DonnaWhat's happening?
You remember when we went to Atlantic City?
Donna
We never went to Atlantic City.
Remember when I went to Atlantic City and I came back complaining that all the pro poker players suck all the fun out of the game, no cigars, no pizza, no beer.
Donna
You played one hand.
Those guys, they bet the bank when they have a good hand. And you either fold, or you go in all the way with them. I think the President's gonna stay in.
Donna
And how good is Haffley?
He's better than anyone we've seen on the other side of the table in a long time.
I'm going to need a converter for China, and I can't find my garment bag.
Donna
I think baggage claim is in the next terminal over.
You used to love it when I couldn't dress myself without you.
Donna
I used to love peppermint ice cream, too, but now those little pieces of candy, they get stuck in your teeth in a way that I find irritating.
...an informal conversation with senior members of the administration.
President doesn't need the Cabinet swooping in on their shining steeds.
Wanna step into your office or something?
The president is still running the show, on two continents. Russell can stop with the less than subtle insinuations to the contrary. There will be no cabinet meeting.
It's been announced. You don't think it will be more awkward if it doesn't happen.
You know what? Watch yourself. You and the candidate.
No. Free advice for the campaign trail - stop with the ceaseless mentions of his tennis game. Doesn't make him look young and vigorous, it makes him look like a dilettante who can't settle down with a thick book.
Donna
Wheels down in Beijing in a minute or so.
[Will leaves]
Donna
You really think all the talk about tennis makes him look flaky?
No, I think it makes him look young and vigorous.
Donna
Mr Johnson, your platform would include paying the President, the Cabinet and all members of Congress a salary of one dollar a year?
JMr. Johnson
Hell, yeah. Make 'em get a real job.
Donna
And you want to ban motorcycle helmets, color televisions, drop out of the UN, abolish Medicare and totally privatize Social Security?
JMr. Johnson
You gotta get the government out of our damn pockets.
Donna
Sir, are you sure you're a Democrat?
Donna
You called Russell a cowpoke. You said the President avoided him in the halls. You hummed "These Boots Are Made For Walking" every time the press mentioned his name.
Donna
It was my job, Josh. You're not used to me being in a position of authority. I'm sure that's uncomfortable.
I've got an airplane hangar out there filled with 500 strangers looking to me for direction. I've got a candidate who doesn't trust any of them, and frankly, neither do I. And if you don't think I [breath hitches] miss you every day....
Donna
[She gets up and starts to leave the office trying to hold back her tears] Thank you for your time....
[Donna comes for an interview]
Donna
Let me get through this. It's one of the more awkward moments of a lifetime.
Donna
I'm good is the point. I'm as surprised as you are and rumor has it that you could use a deputy.
[reading from a file] "Matthew Santos is throwing a ton of numbers at you hoping you'll be so confused as to miss the fact that his education plan is both impractical and unaffordable. He was a House member, you'd think behavior like that would annoy him." Donna Moss, Spokesperson, Russell for President Campaign.
Donna
I didn't mean that he was...
"Claiming that 3 House terms qualifies you to be President is like me saying I'm a foreign relations expert because I ordered Kung Pao last night."
Donna
I didn't say that, did I?
February 26; Coffee, Cake, and Candidates; Raleigh, North Carolina. "He wasn't a military strategist, he was a pilot. Ask him about the overhead compartment, not about defense."
Donna
You called Russell a cowpoke. You said the President avoided him in the halls. You hummed "These Boots Are Made For Walking" every time the press mentioned his name.
Donna
It was my job, Josh. You're not used to me being in a position of authority. I'm sure that's uncomfortable.
I've got an airplane hangar out there filled with 500 strangers looking to me for direction. I've got a candidate who doesn't trust any of them, and frankly, neither do I. And if you don't think I [breath hitches] miss you every day.... [pause] I can make a couple of calls...
Donna
[She gets up and starts to leave the office trying to hold back her tears] Thank you for your time.
Bedroom/office/staff room.
OK, I don't want to seem ungracious. We've all been under a lot of pressure. It's just that...
[they enter the room, and Donna is sitting on the bed]
Donna
Hi.
I don't know what the problem is between you two, but she's great on television and I don't care if she worked for Francisco Franco in the primary. Right now, it's all hands on deck, so work it out.
[Josh and Donna are on the phone with each other]
Donna
Josh, chill.
Did you just tell me to chill?
Donna
It would appear so.
Is it somehow not clear that I'm your boss?
Donna
Congressman's recommendation.
Donna
To which I heartily concur.
Yeah, I don't think you tell me to chill.
Donna
I wanted to scream it everyday for eight years.
Whatever inhibition prevented you, summon it.
[After the various couples of the campaign retire for the night, Josh and Donna are sitting alone in a bar]
Did you ever ... "come onboard"?
Donna
No.
Never had a campaign fling?
Donna
No. [sits next to Josh]
Do you want another drink?
Donna
No. [gets up, glances one last time at Josh, and slowly heads to her room.]
[to Donna] Hey, what happened to you? Two minutes. 120 seconds - I was stuck in there with Dull and Duller, counting beads in my imaginary abacus. [he notices her expression] Ohio? Texas - we won? We lost? We need a good lawyer, what?
Donna
Leo was unconscious. In his room. Annabeth found him. He wasn't... he wasn't breathing. They're taking him to the hospital in an ambulance now.
[Josh looks horrified]
The West Wing · 913 quotes
