DISCLAIMER: The pre-existing characters mentioned in this submission are from the brilliant mind of Aaron Sorkin, the creative genius behind the West Wing. The original characters are of my own creation.
(This and subsequent submissions are written in script format. When you read this, you will need to read it as though you are watching it on TV. Anything that is not in "quotation marks" is considered to be stage direction, or info to help out your creativity in visioning things. By all means, use your imagination to picture things, but above all, enjoy!)

"Open Arms - Part 2"
Synopsis: Melody and Sam reunite after a long night apart. The President reveals his MS to the members of the Senior Staff that don't already know. (Josh, C.J., Sam). The fight to retain the Bartlet Presidency begins...
Comments: I thrive on them! Please - send me emails and tell me what you think!
Notes: A big thanks to Donna for her proof-reading skills! This is best read after Part 1...
Rating: PG - 13, possibly R, I don't know. I'm really not good at rating these things.

November 22. Thanksgiving Day.
3:26 a.m., Donna's apartment
We hear the opening sounds of "When I Fall In Love" performed by Celine Dion and Clive Griffin as this scene opens. We can see the darkness in Donna's living room, but we can still make out the shapes of the furniture that are in the room. We can see, on the balcony of Donna's place that Melody is sitting outside, wrapped up in a blanket. She has a candle lit on the table beside her, so she can see her surroundings a little better. She has her cell phone beside her, and we can see the green glow coming from the screen - she's waiting for him to call. She has a cup of tea with her outside, and is cautiously sipping from the cup every so often. Her phone rings.
Melody - picking up the phone and answering very quietly "Hello."
Sam - quietly "Hey there. I can't sleep."
Melody - "Me either. I'm on the balcony so I won't wake Donna."
Sam - "You shouldn't be out there, you know. It's freezing."
Melody - "You worry too much. I'll be okay. I'm wrapped up in a blanket."
Sam - "I should be there keeping you warm, not a stupid blanket."
Melody - "Sam."
Sam - "Melody, come home. You know I can't sleep well unless you're with me."
Melody - "I wish I could, but I need to work through this. You know it's nothing you've done."
Sam - "I know."
Melody - "I want you to know that I..."
Sam - "Melody, I know."
Melody - "Huh?"
Sam - "I know about the interrogation this afternoon in the Mess. Did you really think that Toby
wouldn't tell me about it? He was very proud of you by the way. He said you really laid into
them."
Melody - "I just don't want people to think that I am like that. There was press there Sam. You know
that they're unrelenting on a good day."
Sam - "Melody, you have the full respect of all the staff in the White House. I don't think one isolated
incident is going to alter their opinions."
Melody - "What are you talking about? I don't know all the people in the White House. The only
people that I know are, well, you of course."
Sam - "Naturally."
Melody - counting on her fingers as she says their names "The President, The First Lady, Charlie, Mrs.
Landingham, Nancy, Margaret, Leo, Toby, C.J., Bonnie, Ginger, Cathy, Josh and Donna. Oh, and
Mike the SS Agent in the Lobby. He's cool. That's all the people I know. I don't know any
others, so how can you say that the whole White House loves me?"
Sam - "I didn't say they all love you, I said that you had their respect. Love and respect are two different
things you know. Besides, you mentioned all the important people. If they like you, what's there
to worry about?"
Melody - solemnly "True. I know that they are two different things. I'm not ignorant, Sam."
Sam - "I know that, Melody. You are a brilliant lawyer, and..."
Melody - "Sam it's not that."
Sam - with a questioning voice "What do you mean then?"
Melody - with a smile "I'm uncomfortable talking to you about this. There is something that you need to
speak to the President about, okay?"
Sam - "Is it serious?"
Melody - changing the subject "Could you do me a favor?"
Sam - "Anything, you know that."
Melody - with a smile "Ya, I do. Could you arrange a meeting for me with the President tomorrow?"
Sam - "Sure. Is there anything going on that I need to know about?"
Melody - "Sam."
Sam - "I know, I know. Lawyer/client privilege. I wish you were here so I could hold on to you and
make you feel better, even though I don't know the problem."
Melody - starting to tear up "Just hearing you say that is medicine enough. I should get a little sleep Sam,
and so should you."
Sam - "I'll try, but I can't guarantee that I will."
Melody - "Take one of your pills and you'll be able to sleep. You need it, ok?"
Sam - "Yes doctor."
Melody - "Don't be a smart ass."
Sam - with a smile "I love you, you know."
Melody - she is touched by what he has just said. "Sam. I know. I love you too. I just need some time to
think all this stuff through."
Sam - "Don't take too long - having a bath isn't the same with Josh helping me."
Melody - having a loud laugh "Sam, that's disgusting! You're too much." We see Donna's bedroom light
turn on. We see her walking into the living room and opening the sliding glass door to the
balcony.
Donna - "Melody, what the heck are you doing out here? You're gonna freeze!"
Melody - "I've gotta go. I'll talk to you later."
Sam - "Okay. I love you."
Melody - "I love you too. Bye." She hangs up the phone. With a smile still on her face she says "I didn't
mean to wake you Donna. I'm sorry."
Donna - with a smile "Am I to assume that things are better?"
Melody - "They're on the mend. I still have some things to think through over the next 24 hours though.
God Donna, you must be freezing. Let me get this stuff and come inside."
Donna - reaching for the candle and the tea cup on the table "Well, if there's anything I can do to help you, all you have to do is ask, alright?"
Melody - "You really are a good friend. Thanks, I appreciate that." Melody and Donna head inside, close
the sliding glass door and stand by the couch for a moment. They are talking, but we can't hear
what is being said. Donna and Melody share a hug, then Donna heads to her room. Melody sits
down on the couch and blows out the candle. She curls up on the couch, covered by the blankets.
She closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep.

We see nothing, but hear knocking. It is getting more pronounced as the seconds go by.
5:37 a.m. Donna's apartment.
Melody opens her eyes when she realizes what that sound is. She gets up off the couch and runs to the door.
Melody - "Who is it?"
Messenger - "I have a delivery for one Donnatella Moss."
Melody - "At, what time is it? 5:30 in the morning?"
Messenger - "Ya, the party that sent it asked that it be delivered early - she has to get to work soon or
something like that."
Melody - "True enough." Donna comes out of her bedroom.
Donna - in a somewhat incoherent voice while rubbing her eyes "What's going on?"
Melody - unlocking the front door "You have a delivery."
Donna - "At, what time is it?"
Melody - "5:30."
Donna - "Whoever sent it is so dead."
Melody - with a smile "I hear ya. I'll sign for it, why don't you make some coffee for us?"
Donna - "Sure. Thanks." Melody opens the door and sees a messenger in his uniform. He hands Melody
a clipboard with a piece of paper on it.
Messenger - "Sign here please." Melody signs. "Thanks. Here you go." He hands her two long white
boxes, each wrapped with ribbon. One yellow, and one red.
Melody - "Donna! You have to come here and see this." Donna comes in from the kitchen and sees the
two long boxes which Melody is having a difficult time holding. She smiles, and takes one of the
boxes from her.
Donna - with a shocked look on her face "Oh my God! What is this?"
Melody - with a smile "My guess is someone's got it bad."
Donna - "Huh?"
Melody - "Who else but Josh knows you get up this early in the morning and knows you have to be at
work soon? No one that I can think of."
Donna - who is now blushing "Let me open this box. I swear I'm gonna kill him!"
Melody - with a grin "It's so sweet Donna! Milk it for all it's worth!"
Donna - "I should, shouldn't I!" Donna removes the yellow ribbon from around the box and carefully
opens the lid. She starts to tear up as she sees the beautiful flowers that are inside. "Oh wow,
Melody! These are beautiful." Donna leans down to the flowers to smell them. Melody stretches
her neck to see, and Donna hands her the box. "Aren't they gorgeous?"
Melody - "They're beautiful."
Donna - "I didn't look to see if there's a card. Can you see one?"
Melody - looking through the box, she pulls out a little card. "Here it is." She hands it to Donna, who
reads the card to herself. "So, who are they from? As if I didn't know."
Donna - "Why don't you open the other box?"
Melody - "But they're for you. You should open it."
Donna - "Melody, open the other box for me ok? I need to let this settle for a minute, and besides, I
need some coffee." She gets up from the couch and heads into the kitchen with her box of
flowers. As she walks to the kitchen, she gets a large grin on her face that she conceals from Melody.
Melody - "Sure." Melody unwraps the red ribbon from the box and opens the lid. "Donna, they're
beautiful. You are definitely one lucky lady. Josh has, surprisingly, great taste in flowers."
Donna - thinking to herself "Actually, his taste in flowers is lousy." To Melody "Can you see if there's a
card?"
Melody - "Sure." She looks for a moment "Here it is."
Donna - "Would you read it for me?"
Melody - "What if it's, you know, personal?"
Donna - "My life is an open book, Mel. It's not a big thing."
Melody - "Okay. I gave you the chance though." She opens the tiny envelope and takes out the card
inside. We see Donna, grin on her face, peeking around the corner from the kitchen. "14, 36,
95." Melody begins to cry.
Donna - smiling "What's wrong?"
Melody - "It's the code. They're from Sam."
Donna - "I know. He told me in the card. It's a good thing that yellow happens to be one of my favorite
colors, otherwise I would have gotten the wrong box."
Melody - "I really am lucky, aren't I?"
Donna - "Yes, you are. Very lucky. Sam doesn't give up, and he definitely doesn't give up on people he
believes in. Do you know that when you aren't around, he manages to bring you into almost every
non-work related conversation?"
Melody - with a smile "Really?"
Donna - with a little laugh "I told you. He's got it bad."
Melody - picking up her cell phone and dialing her home number "I'm gonna get him, you know."
Donna - heading back into the kitchen so they can have a little privacy on the phone "You already have."
Sam - answering after a few rings, with a groggy voice "Sam Seaborn."
Melody - "Thank you, they're beautiful."
Sam - "You're very welcome. I only wish I could have sent more; they don't have many flower shops
open 24 hours, you know."
Melody - "Well, Donna and I were both shocked when the guy knocked on the door. He almost gave me a
coronary, but that's okay."
Sam - with a laugh "Sorry about that. I knew that you would both think it was Josh. Besides. He
needs a little help in that area anyway. OW!"
Melody - "I take it he's there with you?"
Sam - "Ya. He stayed here last night in case I needed something."
Melody - "Tell him I appreciate that."
Sam - "I will. Listen. I have to get going. I'm glad that you got them. Are you going to stop by the
office today?"
Melody - "Do you really think that's a good idea?"
Sam - "Why wouldn't it be? I want to see you, and besides, I'm sure the President wants to see you too."
Melody - "Great. Just what I need - to be yelled at by the President of the United States."
Sam - with a laugh "I don't think he's going to yell at you. I think he would like to see you, and see how you're doing, that's all."
Melody - smiling "Well I won't make any commitments, but I will promise to try. Ok?"
Sam - "That's all I ever ask."
Melody - "You got it. I love you, you know."
Sam - "I know, babe. I'll see you later. Bye."
Melody - "See Ya."

9:47 a.m. November 22. The White House Press Briefing Room.
The members of the Press Corps have gathered for C.J.'s morning conference. She enters the room and flashes go off in every direction.
C.J. - walking up to the podium "Good Morning everyone. I know this is a holiday, and we all have to
get to our homes to be with our families. We are on a half day schedule in the White House, so I will give you a gift for Thanksgiving and make it a short one for you as well." A cheer goes up from the members of the Press Corps, C.J. smiles. "I will begin by addressing the day's traditional announcements. First, the President has done the day's pardon. Every year, the President grants a turkey an executive pardon and this year's recipient is named Ginger. We have been told that her owner was a big fan of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, hence, the name Ginger. On a lighter note, as I know all of you will ask, I will be singing the song with the kids on the North Lawn, and I'm sure I will be receiving the bills for their forthcoming therapy sessions in the near future." With her famous smile, she pauses and accepts the laughter from the Press Corps. "Now on to more pressing matters. The meetings with the Executive Council for Education Reform are progressing as we anticipated. Those involved are expecting to have that agenda proposal be before the President by late Friday afternoon. The President and the First Family are staying in the Residence this Thanksgiving, and are hosting celebrations for a few close friends. Yes." C.J. points to a reporter.
Reporter 1 - "C.J. I heard that there was an incident in the Mess yesterday. What was that all about?"
C.J. - "I wasn't going to bring it up unless one of you did. It's not really a big deal. A couple of interns
were saying some things that they shouldn't have and someone told them off for it. Yes."
Reporter 2 - "C.J. I heard that it was the Special White House Counsel Advisor that told these two people
off. What was it all about?"
C.J. - "Well Jennifer, you would be right. It was Melody Burns. She was getting lunch in the Mess, and
she over heard the two interns talking about certain White House Staffers in ways that they should
not have been. She was well within her right to tear the strip off them that she did. If it had been
me, I would have been a lot more harsh on them. Folks, I won't keep you all any longer. The
lid's on. Keep yourselves on alert, and if there are any breaking stories you will be paged. Until
such time, have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone."
Reporters - "You too C.J." C.J. leaves the podium and enters the West Wing of the White House.
C.J. - to Carol who is waiting at the door to the West Wing "I need you to call Sam and tell him I want
to see him in my office. I want to get a heads up on what's going on with the Education Reform
Committee."
Carol - "You got it."
C.J. - "I also need you to call Mrs. Landingham and tell her I need a few minutes with the President
when he's available today, okay?"
Carol - "Sure. Anything else?"
C.J. - entering her office "Not at the moment. Thanks Carol."
Carol - walking towards her desk - "No problem C.J."
C.J. - in the direction of Josh's office "JOSH!" No answer. "JOSH!" Still no answer. C.J. bangs on the
wall. "JOSHUA LYMAN GET IN HERE!"
Josh - standing in the doorway "Ya. What's up?"
C.J. - with a start "Good Lord, don't you ever knock?"
Josh - "Good Lord, don't you ever speak at a normal level?"
C.J. - "What's going on? Are you having secret meetings that I should know about?"
Josh - holding his hands up in defense "Easy there Tiger. What meetings are you talking about?"
C.J. - "You know exactly what I am talking about. The secret meetings with you, Toby, Leo, Sam,
Melody, the President and First Lady. I can't properly do my job unless you keep me in the loop,
you know that." She sits down in her chair. "What's going on Josh?"
Josh - "Nothing. Honestly nothing."
C.J. - "You are a terrible liar. I have been around the press long enough to know when something
is up and I can smell the funk of a cover up from 50 paces, so don't give me that crap. What are
you all keeping from me?"
Josh - looking at his watch "Will you look at that! I'm late for a meeting with Leo. See ya." He turns
towards the door and heads out fast.
C.J. - yelling in the direction of her office door "This isn't over Joshua!"

Josh is walking past Sam's office. He stops and enters the office. We see Sam, fingers poised over his keyboard but no movement.
Josh - "Hey buddy, what's up?"
Sam - in an annoyed voice "Josh, the flow."
Josh - "Sorry." Josh sits on the couch and watches Sam for a minute.
Sam - "You know, you sitting there staring at me doesn't help the flow at all."
Josh - "Well, you're not typing anything so I think that the flow has dried up."
Sam - "Smart ass. Great. Now it's gone. Thanks."
Josh - "It's not my fault."
Sam - looking at his friend "Okay. What's up?"
Josh - "How are things? Just wondering if you had heard from Melody or not."
Sam - "Ya, she called about a half hour ago. She's going to pop by in a bit. We have a meeting with the
President this afternoon. Why?"
Josh - "Just wondering."
Sam - with a smile "You wanted to know when you would be able to have Donna back, didn't you?"
Josh - "No, not at all."
Sam - raising his eyebrows at him "Josh."
Josh - "Oh all right. So what? Is that such a crime?"
Sam - "No, but this proposal is. Did you know that they are proposing a decrease in public education
funding so that they can better support private school legislation? It's ludicrous."
Josh - "I don't get it. How are they planning to do this? Aren't private schools just that? Private?"
Sam - "Exactly. You know what I'd really like to do, I'd like to go to places where there are high
percentages of people that are on public aid. People whose income is below the poverty
line, and I hate to say it, but there are a lot of those. I'd like to take a camera crew into the halls
of these schools and show those bastards the filthy conditions that these children, these little
citizens of this country have to learn in. I'd like to show them how when they stand up in the
morning and take the Pledge of Allegiance, they don't know if when they stand up, they are going
to faint because of the overwhelming presence of asbestos in the decaying walls of their school
which is getting into their lungs. I'd like to show them the old, dog-eared, decrepit text books that
these kids have to use as their tools for learning. I'd like to show them the teachers that work in
these conditions, and then see why I am so adamantly opposed to this proposal they sprung on me
today. It makes me ill, Josh. It really does."
Josh - "What are you going to do about it?"
Sam - "I'm going to bloody well see that this piece of crap proposal never gets anywhere. Unless, of
course, there are some changes made."
Josh - " 'Bloody well?' Who are you, Tony Blair?"
Sam - giving him the evil eye "Funny."
Josh - "What do you propose?"
Sam - "The President is a powerful man. He agrees with me on this issue, and I think that if I present
this to him in the right way, I will get his support."
Josh - "Well, if it means anything, you have mine."
Sam - "Thanks buddy. That actually means a lot."
Josh - "So, are you and Mel planning anything for tonight or are you taking it easy?"
Sam - "We don't have anything special planned. I'm hoping to talk to her about some things, before our
meeting with the President. I'd like to get some personal things resolved so we..."
Melody - appearing at the door of Sam's office. "Don't stop on my account."
Sam - "Hi. It's okay. We were just talking about the education reform bill, that's all."
Melody - walking into the office, she puts a hand on Josh's shoulder, he looks up at her and smiles. She
heads toward Sam "How's that going?"
Josh - "The jackasses sprung one on him this morning, and now he hates the world."
Melody - "I know the feeling." Putting a hand on Sam's shoulder and giving him a little kiss on the top of
the head "How are you doing?"
Sam - looking up at her with a smile "Better."
Josh - "Well, I'm outta here. Gotta stir up trouble somewhere. See ya." Josh says with a wink towards
Melody as he leaves the office, closing the door behind him.
Sam - "See ya buddy." Sam motions for Melody to sit on the desk. She does. "I'm so glad you're here.
I really missed you, you know."
Melody - taking his face in her hand "I missed you too. Are you ready for our meeting with the
President?"
Sam - "That's not for a bit yet. I scheduled it for a little later. I thought we could talk for a bit first."
Melody - "Ok. I think that would be a good idea."
Sam - picking up his phone and dialing Cathy's extension "Cathy, hold my calls please." (pause)
"Thanks." He hangs up the phone.
Sam - "I'm just going to be straightforward here. Are you gonna come home tonight? Because to be
quite honest, I can't function if you're not there."
Melody - "Yes, I am. I needed to have a night to think some things through, and when I tell you, I think
that you'll understand."
Sam - with a look of concern "It's nothing serious, I hope."
Melody - "Oh, it's nothing to be upset about. It's actually something very good. You see Sam, I've
realized something in the past 24 hours."
Sam - "What would that be?"
Melody - "Aside from my late parents, I have never really been loved unconditionally by anyone, and
when I said what I said in the Mess yesterday it kinda scared me. Until I met you, the men that I
had been with had not been out of choice."
Sam - "I don't understand..."
Melody - "Please, let me finish. You know all about my past, with the rape and all that surrounded that."
Sam - "Yes, I know about all that."
Melody - starting to cry a little "Sam, you were the first man that treated me like a person. You took time
to get to know me, and who I am, not someone who just took me out to dinner because they
thought they would get something at the end of it, whether I wanted to or not. This goes a long
way back, and I never told you this because I didn't want to make you upset, or to have you think
that I was getting all feminine and emotional on you."
Sam - "What do you mean? You are completely feminine and totally allowed to be emotional. Hell, I'm
not feminine and I get emotional."
Melody - smiling "That warrants a laugh. Sam, think back to April of this year. The final night I was here
before I went back to New York. Do you remember that Sunday?"
Sam - with a thoughtful look "Ya. I remember."
Melody - "You were the first man in my entire life, that asked to kiss me. You were the first to ask if he
could hold me. You were the first man who..." Melody is looking down at the floor, and is
crying.
Sam - "What? What is it?"
Melody - "Sam, you and I know that I was not as pure as the driven snow when I met you." Sam smiles.
Sam - "Hell, neither was I."
Melody - As this speech progresses, her tears begin to really flow. "True. But Sam. When we were
together that night, that was the first time in my life that it was something. I can't quite find the word. It was just special. It meant something. It wasn't forced, or manufactured, or pre-meditated, that I know of anyway. It was just... love, and it scared me. And to this day, it still sort of does. It's not anything that I can really explain, but it's something that I promise you I don't want to lose."
Sam - He doesn't say or do anything for a moment. He is looking at her, with her head down, tears running down her cheek. He wipes her tears away with his left hand, and takes hold of her hand with his right hand. He says softly "Wow. I had no idea."
Melody - with her head still down "I know. When we were together last week, it was the first time really,
since the accident that we had been together like that. It brought all those memories and emotions back, and it's just going to take me a little time to get used to it, that's all."
Sam - "You take all the time in the world you need. But you have to promise me something."
Melody - meeting his eyes with her own "What?"
Sam - "Promise me that you won't ever say yes when you really mean no. Deal?"
Melody - smiling "Deal. I promise. Do you promise not to take it personally if I do say no?"
Sam - "Scouts honor." Sam kisses Melody on the hand.
Melody - "Sam. There's something else I have to tell you, and I don't know how you are going to react to
this."
Sam - "What is it?"
Melody - "Sam, I'm..." Sam's phone rings, and he picks it up "Sam Seaborn." (pause) "Can
you let him know that we're on the way?" (pause) "Great. Thanks." Sam hangs up the phone.
"The President had to move up our meeting. What did you need to tell me?"
Melody - "It can wait. Let's go."
Sam - standing behind his desk and putting on his suit jacket with Melody's help "Are you sure? We
have a few minutes before we'll actually go in."
Melody - standing in front of Sam, she is straightening his tie and brushing off his jacket. "It's fine. Just
know that I love you and I'm here for you, okay?"
Sam - "I know that. The same goes for you."
Melody - with a smile "Ok. Let's go." The two walk out of Sam's office, arm in arm, heading towards the
President's office.

1:43 p.m. Friday Afternoon, outside the Oval Office.
Melody and Sam are walking towards the Oval Office, having just gotten paged from Mrs. Landingham, while they were at lunch.
Melody - "Do you have any idea what this is about?"
Sam - "I don't think it could have anything to do with our meeting yesterday, I think we pretty much
cleared up that issue."
Melody - "So the proposal is being fine tuned then. When exactly will it be ready?"
Sam - as they approach Mrs. Landingham's desk "Hopefully, by the end of the day. Realistically though,
I'm shooting for Monday." Melody smiles. We see Josh, Toby and C.J. standing outside the Oval Office beside Mrs. Landingham's desk. "Are we having a Senior Staff that I wasn't aware of?"
C.J. - "I didn't know of one. All I know is Carol told me the President wanted to see me in his office at
my earliest convenience. I don't know what's up. He's in with Leo and the First Lady now."
Mrs. Landingham - "Excuse me. Melody, the President will see you now."
Melody - "Thank you, Mrs. Landingham." The Senior Staff that have gathered outside the office head to
the door.
Mrs. Landingham - "He only wants to see Melody right now." To Josh " I have cookies."
Josh - To Sam "Dude. Cookies!" Melody knocks on the door to the Oval Office and opens the door
when the President bids her in.
Melody - "Good afternoon Mr. President, Dr. Bartlet, Mr. McGarry. How are we doing..." The door is
shut behind them.
Josh - with his mouth half full with cookie bits "What's up with that? She gets to go in but we don't."
Mrs. Landingham - "Don't talk with your mouth full, or you get no more."
Josh - "Sorry." Mrs. Landingham gives him the maternal look that she does so well.
Sam - "She was going to tell me something at lunch today before we got paged. I wonder if it has
anything to do with this meeting. Toby, what do you think?"
Toby - "I think you like hearing the sound of your own voice, that's what I think."
C.J. - swatting Toby on the arm "Toby, be nice."
Toby - "Ow. These independent women. Geez."
Charlie -opening the door of the Oval Office "Ok. He's ready for you now. Hey Sam."
Sam - "Hey Charlie. We're still on for that basketball game next week?"
Charlie -"I sure am, but you're not. I'm playing Josh."
Sam - "That's not fair - I have a handicap."
Toby - "You certainly do." The members of the Senior Staff enter the Oval Office and say their
respective "Good Afternoon's" to the President and the First Lady.
POTUS - "Please everyone, have a seat."
All - "Thank you (Sir), (Mr. President)."
POTUS - "Let me begin this meeting by telling you that I have thought over this issue at great length, not
only with the First Lady, but with Leo, Toby and with Melody as well. We have had many
discussions about this issue, and we all feel that the best way to deal with this is to get it out in the
open. At least, for now, with all of you. You are all like family to me, and I believe the time has
come for me to be completely open and honest with you."
C.J. - "Sir, I'm feeling rather uneasy about this. Is this really something that you want the Press
Secretary to hear? If I am asked any questions, you know that I will have to answer truthfully."
POTUS - "I would not want you to answer any other way. I expect a lot from you all, but above all else,
your integrity is the key. Before I begin, would anyone like anything to drink?"
All - "No thank you."
POTUS - "Fine."
FLOTUS - "Are you sure you still want to do this, Jed?"
POTUS - "I'm sure."
FLOTUS - looking at her husband with respect, she takes his hand "No matter what."
POTUS - "About 10 years ago I experienced some medical symptoms that I thought were nothing more
than the flu. I had a little numbness in my leg. I would have slightly blurred vision on occasion. I
attributed that to my age, and got my eyes checked, and I got new glasses. That fixed the problem,
but only temporarily. A couple of years later the numbness came back, and so did the blurred
vision. I was having trouble remembering certain things, nothing of great consequence, but Abbey
was concerned, and told me to go to the Doctor and get some tests done. When they called to inform us of the results," he looks over at her, and she smiles a proud smile at him "they diagnosed me with a disease that attacks the central nervous system. What I am trying to tell you is, I have M.S. I have Multiple Sclerosis." The Senior Staff, with the exception of Toby, Leo and Melody are stunned. They are just sitting there. FLOTUS nods her head at her husband as a sign to continue. "I ran for office, having not disclosed this information to the public, to you, and I am just now realizing that it was probably the most incredibly stupid thing I have ever done."
C.J. - after a few seconds of tension filled silence that actually seems like hours "Are you okay, Sir?"
POTUS - "Yes, C.J. I am fine. Sam. That poll that you and Melody did for me a couple of months ago
was to help aid in my decision to go public with this information. I feel badly for using you in this
capacity, but there was no other way for me to do this." Sam opens his mouth to say something,
but stops himself just before he does.
Josh - standing up from the couch "Mr. President, I need to get some air if I could please."
POTUS - "Sure, Josh." Josh walks to the door of the Oval Office closest to Mrs. Landingham's desk,
opens the door then shuts it behind him. With a hint of sarcasm "He took it well."
Melody - "Let him have a moment Mr. President. Remember what I told you last week."
POTUS - "You're right. He will be fine. Folks, I am willing to stay here as long as you need me to, and I
will answer any of the questions that you may have. If I am not able to answer any of them, my
wife will step in for me."
Sam - "Sir, forgive me for being so blunt, but how could you do this?"
Leo - with a cautious tone in his voice "Sam, you're a part of this administration. You need to be
careful what you say."
Sam - with his tone getting more upset as he progresses with this speech. To Leo "I truly don't think he understands Leo. You can't lie about something like this. He just told us that he didn't want us to lie about anything and I am definitely not going to lie about this. Sir, what do you think we've been doing for the past few years? We have inadvertently been helping to conceal this. How are we supposed to effectively do our jobs, when we don't even know that the President has a serious illness to which he may experience an..." Sam looks at FLOTUS for a little medical help.
FLOTUS - meeting Sam's eyes "Attack?"
Sam - "Yes, an attack at any given moment? How do you expect us to react? Do you want us to be
all 'lovey-dovey' with this?"
C.J. - "I hate to say it, but I agree with Sam. This is a cover-up of mass proportion."
POTUS - he seems to be losing his patience as he stands from his chair "One that you would not want to be
party to, and you regret that you ever signed the figurative contract. Well, if you all want to get up
and leave, you are more than welcome. There's the door." There is a moment of serious tension
in the room.
Sam - pacing around the oval office, his hands running through his hair "This is the bombing of Pearl
Harbor. Right out of no-where."
CJ - who is sitting in her seat, gently rocking back and forth finally speaks up. "Sam, shut up."
Sam - "Why? So the President can get overwhelming love and support from his staff? So he can
feel all warm and fuzzy? I'm sorry CJ, but I can't do that."
CJ - getting up from her chair, with a shocked, but almost humorous tone in her voice "How do
you think I feel, Spanky? I face millions of people every day. I tell them at least twice a year that aside from a little high blood pressure that their President is the specimen of perfect health. Talk about a lie - God!" She starts to laugh her trademark nervous laugh.
Toby - "I don't see what is so funny, Claudia Jean."
CJ - "The new motto for the day is, you gotta laugh. When there's nothing else you can do, you
gotta laugh. Believe me, there are many things I'd like to do right now, but considering my
job, who I work for, the room and the company that I am in, all I can do is laugh." Toby
and Sam look at her with a puzzled look on their faces. "Please tell me what kind of job I'm
going to get when this administration is over, because if any of you know, I'd really like to
get to work on my resume. Sam, how do you phrase 'Accomplice to a Felonious Fraud' so it
sounds nice?" Sam shrugs his shoulders.
Melody - standing up from the couch, she walks over to the table where there is a pitcher of water and
some glasses. She pours herself a glass as everyone watches her walk around the Oval Office with
such ease. She sees them staring at her. "What?"
Toby - "It's the respect thing."
Melody - "Oh."
Sam - almost yelling "And you certainly don't waltz around the oval office in front of the President."
Melody - "I see. So, it's not ok for me to get up and get a glass of water in the presence of the President,
but it's ok for you guys to shoot your mouths off at him? Please tell me the sense of that, because
from what I have heard, the body is comprised of about 73% water, and I don't think that your
beings are made up of 73% witty puns and comebacks."
Toby - to Sam "She's right, you know."
Sam - not acknowledging Toby's comment, he walks over to the President, he extends his right hand to
him "Mr. President, I apologize for the outburst you just witnessed. As always, you have my support."
POTUS -taking Sam's hand and shaking it vigorously "Thanks Sam. I was hoping I could count on you."
C.J. - "Mr. President, this is going to take me some time to digest. I hope you can understand that,
Sir."
POTUS - "Of course, C.J. If you ever want to talk, you know you can come to me or Abbey, ok?"
CJ - "Thank you, Sir. You have my support as well."
POTUS - "Thank you Claudia Jean. That means a great deal."
Toby - "Mr. President, we need to get a plan of attack ready, and have it be the most detailed outline this
administration has ever seen."
POTUS - "I agree. Let's meet in the residence tonight. Do any of you have plans?"
All - "No Sir."
POTUS - "It's settled. We'll meet there at about 8:00. You'll get the call in your offices. Melody, you'll
be there too, right?"
Melody - with a smile, "I wouldn't be anywhere else, Sir." She goes to take Sam's hand, and he forcefully
pulls his hand away from her grasp. He's pissed.
POTUS - "Excellent. Until then all, go back to work, and thank you." He looks at FLOTUS. "From
the bottom of our hearts, we thank you."
All - "Thank you, Mr. President."

Donna is seen walking down the hall near Josh's office. She hears banging noises and things crashing inside, behind the closed door. She opens the door and sees Josh, tearing through his office, turning everything upside down.
Donna - in shock "So this is why your apartment is such a mess."
Josh - with a start "God. Why the hell don't you make more noise when you walk?"
Donna - "What is wrong with you?"
Josh - "Nothing, just leave me alone."
Donna - with tenderness "Josh."
Josh - mocking her voice "Donna."
Donna - "I'm not doing this."
Josh - "Not doing what?"
Donna - "Our name calling ritual. What's going on?"
Josh - getting angry "Nothing. I said, don't worry about it."
Donna - with worry in her voice "I can't help but worry, Josh. If something is bothering you, it's bothering
me." She says in a gentle voice "What's wrong?"
Josh - "It's really nothing Donna."
Donna - closing the door to his office "I can understand that you are frustrated at something, or someone.
That you are upset, angry, hell even royally pissed. But you can't come in here and destroy your office. Especially when you and I both know that you will ask me to clean and re-organize it for you. What's going on?"
Josh - "Nothing. I can't tell you about this." Donna stands in front of him. "What are you doing?"
Donna - "Stand there and don't move."
Josh - "Donna, what are you doing?"
Donna - standing directly in front of him "Nothing."
Josh - "Donnatella."
Donna - "Joshua."
Josh - "What?"
Donna - "What?"
Josh - getting frustrated "I don't have time for this."
Donna - "For what?"
Josh - "There's too much going on, and I have a big mess to clean up." Josh kneels down amongst the
pile of papers that is on his floor. Donna sighs, then follows suit. Donna puts the receiver from his phone back on the hook, and hands the phone to Josh. He accepts it from her, then they both stop, and sit still for a moment.
Donna - "How can I help?"
Josh - "You can't, but thanks for the offer." His phone rings. He picks up the receiver. "Josh
Lyman." (pause) "Ya." (pause) with an exasperated tone "Oh dear God." (pause) "Thanks Sam." He hangs up the phone. Without looking at Donna, he says "Donna, I need to talk to you." She goes to stand up. He takes her hand and looks up at her. "Please, stay here with me." She kneels back down on the floor and they sit facing each other. Josh takes her hand, which was laying on her lap, and runs his thumb along her hand as he speaks to her. "Donnatella, I have something to tell you, and I'd like you to let me finish before you say anything." She nods. He looks up at her and can see a look of worry on her face. He takes his free hand and cups her face with it, and gives her a kiss. "Don't worry, just relax. Everything will be ok."
Donna - doing the pouty lip thing that she does when she's worried "Ok."
Josh - "I know that we had plans tonight, but the President has called a meeting for us, and I have
to be there."
Donna - sitting up straight, she is getting angry. "This always happens. Something gets you all mad and
snarky at me, and then you go and blame it on the President, knowing that I will buy that lame excuse. It's getting old, Josh. Real old."
Josh - with a hint of his old self in his voice "You don't have to throw my age in my face, Missy."
Donna - with an exasperated sigh "Fine. Do what you have to do. I'll just watch movies, by myself.
Cuddle under a blanket in my warm flannel pyjamas, by myself. Eat pizza with four types of meat on it, by myself."
Josh - who is weakening at the sound of pizza with meat on it "Donna, you're killing me. I promise
that I'll get done as soon as I can. I know it's frustrating, but you and I both were aware of
the situation before we started, you know, having sleep-overs."
Donna - smiling at the word sleep-over "You totally made it sound like a pre-school pyjama party."
Josh - "Well, I'm always trying to smooth things over with you, and I see I made you smile, at least
a little." He looks at Donna with his puppy dog eyes, and starts to pout his lip a little. She
looks at him, briefly, rolls her eyes and looks away, smiling. Josh pulls her to him and gives
her a little kiss on the forehead. "Would you mind giving me a hand?" Donna, realizing
that he is trying to change the mood and continue with the day's work, untangles herself from his hold, stands in front of him and applauds. He throws a piece of paper at her, and she dodges the pitch. He gets up and stands in front of her. "Thank you, Donnatella. You are and always have been my rock."
Donna - "You're welcome." She leans toward him for a kiss. She pulls away from him and walks to the
door of his office. "Oh, by the way. You have a meeting with Lobell in 10 minutes. I suggest
you clean this up." She closes the door.
Josh - "Donna!"

TBC....

Home        What's New        Author Listings        Title Listings