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SUPER: THE NIGHT BEFORE
3. INT PRESS BRIEFING ROOM - EVENING
The press room is abuzz for the first press briefing of the Santos administration. It's unclear who will be briefing until Louise Thornton, dressed in her typical tank, blazer, jeans and sneakers, emerges from the door, followed by Carol Fitzpatrick and Lester Williams.
LOU
Alright, settle down. Settle down.
REPORTERS
Louise! Lou! Ms Thornton! Lou!
Lou whistles to get everyone to quiet down.
LOU
I know you were all raised by wolves and founded the city of Rome but let's try to get through this with a modicum of decorum, alright? Anyways, I'm Louise Thornton and I'm the communications director. I'll be briefing you for the foreseeable future.
REPORTERS
LOU! LOUISE!
KATIE (REPORTER)
Lou, when will you be finding a press secretary?
LOU
I don't know, are you interested? Seriously, guys. It's the first night. Let's get through this briefing and then we can all go dance at the balls.
Earlier today, President Santos was sworn in as President of the United States, if you're just tuning in now. He then met with the Joint Chiefs about national security. He met with senior-level staff for a short briefing on the coming agenda. He then proceeded to the traditional luncheon with congressional leaders. Conversations were productive and substantive. Education and national security were top priorities in the discussions. President Santos and the First Lady walked in the inaugural parade and are now back in the residence getting ready for the inaugural balls. There will be nine inaugural balls tonight. The tradition of the inaugural balls began with George Washington in 1789, though he only had the one. I will now surrender myself to your questions. Front row, third seat.
HANNAH
Why are there so many balls?
LOU
Glad you asked. In the 1950s, the number increased to four. JFK had five. President Newman had eleven. President Lassiter had fourteen. Bartlet had ten. We're being stingy by modern standards.
TIM
But isn't nine still an excess?
LOU
It's an opportunity to connect with people.
TIM
So access to the President for a price?
LOU
No, I'm saying. I'm saying that it's opportunity to show gratitude for each delegation whether it's the Home State Ball or the Youth Ball.
KATIE
Moving on from the balls, does the White House have any comment about the Toby Ziegler pardon?
LOU
We'll be issuing a statement by the end of the night. Jim.
TIM
Tim. Has President Santos made any comment to you or anyone else about what he would have done in Bartlet's position?
LOU
No comments that I'm aware of.
JAMES
Did Bartlet warn Santos he was going to do this?
LOU
I wasn't a fly on the wall for all of their conversations but I don't see how that matters.
CUT TO
6. INT CHIEF OF STAFF OFFICE - EVENING
Josh is putting on his tuxedo, buttoning up his shirt, watching the press briefing nervously.
TIM (ON THE TV)
You don't think it matters if the former president slid the new guy a piece of paper saying I'm pardoning Toby Ziegler.
LOU (ON THE TV)
I didn't say that. And I don't think they were passing notes like middle schoolers asking each other to the school dance.
JOSH
(muttering to himself) It's getting away-
Donna walks in.
DONNA
How's she doing?
JOSH
It's getting away from her. Wow! You look… beautiful.
DONNA
(smiling a toothy smile) Always the tone of surprise.
JOSH
Back then, I wanted to say beautiful too.
DONNA
Amazing worked though.
JOSH
Yeah? How well did it work?
DONNA
(laughs) do you need help with that tie?
JOSH
(with a quirked eyebrow) I thought helping me get dressed was a thing of the past.
DONNA
I'm not doing this as your assistant. I'm doing it as the person you're seeing.
JOSH
My girlfriend?
DONNA
That's what some might call it.
JOSH
Would you call yourself that?
DONNA
It feels a little juvenile for what this is but yes. I would if you would.
JOSH
Oh, I would.
The two smile at each other, not sure what to say. In the silence, they hear the tv.
LOU (ON THE TV)
Toby Ziegler breached national security and he's not a granny smoking pot! Of course, the President takes this seriously and what he thinks of Toby Ziegler, I imagine, is not particularly complimentary!
DONNA
She did not just…
JOSH
OH SHE JUST DID!
7. INT HALLS OUTSIDE THE BRIEFING ROOM - EVENING
The roar of the press can be heard as the door opens and Carol, with a look of worry, Lester, with a look of amusement, and Lou, with a look of mortification.
LOU
Did that just happen?
LESTER
Oh, it did, my friend.
LOU
(to Carol) Was it the worst thing you've ever seen?
CAROL
Well not worse than Josh's secret plan to fight inflation.
LOU
Oh, great the very person who is going to chew my head off!
LESTER
Since when are you afraid of Josh?
LOU
I'm not afraid of him. But it's different now! With the Chief of Staff thing, he's the boss.
LESTER
He was the boss before.
LOU
Technically.
LESTER
You know, maybe I should take over the press briefings.
Lou and Carol snort.
LESTER
What? I could do it.
LOU
You think you'd fair any better than me? They're a pack of hungry wolves.
LESTER
They're more like Iditarod dogs. Just need the right musher.
CAROL
And you think that's you?
LESTER
Has the title of Deputy Press Secretary made you sassy or were you always like this?
CAROL
Yes.
LESTER
My point is, I could do better than what Lou just did. It was a disaster. I wouldn't be a disaster.
LOU
Great pitch, I'm not as much of a woofer as the last guy.
LESTER
Hey, you said woofer. Not me.
JOSH (DOWN THE HALLWAY)
LOU!
LOU
Oh, shit.
LESTER
Tell him I'll do the briefings now. It'll make him feel better.
LOU
I just trashed his friend on a live press briefing…
LESTER
Friend-?
JOSH
Can I see you in your office please?
Lou and Josh go into Josh's old office
CAROL
He just said please…
LESTER
Yeah he's pissed. I could do better.
Carol gives him a look.
8. INT LIMO - EVENING
Donna and Helen are waiting in the limo. They both look beautiful- Donna in a simple burgundy dress and Helen in a black and white gown. Donna is on the phone with Annabeth. From the open door, we hear Josh and Santos.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
I hear ya. We just don't have much of a choice. You know I don't like this mess-
JOSH
I know you don't, Mr. President-
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Do you really need to-
Santos steps into the limo, followed by Josh. Josh settles in next to Donna, neither looking up from their phones.
JOSH
Before you finish that, yes, I really do need to call your Mr. President. The day you're out of office I'll call you by name and not a minute before that.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Yeah, yeah. How are you ladies?
HELEN
I'd say a better day than you. I watched the press briefing with Annabeth when she was making me look like this.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Well, remind me to thank her for that. You look beautiful.
On that word, Josh and Donna share a look.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
What? I can't tell my wife she looks beautiful without you two looking at me funny?
DONNA
No, sir. You just made us remember something.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Oh, this is one of those private things where I'm not supposed to mention the fact that our Chiefs of Staff are dating one another.
HELEN
Matt!
JOSH
Well, um, I wouldn't say you couldn't mention it…
DONNA
We just don't want to make a big deal out of it. And we'll be maintaining our professional relationship when we're working.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
That's all well and good but it's a party tonight.
HELEN
Nine parties.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
I want to see you guys have fun. It'll be work tomorrow. But Josh, take this girl for a spin around the dance floor.
JOSH
Of course, sir.
Josh and Donna smile, thinking of dancing at Bartlet's second inaugural balls.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
There's that look again. Speaking of work, real quick-
HELEN
Really? That lasted two seconds.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
It'll only take a second.
HELEN
My husband, the President.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And due to that, I'm going to need some help. Now, Helen, you snatched Donna up from beneath her nose and I'd never ask you, Donna, to step away from that job, frankly you've earned it.
DONNA
Thank you, sir. But what are you asking?
JOSH
That was Donna's nice way of saying get to the point, Mr. President.
The three of them give him a look.
JOSH
What? I'll call you Mr. President but you said this was a party. I'm being casual. This is casual.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Uh huh. Well, Donna, I was wondering if you'd like to be, in addition to being Helen's Chief of Staff, senior advisor to me. I think we could use you on senior staff. We have a lot of young blood and people I don't know too well right now and I'd be comfortable with you there.
DONNA
Sir, I'm honored… And surprised. Really. But I should probably talk it over with Helen first. We haven't set an agenda or an actual work schedule or planned any events yet.
JOSH
You're not actually going to say no.
DONNA
(narrowed eyes) I'm saying I need to talk it over with my boss. You didn't ask him to do this, right?
JOSH
It was all him.
Josh smiles proudly.
DONNA
Thank you, Mr. President. I really appreciate the offer. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm qualified.
HELEN
Don't listen to her. She gave me the same spiel when I offered her Chief of Staff. Donna, take it. I don't plan on having as full a schedule as Abbey Bartlet. You may get bored, honestly.
DONNA
It would be good to coordinate the East Wing and West Wing business more…
PRESIDENT SANTOS
So that's a yes?
DONNA
That's a yes.
The car comes to a stop.
JOSH
We're here. The Commander in Chief's Ball is up first. The joint chiefs and most of the upper echelon of the military stationed at Annapolis and Norfolk as well as your Purple Heart honorary guests.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
So I shouldn't be in my dress blues for this?
JOSH
The press would love it but the tux will have to do.
They pile out of the limo to a cheering crowd.
The President and First Lady walk ahead, waving to the crowd of press and fans. Josh helps Donna out of the limo.
DONNA
You really had nothing to do with his offer?
JOSH
It was all you. He wanted you. I do too.
DONNA
We'll be working together again.
JOSH
Will that be a problem for you?
DONNA
No. I think it will be great.
They smile and move ahead into the ball.
DONNA
Josh, look, it's your fan club.
Josh rolls his eyes, waves, and takes Donna by the hand continuing without missing a beat.
9. MONTAGE
COMMANDER IN CHIEF'S BALL
Crowd laughs.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
In all honesty, folks, nobody thought I'd get here tonight. But there were a few folks who had the guts to hold hope in their hearts and then there were…
EASTERN BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
...a few more and a few more. And there were folks in New Hampshire, and folks in Massachusetts and folks in…
MID-ATLANTIC BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
… Maryland, and in New York, and in West Virginia. And these were people who believed that the vote they cast one day would bring change the next. Well tomorrow…
MIDWESTERN BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
… is the next day. And tomorrow we're going to bring about change. We'll create a better world. One where democracy flourishes. Where our differences are celebrated.
SOUTHERN BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS.
Where our consideration of our neighbors extends into our laws. Where our kids do not fear…
WESTERN BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
… into our laws. Where our kids do not fear…
YOUTH BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
...but embrace the day when the mantle is passed to them because they are ready. Because they've been prepared.
HOME STATE BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Throughout the campaign, I was told over and over again. Show them who you are. Who I am is a boy from Texas. A boy who had teachers who were amazing! But tired and overworked with class sizes too big to notice the quiet brown kid who couldn't do math too well but loved to read.
SANTOS FOR PRESIDENT STAFF BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
That's why, starting tomorrow, you all will be very busy folks. It isn't lost on me how important this is to all of you. And I promise you this, however important it is to you, it is to me too. However passionately you believe that we can make this government a place that improves lives, I believe it too. It's a big job. And a lot of it rests on my shoulders, I take responsibility for all of it. But your shoulders will feel heavy too. And on the days, where it feels like too much, remember that little kid. Who wants to do better, who wants to imagine a better world but needs you to make that dream accessible to him. He or she cannot even imagine the ways their world can change. But you can. And you will change it. Now there are parts of this speech that I've given quite a few times tonight. But most of what I just said was for you. The people who fought to get us here. The people who supported us. This is another part that I didn't give the other folks. President Bartlet passed something on to me in his letter. He said 'never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.' Remember that tomorrow. And every day after that for as long as you're here. And now, as a thank you, for the hard work you put in… May I present… Jay Z!
COMMANDER IN CHIEF'S BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your service… May I present… The Marine Corps Band!
EASTERN
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support… May I present… James Taylor!
MID ATLANTIC
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support… May I present… The Dead!
MIDWESTERN
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support… May I present… Alicia Keys!
SOUTHERN
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support and Southern hospitality tonight… May I present… Faith Hill!
WESTERN
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for support… May I present… P!nk!
YOUTH
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support… May I present… Shakira!
HOME STATE BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support… May I present, fellow Houstonian… Beyonce!
SANTOS FOR PRESIDENT STAFF BALL
PRESIDENT SANTOS
And now as a thank you for your support… May I present… Jennifer Lopez!
10. INT SOUTHERN BALL - NIGHT
Music is loud and the crowd is louder. Everyone is having a good time. Sam is talking to a top aide in the majority leader's office when across the room he sees Ainsley.
SAM
Sorry, if you could excuse me a… Ainsley Hayes! You've come to grace D.C. with your presence once again.
AINSLEY
Same could be said about you, Samuel Seaborn. You look good tan.
SAM
I'm sure I'll be back to White House palor levels soon.
AINSLEY
It's good to see you, Sam.
SAM
You too! I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you at the Southern Ball. You have all across the Bible Belt.
AINSLEY
That I do. And why aren't you camped out at the New England Elitist Ball?
SAM
Isn't it fairly elitist to group us all together like that?
AINSLEY
You just made a Southern cousins joke.
SAM
I'm just saying not all of them are like me.
AINSLEY
That's too bad. Why aren't you with the President?
SAM
Lou is staffing him at the next ball. Then it's Josh for the last one. I'm off for the night.
AINSLEY
So what do you say to a drink?
SAM
I say, lead the way… (imitating a Southern accent) ma'aam.
Ainsley laughs and leads the way over to the bar.
11. INT SANTOS FOR PRESIDENT STAFF BALL - NIGHT
It's the last ball for the night and Jennifer Lopez just finished her performance.
JOSH
Nevada State Party Chair, Jim Hannah. Daughter goes to UC Berkeley.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
How's it going, Jim? Thanks for coming. Appreciate all your work out in Nevada. I keep tellin' Josh we ought to make Vegas our next stop.
JIM
We'd be happy to host you, Mr. President. How's your night been?
A congressman pops his head into the conversation.
RICHARDSON
I bet it's been a lot of hand holding and a lot of wanting to hold your head in your hands. (laughs)
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Congressman Richardson, how are ya?
RICHARDSON
I'm good, I'm good. Let us be the one conversation you have tonight that doesn't bug you about your VP shortlist.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
I appreciate that. Jim, how's your daughter doing at Berkeley?
JIM
Oh, she's doing great. Changed her major three times now but I think she's finally settled on anthropology.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Glad to hear it. Jack, what about your son? Where's he going?
RICHARDSON
He was at UNC but he's taking the year off to work with Tony Marino's group.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
That's great. They're doing great work over there.
RICHARDSON
Tony Marino, think he's trying to make a play to get back in congress? Run against Mitchell again? Josh, you've got the political bona fides, what do you think?
JOSH
I doubt it. He's a guy who always needs a cause. It was the test ban treaty six, seven years ago. He's had a couple pet causes but the way he's championing this voter's rights stuff. I'd love to see him run again but I think he got bruised to badly by the politics six years ago. Now he just wants to govern from outside the ring.
JIM
Hey, that sounds like a good VP description.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
Hey, now. I thought we agreed-
RICHARDSON
Hey, that was all Jim. But man! Tony Marino, that'd be right out of left field. No one, I mean, no one would see that coming. What do you say, Josh? Put him on the short list? Shake things up.
JOSH
Sure, we'll get right on that.
The group laughed, they were all joking. But none of them noticed Tim Dreyer of the Huffington Post standing right behind them with a keen ear.
12. EXT SANTOS FOR PRESIDENT STAFF BALL - NIGHT
Lester is smoking a cigarette outside. Elsie Snuffin, of Will Bailey fame, comes up behind him.
ELSIE
Lester, right?
Lester jumps, turning around, hiding the cigarette behind his back.
ELSIE
(with a raised brow) You think that's going to hide it?
LESTER
Uh, no.
He stomps out the half smoked cigarette on the floor.
LESTER
I'm Lester, yeah. Who are you?
ELSIE
Elsie Snuffins.
LESTER
Wow.
ELSIE
I know.
LESTER
I'm sorry, do we know each other?
ELSIE
No but we should. You're the deputy communications director, right?
LESTER
Yes… If you're looking for a job, I'm not saying we're all full. Because frankly we're not. And if you're a reporter looking for a story, I have nothing to say.
ELSIE
If I was a reporter, should you really be admitting that the administration is already struggling to fill roles?
LESTER
Off the record.
ELSIE
I'm not a reporter.
LESTER
So you are looking for a job?
ELSIE
You could say that.
LESTER
What would you say?
ELSIE
I'd say you're looking for me.
Elsie had grown in her confidence in the past four years. She had gone back to L.A. to pursue what she had always thought to be her dream. Her heart hadn't been in it though. She missed politics but she wasn't sure how to get back in the arena without using her big step-brother, Will, as a step ladder. And she really didn't want to ask Will because she really did not want to work for Bingo Bob Russell.
LESTER
What exactly is it that you do?
ELSIE
I write. I wrote for the First Lady before. Helped on Bartlet's speeches from time to time during the first year of his second term.
LESTER
So that means Josh probably knew who you were if you were any good. Why are you talking to me? Why isn't he talking to you?
ELSIE
I disappeared. He doesn't know I'm looking.
LESTER
I thought we were the ones who were looking.
ELSIE
You are.
LESTER
We have a speech writing staff and a head speech writer.
ELSIE
Otto De Ocampo? I know. He wrote the inaugural address, right? It was good. But it was dry. It was just short of cliche and leaned too hard on anecdotes. It was Toby Ziegler without the heartache, it was Sam Seaborn with too much heart. Again, it was good. I'm not looking to replace De Ocampo. I want to work with him.
LESTER
You're an odd woman and I'll remember you. And for that, I'll keep you in mind. And because I don't disagree with you on the inaugural speech. But I still don't know why you came to me and not Lou and not during normal hours.
ELSIE
Because you're hungry, you're looking to impress Lou and Josh. You have charm and charisma and while I don't think you'd appreciate being psychoanalyzed, I think you want a gold star. Bringing me in could be just one of what I'm sure will be many gold stars.
LESTER
Right… If you'll excuse me...
With that, Lester walks away. He wouldn't soon forget a woman like Elsie Snuffins.
13. INT SANTOS FOR AMERICA STAFF BALL - NIGHT
A couple of staff from President Santos' congressional office had brought him a gift. It was a pair of Ostrich cowboy boots. He was now teaching a group of young staffers exactly how to square dance alongside Helen, who although she did not have cowboy boots, did not miss a beat.
Josh comes up behind Donna who's watching this with a smile.
JOSH
What is that all about?
DONNA
The boots? Wouldn't tell me. Some kind of inside joke with his staff from the old days. Ronna almost cried laughing.
JOSH
Should've known Ned was behind it. But I gotta pull him.
DONNA
Because of some silly boots?
JOSH
No. because if the press gets a picture of him square dancing in silly boots right before I pull him out of here, it's going to look bad.
DONNA
Like actually pull him out of here? Is something going on?
JOSH
Just bring Helen and him over here, I don't want this to look like a big deal.
DONNA
Okay...
Donna goes over to where the Santos' are dancing.
HELEN
Join us!
DONNA
As much as I'd love to, I need to talk to you both for a moment.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
You accepting my offer?
DONNA
If we could just step over there.
Donna nods her head towards Josh. The President stills, understanding the expression on Josh's face quicker than Donna had. Maybe he really was ready for this. Maybe he'd been preparing for the possibility of being whisked away somewhere where he'd have to make big world-altering decisions since he laid his hand on the Bible at noon today.
Donna leads Helen and the President over to Josh.
JOSH
Sir, there's been an incident in Uzbekistan.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
You mean Kazakhstan?
JOSH
No. I mean Uzbekistan. We're needed in the sit room now.
Santos kisses his wife's cheek and follows Josh who's already making his way through the crowd and outside where the motorcade is waiting.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
You ready for this?
JOSH
I should be asking you that.
PRESIDENT SANTOS
I'm ready.
JOSH
I'm ready if you're ready.
FADE TO BLACK AS LIMO DOOR CLOSES