Part 2-McGarry for President? “So, Sam, how’s the weather in California?” Toby Ziegler asks nonchalantly before taking another sip of his scotch and looking down at the ground where Sam Seaborn is sitting with his back against the Bartlet sitting room couch. Sam turns to look behind him at his wife, Mallory, who is sitting beside Donna on the couch. “Yeah, the weather’s normal California weather. Nice and hot in the summer and damp and mild in the winter. Except for, ya know, June Bloom.” For him, it felt good to be back with all his old buddies from the Administration. With the exception of CJ and Leo, because he and Mallory saw them every couple months, he hadn’t seen the rest of the gang in ages. “And how are things at the 3rd biggest law firm in LA? Having fun bailing out all the movie stars, Sam?” Jed quips with a drunken laugh. He was having such a good time tonight, and the evening had just begun. He couldn’t wait any longer to step his plan into action. The plan that would enable the guys to tell Leo all about their particular “plan” for his future. Sam rolls his eyes but smiles. Apparently it wasn’t something worth talking about. “ What about you, Toby? We haven’t heard what the ex-communications director has been doing since the latest senatorial campaign didn’t work out.” “Shut up.” Toby pouts. His lack of his success in politics wasn’t something he wanted to bring up. Everyone knew how many campaigns he had worked on over the years, not one of his candidates had got elected. He was damn sick and tired of getting himself excited over a candidate who had graduated high school, to say the least. Maybe this next one would be better. He smiles to himself. Probably only another few minutes before Jed would give the secret signal, then they could finally talk to Leo about what they had all had in mind for the last little while. “How’s your book coming, Jed? Dad says you’re almost ready to have it published.” Mallory reaches down and takes Sam’s hand in hers. Even though she didn’t necessarily enjoy talking politics and hadn’t really associated a lot with the administration, she liked to support her father, his wife, and of course, her husband Jed laughs heartily. “Yeah, I’ve got a publisher lined up. Doubt they’ll like it though. Who wants to read anything written by a bleeding- heart liberal ex-President from New England?” Naturally that remarks receives a lot of laughs, and several comments such as, “No, Jed, everyone will read it.” “What about you, Mal, how’s the education system in Los Angeles these days, honey?” CJ asks Mallory, leaning into the over sized couch cushion and downing the last of her beer. The conversation continues like this for a while, with the gang going back and forth asking questions and catching up on old times. Eventually Jed stands up and stretches. “Alright, I need a cigarette.” He begins to walk slowly and deliberately toward the foyer to make his way outside. It’s very hard for him to contain his smile. Even though this little plan wasn’t exactly his idea and he was merely the one who had planned the night, he was excited to hear what Toby, Sam and Josh had to propose to Leo, and more importantly, Leo’s reaction to it. “Wait, sir, I’ll have one with you.” Toby nods to the group and follows Jed. Josh watches the two and immediately recognizes the signal. Earlier in the evening they (himself, Toby, Sam and Jed) had agreed to go meet out near the barn and propose the little “plan” to Leo. The four of them had been discussing it for a little while now, but this was the perfect opportunity to bring it up. Jed had planned the whole evening around this proposition, Josh had found out earlier. “Yeah, I’m gonna come to… just for the fresh air.” And Sam jumps to his feet off the ground, also picking up on the signal. “Okay, well I don’t want to be stuck here with just Leo and the ladies…no offence.” He turns and smiles graciously, to which everyone scowls. Leo glances at all the guys and gives them a “what’s going on?” look. He feels like he’s just missed a club meeting of some sort. “What are you guys doing?” “We’re going to have a smoke. Come join us.” Jed offers simply, gesturing for Leo to get up and follow them. Leo looks at CJ, who rolls her eyes but nods. He gets up and follows the men, a little reluctantly. The men assemble by the barn. The night is cold and damp, but the air soon thickens after Jed and Toby light up. They stand around in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the soundlessness of the night and the peacefulness of being away from any city, which is very unusual for all of them. Leo shoves his hands in his pockets, shivering slightly. “Well, this is nice.” He mumbles sarcastically as he sniffs in the familiar scents of farm animals, crops and second- hand smoke. Sam looks like he is about to burst. He looks like he’s got a secret to tell and he can’t wait any longer. He kicks some dirt at his feet before just bursting out babbling. “So, we’re thinking about forming a campaign team… Josh, Toby and I. We’re going national, Leo… We want to get another president elected!” Leo’s a little confused as he looks from each person to the next. That had certainly come out of nowhere. He decides to take the bait. “Who’s the guy?” He drawls, trying to appear very uninterested. Josh smiles, too. He’s beginning to look a little like Sam-sort of like a kid in candy store. Both of them can’t wait to tell Leo what they have in store. It’s what they’ve waited forever for. Josh tries to be nonchalant, almost coy. “ Well, he’s a congressman…He’s Irish, but from Chicago. He spent some time as secretary of labor .Oh, he was the chief of staff for a president a little while ago…He’s married to a beautiful businesswoman and has the cutest little girl… He…” And Josh has to stop at the stone look on Leo’s face. He wants to burst out laughing because he has never seen Leo looking so shocked. He can’t believe what Josh is saying. Mostly Leo assumes he is joking, and that’s why he can’t seem to make any expressions or say anything. When Leo proceeds to stand motionless in silence, Toby pipes up. “So, what da ya say?” Leo slowly turns his head toward Toby. “I say I hope to hell you’re joking ‘cause I’ve already got a job, and I’m pretty near retirement, not to mention the fact that if I ever mentioned this to my wife I’d wake up with divorce papers in my hands. ” Leo’s seriousness almost wipes the excitement off Sam’s face. “ Leo, we know there’d be obstacles to work around, but just think of how great it’d be.” And Leo’s gaze drifts to Jed, who is just sitting there, puffing away, contently, enjoying the moment. He can’t believe it but all these guys seem serious about this. “You want me to run as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States next year?” Josh smiles, his eyes shining. “ Yeah, and we want you to win.” Leo takes in a deep breath, realizing that this was going to hurt them. Obviously they had been discussing this for a while and thought he had some kind of potential. But, there was no way in hell this could work, so he might as well not lead them on. “Guys, I’m not running for anything other than Chinese food on occasion. I’ve got a good job and after my term’s up next year that’s it for me. I’m married to the most wonderful woman in the world, but our marriage is a little rocky right now and there’s no way I’m taking a chance making it worse by bringing this into the picture. I’ve got a toddler at home who, you know, is the world to me-she’s my princess and I could never put her through this. But mostly, I’m just too tired to take on something like this. One of you guys wanna run, I’ll support you every step of the way. I’ll do whatever you need me to do, but this isn’t for me.” He feels guilty, and it shows on his tired-looking face. Sam rolls his eyes and shakes his head in frustration. “Leo, it’s gotta be you. It’s just gotta be you! You’re the perfect candidate. You’ve got what it takes. We’ve been talking about this for months.” Leo brings a couple of fingers up to rub his temple. “ Sam, I think you’re neglecting the fact that I’m an alcoholic drug addict, it’ about a year too late to join the race, and I’m NOT interested.” Toby takes one last puff of his cigarette and puts it out with a stomp. “ You’ve been sober for sixteen years, Leo, it’s not an issue we anticipate will dominate the campaign.” He sighs, obviously a lot more serious then Josh and Sam, and more concerned with the logistics and persuading Leo. “They won’t confirm me! No one will vote for me.” Leo states, raising his voice considerably. “Well not with an attitude like that.” Josh smiles expansively ,then turns serious. “Look, Leo, you’d have three of the best political and legal minds in the country who’ve got years of experience to their names, plus your entire staff, on your side. Not to mentions the dozens of guys who’ll come around as soon as you announce you’re running.” Leo looks at Josh, then Sam and Toby. “Three?” He cocks an eyebrow. Sam shrugs. “ Josh, Toby and I. We’re gonna run your campaign. We figure we’ll bring your aide, press secretary, chief of staff and anyone else from your office that you’ll need, as well. Once we get up and running the three of us will hire a more detailed staff.” Leo’s eyes travel to Jed and he almost smiles at the innocent- looking old man beside him-his best friend. “What about you , Jed, do you have anything to do with this?” Jed smiles modestly and leans back against the old shed he is propped up against. “Why, yes. Abbey and I planned this whole evening just so these guys could tell you all about their plans.” “No, I mean, are you gonna be involved in this non-existent campaign?” He laughs heartily and shakes his head. “Oh no, Leo, I’m retired now. I think my time in the sun is over. This is your time to shine. It’s the time of Leo McGarry, old friend.” He repeats the phrase that Leo once said to him when they were campaigning for his presidency. “But every good campaign needs a good campaign manager… to keep all these young guys in line” Leo points out to Jed, and it is as if for the first time he might be considering this. This is his way of asking his best friend to be his lieutenant-his lead man in the campaign. Jed simply smiles. “ And that’s what you’ve got Josh for.” He nods firmly. Leo looks at Josh who suddenly looks very serious. He can picture Josh back in the Whitehouse, but this time in the chief of staff office. He can see himself and Josh in the Situation room getting their morning briefing and Josh looking very determined, just like he does now. Maybe that’s where Josh belonged all along. Leo has to clear his throat. “Guys, I just don’t think this is for me… I wouldn’t…” And he is cut off by Abbey shouting, “ Dinner’s ready!” from the porch. “All we’re asking is that you think about it. We want to help, and we think you can do it.” Toby says in his monotone voice as the men proceed to make their way inside. “ Josh and I would oversee all staff and anything to do with policy, and Sam will be in charge of your image and message for now. We would need to bring on your press secretary, fundraiser and of course, others, to help with campaigning. We think you have the experience and the ideals to do this.” “Hey, what are you guys talking about?” CJ smiles innocently, obviously having caught the last part of Toby’s little pitch as the guys came through the front door. Sam can’t help it. He figures the more they talk about it, the more excited Leo will become and the more chance he’ll agree to it. “ Leo’s campaign for the presidency!” He blurts. CJ’s light- hearted face immediately falls and she rolls her eyes at her husband. “ Oh, I must not have got that memo.” Uh, oh, Abbey thinks to herself as CJ rushes out of the foyer, obviously pissed. This night was about to change directions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~