team now, people.” Leo reminded them. “I know it takes a little mental
adjustment but get adjusted already damn it. Josh, talk to Hoynes and see if he’s comfortable making
a statement about the NEA ad.” Josh nodded acceptance. “I want everyone back here at 8 for a
rundown on how the day went and a preview of tomorrow for the Governor. That’s it.” Leo dismissed
them. Josh waited until they were out of ear shot before asking the question that had been on the tip
of his tongue throughout the meeting.
“Did the Senator give you any trouble?”
“No, he was fine.” Donna shrugged.
“You’re sure?”
“You think I’m lying to you?” She shot back.
“I think…you might answer judiciously to avoid raising my blood pressure.” He replied carefully.
“He’s been completely professional.” Donna assured him since she knew that was the real question
Josh was asking.
“Then what’s your problem with Hoynes?”
“Who said I had one? Why are you suddenly his biggest cheerleader?”
“I’m not.” Josh stopped walking to turn and make eye contact with her. “It’s just that we’re on the same
team now, like Leo said.”
“You’re consulting with him on everything. He won’t let a word come out of his mouth unless it’s been
spoonfed by you. Leo always picks you to liaise with his team…”
“That’s because I know him better than anyone else and the man trusts me. What is wrong, Donna?”
“I don’t trust the man, okay?!” She said in a voice much louder than she intended shocking both Josh
and herself.
Josh considered for a moment and then pulled her into a small supply room.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to announce that to the State of Hawaii.” Donna immediately apologized.
Josh shook that off with a wave of his hand. “Look me in the eye and tell me he has kept things
completely professional with you.”
“He has; I swear.” Donna took his hands in hers. She didn’t mean to alarm him in that way. “Although
there’s been more than a few grumbles about how he treats other female staff. Even CJ keeps her
distance from him these days.”
“God, do I have to talk to her now?” Josh asked Donna’s opinion.
“I think you’d just embarrass both of you.” Donna offered. “It’s just another doubt that’s been creeping
up since…He’s not the real thing, Josh. You and I both know it. It’s why you left his campaign to begin
with. The whole team has reservations.”
“It’s a marriage of political convenience, Donna, that’s all.”
“I’m not naïve, Joshua. I know what this is, or at least what it’s supposed to be. I think the marriage
should be called off before it’s too late.”
“It’s already too late.”
“No, it’s not. You could…”
“*I* could what?” Josh laughed. “I think you greatly exaggerate my ability to spin,”
“Isn’t that a change for both of us.” Donna quipped. “The man is trouble, Josh, I can feel it.”
“We’re going to have to make the best of it.” Josh stated and opened the door leaving her alone in the
small room.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I’m fine, Abbey.” Jed repeated.
“Then you’ll have no objection to me checking.” She responded, wrapping his arm securely in a blood
pressure cuff.
“Of course not.” Jed drawled. “Donna said your thing went very well.”
“Don’t ever let it be said that I can’t whip a crowd of working women into a political frenzy.”
“That sentence scares me.”
“You’re a smart man.”
“Where are our daughters?” Jed asked.
“Zoey and Liz have already left for the rally at the capitol.”
“And Ellie?”
“She’s back at school. She left early this morning.”
“Without saying goodbye?”
“It was very early, Jed. She didn’t want to wake you.”
“She didn’t want to tell me she was going back to school.” Jed argued.
“She TOLD you yesterday, you just weren’t paying attention.” Abbey disagreed.
“I’m never not paying THAT much attention.”
“That was a convoluted sentence, Jethro.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You’re lucky that I do.” Abbey removed the cuff. “Your pressure is good so far, don’t blow it now,
dear.”
“I’d just like to, you know, spend more time with her.” Jed objected.
“Please!”
“I would!” Jed insisted.
“I’m sure you would, but let’s be honest. Even if she stayed in this suite with us, you wouldn’t have the
time to spend more time with you. It’s going to be crazy days from now until the election; even worse
after if things go your way.” Abbey pointed out.
“IF things go my way?” Jed questioned pulling his wife into his arms.
“Toby has taught me the value of cautious optimism.” Abbey replied smiling before she kissed her
husband firmly on the mouth. “You’re doing very well, Jed. I’m proud of you.” She was about to kiss
him again when there was a quick knock on the door followed by it’s immediate opening and the
entrance of Josh Lyman.
“No, Joshua, we’re not having a private moment. Please come in.” Abbey drawled. She had long ago
resigned herself to the fact that Josh Lyman, for all his political brilliance, would never catch subtle, or
not so subtle, social interaction cues.
“Hey, Dr. B. I need the Governor for a minute.” Josh said without looking up from the newspaper he
had in his hands.
“Of course.” Abbey rolled her eyes. “I’ll just step out of my private room and let you two have a
moment.”
“Thanks, Dr. B.” Josh smiled while Abbey muttered ‘clueless’.
“What’s up, Joshua?” Jed asked while he finished adjusting his tie.
“There’s a story in the paper about you; the afternoon addition.” Josh began and handed a copy to
the Governor.
“Surely that’s a good thing.” Jed joked and started scanning the item Josh pointed to, his scowl
deepening as he read. “Josh…”
“I know, sir.” Josh nodded glumly. “We have a leak.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>