Originally sent on June 21, 2000

The Politics of Poetry - Part 3/10

***********
The Staff Meeting was finished and the Senior Staff filtered out of Leo's office. Sam and Toby were in lock step. Toby shaking his head and repeating, "No."

Sam kept at him. "But Toby you have some great reference material. I just need to look at a couple of poetry books. All I've got is Shakespeare's Sonnets."

Toby said, "Well, use that."

Sam gave him a dirty look. "Come on: overused, unoriginal, banal."

"Fair point.", Toby grudgingly admitted. "Okay, but make it quick."

C.J. was moving toward the Press Room and called out to Toby. "I'll be in to hit your poetry books after my Briefing."

Before he could protest, she was gone. Sam was smug. "At least, I asked." They went to their offices.

Mandy found herself standing next to Josh. It was uncomfortable for both of them. Mandy spoke first. "Quite a tie there, doesn't really go with that outfit."

"Yes, but it goes a long way toward keeping Donna happy."

"You forgot it was Valentine's Day, didn't you Josh?"

"I remember when it's important. You have to admit that I made our one Valentine's Day special."

"It was all right."

"Hey, you loved your presents, a white Teddy Bear and a red Teddy to wear. You thought I was quite the romantic."

"I thought you were obvious. I, on the other hand was original."

"Yes, yes, you were as I remember." Josh had a far off smile on his face. "Oh, you meant the gift. Yeah, who knew you could sew?"

"I don't sew you idiot. It was counted cross stitch." Mandy had put a lot of hours in on a replica of the Harvard coat of arms and motto. "You loved it."

"You're right. We had quite a day and quite a night." The silence grew uncomfortable. Josh broke it with, "Wonder what I did with that needlework thing?"

"You got rid of it?", Mandy's voice was incredulous.

"I don't know. It might be around somewhere." Josh would never admit to her that it was part of the wall display at his place that included photos, his diplomas and Phi Beta Kappa Key.

"I hate you.", she spit out at him.

"Whatever. What happened to your gifts?"

"The usual. I ripped the Teddy Bear apart limb by limb. I made the Teddy into rags and used it to wash the car, polish the furniture and scrub the bathroom floor." Josh looked a little surprised, they'd called the item of lingerie a lucky charm. Whenever Mandy wore it, good things happened and not just in their love life.

She had it on under her most proper suit the night Jed Bartlet wrestled the nomination away from the favored candidate. Mandy also wore it on Election Day.

Mandy enjoyed the surprise on his face. She'd never confess to him that the Teddy Bear still sat on her bed. No way he would know she was wearing the red Teddy under her staid business dress and jacket today.

"What are you doing for Valentine's Day?" Josh couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Not sure yet. I haven't had a chance to return my calls." Mandy would undergo torture before admitting to him she had no plans. In fact, she'd decided that if Josh issued an invitation she'd accept, strictly as an act of Christian charity. "How about you Mr. Hottest Heartthrob?"

"Me? I didn't make definite plans either. Wasn't sure about the work load today with the Summit next week. Guess it will be the usual; dinner, etc." For a second, Josh toyed with the idea of asking Mandy out. Then he decided it would just give her an opportunity to reject him. Plus she'd know he was dateless on this momentous day.

"I gotta go.", they said at the same time. They went in opposite directions as usual, but their thoughts were on the same page for once.

********
C.J. was singing to herself and doing a dance step or two on her way to her office. The Briefing went well and quickly plus Carol hadn't misspelled anything. Her assistant took charge of distributing the candy. Happy reporters and photographers with chocolate to munch on make Briefings fast.

The Press Secretary's plan was to check her messages, rifle Toby's poetry stash and then get out to do a little essential shopping. There was lots of work to be done this afternoon to make the rest of C.J.'s plans a reality.

She was at her door and still in quick step. But the sight of her desk brought her to a halt. Gail the Goldfish was happily swimming around her red gravel lined bowl and darting toward a Cupid.

C.J. moved in for a closer look. The white china figurine was a new addition. It was joined by little red heart decals stuck on the outside of the bowl. Next to the bowl sat a small flower arrangement. It included cattails and flowers that looked like they'd grown at a river's edge.

"Danny.", C.J. said softly and smiled. She recognized Danny Concannon's work. They were keeping things low key, at least that's what they believed. Danny's questions at the Gaggle were routine and he'd left before it was over. Now she knew why.

C.J. brought herself back to the matters at hand, no urgent messages. She grabbed her ever present notebook and was almost out the door when Abigail Bartlet came around the corner. The First Lady waved off her Agent and waved to Carol as she stood up at her desk. "C.J., is this a bad time?"

"No, Ma'am. Please." C.J. welcomed her into the room.

"Let's close the door C.J. and then we can forget all that 'Ma'am' stuff." Abbey took care of the chore herself. "Well, sit down girl. We're both on our feet enough."

They both laughed and plopped onto C.J.'s couch. C.J. reached over to the table and tossed her friend a couple of chocolate kisses. Abbey sighed, "Food of the gods, no the goddesses."

"Absolutely, Ma'am." As the words were out of her mouth, C.J. regretted them and the respectful tone. "Oops, sorry Abbey."

"You should be. I rarely hear my name spoken anymore unless it's in hushed tones. Sometimes I'd just like to scream, 'I'm Abbey or Dr. Bartlet. Call me one by one of those or shut up.'"

"Oh, that would make great copy. Could you wait until I've retired to do that?"

"Forget it C.J., you're not going anywhere. As long as I'm on this ride, your ticket is punched too."

"Fine, then share the chocolate Abbey."

"No way. I'm the First Lady, get your own." They laughed as friends often do for no real reason. It felt good especially to Abbey who often felt isolated living in the White House. Another look passed between the two friends. Then they both kicked off their shoes to get comfortable.

C.J. stopped shoving chocolates into her mouth long enough to ask. "How'd the shopping go?"

"Fine, you were right. That's a great store. We did a little damage that should help their sales. I should be a big hit tonight." She smiled at the thought. "I also got Valentines for our little thespians. So I can't hide out long. I have to sign them and get Jed's signature too. I bought HIM something at Lavender and Lace, I'll use that as an inducement. " Abbey reached for another chocolate and continued, "When are you going over there?"

"At lunch. I have to do some research before that but it shouldn't take long. I plan to be back in plenty of time to get some more work done. Then I'll be at the play and party."

Abbey said casually, "Noticed a section of men's gifts at Lavender and Lace. There were some nice suspenders. Maybe there's a pair with fish on them."

C.J. fixed a dirty look on Abbey. "Don't go there."

"What?" The First Lady was all innocence. "I was just saying fish are a nice theme. Your little friend over there is obviously having a good Valentine's Day."

C.J. glanced at the bowl and a small smile appeared on her face. She tried to hide it from Abbey. "I think I have everything under control Abbey."

"I'll bet you do. He won't know what hit him. I can't wait to hear the details."

"This is not a media event."

"Sure it is, you're both media types. It's just a private media merger. I won't pry too hard. I'm just glad to see you happy C.J. You're long overdue for some good times."

"Thanks. It's nice to get some support for an effort to have a personal life."

Abbey put her hand on C.J.'s shoulder. "I know you've been torn about this. But, I believe you can have what you want and still be true to your work. It won't always be easy but I feel certain it will be worth it."

C.J. felt tears spring to her eyes. "Thank you. You need to come down here more often."

"Maybe that can be arranged. I have one more request and it's personal."

"Shoot."

"Zoey is worried about too much interest in the gifts she and Charlie will exchange. It's not a major issue but she'd like to know that she keeps some of her life private."

"No problem. I will keep that out of the limelight. Zoey's right, some things are best tucked away."

"Yeah, but you're still not off the hook." Abbey reached down to grab her shoes. "Guess I've talked to you long enough for Jarrod."

"What are you babbling about?"

"He's been eyeing Carol. I figured I'd ask him to escort me down to see you and then just leave him outside the door with her."

C.J laughed, "Dolly Levi has nothing on you."

"A little push never hurts. My, my. I'll keep that in mind if I see Danny Concannon later."

C.J.'s laughter turned to a groan. "Be careful or you'll get no dirt dished from me." They parted laughing.

***********
Sam was at Toby's bookshelves making chaos out of order. He kept pulling volumes out, flipping through, stopping and nodding. Then he'd use a slip of paper as a bookmark and then continue his hunt. Occasionally Sam would mutter a line of poetry aloud.

Toby sat at his desk trying to work and to ignore the spouting of poetry from Sam. He was making some headway on his campaign finance reform memo. He just wanted this day of sappy sentiment over.

C.J. came in carrying her notebook. "Hello gentlemen. Wherefore art thou tomes of poetic expression?"

Sam grinned, Toby grimaced and pointed toward the shelves. "They therefore are there and this is still a day of work, so doest this posthaste."

C.J. started to scan the shelves too. She and Sam reaching over and around each other. He looked at her and recited:

"'Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind
That from the nunnery...'"

They both shook their heads no.
She found a passage that sounded promising:

"'Had we but world enough and time,
This coyness Lady, were no crime.'"

Sam paused, considered then said, "Not right." C.J. agreed.

This went on a few more times before Toby slammed down the lid on his lap top. "I'm getting out of this coffee house atmosphere before you bring on the folk singers."

They looked up in surprise. Sam said, "Sorry, Toby. We didn't realize we were distracting you. Weren't we like this last year?"

"No, mostly because Valentine's Day fell on the weekend." Toby reminded them.

C.J. was remembering. "Actually we were working 7 days a week at that point too. We just weren't feeling as comfortable or as at home here."

"True." Sam agreed.

Toby gathered his computer and files as he headed for the door. "I'll be in the Roosevelt Room if anyone wants me."

"No one will.", they assured him in chorus.

"I do." President Bartlet was at the door. "What have we here Sam?"

"A joint research project sir."

The President peered at the books. "Always hard to find the right expression isn't it? Then you have to present it well." He moved over to Sam to quote:

"'Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove.'"

Sam tried not to laugh but C.J. giggled. "See if I'd said that to C.J. it would have been more effective."

"It was fine, Sir." Sam replied. "I was very moved." Jed Bartlet smiled at that sincere response.

"Mr. President, what did you need?" an exasperated Toby asked.

"Just wanted to issue invitations. My wife expects all of you to drop in on the party this afternoon."

Sam and C.J. nodded. Toby looked at them and then at the President. "Well, this day just keeps getting better."

"It's only once a year Toby." The President clapped a hand on Toby's shoulder and walked him out.

During this Sam found a book he liked. He marked a page and set it aside. He was nodding as he did. C.J. looked at Sam and said, "Want to share?"

"Nope, I guess you know it's right when you find it and don't need to try it out." But Sam kept paging through books.

"You're looking for a back up?"

"Never hurts. I have something for you."

"What?"

"I got you those Wizards' tickets. Here." He pulled an envelope out of his shirt pocket and handed them to C.J.

"Sam, you're the Wizard. When are they for?"

"That's the beauty of it. It's the weekend when the Bartlets are at Elizabeth's for her birthday. As you know, it's a media free zone. Great weekend for a basketball game or maybe sailing. I think I'll invite Mallory out."

"Either that or you'll be there. Mallory is as close to Elizabeth as she is to Zoey." Sam looked distressed at this picture. C.J. reached over to give him a kiss on the cheek. "It'll be fine. I've got to run an errand. Thanks for the tickets, stop and get the money later."

"Okay." Sam noticed C.J. wasn't carrying a poetry book and hadn't made any notes. "Hey, where's your poem?"

"Going to go with an established precedent." She gave him a mysterious smile and a wave as she left the room.

Sam was about to do the same thing when he noticed all the books spread out. "C.J., I need some help here." But she was either out of ear shot or pretending to be. Sam started stacking books, "If we revive 'The Music Man' I can play Marian the Librarian."
(TO BE CONTINUED)