Leo. You wanted to see me?
Yeah, listen. With Nancy McNally out of the country, you're going to have to be our go-to... I was gonna say "guy". The problem with English: "guy" is wrong, "gal" is patronizing, and "person" sounds arch.
"Go-to-guy" is fine.
Good, 'cause you're it. Which is a lot to throw at you weeks into the job. I want you to know you have my and the President's full support.
I appreciate your confidence.
We'll need you to coordinate all the intelligence agencies, including the FBI and CIA. You may have heard: they don't play nicely together.
Well, boys will be boys.
And don't be afraid to knock heads together. We don't want petty turf wars slowing down the intel.
I'll keep on 'em.
You run into resistance, you let me know.
I hope that won't be necessary.
Another thing: the President's not crazy about the DCI. It's chemical; just rubs him the wrong way.
Okay.
This isn't gossip; it's guidance. If the CIA's got something, the Director's not always the most effective vessel for communicating it.
I'll make sure to underline anything I think is significant.
We just need you to be all over this. State, Defense. You're the White House point... person.
I won't let you down. Oh, and on that whole language score: I was in the military. I "manned" battleships, was "one of the boys," occasionally was exhorted to "drop my ...," you know, and "grab my socks." I've made my peace with the colloquial.
Okay.
Just between us girls. Thanks, Leo.
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