On The Road With Danny Concannon: Nebraska
Title: "Joshlyman whitehouse . gov Revisited"
Companion Piece: No Exit 5.20
It was late and Josh found his way to his computer. Donna's flight with the CODEL was up in the air and Josh was making the way to the end of his day, but for some reason things kept him in his office. He didn't feel like going home.
Josh looked down at the paper next to him and read the headline of the story in the post: Two Post Reporters get Pulitzers in New York. Josh sent his cursor to his mailbox and typed in the address he didn't have to think about: dconcannon washpost .com.
From: Joshlyman whitehouse .gov (J. Lyman)
To: dconcannon washpost .com (Daniel Concannon)
Cc:
Bb:
Danny,
Congrats. Everyone here sends the same I'm sure. Any plans after New York?
Josh
Josh hit send and went back to the things on his desk.
It just so happened Danny had his computer on, taking a break from his writing and writers block, trying to see how many paper baskets he could make from different areas of the room. This time he was trying from a lying position on the bed. He heard his computer quaking telling him he had mail.
Josh,
The White House, huh? I'll take that as coming from you. Thanks. Don't know what's going on after New York. I have a story I'm working on now. I may go back to Bermuda. Been burnt out lately. I need a break.
-Danny
Josh shift in his seat and his eyebrows were set a flying toward his forehead as he heard his in box sound.
Danny,
Just stay on vacation this time. Don't go looking for any stories.
Josh
Danny laughed at his computer as he read Josh's email and his own words back ran back into his head.
Josh,
Why, you have something to hide?"
Danny,
Funny. How is everything really? What ever happened to that girl? Candice was it?
Josh
J-
Karen? Nothing. She's not my type.
D-
Danny,
Oh come on Danny. You mean she's not her.
Josh
Josh, these are not secure channels don't talk about her.
-D
Danny,
Like anyone who's reading this knows who she is. I think you have other issues why you can't talk about her.
Josh
We all have our issues my friend.
-Danny
Danny,
Welcome my friend to the show that never ends. I love you both, but for your sanity Danny I think you need to forget her. Try to forget about her. Like seeing other woman. Any woman. I'm worried about you. Sorry, man it's got to be said.
Josh
Danny,
Josh hit send hating to be so blunt with his friend, but he knew CJ would never budge about her job. He felt Danny needed to move on before his love for CJ ate him inside.
Danny got the email and he understood, in way, but it still got him made. Danny lashed out.
Josh,
Look who's talking? I wouldn't go around giving advice on love my friend. You're in the same boat and I don't see you doing anything about it?
Danny
Danny stood up and paced his hotel room trying to get Josh's comments out of his head. He breathed heavy almost busting at the seams. Danny's phone rang and he grabbed it from the bed.
"Hey what the hell did that mean!" Josh yelled into the phone.
"I think I'd say the same thing to you Lyman. And I think you know just what I mean. So don't be busting on my chops when the same thing is staring you in the face! It's hard so don't act like it isn't!"
"This is totally out of line!-"
"-I'm out of a line!"
"-I am just trying to help a friend and all you do - "
"-I don't need to hear this right now! You don't think I'm trying, this is what I'm doing out here!"
"Oh give me a break!"
"You give me one first!"
"I still don't get what were arguing about!"
"You called me!"
"Cause you were completely outta line on that one!"
"Hey at least I talk about it!"
"To yourself maybe—"
"Let's just not talk about this okay."
"Fine." Josh calmed himself down as did Danny. There was a moment of silence as the two faced their rooms in the same situation.
"Josh?"
"Yeah?"
"Listen man, I'm sorry I was so harsh."
"Same here."
"I just hope you realize what youR into. Cause I didn't know. If only I knew."
"You good?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"Other wise great."
"Yeah, I gotta go. I can't talk — let's not talk about this."
"Yeah." Danny paused. "I'm here anytime you—"
"Yeah, I gotta go. Send me an email if you're coming back to town. We'll have a beer." Josh said distracted.
"Yeah I will." Danny said love for his friend.
"Yeah. Okay." Josh hung up and Danny sat on the bed not knowing what the world was going to do with men like Josh Lyman and Danny Concannon. Was their hope? He sure thought so. Danny thought of calling CJ. He really thought about it, but his heart wasn't sure what to do anymore.