Disclaimer: I do not own any characters associated with The West Wing.
The White House
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff
"Toby, we need a Deputy Communications Director," Josh Lyman said to White House Communications Director, Toby Ziegler.
"No we don't," Toby said. "We've been fine for the last three years without one, why do we need one now?"
"You mean two years, don't you? You meant to say that we've been doing fine without a Deputy Communications Director for the last two years," Josh said. "I know that you meant two years because one of those years, the year that we needed a Deputy Communications Director the most, we had Will Bailey. In fact, Will wrote the President's Inaugural Address and received much praise. I know that you meant two years, right?"
"Look, whatever. Two years. Three years. It doesn't make a difference. We were doing fine before he showed up and we're doing fine after."
"By he, you mean Will, right?" Josh said annoyed. He couldn't believe that Toby was still angry with Will for leaving. "Look, Toby, he left two years ago. He left to further his career. He did something that if you were his age and in the same position you would have done also. Give it a rest." Josh paused for a minute to recollect his thoughts. Toby just made him so angry sometimes. "This is not about Will. This is about finding a new Deputy Communications Director."
"We don't need a new Deputy Communications Director," Toby mumbled.
"Yes we do. We've been through a lot in the last few months. We need some help getting it all back on track."
"Who do you have in mind?"
"Well, I've held a few interviews and well...they've all sucked. I'm thinking of bringing in some help."
"You've held interviews for Deputy Communications Director without consulting me first," Toby said in disbelief.
"Yes, Leo gave the okay and like I said they all sucked."
"Who do you have in mind?" Toby asked angrily.
"You're going to love him."
"Who do you have in mind?" Toby's voice was getting louder by the minute.
"He's talented, witty, and bright."
"Who do you have in mind?"
"Ready for this… Sam."
"Sam?" Toby asked. "Sam Seaborn?"
"Yup."
"How did you get him to say yes?"
"Well, I haven't yet," Josh said. "I was going to call him after we talked. So what do you think?"
"It's good," Toby said trying to hide his pleasure. Sam is coming back. "One thing though, can I stay while you make the call?"
"Sure. We'll put him on speakerphone." Now all he had to do was find the number. He looked all around his mess of a desk and couldn't find it anywhere. He honestly didn't know how he got anything done. And then it came to him. "Donna," he yelled.
Donna opened the door to Josh's office, "You bellowed, O' Grumpy One."
"I need you to get Sam on the phone," Josh said.
"You can use the phone," Donna said.
"Yes, I can, but that's what I pay you for."
"Actually, you don't pay my salary, the United States Government does," Donna retorts. "And I say that you know how to use the phone."
"I can't find the number."
Donna rummages around on Josh's desk and finds the number to Sam's office. "Thank you, Donna."
Josh picks up the phone and looks at his watch. "Donna, what time is it in California?"
"Three hours ahead of the time here."
Josh looked at his watch, "So it's eleven o'clock there?"
"No it's noon there," Donna said.
"But my watch says it's two o'clock here."
"Your watch sucks."
"No, it doesn't. Toby what time is it?"
Toby looked at his watch, "3:05"
Donna gave Josh a self-satisfied look. "See."
"Out!" Josh yelled. Donna stuck her tongue out at him and walked out the office door slamming it shut.
"There now that that's taking care of," Josh said. "Let's call Sam." He looked at the phone trying to figure out how to get an outside line. "Donna," he yelled.
Donna walked into Josh's office. "Yes, O' Giant Pain In My Ass."
"Cute. Real cute. Keep that up and I won't let you go home early."
"Since when do you let me go home early?"
"Well, I was thinking of starting to, but now I've changed my mind."
Donna gave him a look. "What do you need?"
"I need to know how to get an outside line."
Donna walked over to the phone and dialed the number to Sam's office. When someone picked up she said, "Hi, this is Donna Moss in Josh Lyman's office. Mr. Lyman would like to speak to Sam Seaborn."
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