Josh’s POV
It’s been a long week and it’s only Thursday night. Having put together a
brilliant plan, we are now busy putting it into action. Time is of the essence
because it has to be done by Wednesday.
Donna, of course has become increasingly suspicious since the ‘secret
lunch’ with Matt and Mike on Monday, so I have devised a new plan to
deal with her suspicions; it’s called ‘Operation Avoid Donna’. How hard
can that be, you ask? I’m the third most powerful person in the White
House. Surely, I could keep busy with high level meetings of an urgent
nature for a few days, right?
The problem with ‘Operation Avoid Donna’ is that I am almost completely
helpless without her assistance. I need her to keep me on schedule and
organize my meetings. She does all my primary research and briefs me on
every issue that comes across my desk. Avoiding her has taken creativity
and ingenuity, and while I have been mostly successful, I am also mostly
exhausted.
I have achieved this avoidance by sending her on errands; lots and lots of
errands. Then I have her leave my schedule on my desk and call my cell
with updates, changes, and reminders. I have also left her notes while she
is on these various errands, dismissing her for the night by 7, which is
virtually unheard of around here, but again, it keeps us away from one
another. Yes, it’s all coming together very nicely…
Donna’s POV:
This is absolutely horrible. I followed CJ’s advice and now I wish I’d never
talked to her. It’s not really CJ’s fault, her ideas were sound, it’s the results
I’m having trouble dealing with. See, it’s like this…
I started with the computer since I could only get my hands on that item
while he was gone. There was nothing particularly interesting in his
emails; mostly just business, but there were a couple cryptic messages
from Mike and Matt alluding to progress being made and promises that
the deadline could be met. What the hell?
It was when I checked out the internet history file that I hit the jackpot.
Only now I wish I’d never looked. It’s one thing to suspect that maybe he
was becoming involved with someone else…again. It’s quite another thing
to have proof of it shoved in your face. The history file was filled with
search results for getaways in Vermont. Vermont, for God’s sake! And the
availability he was looking at was a week from Friday. What kind of ho
would go away with him for the weekend so soon in a new relationship?
What am I talking about? He has a whole website full of Lyman ho’s to
choose from. Anyway, time was running short by then so I retreated to my
desk just minutes before Josh appeared.
He hurried past me though, and shut his door. Fine, if he was going to
ignore me, I’d just continue with my ‘research’. After accessing his online
American Express statement, I fall further into the dumps. Two airline
tickets to Vermont have been charged to his card as well as a reservation
at Stowe Resort. They are leaving a week from tomorrow. I am so
depressed.
Wait! Just how many times have I let that man sabotage my dates with
anyone who was brave enough, or dim enough, to risk the wrath of
Lyman? How many times have I worked late just to spend time with him,
even if it revolved around work? How long am I supposed to stand idly by
and watch as he flies kamikaze into another pointless relationship with
another D.C. power dater while I stand here with my heart on my sleeve?
It’s time to hit back.
“Hello, I’m calling for my boss Josh Lyman. He noticed he lost his
American Express card and became concerned when he checked online
and saw some unauthorized charges on his account…Of course I have
his security password it’s….”
A mere 5 minutes later, it’s all taken care of.
“Thank you so much for your help. Mr. Lyman will be very re-assured at
how quickly you cancelled the card and reversed the unauthorized
charges. Have a good night.” I tell her. ‘I know I will’
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Josh’s POV
“Let’s review.” I request as we eat lunch on Friday. Both of my lunch
companions groan. “This is important.”
“It’s redundant.” Matt complains as he bites into his steak sandwich.
“Redundantly redundant.” Mike agrees.
“I don’t think you can mangle the English language like that.” I tell him.
“Look, you just take care of the meeting with Leo this afternoon. We’ve
got the rest covered.”
“Yeah, but how can I be sure of that. This is really important.” I reiterate.
“Mike knows all the best places in Vermont and thanks to his diligent
efforts, you now have reservations at a plush resort with excellent slopes
and ski instructors.”
“His diligent efforts and my Amex card.” I grouse a little for forms sake. I
really do want the best for next weekend. “What about the press thing?”
“I told you it’s done. I did the sit down with Katie this morning and she was
all over it. It will probably hit by Saturday; a nice unsung hero’s of the
Beltway thing. Once it does, I’ll bring it up with my caucus and make sure
everyone is on board.”
“But what if they won’t get on board? Or what if they say they’re on board,
then jump off the train?”
“Josh…”
“What? They’re Republicans. They do that kind of thing all the time.” I
point out and Matt glares. Mike elbows me.
“Maybe it’s not such a good thing to insult the guy when he’s trying to help
you.”
“Yeah, sorry about that Matt. I really do appreciate the help.” I add.
“I’m not doing it for you.” He gets all testy about it. “I want to make that
perfectly clear.”
“Fine, fine. I’m sorry, okay? I’m just nervous.” I explain.
“All you have to do is take care of Leo.” Mike encourages me.
“Yeah, that’s all…” I agree, but inside I know a lot is riding on this.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I decide to wait to beard the lion in his den until the end of the day on
Friday.
“Margaret!” Leo is yelling already and I haven’t even opened my mouth
yet.
“You called?” she responded.
“Get Richardson on the phone, will ya’?” He turns to me. “That man will be
the death of me, I swear. He just held a press conference and announced
that he can’t support the President’s plan for cutting the deficit, while at
the same time, when the camera’s are off, tells me we can have his vote in
exchange for the President’s support on his loony bill to…I don’t know…
eliminate the number 7 in all public schools or something.”
“What?”
“It doesn’t matter. He’s nuttier than a fruitcake. What do you need?”
“What do I need?” My voice got high and squeaky there. Crap.
“You wanted to see me about something?” I gulp and with a deep breath, I
close his door and sit down. Now I have his complete attention.
“You did NOT antagonize Conway again.” He confirms.
NO! No, not at all; at least I don’t think so. I mean, I haven’t talked to him
since our meeting Monday.” I practically stutter. Leo nods and goes back
to looking at something on his desk. Time to get yourself together, Lyman.
Be smooth. Be confident.
“Remember how after the shutdown, you said you felt bad you came down
so hard on me about Carrick?” He looks up at me again, this time there’s
a puzzled look on his face. “I know how you can make it up to me.”
“I already did. I let you keep your job.”
“Besides that.” I insist.
“What is this about Josh?”
“I need next weekend off…Friday morning until Monday morning.”
“Is everything alright?” he asks with concern in his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine. At least I hope it is. Or I hope it will be.”
“What the hell are you going on about?” he demands.
“Nothing. Can I have the time off?”
“I think the country can probably limp along without you for a couple days.
What have you got planned?”
“Some skiing in Vermont.”
“Skiing? Really?”
“I can ski!” I’m a little insulted by his tone, I tell you.
“I’m sure you can. It’s just that it involves staying outdoors for…like hours
at a time.” Now he smirks and I get up to leave. “Have fun.”
“I intend to.” I open the door to make my escape.
“Is there anything else?” he calls out as I turn to leave.
“Yeah, I need you to transfer Donna to your office.” I say quietly as I take
one step out the door.
“Okay, I’ll-“ he stops abruptly and stand up slowly taking his glasses off as
he rises. “What have you done now?”
“First, let me just say that I resent the implication that I’ve done something
wrong. Second, it’s more of a pre-emptive move than anything else.”
“A pre-emptive move? Are you telling me…?” Leo cocked his head to one
side.
“Yeah, but I haven’t…I mean Donna and I need to talk still. Can you move
her without her losing her seniority?”
“I think I can manage that, yes. Listen.” He comes around from behind his
desk. “I imagine this wasn’t an easy decision for you and as much as I
would like to say ‘go ahead and let the chips fall where they may’ there is
a political component here.”
“You think I don’t know that? I’ve got it covered. Donna is about to get
some seriously sweet media coverage, which should help explain her
change of position here. Congressman Skinner has already gone on the
record with Katie and will smooth things over with the Republican caucus. I
figure CJ can take it from there.”
“You really do have it covered…Okay, I’ll follow your lead for now, but you
don’t say a word about this, any of this until I get things worked out at my
end. Understand? If you breathe a single word to anyone before I give the
okay, you’ll be looking elsewhere for employment opportunities. Do I make
myself clear?”
“Perfectly.” I agree solemnly. “As long as you handle things at your end
before Wednesday.”
“Why? What’s Wednesday?”
“February 18th.” At his continued blank look, I elaborate. “Our
anniversary…The anniversary of when Donna started working for me.”
“I thought that was in April.”
“No, that’s when she came back the second time, but don’t mention that to
Donna, ‘cause she gets really pissed when you do that.”
“Okay.” Leo took a deep breath and sighed. “I’ve lost what little interest I
had in this subject to begin with. But I swear to God, Josh, if you do
anything to hurt that girl…”
“Don’t worry, boss.” I assure him as I leave. I am the James Bond of the
West Wing; I really am something. Now, I merely have to give Donna the
weekend off.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Donna’s POV:
I am pretending to work diligently at my desk when Josh comes back from
his ‘secret meeting’ with Leo. He told me it was just a quick conversation
about a couple legislative issues, but he took nothing with him so…lie!
I prepare to watch him go into his office and shut the door as he has done
all week, but instead he stops right next to me.
“You can head out anytime. I’m almost done.” He tells me as he looks over
my shoulder.
“Right. What time do you want me here tomorrow?”
“Give me a call at 8, then you can take the day off.”
“Are you feverish or something?” I look up at him and he appears healthy.
“You have the thing with Toby at 8:30 and then the conference call with
the D triple C.”
“You’ve got the note cards already, don’t you?”
“Yes, but-“
“Leave them on my desk and go shoe shopping tomorrow.” I lift my
eyebrows at him. “Seriously, I won’t be here long myself tomorrow. No
sense in both of us having to suffer.”
“Why won’t you be here long yourself?”
“I have other things to do…other priorities.” He can’t even look at me while
he says it; dog.
“Do you need me to type up anything from your meeting with Leo?” I ask
sweetly. I can be subtle.
“No. It was just an informal thing; a couple quick questions.”
“About what?” I press on. Seriously, this secrecy is getting on my nerves.
He is not supposed to keep things from me. Just tell me the ho’s name so I
can get drunk and sick on White wine and Ben & Jerry’s.
“Jesus, Donna! Enough with the 3rd degree already. I don’t have to tell
you every little thing I do and you don’t have to know every little detail of
my every waking moment!” Wow, that was snarky. My jaw literally drops at
both the volume and the sentiment. Every waking moment? In truth it’s
more the sleeping moments I want details about right now, but from his
tone, I’ll be getting details of neither. My face must have registered the
shock I was feeling, because he immediately starts back-pedaling.
“I didn’t mean…You’ve just been on me all week…I don’t want to…I just…”
he stammers.
“There’s that stellar 760 showing again. I know exactly what you meant
Joshua.” I tell him as I get my purse from the drawer in my desk and my
coat from the coat rack behind me. “Maybe I wouldn’t be ‘on you’ all week
if you had honestly answered me to begin with.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“We could start with your ‘secret lunch’ on Monday and work our way
towards your meeting with Leo today, but I don’t have that kind of time. My
overbearing, unappreciative boss has given me permission to leave early
tonight. And by early I mean several hours after everyone else has gone
home. So I’m going to leave now and try to develop the kind of social life
he is obviously enjoying of late. Have a good weekend.” Okay, as an exit
line, it lacked something. Halfway down the hall, it comes to me. I turn
around to find Josh standing in the same spot I left him in with HIS jaw on
the ground.
“Oh and if you want to be awakened tomorrow at 8, you’d best stop and
get an alarm clock on your way home, or ask HER to wake you.” There,
that was the exit line I was wishing for.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Josh’s POV:
“Josh, would you slow down a minute, I can’t understand what you’re
talking about.”
“She’s pissed as hell, Matt, and I swear I didn’t do anything this time. Hell, I’
ve been staying as far away from her as possible so I don’t wreck the
thing and now she’s ranting about social lives and secrets, and alarm
clocks!”
“Alarm clocks? Josh are you drunk? Who’s pissed as hell…Donna?”
“Of course, Donna, what other woman would scare me by being pissed off
at me?”
“CJ?” he offers.
“No, not CJ…well maybe CJ, but not personally, just professionally.”
“Tell me what happened.”
I run through the days’ events in detail, because you never know what
little detail is important in a situation like this. I’m trusting that once Matt
hears the order of events, he will be able to piece together how I
managed to blow it with Donna before I even had a chance to really start
things with Donna.
“You swore at her?” he asks, bringing me back to the conversation.
“No, I didn’t swear at her. I swore at the situation.”
“Donna was just in the situation at the time.” He affirms.
“Yes, that’s all.”
“And she knows you’ve been keeping something from her, but she doesn’t
know what?”
“Apparently. What went wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just then when you devised this spy mission of yours you
included a fatally flawed element.”
“Which was?”
“You.”
“I’m the fatally flawed element? Thanks Matt, you’ve been very helpful.
You should think about volunteering at the suicide hotline.”
“Republicans don’t believe in those. People should pull themselves up by
their own bootstraps.”
“Matt…do something!”
“Isn’t that just like a Democrat? You screw up a simple plan and you need
a Republican to fix it for you.”
“This is NOT the time to bring the partisan shit. This is a male/female
thing.”
“Only we don’t exactly play on the same team in that respect either, do
we?”
“Matt, I’m telling you the woman has lost her mind!”
“If I have to pick one of you to be concerned about, mental health wise, it’s
going to be you. Relax. Let it be for tonight. Katie’s article comes out in
the Post tomorrow, that’ll be your opportunity to talk to her.”
“Are you sure?” Matt can usually analyze this kind of thing pretty well, but
this is important; the most important thing ever.
“I’m sure. Get some sleep and go over to talk to her in the morning.”