A Little Bit Of Gossip

Well you're probably wondering what happens after Leo returns from firing Toby, and why he called Margaret into the room. Here's your answer. And by the way...for all you skeptics out there...I promise this will all make sense in the end. No, really. Im serious. Enjoy :-)


Leo sat back and waited for Margaret to enter the room. He had just returned from his visit to Toby's house, and had just fired Toby. Well, that was all part of the plan.

"Yes, Mr. McGary?"

"Ah, Margaret. I called Toby."

She froze. "Y-you did? Is he recovering from his flu?"

"Margaret, you seemed to take a lot of interest in my dealings with Toby. So you'll be interested to know that Toby will no longer be working at the White House."

"W-what?"

"It's as simple as that. Now, please get me the President on his private line. I have an urgent matter to discuss with him."

Margaret, her mouth still open, tiptoed out of the office. Now the whole plan depended on just one thing…Margaret spreading the news all over the West Wing. If she didn't do that, Leo's plan to get Toby out of his shell would have failed.

Soon, though, the phone was ringing.

"This better be important. Really important,"came Jed's frustrated voice through the earpiece.

"Yes, Mr. President. It's Leo. I'm calling about Toby. If you want to keep him working here you will have to follow these exact directions.

"Leo…what's this all about…I'm in no mood for play."

"Well, you might just have to budge on that one, Mr. President. This is one playful plan."

Jed seemed to take an interest. "Fill me in," he responded. And Leo did.

Within ten minutes, every personnel in the West Wing knew about Toby, and the President was willing to cooperate. Leo was pleased. All was going as planned.

Jed put the phone down quietly and rubbed his eyes. Just then, Abbey emerged from the bathroom.

"Dinner at the restaurant, Jed?"

The President envisioned the salmon and spruce all but soaked in sauvignon blanc at their favorite restaurant down the street.

"Of course. You know I would never turn—"

And the private line rang again.

After his customary answer to any call that came through the line, Jed realized it was Donna, and she sounded concerned about something.

"OK, Donna…what's going on?"

"It has to do with the First Lady…"

Jed looked up at his wife. She smiled warmly. Abbey seemed to be all in one piece, but Jed knew he couldn't pierce those shields she called her eyes and check on the state of her mind. The smile continued, as if a mask of deception. Jed returned it.

"Yes, please continue…"

"Well…she has a sort of a plan. And you should know about it."

"Oh God."

Why hadn't he detected the mischievous glint in Abbey's eyes today.

"Well, sir…it's not all that bad if we can just do some simple…fixing."

"What is this plot, Donna?"

"Well…are you familiar with a certain radio that went out of tune?"

"Yes, unfortunately I know exactly what you're talking about and I have a feeling I know where this is going."

"Yes…Mrs. Bartlet felt that…with the events of the White House as out of tune as they were, it would be desirable…even necessary…for her to be kidnapped."

"Please repeat that." Jed sat.

"The First Lady put me in charge of kidnapping her."

Jed put the phone down, ready to scream, when he realized Abbey was still in the room.

"Something wrong hon?"

"Nothing Abbey…just a moment."

He put the receiver to his ear.

"Mr. President?"

"I'm here, Donna."

"Well…she gave me written instructions in the form of an envelope, but the envelope was blown out my window to the courtyard below. And…there is currently a tour of the courtyard going on. Someone's bound to find it…Mr. President? Mr. President! Are you there, sir?"

"What was that all about Jed?"

"Oh, nothing much…just news that the restaurant is closed tonight…small legal matters to clear up. So why don't we just eat here in the Residence?"

"Oh…well I suppose that couldn't be too bad."

"If you don't mind Abbey, I've got some rather private calls to make…"

"Of course." And she stepped out.

Jed made two calls—one to Leo and one to the head of the Secret Service. There was work to be done.