Josh’s POV:
I get out of the 7 AM briefing, yes I briefed on the President’s agreement with China,
and practically bounce back to my office. Yes, I am running on fumes at this point, but I
know who will be waiting there for me. Donna. I left her a note to book me on a flight to
Houston tonight. I figure I can sleep on the plane. I need to at least appear as though I’
ve had sleep recently if I’m going to convince Matt Santos to run.
Despite the lack of sleep and the dramatic turn of events in the last few days, both
personal and professional, I feel an energy this morning that I haven’t felt in weeks; a
sense of purpose. Ah, there she is. She’s doing six things at once, but Donna has
always been an excellent multi-tasker. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been too selfish to
help her move onward and upward. It would take 4 people, at least, to replace her.
She catches sight of me, and her mouth moves into a smile that would put the Mona
Lisa to shame. She holds up a finger to indicate I should wait while she finishes her
call. Was I ever in charge around here?
She gets off the phone and walks with me into my office. “Your flight leaves at 6.” She
hands me a sticky note with the flight number and arrival/departure information as well
as Congressman Santos’ home address. She is SO efficient. “Congressman Santos is
expecting you. He thinks you want to convince him to run for re-election and I did
nothing to disabuse him of that notion.” I smile at that comment. We agreed that would
be our cover story unless or until he agreed to our 9 point plan.
Yes, it is a nine point plan; at least the plan we’re giving Santos has 9 points. Our
personal plan has one additional point, but we agreed that it wasn’t something we
needed to include in the copy we were sharing with the Congressman.
“Got it. What’s next?”
“Next, you go lie down on the couch in CJ’s office and take a nap. I’ll wake you when
we need you.”
“Donna…”
“You need some sleep, Josh. Go lie down.”
“Yeah, okay. You’ll wake me?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Do I get to pick how?”
“Not in the White House you don’t.” Always with the back talk, this woman. Is it any
wonder I love her?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Donna’s POV:
Josh left for Houston HOURS ago, and still not one call from him. Would it kill him to let
me know he arrived safely and was on his way to see Santos? Usually, he would have
called 4 times by now to ask where I put something, or demand that I relieve him of his
boredom, or complain about the obnoxious seatmate from hell on his flight, but
today…nothing.
By midnight, I can’t take it anymore and call his cell.
“Hey.” He answers quietly. “I was going to call you, but I thought you might be sleeping.”
“I couldn’t sleep. How is Houston?” I try to ask the question without actually asking the
question.
“Hot” he responds. No help there. So much for subtlety.
“What did the Congressman say?”
“He’s not running.” Oh. “Plus I think I should have my rental car checked for bomb
materials. His wife couldn’t get me out the door quickly enough, and the looks she was
giving me...”
“Well sure, she thought she was getting her husband back at home after 3
Congressional terms, and you’re talking about stealing him away for an even more
demanding schedule.” I understand that. I really do. They have young children and it
must be hard for them to be apart so much of the time. Josh has only been gone a few
hours and I miss him already.
“Yeah, but this is the Presidency. It’s bigger than all that.”
“To you, yes. To her, maybe not so much.” I try to reason with him, but Josh doesn’t
always get the personal/social stuff so well. “You showed them our plan?” It was a
great plan. I’m very proud of that plan. It is the first thing we’ve done together as
partners…well, professionally anyway.
“They seemed kind of blown away by it. Mrs. Santos kept interrupting me to ask if I was
serious.”
“Okay that’s not good.”
“It’s really not. The Congressman was very nice and thanked me for complement. That’
s what he said; ‘the complement’ like I admired his shoes or something.”
“Josh, this is a huge deal and you’ve been thinking about it for awhile, he hasn’t. You
didn’t expect that he would just fly back to D.C. with you today and start campaigning,
did you?” I pause to let him answer, but there’s none forthcoming. “You did?”
“We had a 9 point plan and everything! He would be really good, Donna!”
“I know, but he’s got to want it too. Get some sleep.” I suggest.
“I slept on the plane.”
“Don’t forget you’ve got the state party chair for breakfast at 8.”
“Got it.” He sounds so depressed and I can’t do anything to help from here.
“It’s a really great plan, Josh.”
“Yeah, I wish you were here Donnatella.”
“Me too.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Josh Lyman’s office.”
“Donna, CJ would like Josh’s next available.” Margaret informs me. They just got back
from China like 10 minutes ago. Is she serious? Is this the most pressing matter on the
Chief of Staff’s desk?
“He’s not back from Texas yet Margaret. I’m expecting him back within the hour though.
I can send him down when he gets in.”
“Thanks Donna.” Margaret hangs up and a feeling of foreboding comes over me. Yes,
I have now moved to the ‘what have we done’ portion of my self-talk. I know Josh said
he would take care of it, but that was before Santos said no, and Josh isn’t exactly
here right now is he? I barely finish the thought when the phone rings again and now
Margaret is summoning me to see CJ. Oh shit.
I tell Brenda I’ve been summoned to the Chief of Staff’s office and ask her to cover the
phones until I get back and then I take the long, lonely walk to Leo’s office. I still think
of it as Leo’s office.
As I walk over, I start building things up in my head. She does not get to question my
personal relationship with Josh right now. We’re not friends like that anymore, and
besides that she’s not calling me over as a friend. Then I remember our conversation
during the shutdown and how she tried to steer me away from Josh and planted
doubts in my head. I felt so humiliated; so sure that I was wearing my heart on my
sleeve and that Josh wouldn’t return my feelings. The more I think about it the angrier I
get. By the time I reach the COS office, I’ve built up a huge head of steam. Margaret
nods me in and after a cursory knock, I enter and shut the door behind me.
“Donna.” CJ says my name like it’s a complete lecture.
“Ma’am.” I respond. She blinks at this; probably because 1) I have never put that kind
of professional distance between us 2) She knows I’m saying it sarcastically.
“Things seem to have changed at the OK corral while I’ve been gone.”
“Yes. How is the President?” Another blink.
“He’s resting. Do you want to explain what the hell you and Josh think you’re doing in
my White House?” Her White House?
“We’re working.”
“Uh-huh. What were you thinking Donna? Do I not have enough on my plate without
having to deal with a sex scandal? You would never have even considered pulling this
when Leo was sitting in this chair.”
“First of all it’s not a ‘sex scandal’ it is a relationship; you should know that better than
anyone. Second, we’re not ‘pulling anything’ on you. We made a decision, a personal
decision that has nothing to do with you or anyone else in this building. Despite your
attitude of late, the world does not revolve around CJ Cregg!” Okay, that came out a
little harsher than I intended.
“I see.” CJ leans back in her chair and I notice how tired she looks. “What’s Josh doing
in Texas, Donna?”
“He went down to see Matt Santos and then he had a meeting with the State party
chair to coordinate the D triple C recommendations.” All perfectly true.
CJ nods her head like she understands I’m giving her a line and looks disappointedly
at me.
“What happened to us, Donna? We used to be friends; good friends.” The heat has
left her voice and now she just sounds sad and tired.
“You shouldn’t have said those things to me…during the lockdown.” I don’t need to
elaborate further as she nods immediately.
“I’m sorry. I really thought…it doesn’t matter, it was out of line.” Now it’s my turn to nod.
“I was sure after Josh went to Germany it would all correct itself, but it didn’t, did it?”
“No, it didn’t.”
“Is he still so pissed I got his job?” she laughed at the expression on my face. “I’m not
stupid, Donna. This chair should have been his. I don’t know why Leo and the
President passed him over for it, but he had to have been pissed about it.”
Now I sat down across from her and thought out my answer carefully.
“I wouldn’t say he was pissed, but he was hurt. It was a pretty nasty blow in a long line
of recent nasty blows.”
“When he is he leaving?”
“He hasn’t even come back yet.” I hedge.
“We may not be close anymore, but I still know Josh pretty well and I know he’d never
make a move in your direction if he was planning on staying here.”
As I try to come up with an answer to that one the door opens with a bang and the man
himself walks in.
“Welcome back, mi amour.” CJ says with a soft smile.
“If you have a problem with my staff, CJ, you can go through me to solve it.”
“I don’t have a problem with your staff, Joshua. I have a problem with my friends and
that may turn into a work problem.”
“It won’t.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay. I trust you. I trust you both. How was Texas? Any good prospects for the Santos
seat?”
“There’s a DA who’s interested. He has a solid record but I didn’t like him very much.”
“Then we keep looking. You have been known to have pretty good instincts about
these things. I’m going to need your help bringing leadership on board with the North
Korean talks. Can we meet later? After we’ve both had little time to decompress from
our trips?”
“Sure.” Josh is still looking warily at CJ, like he’s waiting for something to blow. I get up
to leave and Josh is still keeping eye contact with CJ. There’s some kind of unspoken
dialogue happening between them and it’s freaking me out, because that’s something I
do with him.
“Call me whenever you’re ready.” Josh finally tells her and follows me out the door.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It’s after 10 by the time we cross the threshold into my apartment, both of us are
exhausted, but the physical side of our relationship is too new to pass up an
opportunity to be together.
This time it goes slower between us, with more patience and tenderness. It’s not until
much later that Donna broaches the subject of CJ with me.
“I thought you were going to draw your sword when you rushed into CJ’s office today.”
“I have other weapons.” I assure her.
“Well in this case they weren’t necessary is all I’m saying. You didn’t think I could
handle CJ by myself?” Her head pops up off of my chest.
See, this is a trick question. If I say ‘yes’ she’ll complain that I promised we were in this
together, if I say ‘no’ she’ll complain that I don’t think she can handle herself against an
adversary like CJ.
“Of course you can, but you shouldn’t have to.” Damn, am I good or what? It must
have hit the mark because she snuggles back into me.
“I think she’s feeling pretty isolated and sad.” She tells me. “She even apologized
for…something she said awhile back. We never go out as a gang anymore.”
“A gang?” I laugh. “What, are we wearing colors these days?”
“You know what I mean. There’s been all this tension and no fun and camaraderie
anymore.”
“Comraderie?” I laugh again. Yesterday, Donna was all pissy about CJ and her attitude
but today, after CJ apologizes, Donna is ready to forgive everything and help make CJ
feel better. She is so amazing.
“Are you just going to mock everything I say or are you going to help?”
“Mock. I definitely prefer to mock; and I’ve got excellent mocking skills too.”
“There’s no denying that.” She pinches me. “Let’s plan a night out.”
Her planning is interrupted by the ringing of the phone. I gratefully take the easy out
and answer it.
“Josh Lyman.”
“Josh, it’s Matt Santos. I’m sorry to be calling you so late and at home.”
I immediately sit up and move the phone to my other ear as I struggle to get out of
bed. This isn’t a conversation I want to have naked in bed with Donna.
“It’s not problem, Congressman, that’s why I gave you the number.” When I say
Congressman, Donna’s head snaps toward mine and she lifts her eyebrows.
“I had a couple questions about this 9 point plan of yours. Are you and your partner
available to discuss it if I come into D.C. tomorrow?”
“Certainly, sir. We’d be happy to meet with you.”
“Great. I’ll call you when I get in. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” I hang up the phone and look over at Donna. “Who’s Da man?”
After an eye roll she pulls me back into the bed for celebratory sex so I’m taking that
as partner approval for our plan to meet Santos. After the emotional roller coaster of
the last few days, I fall into a deep sleep pretty quickly…until the sound of Donna
screaming wakes me up.
**********************************************************
The screams is loud, high pitched, and directly in my right ear. As I bolt upright, I
partially dislodge Donna, who had been lying on my shoulder. Her breathing is heavy
and her skin is slick with sweat. Her eyes are wide open, but she doesn’t react when I
call her name…at all.
“Donna..Donna look at me.” I shake her a little bit and turn her head so she’s facing
me. “Donna, wake up!”
Finally, I see recognition in her eyes. Her whole body is shaking and I pull her into my
arms.
“Baby, what is it?” She doesn’t answer; she just sobs and shakes her head.
I spend what seems like an eternity just holding her while she cries. I am not a naturally
patient man and when the woman I love is crying, what little patience I possess is
quickly spent.
“Donna, please talk to me.”
“I’m sorry.” Sorry? What the hell is she sorry for? “I didn’t mean to wake you up, you
should go back to sleep.”
“Right. I’ll just go back to sleep…What happened?”
“I just had a nightmare, that’s all.”
“It looked and sounded pretty intense Donnatella. What was it about?”
Her eyes move down to the comforter and I know what she’s going to say before she
opens her mouth.
“Gaza.” She whispers. “CJ and I talked a little about it today. It must have triggered
something.”
“Do you get these a lot?” I try to keep my voice casual but there’s no mistaking my
unease, at least not where Donna is concerned.
“Not for awhile.”
“Donna…”
“I’m fine, Josh.” Her reply is louder and clipped this time. “I saw the therapist from
State, I worked through my issues. It was just a bad dream okay?” Yeah, and not
defensive or anything, eh Donna? Still, the most important thing right now is keeping
her calm and getting her back to sleep. I can give Stanley a call tomorrow.
“Okay, okay. Can you go back to sleep?” She looks wide awake now and shakes her
head ‘no’.
“I can turn on the TV for awhile…put on a movie?” She nods. I get out of bed and find
a DVD that will make her smile.
When the Princess Bride begins, I get a full bloom smile and a hug. I pretend to suffer
through it, but it’s a seriously funny movie. Since we’ve both seen it before several
times, my mind has time to wander.
As usual, it’s the guilt that comes first. I’m like a guilt savant; I can summon it from
almost any situation. In this case, though, the guilt is a natural consequence from my
decision to send Donna to Gaza in the first place. Please spare me the ‘You didn’t set
off the bomb’ routine. I’m not an idiot. I know I didn’t CAUSE Gaza, but Donna wouldn’t
have been on the same continent with that CODEL if I hadn’t sent her. I sent her to get
her off my back about adding responsibilities to her job. It looked like I was doing
something for her, but it was just as much for me and it had disastrous results. I’m still
not convinced it wasn’t God punishing me for my selfish attitude and taking Donna for
granted.
I’ve learned my lesson though. At least I thought I had. I wasn’t going to take Donna for
granted anymore. And yet, here we are and I had no idea she was having nightmares
about Gaza. What other effects has she suffered with that I’ve been too self-absorbed
to notice?
Buttercup is busy ordering Wesley around in our film du jour and Donna nestles
deeper into my arms. I run my hands through her hair and watch her as she watches
the movie.
If she’s having after effects from Gaza, (see how I avoided the term PTSD?) does she
really need to be quitting her job and taking on the added stress of a Presidential
campaign? We may need to rethink this whole thing.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Donna’s POV:
Congressman Santos is intelligent, charming, and very handsome. Sorry, ladies, but
he is also happily married. At least for now; the Congressman tells us she isn’t thrilled
with the idea of replacing a Congressional run with a Presidential run. In the meantime,
I am intent on enjoying the company of these two witty and charming gentlemen…that
is if Josh will quit looking at me like he’s expecting a melt down at any moment.
It was just a dream! Everyone has them once in awhile and I haven’t had any
for…weeks. It’s been an emotional few days and CJ and I were just talking about Gaza.
It’s only natural I would have a reaction, right?
“…Donna pulled together some of those numbers for us.” Josh finished. What? What
numbers? He must see the confusion in my eyes because he clarifies. “The national
issues numbers?”
“Right. If you take a look at these, Congressman, they highlight the issues registered
voters are most concerned about. They dovetail very nicely with the work you’ve done
in Congress.”
“I’ve tried to be responsive to my constituency.”
“Which is one of the reasons we brought this proposal to you.” Josh responded. “We
believe that with the right campaign, you could bring these issues to a new level and
become..”
“…the first Latino President of the United States.” I finish for him.
“You two always finish each others sentences?” Santos asks laughing.
“Frequently. Yes, sir.” Josh shared a smile with me.
“Let me ask you something, Josh. Why did you leave John Hoynes’ campaign to join
Jed Bartlet? Was it because of Leo?”
“I went to listen to Jed Bartlet because of Leo. I left Hoynes because he wasn’t the real
thing and Jed Bartlet was. Donna heard Governor Bartlet speak, packed her car with
all her worldly possessions and drove from Madison, Wisconsin to Nashua, New
Hampshire and hired herself as my assistant. We know the real thing when we see it.”
Very nicely done, Joshua. I look over at the Congressman and see serious
contemplation on his face.
“It’s a big decision.” He admits.
“It’s a huge decision.” I affirm. “It will impact you and your family for the rest of your
lives.”
“You’re ready for it.” Josh adds.
“So are we.” I throw in.
“I’ve talked to my wife at length, and she’s willing to go along with me on this, but I think
that’s mostly because she believes I don’t have a prayer past Iowa.”
“I’m a big believer in prayer.” I toss a look at Josh and see that he caught my meaning.
“Health and strength?” he asks.
“And I’ll steal the rest.” I confirm as Santos keeps looking between us like he’s at a
tennis match.
“Alright then…I’m in, but you two have to stop that ESP connection thing you’re doing
because it’s freaking me out.”
“This connection thing is going to get you elected President.” Josh brags.
“When do we start?”
“We’re going to need a couple days to get things handed off at the White House. Then
we head out for filing day. You need to think about where you want to announce from.”
“It should be someplace close to home that has special meaning to you.” I offer.
“It wouldn’t hurt if it made a nice photo op.” Josh adds. “We’ll need your family there
too; wife, kids, assorted relatives.”
“I don’t want my kids-“
“Just photos for the announcement, any other involvement will be cleared by you and
Mrs. Santos. We wouldn’t use your children that way.” I make that perfectly clear.
“I’m going back to Houston. If I’m lucky I’ll get to sleep on the couch tonight.” He
chuckles and Josh joins in. “You laugh now. If my wife is making voodoo dolls it will be
me first, but you second. She thinks this is all your fault.”
“Most things are.” I explain and Josh pretends to look shocked. Santos rises and
shakes both our hands. “We’ll be in touch.” He assures us.
Josh and I look at each other for a full minute before he breaks the silence.
“We need to get to work. I’m going to need a list of what’s on my desk that needs to be
passed off. I’ll need a few minutes with the President; CJ too. And we’re going to need
warmer clothes.” I look up from where I am hastily taking notes. “It’s cold in New
Hampshire.” He smiles.
************************************************************
Josh’s POV:
“You’re seriously going to do this? In my hour of need?” CJ asks from the door to my
office. I’ve just had my conversation with the President, which went far better than I had
anticipated.
“You’re Chief of Staff now CJ. You’re going to have nothing but ‘hours of need’ until
the next guy takes the oath.”
“And you think this 3 term Congressman is the next guy?”
“Yep, I do.” She must see the resolve in my face, because she lets it drop.
“I had lunch with your new partner today.” She smirks as she says that.
“I know. As partners, we discuss…plans with each other.” I smirk back.
“It’s going to be a big change for you two. New roles.”
“Not really. We’ve been more like partners than anything else since the beginning.”
“Except for the fact that you’ve had the veto power, so to speak. Walk softly, Joshua; it’
s new territory.”
“Ah-kay. I’ve farmed out anything on my desk that was pending. If you have any
questions or something comes up…”
“I know how to reach you, or more importantly Donna.” CJ walked over and sat on my
desk. “I didn’t come over for a work update. I came over to wish my friend good luck.
With…everything that’s been going on we’ve neglected that part of our relationship.”
“WE have?”
“Yes, WE have, although I may be willing to concede that it’s been a little more
neglected on my side of the line than yours.”
“You’ve been pretty well thrown into the deep end of late. A little neglect would be
understandable.” I don’t want to get all emotional with CJ here. I just want to pack up
my stuff and get out. Or preferably, Donna will pack my stuff and we’ll get out. Wait, is
that what CJ was talking about when she meant new roles? Donna’s not going to do
this stuff for me anymore? I need to find out.
“DONNA!” I bellow for tradition’s sake. CJ just shakes her head.
“What is it Joshua?” she shouts back.
“We have a lot of stuff in here to pack up and take to our new office.” I continue our
long distance conversation.
“Nice try, Josh. Maintenance is bringing up boxes, you can start wherever you like.”
Shit, CJ was right. This might be a bit of a challenge.
“Yeah, but it I pack it up, you’re never going to be able to find it again.”
Silence. Ha! I’ve got her.
“That’s okay. I’m not going to need any of that stuff. However your ‘new assistant’
might not be too happy with your organization skills.” Damn, so close.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Talk to me.”
“It’s going to be a great photo op. Traditional elementary school, lots of balloon and
banners; the kids are adorable. “
“The speech, Donnatella, the speech.”
“We had to compromise a little on the speech Josh.”
“Donna…”
“We had to, Josh. It’s his announcement, he has to be comfortable with what he’s
saying.”
“The education portion?”
“It’s not like anyone is going to play the whole thing, Josh.”
“Donna…”
“It’s 1 minute out of a 15 minute speech. He-“
“Donna, that’s not your job anymore; placating the boss. Yes, he’s the candidate and
yes it’s his speech, but your job is to help him do his job more effectively which means
telling him ‘no’.”
“I know that Josh. This isn’t a battle worth fighting. You’re going to need to trust me a
little here.”
I take a deep breath. Maybe she’s right. I can’t be micromanaging this thing;
micromanaging her.
“I do trust you. I just don’t trust him yet.”
“Well, let’s just keep that between you and me shall we?” Donna suggests.
“Yeah. You all set for the press events afterwards?”
“We’re set, but I’m still not sure I’m the best person for coordinating the press.” Neither
am I, but until we get and actual, you know, staff…
“Would you prefer that I deal with the press?” I dangle that out there. That should
boost her confidence.
“No, no, I’m on it. I’ll call after the thing.” She hangs up quickly as the announcement is
about to start.
Divide and conquer is our strategy at the moment. Donna is taking care of the initial
announcement in Houston while I set up shop in New Hampshire. A lot of seeds have
to be planted to get a grass roots organization growing. We had a distinct advantage
with Jed Bartlet. He was a native son here. Santos is whole different kettle of fish, to
use the local vernacular.
Anyway, I’m trying to pull together a staff with a shoestring budget and trying to keep
an eye on Donna without looking like I’m keeping an eye on Donna. I know what you’re
thinking, and I DO trust her…with the stuff I’ve always trusted her with. This is a whole
new ballgame and now instead of working as the team manager, she’s the starting
pitcher, in the World Series.
Ronna pulls the car up to where she’s rented some store front property. It does not
look good. It is, however, very cheap. Maybe I’m getting too old to run a scrappy
insurgency.
“Once more into the breach…” My quote is lost on Ronna and the teeny bopper
volunteer who’s driving around town with us. God, I miss Donna.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Donna’s POV:
So far, so good. The announcement went perfectly. He was charming, impassioned,
and the audience ate it up. He did a great job at the Q & A too. When my phone rings,
I know it’s Josh. It’s almost always Josh. He needs a valium.
“Donna Moss.”
“You won’t believe the shit hole Ronna rented for us in New Hampshire.”
“Why thank you, Joshua, I thought the whole kick off went spectacularly too.”
“Of course it did. You rock at the detail stuff. Are you heading over to the VFW event
now?”
“He’s taking a couple more questions, then we’re on our way. The Houston Chronicle
is doing a front page spread on the announcement and want to do an in depth
interview with the Congressman and Mrs. Santos. That work for you?”
“Who’s doing it?”
“Morgan.”
“Fine. We’re putting together the brochure for New Hampshire and I’d like to include
the family picture from the announcement today. Want to run that by the
Congressman?”
“Will do. I’ll text you after the thing.” I go to hang up.
“Hey, Donnatella!”
“What? Did I forget something?”
“No, I did…Good job on the announcement today.” I feel like my chest is going to
explode. An unsolicited complement from Josh Lyman…about my work.
Santos POV:
It is the damndest thing I have ever seen. Like some Star Trek episode where they can
communicate telepathically, finish each other’s sentences, and hand one another what
they need without asking for it. They are obviously involved on a personal level; they
share a hotel room and every once in awhile I see a look pass between them, but
other than that…no outsider would know they’re in a relationship; they argue too much.
Like now. They seem to be having an argument about how to combat the huge media
buys Russell and Hoynes have made here. I, myself, am more concerned about how to
get into the debate that at the moment only includes Russell and Hoynes. So I break
into their ‘discussion’ again.
“I’d like to get back into the debate issue.” I mention.
“Sir, the two are not unrelated. If we could come up with an effective ad campaign,
your numbers would bump and it would be a stronger argument for including you in the
debate.” Josh points out.
“In 3 days time? I don’t think so.”
“Then let me have our lawyers file a petition-“
“Absolutely not. We are not litigating this.”
“Due respect, Congressman, we don’t have any other options for the debate.” Donna
tells me.
“Getting in the debate is only half the problem. If I can’t say what I want and ask what I
want once I get there, what’s the point?”
“That’s all theoretical sir, because you’re not in the debate and unless you’re planning
on holding your own we should concentrate on the new ad campaign.” Josh seems a
little frustrated.
“That’s it.” Donna has had a light bulb moment. “The Congressman has his own
debate and invites the full field.”
“Can I use my format?”
“You can use Robert’s Rules of Order if you want, sir. It would be your show. We can
write an open invitation in the paper. Generate some media.” Josh clicks with this and
as usual, Donna picks up where he leaves off.
“We’ll need podiums, a moderator, a venue…” Donna starts a list on an index card.
She loves those cards; carries them with her everywhere.
“Call Doug’s camp; talk to Liz. She may be able to help us with the details.” Josh
orders.
“The Flenders would help with the set up.” Donna says as she continues writing.
“Good call. Now all we need is a feisty ad that will get everyone’s attention. Something
out of the box.” Josh doesn’t seem to need me in this conversation.
“Something that will draw everyone’s attention to the fact the Russell and Hoynes want
to avoid debating the full field.” Donna suggests.
“Chickens.” Josh comments. “Our people can shadow the Russell/Hoynes events and
ask them why they’re too chicken to debate the full field.”
“We can splice that footage with Russell and Hoynes running from our people.”
“They should be in chicken suits.” Josh continues.
“I doubt Russell and Hoynes will put on chicken suits for us.” I throw in so I feel like I’m
contributing to this conversation in some way.
“He means our people, Congressman. Don’t be ridiculous Joshua. We are running a
class operation here.” Donna protests.
“We are running a broke operation here, Donnatella.”
“Wait a second, we’re broke?” I ask.
“That doesn’t mean we have to reduce to the lowest common denominator.” Donna
continues.
“We’re not BROKE, broke. And we’re not talking about lowering anything.” Josh
answers us both at once.
“Did you or did you not put me in charge of the media?” Donna asks him.
“It was more of an honorary thing.” Josh responds and…there it is! The look. You have
to watch for it, but there it is.
“I’ll have Ronna put together the open invitation for the debate, I’m thinking it-“ Donna
begins.
“It should be the same date and time as the other…” they both finish together.
“I need some Advil.” I announce and Donna pulls a small bottle from her pocket and
tosses it my way without breaking stride as she leaves the room note cards and all.
“Damn, you should marry that woman, Lyman.”
“Don’t I know it.” Josh sends me a smirk and goes off in search of some volunteers.