C.J., Sam and others in “Process Stories”

C.J.

We think you should run.

Sam

Why? Why would you think something like that?

C.J.

Well, it was Josh's idea.

Josh

Actually, it was Amy's.

Sam

Why?

Amy

Well, I picked a trifecta with the California 47th, the sheriff's race in Arizona and the Tulsa Family Court.

Sam

Well, can I just give you the money and not...

Amy

I also think you'd be a home run choice. You're going to raise a lot of money. I'm going to help you and I have a hunch the President, who just won a landslide, will be making some visits as well. You'll be the best funded Democrat ever run in 47. You're not going to win, so you can't lose.

Josh

I think you'd energize the state party. We're not going to let you look like a fool. We won't allow it.

Sam

[to Toby] What do you think?

Toby

I don't think you should do it. Energizing the state party's good. A well-funded airing of the issues is good. So is mollifying House Democrats, but you have to ask yourself, is it worth it? You're going to lose. A Democrat's always loses in the 47th. Can't just pick up and try someplace else. They have a name for that.

Sam

I don't know. I don't know. I worked in a state assembly race in Manhattan, in a district where Democrats outnumbered Republicans sixteen to one. But everywhere we went, there'd be one lone poster of a right-wing nutbar who wanted to eliminate the income tax. And he was holding up signs an canvassing everywhere and bugging the local reporters until we had to comment on it. So I introduced myself to his campaign manager and I said 'What are you doing? Your candidate doesn't have a chance. Neither do your issues.' He said 'This is what I believe. And no candidate gets to run in my district without speaking to my issues.' I came this close to voting for him. So... I don't know about what you just said.

Toby

Then I think you should win.