"A complete stranger has the capacity to alter the life of another irrevocably. This domino effect has the capacity to change the course of an entire world. That is what life is; a chain reaction of individuals colliding with others and influencing their lives without realizing it. A decision that seems miniscule to you, may be monumental to the fate of the world."― J.D. Stroube, Caged by Damnation
December 1968 - New Hampshire, Dartmouth University
Leo McGarry reclined into the tan leather chair and pointedly fixed his eyes upon Professor Bartlet. They were the only two patrons to inhabit the rustic coffee house on campus and had been rooted in the same seats for hours, determined to outdo the other in debate. He was conscious of the pent-up frustration Jed suffered, in his failed efforts to convince Leo of his side.
"No, no, no… Leo." Jed leaned forward, his hands clenched, "Monetary policy produces lower rates of unemployment and it ensures economic stability. John Maynard Keynes -"
"All due respect, Dr. Bartlet, Keynes was a quack."
Horrified by the notion, Jed's eyes widened and his voice almost shook the walls of the coffee house. "Keynes' theory of macroeconomics was revolutionary." The man had been one of his heroes, who Jed often looked to for inspiration in pursuit of his own doctorate, and had been a major influence for the book that was still under construction. "State intervention, and the use of monetary policy, is the only way to moderate the adverse effects of any economic downfall."
Leo shook his head, resolute. "Monetary policy's a myth. Fiscal policy, on the other hand…" Five hours, if not more, had passed since the open-to-all lecture where they were introduced had concluded. As a law student, Leo had attended to enhance his philosophy of economics and the Dartmouth professor had been the highlight of the debate panel. Sat studiously at the back of the classroom, silent for the majority of academic discussion, Leo eventually voiced his opposition to the theory Jed endorsed. His own claim that fiscal policy, instead, could bolster the economy and his firm support of Milton Friedman had transported them into a heated, intellectual debate.
"Well, if that's the way you really feel…" Jed finally relented, disappointed. He could have continued, for hours, in an attempt to have Leo concede at least an inch but it appeared to be a fruitless endeavour for him.
The defeat in his eyes was evident, and Leo basked in the victorious moment. In spite of the contrast in their mindset, Leo liked the professor he had listened to. Jed Bartlet was one of those instantly likeable people. While he didn't concur with what Jed proposed, he was drawn in by the passion with which he addressed the students and absorbed their attention. Better yet, Jed knew when to cut his losses. "Truthfully, economics isn't where my interest really lies but one of the students I met today recommended your talk."
Jed nodded, suddenly aware of the time and prepared to make his excuses. "So, what course here at Dartmouth peaked your interest?" It was open-week all over the campus and prospective students from far and wide across the country were in attendance.
"Government." Leo replied, to little surprise. "Honestly, I'm all but enrolled at Michigan Law School next September but my wife, Jenny, asked me to look into Dartmouth. She has family on the East Coast. She's wanted to be closer to them since Mallory was born. That's my kid." Leo answered the question that didn't really need to be asked. He reached into his wallet and produced the picture of himself and Mallory, the day she was baptised in a local church. Jed kindly admired the baby, with a full head of auburn curls to rival Shirley Temple.
"She's a beauty." Jed wanted to question Leo on fatherhood, and the heavy responsibility of guiding a child into the world but the patriarchal uniform Leo wore proudly to the ceremony in the picture distracted him. "You were in the Air Force?"
"Yes, sir." Leo stoically declared, "Flew the F-105's for the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing in '66."
His respect for Leo quadrupled and Jed stretched out his hand, "Thank you for your service." Leo reluctantly accepted it and Jed smiled. "Listen, I hope you decide to study here at Dartmouth, Leo. We always welcome new students with sharp minds like yours."
"Thank you."
"Believe me when I say, I would love to stick around for a couple more hours and debate the role of the Fed with you some more but I have a Mrs. Bartlet at home and a slow drive home in this weather." Jed motioned to the snowfall outside, as he explained his scramble to depart the coffee house, and said a silent prayer that Abbey wouldn't be furious he returned home late. "But, if you should ever want to continue this discussion, or have any questions about the campus, please call me." He offered a quickly scribbled number to Leo, who was impressed Jed had offered his personal line instead of a standard office one, before he hastily slipped on his trench coat and started out the door with Leo immediately behind.
"I certainly will," Leo clambered to maintain Jed's pace, baffled by the haphazard way the professor had thrown his coat over his shoulders. "Thank you for your time." They eventually reached Jed's yellow Chevrolet Camaro in the staff car park, after further morsels of conversation and Jed shoved his briefcase into the backseat. "Good to meet you, Professor Bartlet."
"Likewise, but please call me Jed."
The car revved and Jed sped away from the campus, anxious to return home. After a 75-minute drive back to Manchester, he finally reached home but Leo consumed his mind the entire way. There were very few people that Jed could have an adult debate with and feel intellectually stimulated by but Leo McGarry was one of them. If Leo didn't decide to study at Dartmouth, Jed hoped he would, at least, remain in contact. As Aretha Franklin's hit 'I Say A Little Prayer For You' played on the radio, Jed reluctantly stopped the car and leapt out of the driver seat. By the time he stepped in the doorway, Abbey had waddled slowly to welcome him back, "You're home late."
Remorse clouded his expression, and he whipped her into his arms, "I was held up. I didn't mean to worry you."
"We were both worried." Her hands stroked the seven-month old baby bump that divided their bodies.
Jed knelt down and kissed her blossomed stomach, "Sorry, babe. Daddy's home." Abbey rolled her eyes, with a small chuckle. He loved the familial term of endearment and any excuse to call himself by it. The Bartlet's quickly resettled into the kitchen, where the smell of home-cooked food embraced Jed, and he marvelled at the fact that Abbey had become a culinary whiz. "I met someone in my open lecture today." Abbey started to dish up the home-made beef stew she had prepared and Jed sat down at the readily decorated table. "His name was Leo McGarry. He was a very impressive man." His wife listened attentively, while Jed recalled the conversation he and Leo had shared. "He served in Vietnam a few years previously." The way Leo held his interest captivated Jed. He was, for the most part, an extremely private individual. He didn't actively socialise, even with his fellows at Dartmouth, but it was obvious that Leo was different… special.
"What was that like?" Abbey raised an eyebrow, a vehement protestor of the American presence in Vietnam.
"He didn't say." Jed chastised himself, as he suddenly realised he hadn't bothered to ask. Perhaps he would have done, but the matter seemed to be such a personal one. He fell silent, as his mind wandered into a wonder-world of what Leo's experience must have been. Finally, he snapped back into the present. "How was your day, my love?"
"Good," Abbey replied, a little too enthusiastically. "Jam-packed, in fact. I popped to the farmers market earlier and then I had a nap." She informed him, her tone ironic, as if her day had been chock-full of activities. He chuckled. She had appeared to truly embrace motherhood, to the point that Jed believed she had always been destined for it. Little did he realise, Abbey wasn't so sure. Before she could even contemplate a confession of as much, the phone disrupted conversation and she answered, her eyes ablaze with surprise, as she offered the receiver to her husband, "Jed, it's Leo McGarry… for you."