I need someone to beta for me? Please?

Josh is in his office, Leo approaches enters the office, humming. Josh looks worried and hides behind his desk.

JOSH: You're late! (jumps out from behind his desk.)

LEO: (chewing on a pipe) Josh, I am never late, nor am I ever early. I arrive precisely when I mean to.

JOSH: You're scaring me Leo.

(an abrupt change of heart: he runs up to Leo and gives him a big hug)

But I'm glad you decided to come!

LEO: (looking as hurt as Leo possibly can) You didn't think I'd miss Debbie's welcoming/Birthday party, did you?

JOSH: Actually I thought you would be doing your best to miss it. Especially after the last welcoming—

LEO: Enough! Anyway, I had a change of heart.

JOSH: Okay…So Leo, what's happening in the world today?

LEO: Haven't we grown curious! (guffaws) Most unnatural for a politician. What can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past few weeks, full of it's own comings and goings, scarcely aware of the existence of the assistants. For which I am very grateful.

JOSH: What do you mean by scarcely aware of the existence of the assistants? I'm aware of the existence of assistants! Donna's very important for me.

LEO: (grimly) Don't worry your curly head Josh, I just hope that those others don't realize their value.

JOSH: Ok Leo, now you're confusing me. We should be there now.

 Leo and Josh leave his office and make their way to the nearest exit, Josh looks nervously around the lonely corridors.

LEO: Where's Donna?

JOSH: She's already there, and so is everyone else, except for us.

LEO: Right.

Later on that evening, in a restaurant the White House has reserved for a private party. A large sign with "WELCOME and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBORAH" hangs over the dance floor. Margaret is alone in the corner of a bar throwing indiscreet glares at Deborah who is surrounded by friends. A large number of people are dancing.  Donna sees Josh who has just arrived and sits down next to him.

DONNA: Go on, Josh, ask Joey Lucas for a dance!

JOSH: I think I'll just have another beer.

DONNA: Oh, no you don't!

Donna shoves Josh at Joey, they dance off.

Deborah is telling her story to the invited interns gathered around.

DEBORAH: So there I was, at the mercy of three old pigheaded bureaucrats, and they were arguing about how to better ruin us! Whether it be turned on a spit, or if they should sit on us one by one and squash us into jelly! Well, not literally… so it was up to me, I had to somehow stop them from going to the meeting, so I used my fabulous secretary filibuster skills…

10 minutes later

CROWD: Speech! Speech!

DEBORAH: My dear friends, Today is my birthday. I'm not going to tell you how old I am, but I assure you I am getting younger by the day. (polite laughter) Alas one month is much too short a time among such excellent and admirable people! I look forward to another four years of working with ye all. I can't believe I just said that…Her eyes dart between Margaret and her purse, and suddenly she looks anxious to leave. Enjoy yourselves, forget about me. I'll be going for now!

Deborah seems to fade into the background, everyone except Josh, Margaret and Donna turns back to their conversations as if nothing had happened. Deborah creeps back to her table, grabs her purse. She picks at the muffin hidden at the bottom of her purse, and eats a few sparse crumbs, then flees to the bathroom. Leo follows her.

LEO: I suppose you thought you were very clever.

DEBORAH:  laughs  Did you see the look on their faces?

LEO: I advise you not to use your muffin of power so… damn blatantly!

DEBORAH: Strange expression on her face. So that's what it is… Ahhhh…Grins scarily.

TBC….