Donna’s POV:
My cell rang, rousing me from my fitful sleep. It took me a minute to
orient myself since I was not at home or at the office as I usually was on
a Saturday morning. I checked the caller ID before I answered and saw
that it was CJ.
“CJ, what’s up?”
“Where are you?”
“Who wants to know?” I asked cautiously. I wouldn’t put it past him to use
her to find me, but it wasn’t even 8 yet.
“Genghis Khan. Who do you think wants to know? I’m the one asking
you aren’t I? Now where are you?”
“I stayed at Ginger’s last night. We may have overindulged a little. Has
something happened? Is…everyone alright?”
“Everyone is fine. I’m calling about Katie’s story. You could have given
me a head’s up you know. I could have really pumped it up if I’d had a
little warning.”
“Is it just me or are you making no sense whatsoever?” I’m seriously
confused and more than a little hungover.
“Katie Witt’s feature article about you in the Post this morning, ‘People
You Should Know’.”
“Ohmygod. What did it say?” I felt panic rising in my chest.
“It was very complimentary. I just thought you’d have given me a head’s
up.”
“CJ, of course I would have, if I had known myself. Read it to me.” I
demand as my head clears. Getting unsolicited press coverage is not
encouraged at the White House. It is about the service, not those who
serve. I hear CJ folding the Newspaper.
“Getting things done in the District is a complicated business; particularly
when your business is done in the Federal Government. Even pre-
school children in this town know the names and faces of the power
brokers who make and pass laws. What they don’t know are the people
these famous power wielding individuals count on to get things done.
These are the people you should know.
Donnatella Moss is the Senior Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff Josh
Lyman. Moss began working with Lyman during the campaign and
stayed on as the Bartlet team settled into the White House; more than a
few people should be grateful she did. Lyman perhaps more than any
other since Moss took on the arduous task of helping him recover from
the near fatal shooting he experienced during President Bartlet’s first
year in office. On top of the duties that are assumed to fall to the senior
assistant, Moss has a direct influence on policy in the West Wing and
the senior staff is quick to utilize her skills and talents.
According to Chief of Staff Leo McGarry, during the recent Federal
Shutdown all non-essential Government employees (including Moss)
were sent home, but Moss compiled a list of services affected by the
shutdown on her own. She discovered that because social security
employees had been sent home, there wasn’t anyone to cut the social
security checks. “If she hadn’t been so dedicated to her job and had the
foresight to detect the problem ahead of time, millions of Americans
would have been without their essential social security check.” McGarry
noted.
“She has an intuitive ability to read people and situations.” Stated
Congressman Matt Skinner. “During the Stackhouse filibuster, it was
Donna who figured out Senator Stackhouse had an autistic grandson
and knew enough about the procedural rules of the Senate to help the
President resolve the situation. I don’t know how the White House would
run without the sharp wit and deft skills of Donna and the assistants like
her.” Skinner added.
While Donna Moss has been a principal player in the West Wing, she is
just one of the people you should know in our Government. Each senior
staff member has an assistant that does a job that would level mere
mortals and the work they do goes largely unrecognized; at least by the
public at large. The senior staff has no trouble recognizing and
appreciating the hard work and dedication of their assistants.
“These dedicated public servants are invaluable.” McGarry tells me. “I
would be lost without Margaret (Hooper, McGarry’s personal assistant).
Her working knowledge of Government and the people who work in it is
simply astounding. Without assistants like Donna (Moss) and Margaret
(Hooper) the White House would come to a stand still.”
Over the next few weeks, we will be profiling more of these people you
should know, in an effort to give them just a little of the credit they are
due.
CJ stopped talking and I heard the rustling of the paper again. “I’ll save
you a copy.” She assures me in the ensuing silence. “Come to think of it,
why didn’t Leo tell me about the story?”
“I…I don’t know. CJ I had nothing to do with this. Nothing.”
“Would you relax? It’s fine. What time are you coming in today?”
“I’m not. Josh told me not to bother.” I tell her glumly.
“Are you kidding?” CJ asks incredulously.
“It looks like I’m not quite as essential to the West Wing as Katie thinks.”
“Of course you are. This…thing will ease up soon and you and Josh can
go back to normal…or as normal as you and Josh can ever be.”
“Right.” I agree more out of expediency than actual agreement.
“If I were you, I’d enjoy it while it lasts. I’ll see you Monday?”
“Unless he decides he doesn’t need me then either.” I half-heartedly
joke and CJ indulges me with a laugh.
“Like that would ever happen. Have a good weekend, Donna.”
“Thanks CJ.” I hit ‘end’ and put my phone back in my purse. Maybe she’s
right. Maybe it will help if I keep busy with all the things I don’t usually
have time to do instead of imagining who Josh is rushing through work to
get back to. I could use a hair cut…and a manicure would be nice. I think
I saw an ad for a sale at Bloomingdales. There are tons of possibilities.
What I need is a list…on an index card.
By 4 PM I am bored out of my mind and jonesing for a White House fix. I
ignored my cell each time Josh’s number, or an ‘information not
available’ message popped up on my caller ID. Frustratingly, he never
left a message; just hung up…not that I’d call him back if he did. I think I
am very much on the record as being extremely pissed at him. It’s just
that he might have left a groveling message of apology…that I could
listen to…repeatedly.
By Sunday evening, I’m ready to climb the walls. Josh quit calling about
noon and now I’m nervous about how things will be between us when I
get to work in the morning.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Josh’s POV:
Damn stubborn woman won’t take my calls all weekend! Okay, I get
Friday; she was supremely pissed on Friday. Maybe even Saturday, as
the intensity of being pissed leveled off. But by Sunday she could’ve
taken my call and given me a chance to grovel a little.
I was going to leave a groveling type message, but knowing Donna she’d
make a recording and play it for everyone at the White House, maybe
even my mother. So now it’s Monday morning and things are going to be
all off before the day even starts. Determined to get there before her, I
set my alarm for 5. It’s not like I can sleep anyway. What? The alarm
part? Yes, I have an alarm and I even know how to use it, I simply prefer
Donna to my alarm. What man in his right mind wouldn’t prefer Donna to
an annoying buzzer?
I get to the office by 6 with Starbuck’s in both hands. I deposit one on
her desk and head to mine. Not five minutes later, Donna appears. I see
her pause in the act of taking off her coat when she sees the coffee.
Then she turns her head towards my office and our eyes meet. Hers
have tears in them.
“Good morning.” I tell her and she nods in response. She picks up her
coffee and takes a sip. She looks back at me and murmurs “thanks”.
Maybe today won’t be as bad as I thought. A few minutes later, she
comes in with my schedule and my call sheet.
“You’ve got senior staff at 7, a conference call with Stearns and Mitchum
at 8, and there are 12 calls from the press on your call sheet wanting to
know how you manage to tie your shoes when I’m not around.” She
smirks as she tells me this. I smile back even though I’m aware she’s
dissing me.
“Call them back and tell them I wear slip-ons…that my considerate
Mother bought for me.” Her mouth twitches and I finally get a full out
smile.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Donna’s POV:
It’s a little after 1 when Margaret calls over and tells me Leo wants to see
Josh and me. At first I worry that it’s about the article, but then I realize
he gave the quotes to Katie so he can’t be upset about that. Did
something fall through the cracks? I tell Josh Leo wants us, and
surprisingly, he doesn’t seem concerned at all. He just gets up and
starts walking. I fall into step behind him.
When we get to Leo’s office Josh opens the door for me and closes it
behind us.
“Well if it isn’t Wonder Woman.” Leo teases. “Have a seat.” He tells us.
“The President and I had an intense discussion this morning. It seems a
certain article in the Post brought the fact that several members of our
staff have been underutilized to his attention and he wants the situation
remedied immediately.” Excuse me? What does that mean?
“Effective immediately, Donna is being promoted to the office of
Strategic Initiatives where she will be responsible for research and
shaping the message that comes from the White House. From now on,
you’ll report directly to me although my Deputy may need your
assistance from time to time. We’re going to move you into Will’s old
office. Ginger is being promoted to Deputy Deputy Chief of Staff. Donna,
I’ll expect you to help her acclimate to her new position and teach her
whatever ‘Josh control’ tricks you’ve accumulated over the years.”
“I…I…of course.” I manage to get out.
“Wait, can I get my cell phone? It has a camera in it, and I’d so love to
capture the moment of Donnatella Moss; speechless.” Josh throws out.
As the blood comes rushing back to my brain, my mouth enagages.
“I don’t think you really want to go there with the woman who is going to
train in your new assistant, do you? There are a whole host of items that
could be included in the training; email and voicemail passwords, how to
put your Mother’s calls through at all times, approved menu items,
whether or not to bring coffee…”
“I think you misunderstood me.” He quickly responds. “I simply meant
that I wanted to capture the moment you received the promotion you so
richly deserve.” I tell you the man isn’t a master political operative for
nothing.
“I’ve already spoken to Ginger this morning, so she is anxious to get
started. Donna, once you get your things moved into your new desk,
come see Margaret for a list of projects to start on.”
“Thank you Leo. Thanks so much for this opportunity.” I am
overwhelmed at this moment to think that Leo and the President have
this much faith in me.
“Hey, what about me? It was my idea after all.” Josh says indignantly and
Leo shakes his head.
“Boy are you stupid.” He says to Josh. “Get your foot out of your mouth
and get out of my office.”
I leave with such speed that I am already at my desk removing items
before Josh joins me.
“Why are you pissed now? I thought you’d be thrilled!” he complains.
“This is what you’ve always said you wanted.”
“I am thrilled. Can’t you tell?” I ask as I slam a desk drawer closed.
“Yeah, this doesn’t look thrilled to me. It looks like pissed. Is it possible
they look similar in you?”
“You are such a moron! If you wanted me to stay out of your life, out of
your business, you could’ve just said so. I would’ve backed off. You didn’
t have to go to Leo, or God, the President. And can I just say it’s unfair
that you let me, ….no, encouraged me, ….no that’s not strong enough
either. You have demanded that I take over every aspect of your
personal and professional life since we started working together and
now all of a sudden you don’t like it anymore so you have Leo move me
out?”
“Move you out? Are you smoking crack? You’re moving up, being
promoted to a job that is uniquely suited to you and your talents. It’s
everything you wished for.”
“No it’s not! It’s not remotely everything I…” I break off as the tears start.
I have to get out of here now. “I need to find Ginger.” I make a hasty exit
as Josh calls my name and retreat to the Ladies room. Mondays suck.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Josh’s POV:
I have meetings on the hill all afternoon and by the time I get back,
Donna has already left for the day. Yet another perk that comes with her
new job; she doesn’t need my permission to leave anymore.
She doesn’t answer her home phone or her cell so I am reduced to
standing outside her apartment door and begging her to let me in.
“Donna, I think your neighbor is going to call the police soon and you
know how bad that’s going to look in the press.” I make eye contact with
the nosey old woman who lives across the hall from Donna. Yes, I see
you, you old bat and I’m not drunk or anything so go away. “Plus if I get
a rap sheet, it’s going to be impossible to get into any of the good
schools.”
Donna opened the door a crack. “Go away, Joshua. One of the benefits
of my new position is that I don’t have to deal with you on my doorstep,
or anywhere else any longer.”
“Yes, you do, because that’s what friends do. It never had anything to do
with the job. You know that.”
“Friends don’t lie to each other about what they’re doing and why.
Friends don’t blindside each other at work.”
“Fair point, but I had a good reason. Will you please let me in?” She
hesitates, but I can see the curiosity in her eyes and she finally relents
enough to let me in. I take a seat on the couch figuring it’ll be harder to
force me out if I’m sitting on her furniture.
“Donna, I never meant to hurt you, I swear. Yes, the promotion was sort
of my idea, but it wasn’t to move you away from me and it doesn’t take
away from the fact that you’ve earned it on your own. Everything in Katie’
s article was the truth. You are an invaluable part of the West Wing
staff.” That must have gotten to her a little because she sat next to me.
“I hate it when you shut me out.” She admits.
“I’m sorry.” There’s really nothing else I can say.
“You won’t lie to me anymore?”
“I promise.”
“Will you tell me what you’ve been up to this last week?” Nice try
Donnatella.
“No.”
“Why not?” she asks with a serious pout.
“Because I promised not to lie to you and I’m not ready to tell you the
truth yet.”
“That implies you will at some point in the future. When do you think that
might be?”
“Wednesday.” I say with utter conviction.
“Wednesday? Why Wednesday?”
“Because I said so. Let’s go get ice cream and celebrate your new job.”
A drastic change of subject, I grant you, but I am desperate so there you
are.
I watch the debate inside her as she weighs the pros and cons of my
suggestion. She’s still hurt, that’s certain, but I am not only offering her
one of her favorite treats but also some time alone together and she
seems to understand that too.
“I want a double scoop in a chocolate dipped waffle cone.” Okay, now we’
re negotiating. I can do this. So can she; I’ve taught her well.
“No way, single scoop in a regular cone. You’ll thank me when swimsuit
season comes along.” She hits me…hard. That was predictable.
“Shut up, Joshua. There is nothing wrong with my figure.” You’re telling
me, I think. I do manage to keep my mouth shut though. “Double scoop
in an undipped waffle cone.” She counters.
“Double scoop in a regular cone with sprinkles.”
“Done. I’ll get my coat.” As she walks over to the closet I smile because I
know things are only going to get better from here.
Donna’s POV:
He seems like he’s in a great mood tonight and I don’t know whether to
be happy about that or not. I mean, I’m glad he’s happy, I’m just worried
about why he’s happy. He’s going to tell me about ‘her’ on Wednesday
and I’ll have to pretend I’m happy for him. It’s going to suck. But tonight,
it’s just the two of us, laughing and joking with one another as I eat my
double scoop ice cream in a waffle cone with sprinkles.
Yes, I know it was supposed to be a regular cone, but once we got here,
I turned on the pout and got an upgrade. He’s the one who taught me to
use your assets while negotiating. It’s only fair that he pay the price.
I’ve decided I’m not going to worry about what’s coming Wednesday. I’m
just going to enjoy this time with him right now.
By Wednesday afternoon, my nervousness has increased exponentially.
Not only am I in charge of the research for the President’s new
education plan, but I am waiting for the shoe to drop with Joshua and his
plans for the weekend.
I’m just getting my complete focus on the job at hand when Ginger pops
in.
“Hey Donna, Josh wants me to make reservations for dinner tonight, but
he didn’t specify where. Does that mean he doesn’t care where he eats
or am I supposed to get more details?”
“Marcel’s.” I reluctantly tell her. “He likes to take- He likes Marcel’s. The
number is in the rolodex.”
“Thanks, Donna.”
“No problem.” That sound? It’s just my heart breaking into a million
pieces, don’t worry about it Ginger.