On The Road with Danny Concannon: LA
Spoilers: Take Out The Trash Day (Season one) & 7A WF 83429 (season five)
Companion Piece: Access 5.18
Title: "The interview"
"I'm not the story." Danny said in a half nasal laugh to the reporter in front of him.
"Reporters shouldn't be the story."
"But you're an award wining writer. You're just as big as a Woodward and Bernstein-"
"We all worked for and work for The Post - I don't see the correlation?"
"Come on Mr. Concannon-"
"I'm not. And call me Danny, Janet."
Danny felt uncomfortable being the interviewee as he sat in the hotel room his publisher had set up for him. He adjusted largely in his seat pulling down his jacket as he sat. He wanted everything about this to be casual.
"Danny, your a Pulitzer winner, nominated again last year, and they say you may win another when they make the announcement in a few days, so your could easier be a two time winner."
"I need a new set of bookends."
"You've covered the White House under three presidents, two of which as the Senior Correspondent, and you uncovered the Shareef assignation. I don't know about you, but we reporters around here thought that was a pretty amazing feat-at some point modesty's has to go out the window and you have to admit you'fd pretty damn good at this."
Danny laughed. "Thank you, really. And I never said I didn't think I was good. If I didn't think I was good I wouldn't do it. If it wasn't fun anymore I wouldn't to do it. But I came to The Post because of Woodward and Bernstein so it's hard for me to compare myself to them. It's hard for me to compare myself to anyone. We're all different. I write differently then they do - from you - from anyone. My love of my job and my fascination to get to the bottom of things is what drives me - and who's to say in my position another reporter wouldn't have caught on to the stories I have? It's just luck really."
"Luck, is a strong word, when over the last twelve years or so all the great stories, let it be in-depth interviews with The President, or so called scandals, have been attributed to your by line. What do you think of that?"
"Well, I never said I wasn't proud of my work. I'm damn proud of my work. But I really like it to speak for it's self. Again. I'm not the story. Most people on the street don't know who I am and I like it that way."
"A few might."
"Yeah, a few, but that's even too many for me. I need to stay away from the story, not just for my job - to get the story- but to have the story stand on it's own. Then it becomes about who's filing the story and not who the stories are about."
"You seem to have better access with the current administration then in previous ones?."
"Well, it all has to do with seniority. I - when I'm there - I've been there the longest so I get more access, more exclusives."
"Leaks?"
"We don't talk about that."
"Does your current relationship with the Bartlet Administration have to do with fact that you were on the campaign with them?"
"Yeah, sure. Absolutely. I got to know this President better than I got to know any President. I've been on campaigns before. I always pick one candidate and follow him or her through the end. This was the first time my guy won I have to say-"
"In the 2002 election you followed the primaries and dealt more with the human interest stories-?'
"Yeah, I had been with the Bartlets for four years about - I wanted to get a different angle this time around, with the MS, I wanted to see how the country was reacting - the whole Bartlet-Ritchie thing. And I'm glad I did it. It was hard to be away from what you love-" Danny paused for a moment realizing his double meaning. He tried not to show what it had done for him. He smiled and took a drink of water. "But as a reporter I like to challenge myself - keep myself on my toes. What I love about being a journalist is going after the story. Sometimes I think I like the hunt - the chase more than the end result. But I guess that's because I know I'm good at the hunt - the game. It's what I do? So it's hard being away."
"You're away from the White House now?"
"That's my publishers fault."
"But even before that, you haven't been filing stories from the White House since your Shareef story got attention."
"Yeah? I filed a few stories on Zoey Bartlet's kidnapping...But I go where the story is - I'm just working on something- when I'm done I'll be back."
"So you haven't had a falling out with the Administration over your story as reportered?"
"A coincidence." Danny blew it off. " I've written things they wouldn't consider so favorable before. There may have been tension, but it goes away. They respect what I do- I respect what they do. It's a give and take. Not that they don't try to stop me." Danny laughed thinking about CJ. "But it's a give and take. They can't live without us, and we can't live with out them."
"Can you tell me anything about your upcoming story?'
"No." He smiled slyly. "But good try."
"Thanks." Janet rolled over some of her notes. "Have you heard about the new documentary being filmed about the job of the Press Secretary?"
"Yeah, PBS. Sounds like an interesting idea. I just don't know what kind of real access they're going to let them have. But it sure would be funny to be there now."
"Do you have a favorite Press Secretary?"
"Well, that wouldn't be fair, that's like asking an actor who his favorite leading lady is?"
"Leading lady?"
"I guess I just gave myself away."
"There's nothing wrong with it. You obviously have a different kind of relationship with her?"
"I'm sorry?"
"The Bartlet Administration from your time on the road."
"Yeah, sure." Danny almost read too much into that one and almost gave himself away. " I knew Josh Lyman from way back when, everyone crossed paths with Josh Lyman at some point, and I knew Leo McGarry from when he was Secretary - so it was already people I knew. And they're all good people. Print that. People don't get that, but through it all they're all good people. People you want to hang out with. So that helps."
"It's almost been mentioned you have a very relaxing interview style?"
"I don't know if I agree with, I've been called many things, but relaxing isn't one of them-"
"Yeah, Tim Russert called you a rotwiler when it comes to stories, but I'll get to that. I mean it's been said you put people at ease when you talk to them - get them to reveal their secrets to you."
"That's my job-"
"I just mean-"
"-Yeah, I guess I'm good at that. But that's part of the job, like a therapist, or a bartender. I have to put people at ease. They have to look me in the eyes and want to spill everything they know. It's about what I say and how I saw it. But yeah, I guess I'm good at that."
"You're being modest again. Your late night talks with President Bartlet are said to have gotten him elected."
"Like I said I spent a lot of time with them, late night talks with The President was just part of being on the road late hours - he went to Notre Dame - and you know how he is about that- so I pretty much think I can thank that for everything he gave me and what I was able to do in the last five years. It's all about trust."
"Of course if he hadn't won."
"A different story. A different story on many fronts." Danny thought for a moment what would have happen between him and CJ if Bartlet had lost.
"You want to elaborate?" Janet saw something there.
"No." Danny laughed.
"Okay." She paused. "So back to Tim Russert." Janet smiled
"Ahh."
"Do you agree with his statement he said about you on Meet The Press about being a Rotwiler when it comes to going after a story?"
"He also said a wolf, but he was having fun with me. I can get a little into my ideas on that show. But that's the point."
"But there was truth behind it. He was giving you a compliment in that introduction."
"Yeah, he was. And yeah, I get pretty aggressive when I go after what I want. What I know is true. I have different plans of actions, but I can get pretty zealot like if I know the truth is out there and I just need to find it. I go after the truth and if you're in my way I don't go around you, I use all my powers to get through you. I also have this massive need to finish things - I guess that comes from being on a deadline. Got to get it done before the other guy. I'm a patent guy and I'll wait as long as I need to, but I got to keep active. I go to keep going for it. I guess some people call it passion; others refer to as a rotwiller. But yeah I've gone days with out sleep, being on trains and plans, to get my stories out. I had the link and I needed to get back to tell her I had it. She was fussing me around and it drove me even further to go after it."
"She?"
"Them, the Bartlet's, The Administration." Danny covered himself on his digression.
"Meaning The Press Secretary?"
"Sure, it's her job. But to tell you the truth I don't think she knew anything. As far as she knew I had nothing. Print that. She wasn't lying to me."
"People say your very good friends with CJ Cregg? Care to elaborate?"
"Not in the way you're inferring, I don't get special treatment beyond being Senior Correspondent - but like I said I'm friends with them all - I just spend more time with CJ Cregg. So, well-" Danny got caught up in a thought.
"What?"
"I'm the Senior Correspondent and they know they can trust me to write a good piece on whatever they want me to write on. It comes from me - its legitimate - and they know that. So we scratch each other's back and it helps that we're friends."
"You would think that would have you back there in a second?"
"You'd think?" Danny smirked. Janet opened her mouth "And no I'm not elaborating."
"People from the Walkin camp are hinting CJ Cregg leaked you information for your article before they could announcement it?"
"It's not my fault I found out the info before they could let it go. Walkin's just mad he's not President anymore and that I scooped him. Everyone always makes things up when they get scooped. They had it first - I had it first. I beat them to it - just like a million reporters before me and after me - so their miffed. I know I'd be."
"So CJ Cregg didn't tell you about the announcements and to file?"
Danny looked at her, hating the question, and heard CJ in his mind.
"Danny. Post the story now. Right now."
Danny was still in the present fully aware of what the question meant.
"No." He said sternly. "And you print that." He paused nonchalantly. "I had that story three days before they announced it. I was just waiting for some last minute… confirmation. It was written, and it was ready for print. My editor can back me up on that one."
"Okay."
"Listen I'm sorry to do this, because I hate when people do it to me, but I have a book signing to get to." He stood. "You can ride with me in the car if you want to but, I'm really not the story - just write about the book."
"No, I think I have enough." They shook hands. "Thank you Mr. Concannon - Danny." She really seemed honored. "It was an honor to meet you. Thank you for this."
"No problem."
" I grew up in Dallas so I have been reading your work for a long time. You really do good work."
"Thanks." Danny smiled.
"Well, I just wanted you to know that."
"Well, you asked good questions, thanks." He smiled.
"Thanks." Janet smiled and picked up her things. "Oh." She stopped. "I feel like such fan but…would you sign my book?"
"Oh sure?" Danny was faulted. And amazed how she had been so professional during the interview. He respected that. He hoped it wasn't false, but he hated thinking the worst of people. Even in his job. In fact,he loved meeting people who had that compassion still to do their job and separate. It was something he had to do all the time within himself. It was one of things he remembered he loved about CJ. He remembered when she asked him about a man being ashamed of his gay son even though he was murdered. That was back when she let him kiss her.
"It eludes me." He heard her words and saw her face like he had that day.
"I know." Danny said back to her.
In the present Danny handed the signed book back to Janet and she thanked him and left
Danny picked up his cell phone and dialed the phone.
"Yeah, Maizy, I wanted to be sure about my flight? Yeah…..six am to Chicago. Stay by the phone I may have to change that—I'm waiting for that call still…Yeah. My brother call?….. Call his office; tell him I'll call him when I get in. I have this thing I got to do…Yeah."
Danny hung up the phone and walked toward the window looked out at the amazing day. The sun shown down on the buildings, showing off the heat from the outside, and reflecting back to those inside - it was indeed an always beautiful day. "Movie Stars and swimming pools." Danny thought to himself. He took his phone up to his face and flipped it open pushing a few buttons before bringing it to his ear and mouth.
Danny listened, staring out at the palm trees, as an automated voice came onto the phone.
"Current temperature in Washington, D.C. is: 45 degrees Fahrenheit Cloudy. With winds 10 miles per hour. The Barometer is 30.29 and rising. Relative Humidly s 53 percent. Feel's 40 degrees. Chance of snow. Thank you and have a nice day."
Danny looked out and flipped closed his phone. How he missed Washington.
Song: Pain In My Heart - Otis Redding
Pain in my heart
she's treating me cold
where can my baby be
Lord no one knows.
Pain in my heart just won't let me sleep
where can my baby be
Lord where can she be
CJ put down the magazine, with Danny's interview, and swung her chair to the side looking off out her window. She looked wistful and lonely.
Another day, has began to get tough
I say I want you back, come back, come back, baby, 'I've had enough
A little pain in my heart just won't let me be
wake up at restless nights
Lord and I can't even sleep
Stop this little pain in my heart
Danny sat in the car, provided for him to go to the signing, looking longingly out the window at the sun-trenched city, while CJ watched the snowfall outside her office.
Another day, has began to get tough
I want you to love me, love me, love me, baby, 'till I get enough
Pain in my heart, a little pain in my heart
stop this little pain in my heart
stop this little pain in my heart
someone stop this pain
someone stop this pain