Mallory quotes from The West Wing

Sam

Ms. O'Brien, I understand your feelings, but please believe me when I tell you that I'm a nice guy having a bad day. I just found out the Times is publishing a poll that says a considerable portion of Americans feel the White House has lost energy and focus. A perception that's not likely to be altered by the video footage of the President riding his bicycle into a tree. As we speak, the Coast Guard is fishing Cubans out of the Atlantic Ocean while the Governor of Florida wants to blockade the Port of Miami. A good friend of mine's about to get fired for going on television and making sense, and it turns out I accidentally slept with a prostitute last night. Now would you please, in the name of compassion, tell me which one of those kids is my boss's daughter?

Mallory

That would be me.

Sam

You.

Mallory

Yes.

Sam

Leo's daughter's fourth-grade class.

Mallory

Yes.

Sam

Well, this is bad on so many levels.

Sam

You're asking me out on a date.

Mallory

No, I'm asking you to accompany me to see an internationally renowned opera company perform a work indigenous to its culture.

Sam

Right, and in what way will it distinguish itself from a date?

Mallory

There will be, under no circumstances, sex for you at the end of the evening.

Sam

Right.

Mallory

So what do you say?

Sam

Well, like most people I'm an absolute nut for Chinese opera. The Chinese being known the world over for their soaring and romantic melodies, and what with your guarantee that there won't be sex, I don't see how I could say no.

Sam

Mallory, everything that you're saying makes sense. I just think that the state of urban schools is such that if you can save even one kid...

Mallory

[stands] You can save more than one kid...

Sam

Tell me how.

Mallory

By asking Congress to approve, not just a little, but a lot more money for public education.

Mallory

What?

Sam

[stands] Public education has been a public policy disaster for 40 years. Having spent around four trillion dollars on public schools since 1965, the result has been a steady and inexorable decline in every measurable standard of student performance, to say nothing of health and safety. But don't worry about it, because the U.S. House of Representatives is on the case. I feel better already.

Mallory

[beat] Wow.

Sam

What?

Mallory

For a guy who's trying to date me, that was pretty snotty.

Sam

Well, hang on. These are office hours. If I'd known I was working on that I would have had a whole different attitude.

Mallory

He's in favor of school vouchers, Dad.

Leo

No, Mallory. He's really not.

Mallory

Yes, he is.

Leo

No, he's not.

Mallory

I read the position paper.

Leo

It's opposition prep.

Mallory

Opposition prep?

Leo

When we're gearing up for a debate, we have the smart guys take the other side.

Mallory

[to Sam] You stood there and argued with me.

Sam

Yes.

Mallory

Why?

Sam

You made an appointment.

Mallory

Sam...

Leo

Would the two of you take it outside?

Sam

I thought you were trying to drive a wedge between us.

Leo

Yeah, but now you're just boring the crap out of me.

Mallory

Hey...

Sam

Mallory, education is the silver bullet. Education is everything. We don't need little changes. We need gigantic revolutionary changes. Schools should be palaces. Competition for the best teachers should be fierce. They should be getting six-figure salaries. Schools should be incredibly expensive for government and absolutely free of charge for its citizens, just like national defense. That is my position. I just haven't figured out how to do it yet.