Author's Note: The 365 Project is an experimental multi-fandom project to write and post at least one short every day for the next year, not including my semi-regular bi-weekly updates. For more details, see the relevent section in my profile. This is The 365 Project, 9 September.

In the immortal words of Samuel L. Clemens... "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR."

Disclaimer: The West Wing is the creation of Aaron Sorkin and property of NBC, used without permission or intent to profit.

Timeframe: Season One, what if Josh had put his foot down against hiring Mandy?


-o0O0o-

"It Means 'No'."
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'

-o0O0o-

"No."

"What?"

"I said 'no'."

"What is the meaning of this negatory?"

"It means 'no'." - Ninth Doctor and a Dalek, "Doctor Who".

-o0O0o-


"No," the younger man in the room said with an uncharacteristic firmness, contrary to his usual easy-going nature; the 'Bulldog' was loosed.

The older man sighed, "Josh..."

"Leo, I said no," Josh Lyman stood up and paced for a moment, "I don't think we should hire her, I won't go talk to her, and if you do hire her I'm going to make it clear it was over my objections to the idea."

Leo McGarry - Chief of Staff to the President of the United States and Josh's immediate superior at the White House - shook his head, "Josh, don't be like this, it's a simple concept; the administration needs a better look to the media and that's Mandy's specialty. Talk to her, offer her the job."

"No, Leo," Josh repeated firmly, "If you want to offer her the job, you go talk to her, but when it backfires... don't think I didn't warn you, Leo."

"You're letting your personal feelings cloud your judgement on the matter," Leo chided.

"My judgement is perfectly clear," Josh countered, "Yes, I'm basing my decision on personal feelings and do you know why, Leo? Because I personally know what Mandy's like when she starts thinking she has any kind of authority or power over something. Go ahead and hire her if you want, Leo, but I'm not helping you do it and don't expect me to stick around when she starts pushing her own agenda on the West Wing by claiming things will look good or bad to the press. I know her, Leo... and if that's the direction you think this administration should take, then I don't want to be a part of it."