Show: The West Wing - 7x5
Previously on The West Wing: Greg Brock just released a story...
...about a classified military shuttle that could be...
...sent up to rescue those astronauts.
It's a federal crime to divulge classified information.
I want this leaker found.
Did David ever mention anything about a non-civilian shuttle?
Hey, I got subpoenaed.
Congratulations.
You?
Nope.
Last one to get one's a rotten egg.
Last one is the focus of the investigation.
Can you tell me about the nature of your relationship with Greg Brock?
I'm the suspect.
You would not believe the day I've had.
I'd tell you about it if I could...
...but a bunch of stuff happened today I can't talk about.
So I guess I should stop talking about it.
The truth is I'm so strung-out and wired on caffeine...
...I can't tell what room I'm in.
C.J.?
Let's open that bottle of champagne you gave me.
Maybe the alcohol will balance out the caffeine.
C.J., the leak...
Let's have a toast, one final toast...
...before I leave the White House for my perp walk in leg irons.
You open it.
I'll take out your eye...
Would you...?
I'll open it.
But just listen to what I have to say.
Leo's in trouble.
I know.
You do?
I got a lawyer.
What?
I got a lawyer.
I did it.
Call the White House Counsel's office.
Send someone over immediately.
I didn't want you to think...
We really can't have any further conversation without Counsel present.
Excuse me.
I was told to come right in.
Mike, is it?
Sorry.
Mike Wayne, associate counsel.
Mr.
Ziegler?
Toby, would you tell Mike what you just told me?
I was the one who leaked the information...
...about the classified military space shuttle...
...to Greg Brock of The New York Times.
Where's Oliver Babish?
Out to dinner.
I'll need the key to your office.
Where are you going?
Key's on my desk.
I'll have to ask you to accompany me directly to the Roosevelt Room.
You'll need to wait there quietly while I retrieve your key...
...lock your office and post a uniformed Secret Service agent at the door.
That needs to happen right now.
We're going to need the room.
There was nothing on the schedule.
Yeah.
We're going to be needing the room.
Sure.
Absolutely.
I'll be back as quickly as I can.
I'll have to ask you not to speak to anyone...
...about anything in my absence.
Every conversation you have from this point forward...
...only increases the witness list.
Watch a movie.
We land in 40 minutes.
Watch part of a movie.
I have to eat my vegetables.
Something we can do together.
Our own machines, headphones, how are we doing it together?
It'd be a shared experience.
Remember those?
I have to scan this stump speech for racial code words.
Really?
This black professor's saying...
...the section about immigrants is code for: "The black underclass is lazy."
He's got a point.
He doesn't.
You're not gonna solve interracial sensitivity in 40 minutes.
Honey, I have to do this.
All work and no play.
You calling me a dull boy?
Were you saying something?
Try not doing that in front of the electorate.
Headphones should be a plus.
You hate when I talk in movies.
You'll just get louder.
You're not gonna fool me.
Thought you liked it when I got loud.
In this, as in all things, context is king.
Fine.
Try not doing that in front of the voters either.
Charles.
Commander.
You're a hard man to find.
You can't be too careful.
You can, actually.
Whom will I be addressing in the Situation Room?
No one.
You're not going in the Sit Room.
Tell me what you've got to say, then I'm going in.
You can't stalk the White House chief of staff.
She wouldn't return my calls.
She's busy helping run the world.
I doubt she calls her mother back.
Mother's dead and father's Alzheimer's is so bad he wouldn't know she called.
Do you try to come off this creepy?
As a strategy for getting people to take you seriously...
...it leaves a bit to be desired.
Do you have any idea how thoroughly I could get you bounced?
I was right, wasn't I? "
Thank you for letting me keep my job...
...which means everything to me, as you can see."
I was right.
Before we discuss how right you are, were or have been...
...I need a vow you'll never ambush a senior White House official again.
I'm waiting.
Fine.
Thank you.
Now let's discuss this assassination in Kazakhstan.
I reached Oliver Babish.
He says you owe him a raspberry panna cotta cheesecake.
He'll live.
Longer, probably.
It's morning in Jerusalem.
You wanted to call about the Farad funeral.
Right, right.
So you want me to...?
Yeah.
Let's do that.
I didn't want to.
I tried not to say anything that...
I'm sorry?
The...
The committee.
I hope my testimony didn't make things more difficult for you.
Don't worry.
Lf I caused you any problems...
I'm sure you didn't.
I�ll...
I'll place that call.
Toby, got a minute?
No.
We wanted your take on these OMB numbers.
Go away.
Okay.
I'll leave them on your...
Go!
What's wrong with "vigorous"?
Sounds like we're taking a shot at Bartlet.
We're not running against him.
We're running against Methuselah.
Vigorous isn't the opposite of old, it's the opposite of vigorlessness.
It's gonna come off like we're referencing the MS.
That's a win-win in my book.
Arnold Vinick isn't some broken-down Feeb...
...doddering from one campaign stop to the next.
He's got more energy than I do.
He is inconveniently spry.
Use that.
What?
Spry.
It's a word that's only used to describe old people.
Ever hear of anyone under the age of 70 who's ever been called spry?
Says old guy versus young guy without mentioning age.
Just got the new tracking numbers.
Nine and holding.
Couple weeks ago you were doing cartwheels over being nine down.
That was a couple weeks ago.
With the margin of error, it could be six.
When the polls spit out the same number day in and day out...
...it's time to stop talking margins of error.
Nine points is nine points.
That's what I thought then, but you all were so happy.
So, basically, you've been wrong about this twice now.
It's Alana.
Please leave a message.
Alana.
Toby Ziegler.
As my attorney, you should probably know that I just confessed...
...to C.J.
Cregg that I was behind the leak.
I'm about to be debriefed by White House Counsel.
You left him in a room with a phone?
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Toby.
Oliver.
Who were you talking to?
My attorney's voicemail.
My instructions were that you sit quietly.
Pretty sure I used my indoor voice.
Who else have you called or spoken to?
No one.
Ed and Larry.
Who?
They wanted to run something by me.
I told them to go away.
Did you discuss the leak or the investigation?
We didn't discuss anything.
I was curt and dismissive, as instructed.
I need their full names and extensions.
They were here maybe 10 seconds.
Mike's gonna need to speak with them.
Thanks.
You're in some trouble.
I'm personally truly sorry about that.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, at the moment, that is of incidental concern...
...in my capacity as White House Counsel.
You've put this administration into difficulty.
So my immediate professional concern...
...is whether you've put the president into jeopardy as well.
So I'm gonna have some questions for you.
Get comfortable.
We're gonna be here for a bit.
Were you the sole individual involved in leaking this?
Yes.
Did anyone instruct you to leak this information?
No.
Anyone suggest you leak it?
No.
Hint?
No.
Nudge, wink?
Did anyone employ nonverbal means of any kind...
...to suggest in an explicit or implicit fashion that you leak this information?
No, it was conceived and executed solely and completely on my own.
Tell anyone you were planning this?
No.
Discuss that you were considering doing so?
No.
Did you speculate to anyone...
...that an individual might be inclined to contemplate making such a leak?
We're gonna be here for a while.
Answer the question.
No, I didn't speak to anyone, at any time...
...of any scenario involving myself or someone else...
...thinking, planning, dreaming or having an out-of-body experience...
...related to the making of this sort of leak.
That's cute, the out-of-body thing.
But I don't recommend it with the FBI or the Congressional Committee...
...the federal prosecutor or any of the people who'll be following me.
That was lovely.
I have to call Zahavy.
I don't blame him for not wanting to go to Farad's funeral.
Wish you didn't have to go.
Isn't that what vice presidents are for?
No.
Then what good are they?
The two I've had?
An enduring mystery.
God, I'm exhausted.
You haven't forgotten that Ellie and Vic are coming by?
No, our daughter is getting engaged to the fruit-fly guy.
He's a research scientist.
Stop making him sound like something out of a horror film.
Did you know that fruit flies reproduce at a prodigious rate?
You've been whining about more grandchildren.
I meant that they're just more than usually enthusiastic.
All right.
In fact, they make bunnies...
...look like dysfunctional prudes.
That's our daughter you're talking about.
Indeed.
Yeah.
How about that?
Are you...?
A little.
What about you?
Astonished, actually.
Why, did you and she never discuss...?
There are things that are outside the mother-daughter bond.
At least for us.
Did you and she?
Always adhered to a strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Clung to it, actually.
That is one's daughter.
Wants her to be happy in whatever...
Of course, true to herself.
Nothing wrong with that inclination.
Nothing.
God herself may strike me dead...
...it is not to be denied that I am not unhappy...
...that my daughter is straight after all.
At least straight enough to be marrying the fruit-fly guy.
Someone in the Texas AG's office has obtained the medical records...
...of 120 women who had abortions in three clinics there.
Tell me not in Houston.
And San Antonio.
The pretext is looking for unreported cases of sexual abuse and rape.
Smoke screen.
We've fooled with language.
We're not commenting.
We have to.
It's a state matter.
The congressman's home state.
I'm familiar with the bio.
It violates Roe.
How important is Texas?
Pretty important.
No.
With Vinick's lock on California, this is the whole B.O.W.
Ball of wax.
Why wade into an issue that's not gonna gain us any voters?
All it costs is people who weren't gonna vote for us.
We don't need them to vote.
We need them to stay home.
Pro-lifers don't like Vinick any more than us.
Why energize them?
Let this sleeping dog lie.
Crazy.
We're Democrats.
Come out for a woman's right to choose.
Ever had an abortion?
A little personal, don't you think?
Don't talk to me about what we have to do on this subject.
Whatever you say.
I was thinking while you were asleep.
I wasn't.
Really?
With the drooling and the muttering to yourself...
...which might be described as a schizophrenic episode...
...I'd go with you were sleeping.
Okay.
The campaign's stagnating because the numbers are.
Doldrums.
Horse latitudes.
It's still mid-August.
Wind will pick up.
You and I need to be a wind that blows through the staff, carries a bunch away.
Way to stick with the meteorological metaphor.
Still, it's a little hysterical.
This group isn't cutting it.
We're fine.
The advance team went to Springfield, Illinois...
...for an event in Springfield, Missouri.
Every campaign has bumps.
We need experienced hands.
Look around.
We're heavy on the wide-eyed.
We got a young staff.
Guess what, we're Democrats.
Vinick's got grownups.
We're running a children's crusade.
It got a virtual unknown the Democratic presidential nomination.
Now it's got him tracking nine points down...
...which is a loss, and not a small one.
Start firing, it's gonna look like the campaign's in trouble.
It is.
It'll look like we noticed.
A first pass at the staff list.
That's a lot of names.
Anyone you wanna fight for?
Ned?
He's not built for this.
Been with the congressman forever.
Santos will never let me can him.
He's gotta go.
It'll kill morale if you fire these people and keep him.
So don't fire anyone.
Keep whistling past the graveyard.
It'll be your future gets buried when you preside over a 49-state wipeout.
Can't leave before the boss leaves.
You?
Time and assassinations wait for no one.
Pithy.
Putting out a line of twisted samplers.
When's your turn?
With the committee?
Friday.
But if they spent all day on you...
Really looking forward to things getting back to normal around here.
Did you have any conversations with the president...
...regarding a military shuttle?
No.
Participate in any group discussions that included the president?
No.
Did you have any internal White House conversations with anyone at any time...
...about the United States possessing a classified military space shuttle?
Yes.
With whom?
Who'd you talk about it with, Toby?
C.J.
Cregg.
Frost thinks...
I know what Frost thinks.
About everything.
If it rains, Frost thinks al Qaeda seeded the clouds.
Why do you keep him?
He's a good analyst.
Good analysts spend time being wrong.
Funny, we like our guys to be right.
Different strokes.
Are there extremists who dream of a China-to-Spain caliphate?
Sure.
They'll start by assassinating the Palestinian chairman...
...and the president of Kazakhstan?
Come on.
Margaret, will you call Leo for me?
When you spoke to Greg Brock...
...
you were aware you were speaking on record?
I'm the communications director.
I have an understanding of protocol when speaking with journalists.
That would be a yes.
An "of course."
And your intention in conveying this information was that it be published?
Yes.
You were aware this was classified?
Excuse me?
Answer the question.
You're asking me if I knew that the military space shuttle was classified?
One of the most closely held pieces of information...
...in my seven and a half years in the White House?
Which no one would so much as hint at...
...much less acknowledge, much less ever actually discuss?
Which revelation of same caused a governmental security crisis...
...international consternation...
...and the launching of three separate investigations?
You're asking me if I realized it was classified?
Yeah, I had a vague inkling.
Were you authorized to have this information?
Alana Waterman, Mr.
Babish.
I'm Mr.
Ziegler's attorney.
I must inform Counsel that my client will not be answering further questions.
It's okay...
It's most certainly not okay.
And you're to say anything else.
I'm really getting fed up with lawyers ordering me around.
Should've considered that before passing state secrets to reporters.
Did you leak to anyone other than Greg Brock?
Do not answer that.
No.
If I may have a word in private with my client?
I'll be right outside.
I really appreciate your concern, but I am taking full responsibility...
...and I am prepared and ready to face the consequences.
That's very noble and very stupid.
Thank you.
You have to listen to me now.
If you were truly the only one involved...
I was.
That's unfortunate.
Because it means you have no bigger fish to turn over to the prosecutor...
...which is what he will be looking for.
And would've been the best and fastest way to make a deal.
I don't care about that.
Well, it's my job to.
We're not starting with a lot of bargaining chips.
And we have less every time you open your mouth.
I'm not looking to cut a deal.
Really?
The last time I checked, the sentencing guidelines...
...even for a first-time offender, were 63 to 78 months' jail time.
Sixty-three to 78?
How do they come up with those numbers?
Dartboard?
You have an obligation...
Don't bring up my kids!
When you hire someone like me, you take on a responsibility...
...to my reputation.
If you decide you wanna go down...
...in some quasi-orgasmic blaze of self-pitying, self-destructive...
...self-aggrandizing attempted glory...
...all anyone's gonna say is, "How did Alana Waterman...
...that smart, tough, savvy Washington infighter...
...let her client do something so crushingly boneheaded moronic...
...as to get himself six years in jail?"
Now you have a decision to make.
If you want me to continue...
...as your attorney when the White House Counsel re-enters...
...you either decline to answer any further questions...
...or you watch me walk not only out of this room but off the case.
Who first informed you of the existence...
...of a classified space shuttle?
I decline to answer on the advice of counsel.
Please wait here.
You certainly earned your fee today.
I'm deeply gratified that you decided to heed my guidance.
No, I just meant it was the first time tonight he used the word "please."
If you're done for the night, you should probably go home.
Excuse me.
C.J.
All right, catch me up.
Commander Harper's been entertaining us.
Given the hour, I'm not sure entertaining is the right word...
...with her theory on the assassination in Kazakhstan.
Mr.
Secretary, your customary default acerbity...
...which some may characterize as snide, but I never fail to find delightful...
...is not the right tone for my mood this evening.
Now, would you catch me up?
Assassination's been a historic tactic of Russian security services.
I feel we should look in their direction.
The Russians and the Kazakhs are allies.
Kazakhstan's cozying up to Beijing.
They announced the establishment of a partnership.
On top of the oil pipeline they agreed to build to China.
When they announced this, they stressed it wasn't directed against a third party.
Doth protesting perhaps a bit much.
You buying this?
We're catching her up.
Moscow's not thrilled.
It's not only competitive with Russia's oil interests, but it's emblematic...
...of China's growing dominance.
Who takes over Kazakhstan with Issetov dead?
Constitutionally, Prime Minister Tarimov.
Who has ties that go back to Moscow.
Russia's interests are directly served by removing the sitting president.
What will the Chinese do?
That's the question.
Russia and China eyeball to eyeball in Central Asia.
Over oil.
With 900 U.S.
Marines...
...stuck right in the middle.
Oh, God.
This is so scary.
Congressman, you got a minute?
Yeah, sure.
What's she watching?
That latest Rob Zombie film.
Seems to be enjoying it.
I guess.
You a big Rob Zombie fan?
I prefer his earlier, funnier movies.
Lou and I have been discussing the staff.
What about them?
Making changes.
Are you kidding me?
She's not talking to you.
The campaign's not hitting on all cylinders.
Could be time for a course correction.
How many people?
About 45.
You can't be serious.
You can't do that.
That's a lot of people.
Look like panic.
We'll bring in experienced operatives.
Have we been turning them away? "
You can't work for us, you have too much experience."
We need to make changes.
Are we panicked?
No.
Of course not.
Well, you're running this thing.
It is a big layoff and it's gonna get noted in the press.
But if you think it's needed.
I do.
One of the people is Ned Carlson.
What?
I know he's been with you a long time.
I'm sure he was a real asset.
You can't fire Ned.
He is not cut out for this.
The pace.
Thinking fast on your feet.
Send him back to the Congressional office.
And we will get him something in the administration once we're in.
Matt.
Anyone not getting the job done...
...is gonna go.
Do you wanna be the one to tell him?
You can take care of it.
Mrs.
Santos.
That's how far I got before his attorney intervened.
Do you feel you got the whole story?
He said he discussed the existence of the military shuttle with you.
He did.
Direct him to leak the information?
I did not.
Urge it?
No.
Subtly hint?
Absolutely not.
Why, did Toby give any indication that I had?
No.
His account matches yours.
It's important all stories are in sync.
They are because it's the truth.
Have you discussed this with anyone since Mike and you last spoke?
No.
No comment on what's going on in the Roosevelt Room or Toby's office?
Of course not.
Others you encountered will so testify?
Yes.
Spoken to anyone outside the building?
No.
And the White House phone logs will so confirm?
I placed a call to Leo McGarry.
For what purpose?
For what purpose, C.J.?
I didn't reach him.
But had you, was your intention to discuss the fact that Toby Ziegler...
...was the White House leak?
I didn't reach him.
He and you should be very glad about that.
What, if any, message did you leave?
I told Margaret not to leave any.
That it wasn't anything important.
Were those your exact words?
I don't know.
I may have said not to even mention that I called.
You have between now and tomorrow morning...
...when I imagine the first question will come about this...
...to consider whether you had a reason to phone Leo this evening...
...other than discussing courses of action...
...in dealing with this news regarding Toby Ziegler.
Which might to outsiders appear like consideration of a cover-up.
It's time to tell the president.
What will be the recommendation of the Counsel?
The same as yours.
Congratulations.
Honestly, that ring, it's lovely.
You don't think it's too big?
Oh, there's no such thing, dear.
Almost got you a rebate there.
I only wish I could've afforded an even bigger one.
I wanna hear all about the proposal.
Tell me everything.
We went for a mountain bike ride to a secluded spot in Rock Creek Park.
We did it there.
I did it there.
Romantic.
Very.
The two of us and my Secret Service detail.
When are you thinking about having the wedding?
As soon as possible.
We don't wanna distract...
...from the election, of course, but any time after that could work.
A White House wedding at Christmas?
I don't think she wants that.
What?
To do it here.
What could be more wonderful?
Undoubtedly a White House wedding would be very beautiful...
...and terribly romantic, but it would be quite a spectacle.
Out of all of us, Ellie's been the one who's shied away from the spotlight.
Why don't you consider having the wedding...
...after your father's left the office entirely?
Sure.
If you wanna turn your back on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Hopefully, the wedding is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
You would seriously consider not getting married in here?
You could do something very private at the farm.
Where, at the moment, is the less pressing concern.
There's another consideration that may need to take precedence...
...as far as scheduling goes.
And, you know...
...why we might not wanna wait.
Well, we should probably get right on to scheduling that, then.
I'm sorry for the interruption, Mr.
President, ma'am, Ellie.
Nancy, this is our new son-in-law to be, Vic Faison.
Nice to meet you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Sir, C.J.
And Oliver Babish would like to speak with you.
Of course.
Excuse me, please.
Self-aggrandizing and self-destructive?
I was trying to make a point.
Quasi-orgasmic might have been a bit much.
A little colorful rhetoric.
Occupational hazard.
Why'd you do it?
Save lives.
Your brother was an astronaut.
Astronauts' lives in the short term.
Start a discussion about whether we wanna extend mankind's capacity...
...for warfare into the heavens.
The weaponization of space.
I believe in an open society.
You debate in the light of day.
That's supposed to happen in a democracy.
Global pacifism, freedom of information.
These are things people...
...will rally around.
We can get a lot of lefty support.
College campuses, Hollywood...
Good.
Help defray my legal expenses.
I'm serious.
So am I.
I know what you charge.
A couple of well-placed editorials, some cable news spots...
...public demonstrations.
This could be very helpful.
Certainly not gonna hurt.
Won't keep me out of jail.
There's a lesser criminal statute: 35 USC, 799, which makes it...
...a misdemeanor to disobey a regulation set forth by the administrator.
Penalty's likely a fine.
No more than a year's jail time.
Yeah, I know, it's a little pie in the sky around the edges.
Keep thinking, counselor.
It's what you're good at.
Toby?
Is it possible to be astonished and at the same time not surprised?
I've debriefed him, sir.
It seems to have involved no one else.
Obviously, there will be a partisan push to probe past Toby...
...to cause us and the Santos campaign difficulty.
The fact there's no there there should limit...
...the other side's ability to get traction.
The political fallout is not my first concern.
We should move quickly, sir.
Oliver's pointed out that not only do we not want the appearance of a cover-up...
...we don't want the appearance of having considered...
...anything but full and immediate disclosure.
I'll make a statement.
And Toby.
I'll take care of that, sir.
No.
Bring him here.
Respectfully, Mr.
President, you shouldn't be in the room with Toby.
He's radioactive, sir.
Potentially toxic to the presidency.
Thank you for your counsel, but I have to do this myself.
Then I have to insist on being present.
Give me a moment.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you, sir.
God.
See, this is what puts people off.
Lurking.
No one likes a lurker.
How'd it go in there?
For your theory?
Not well.
I think there's a better one.
It can't be better if it's wrong.
Good night, Charles.
The pattern is so obvious.
Children, even kindergartners would see.
I'm trying to save everyone's jobs, okay?
What?
All right, your theory.
What is it?
Tell me.
It's a pretty scary scenario.
Leads to Russia and China on the brink of confrontation.
Neighboring nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, poised to pick sides.
Japan and the U.S.
Being drawn in against their will.
A horror show.
World War III nightmare.
Very cool.
You wanna grab coffee?
Ned.
Hang out a minute.
What's up?
Am I in trouble?
You know, this kind of thing is never easy...
...but we've decided to make a change.
Sorry?
We're shaking up the staff, and you're one of the people...
...we're gonna let go.
I'm sorry.
You're joking.
I'm not.
You're firing me?
It's reassignment to the Congressional office.
No.
You don't fire me.
Does the congressman know this?
He signed off on it, yeah.
I'm really gonna have to hear it from him.
He's going to the meet and greet and then, I really hope, to bed.
Well, he's gonna need to find some time.
Listen to me.
Talking to the congressman isn't gonna change anything.
I wanna thank you for all your work.
Screw you.
You know, you can fire as many of us grunts as you want.
But you wanna know why this campaign is floundering, look in the mirror.
C.J.?
Something break in the leak investigation?
Since I'm supposed to be heading it...
I can't talk about this right now.
I feel like I owe you an apology.
You don't.
And I really can't discuss this right now.
The president wants to see you.
Just Toby.
I'm afraid I have a problem with that.
You didn't just invite yourself into the Oval Office.
I request that the courtesy of an invitation be extended...
...to Mr.
Ziegler's attorney, or my client's not going.
It's okay.
Toby.
It's all right.
Go home.
Yeah?
Mr.
President.
Toby.
I was hoping we would be able to speak in private, sir.
Your actions have pretty much made that impossible.
I haven't had much time to absorb this news...
...so I'll apologize in advance if I express any half-formed thoughts.
But the one thought that hits the hardest is that this was somehow inevitable.
That you've always been heading for this crash and burn.
That self-righteous superiority.
Not that you were smarter than everyone.
That you were purer.
Morally superior.
With due respect, sir, I don't think I'm morally superior to everyone.
No.
Just to me.
Sir, I've drawn up a letter of resignation.
What is that, the third one?
Rip it up.
Sir?
I can't accept your resignation.
I have to fire you.
For cause.
You'll need to turn in your credentials.
A guard will come to escort you from the building immediately.
You may not take anything out with you.
All personal effects will be sent to your home...
...after Counsel staff has cataloged the contents of your office.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Toby.
When you walk out of here, there'll be people out there...
...perhaps a great many, who will think of you as a hero.
I just don't for a moment want you thinking I'll be one of them.
Hey.
Is he in?
C.J.
Cregg to see you.
Thanks.
Hey.
Hey.
What's up?
I'm offering...
Well, not so much offering as dragooning you...
...to be the new White House communications director.
Starting now.
I'll smooth things over with the VP, but first you should know...
...the president's making a statement in...
...3 or so minutes, in which he'll announce...
...that Toby Ziegler has been fired for an egregious national security violation.
Termination taking place within the hour of Mr.
Ziegler's confession...
...of responsibility for this act.
Does the president want me to help with the statement?
I think he's got a good handle on what he's gonna say.
Counsel sealed Toby's office, so feel free to use Annabeth's old one.
Which, come to think of it, used to be yours.
Funny how things work out.
Not so funny, really.
No.
Not so much.
News on the upcoming election of Congressman Matthew Santos...
Rough in there.
To be expected.
Thought he'd thank you for your service.
He's angry.
Someone should thank you for your service.
Mr.
Ziegler?
I'll need your hard pass, sir.
If you'll come with me.
Good evening.
Less than an hour ago, White House communications director Toby Ziegler...
...
confessed to making an unauthorized disclosure...
...
of classified national security information...
...
to a reporter from The New York Times newspaper.
This admission was promptly brought to my attention...
...
and Mr.
Ziegler was immediately fired from his position in this administration...
...
effective at once.
He's been relieved of his credentials and asked to leave the White House...
Subtitles by SDI Media Group
...about a classified military shuttle that could be...
...sent up to rescue those astronauts.
It's a federal crime to divulge classified information.
I want this leaker found.
Did David ever mention anything about a non-civilian shuttle?
Hey, I got subpoenaed.
Congratulations.
You?
Nope.
Last one to get one's a rotten egg.
Last one is the focus of the investigation.
Can you tell me about the nature of your relationship with Greg Brock?
I'm the suspect.
You would not believe the day I've had.
I'd tell you about it if I could...
...but a bunch of stuff happened today I can't talk about.
So I guess I should stop talking about it.
The truth is I'm so strung-out and wired on caffeine...
...I can't tell what room I'm in.
C.J.?
Let's open that bottle of champagne you gave me.
Maybe the alcohol will balance out the caffeine.
C.J., the leak...
Let's have a toast, one final toast...
...before I leave the White House for my perp walk in leg irons.
You open it.
I'll take out your eye...
Would you...?
I'll open it.
But just listen to what I have to say.
Leo's in trouble.
I know.
You do?
I got a lawyer.
What?
I got a lawyer.
I did it.
Call the White House Counsel's office.
Send someone over immediately.
I didn't want you to think...
We really can't have any further conversation without Counsel present.
Excuse me.
I was told to come right in.
Mike, is it?
Sorry.
Mike Wayne, associate counsel.
Mr.
Ziegler?
Toby, would you tell Mike what you just told me?
I was the one who leaked the information...
...about the classified military space shuttle...
...to Greg Brock of The New York Times.
Where's Oliver Babish?
Out to dinner.
I'll need the key to your office.
Where are you going?
Key's on my desk.
I'll have to ask you to accompany me directly to the Roosevelt Room.
You'll need to wait there quietly while I retrieve your key...
...lock your office and post a uniformed Secret Service agent at the door.
That needs to happen right now.
We're going to need the room.
There was nothing on the schedule.
Yeah.
We're going to be needing the room.
Sure.
Absolutely.
I'll be back as quickly as I can.
I'll have to ask you not to speak to anyone...
...about anything in my absence.
Every conversation you have from this point forward...
...only increases the witness list.
Watch a movie.
We land in 40 minutes.
Watch part of a movie.
I have to eat my vegetables.
Something we can do together.
Our own machines, headphones, how are we doing it together?
It'd be a shared experience.
Remember those?
I have to scan this stump speech for racial code words.
Really?
This black professor's saying...
...the section about immigrants is code for: "The black underclass is lazy."
He's got a point.
He doesn't.
You're not gonna solve interracial sensitivity in 40 minutes.
Honey, I have to do this.
All work and no play.
You calling me a dull boy?
Were you saying something?
Try not doing that in front of the electorate.
Headphones should be a plus.
You hate when I talk in movies.
You'll just get louder.
You're not gonna fool me.
Thought you liked it when I got loud.
In this, as in all things, context is king.
Fine.
Try not doing that in front of the voters either.
Charles.
Commander.
You're a hard man to find.
You can't be too careful.
You can, actually.
Whom will I be addressing in the Situation Room?
No one.
You're not going in the Sit Room.
Tell me what you've got to say, then I'm going in.
You can't stalk the White House chief of staff.
She wouldn't return my calls.
She's busy helping run the world.
I doubt she calls her mother back.
Mother's dead and father's Alzheimer's is so bad he wouldn't know she called.
Do you try to come off this creepy?
As a strategy for getting people to take you seriously...
...it leaves a bit to be desired.
Do you have any idea how thoroughly I could get you bounced?
I was right, wasn't I? "
Thank you for letting me keep my job...
...which means everything to me, as you can see."
I was right.
Before we discuss how right you are, were or have been...
...I need a vow you'll never ambush a senior White House official again.
I'm waiting.
Fine.
Thank you.
Now let's discuss this assassination in Kazakhstan.
I reached Oliver Babish.
He says you owe him a raspberry panna cotta cheesecake.
He'll live.
Longer, probably.
It's morning in Jerusalem.
You wanted to call about the Farad funeral.
Right, right.
So you want me to...?
Yeah.
Let's do that.
I didn't want to.
I tried not to say anything that...
I'm sorry?
The...
The committee.
I hope my testimony didn't make things more difficult for you.
Don't worry.
Lf I caused you any problems...
I'm sure you didn't.
I�ll...
I'll place that call.
Toby, got a minute?
No.
We wanted your take on these OMB numbers.
Go away.
Okay.
I'll leave them on your...
Go!
What's wrong with "vigorous"?
Sounds like we're taking a shot at Bartlet.
We're not running against him.
We're running against Methuselah.
Vigorous isn't the opposite of old, it's the opposite of vigorlessness.
It's gonna come off like we're referencing the MS.
That's a win-win in my book.
Arnold Vinick isn't some broken-down Feeb...
...doddering from one campaign stop to the next.
He's got more energy than I do.
He is inconveniently spry.
Use that.
What?
Spry.
It's a word that's only used to describe old people.
Ever hear of anyone under the age of 70 who's ever been called spry?
Says old guy versus young guy without mentioning age.
Just got the new tracking numbers.
Nine and holding.
Couple weeks ago you were doing cartwheels over being nine down.
That was a couple weeks ago.
With the margin of error, it could be six.
When the polls spit out the same number day in and day out...
...it's time to stop talking margins of error.
Nine points is nine points.
That's what I thought then, but you all were so happy.
So, basically, you've been wrong about this twice now.
It's Alana.
Please leave a message.
Alana.
Toby Ziegler.
As my attorney, you should probably know that I just confessed...
...to C.J.
Cregg that I was behind the leak.
I'm about to be debriefed by White House Counsel.
You left him in a room with a phone?
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Toby.
Oliver.
Who were you talking to?
My attorney's voicemail.
My instructions were that you sit quietly.
Pretty sure I used my indoor voice.
Who else have you called or spoken to?
No one.
Ed and Larry.
Who?
They wanted to run something by me.
I told them to go away.
Did you discuss the leak or the investigation?
We didn't discuss anything.
I was curt and dismissive, as instructed.
I need their full names and extensions.
They were here maybe 10 seconds.
Mike's gonna need to speak with them.
Thanks.
You're in some trouble.
I'm personally truly sorry about that.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, at the moment, that is of incidental concern...
...in my capacity as White House Counsel.
You've put this administration into difficulty.
So my immediate professional concern...
...is whether you've put the president into jeopardy as well.
So I'm gonna have some questions for you.
Get comfortable.
We're gonna be here for a bit.
Were you the sole individual involved in leaking this?
Yes.
Did anyone instruct you to leak this information?
No.
Anyone suggest you leak it?
No.
Hint?
No.
Nudge, wink?
Did anyone employ nonverbal means of any kind...
...to suggest in an explicit or implicit fashion that you leak this information?
No, it was conceived and executed solely and completely on my own.
Tell anyone you were planning this?
No.
Discuss that you were considering doing so?
No.
Did you speculate to anyone...
...that an individual might be inclined to contemplate making such a leak?
We're gonna be here for a while.
Answer the question.
No, I didn't speak to anyone, at any time...
...of any scenario involving myself or someone else...
...thinking, planning, dreaming or having an out-of-body experience...
...related to the making of this sort of leak.
That's cute, the out-of-body thing.
But I don't recommend it with the FBI or the Congressional Committee...
...the federal prosecutor or any of the people who'll be following me.
That was lovely.
I have to call Zahavy.
I don't blame him for not wanting to go to Farad's funeral.
Wish you didn't have to go.
Isn't that what vice presidents are for?
No.
Then what good are they?
The two I've had?
An enduring mystery.
God, I'm exhausted.
You haven't forgotten that Ellie and Vic are coming by?
No, our daughter is getting engaged to the fruit-fly guy.
He's a research scientist.
Stop making him sound like something out of a horror film.
Did you know that fruit flies reproduce at a prodigious rate?
You've been whining about more grandchildren.
I meant that they're just more than usually enthusiastic.
All right.
In fact, they make bunnies...
...look like dysfunctional prudes.
That's our daughter you're talking about.
Indeed.
Yeah.
How about that?
Are you...?
A little.
What about you?
Astonished, actually.
Why, did you and she never discuss...?
There are things that are outside the mother-daughter bond.
At least for us.
Did you and she?
Always adhered to a strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Clung to it, actually.
That is one's daughter.
Wants her to be happy in whatever...
Of course, true to herself.
Nothing wrong with that inclination.
Nothing.
God herself may strike me dead...
...it is not to be denied that I am not unhappy...
...that my daughter is straight after all.
At least straight enough to be marrying the fruit-fly guy.
Someone in the Texas AG's office has obtained the medical records...
...of 120 women who had abortions in three clinics there.
Tell me not in Houston.
And San Antonio.
The pretext is looking for unreported cases of sexual abuse and rape.
Smoke screen.
We've fooled with language.
We're not commenting.
We have to.
It's a state matter.
The congressman's home state.
I'm familiar with the bio.
It violates Roe.
How important is Texas?
Pretty important.
No.
With Vinick's lock on California, this is the whole B.O.W.
Ball of wax.
Why wade into an issue that's not gonna gain us any voters?
All it costs is people who weren't gonna vote for us.
We don't need them to vote.
We need them to stay home.
Pro-lifers don't like Vinick any more than us.
Why energize them?
Let this sleeping dog lie.
Crazy.
We're Democrats.
Come out for a woman's right to choose.
Ever had an abortion?
A little personal, don't you think?
Don't talk to me about what we have to do on this subject.
Whatever you say.
I was thinking while you were asleep.
I wasn't.
Really?
With the drooling and the muttering to yourself...
...which might be described as a schizophrenic episode...
...I'd go with you were sleeping.
Okay.
The campaign's stagnating because the numbers are.
Doldrums.
Horse latitudes.
It's still mid-August.
Wind will pick up.
You and I need to be a wind that blows through the staff, carries a bunch away.
Way to stick with the meteorological metaphor.
Still, it's a little hysterical.
This group isn't cutting it.
We're fine.
The advance team went to Springfield, Illinois...
...for an event in Springfield, Missouri.
Every campaign has bumps.
We need experienced hands.
Look around.
We're heavy on the wide-eyed.
We got a young staff.
Guess what, we're Democrats.
Vinick's got grownups.
We're running a children's crusade.
It got a virtual unknown the Democratic presidential nomination.
Now it's got him tracking nine points down...
...which is a loss, and not a small one.
Start firing, it's gonna look like the campaign's in trouble.
It is.
It'll look like we noticed.
A first pass at the staff list.
That's a lot of names.
Anyone you wanna fight for?
Ned?
He's not built for this.
Been with the congressman forever.
Santos will never let me can him.
He's gotta go.
It'll kill morale if you fire these people and keep him.
So don't fire anyone.
Keep whistling past the graveyard.
It'll be your future gets buried when you preside over a 49-state wipeout.
Can't leave before the boss leaves.
You?
Time and assassinations wait for no one.
Pithy.
Putting out a line of twisted samplers.
When's your turn?
With the committee?
Friday.
But if they spent all day on you...
Really looking forward to things getting back to normal around here.
Did you have any conversations with the president...
...regarding a military shuttle?
No.
Participate in any group discussions that included the president?
No.
Did you have any internal White House conversations with anyone at any time...
...about the United States possessing a classified military space shuttle?
Yes.
With whom?
Who'd you talk about it with, Toby?
C.J.
Cregg.
Frost thinks...
I know what Frost thinks.
About everything.
If it rains, Frost thinks al Qaeda seeded the clouds.
Why do you keep him?
He's a good analyst.
Good analysts spend time being wrong.
Funny, we like our guys to be right.
Different strokes.
Are there extremists who dream of a China-to-Spain caliphate?
Sure.
They'll start by assassinating the Palestinian chairman...
...and the president of Kazakhstan?
Come on.
Margaret, will you call Leo for me?
When you spoke to Greg Brock...
...
you were aware you were speaking on record?
I'm the communications director.
I have an understanding of protocol when speaking with journalists.
That would be a yes.
An "of course."
And your intention in conveying this information was that it be published?
Yes.
You were aware this was classified?
Excuse me?
Answer the question.
You're asking me if I knew that the military space shuttle was classified?
One of the most closely held pieces of information...
...in my seven and a half years in the White House?
Which no one would so much as hint at...
...much less acknowledge, much less ever actually discuss?
Which revelation of same caused a governmental security crisis...
...international consternation...
...and the launching of three separate investigations?
You're asking me if I realized it was classified?
Yeah, I had a vague inkling.
Were you authorized to have this information?
Alana Waterman, Mr.
Babish.
I'm Mr.
Ziegler's attorney.
I must inform Counsel that my client will not be answering further questions.
It's okay...
It's most certainly not okay.
And you're to say anything else.
I'm really getting fed up with lawyers ordering me around.
Should've considered that before passing state secrets to reporters.
Did you leak to anyone other than Greg Brock?
Do not answer that.
No.
If I may have a word in private with my client?
I'll be right outside.
I really appreciate your concern, but I am taking full responsibility...
...and I am prepared and ready to face the consequences.
That's very noble and very stupid.
Thank you.
You have to listen to me now.
If you were truly the only one involved...
I was.
That's unfortunate.
Because it means you have no bigger fish to turn over to the prosecutor...
...which is what he will be looking for.
And would've been the best and fastest way to make a deal.
I don't care about that.
Well, it's my job to.
We're not starting with a lot of bargaining chips.
And we have less every time you open your mouth.
I'm not looking to cut a deal.
Really?
The last time I checked, the sentencing guidelines...
...even for a first-time offender, were 63 to 78 months' jail time.
Sixty-three to 78?
How do they come up with those numbers?
Dartboard?
You have an obligation...
Don't bring up my kids!
When you hire someone like me, you take on a responsibility...
...to my reputation.
If you decide you wanna go down...
...in some quasi-orgasmic blaze of self-pitying, self-destructive...
...self-aggrandizing attempted glory...
...all anyone's gonna say is, "How did Alana Waterman...
...that smart, tough, savvy Washington infighter...
...let her client do something so crushingly boneheaded moronic...
...as to get himself six years in jail?"
Now you have a decision to make.
If you want me to continue...
...as your attorney when the White House Counsel re-enters...
...you either decline to answer any further questions...
...or you watch me walk not only out of this room but off the case.
Who first informed you of the existence...
...of a classified space shuttle?
I decline to answer on the advice of counsel.
Please wait here.
You certainly earned your fee today.
I'm deeply gratified that you decided to heed my guidance.
No, I just meant it was the first time tonight he used the word "please."
If you're done for the night, you should probably go home.
Excuse me.
C.J.
All right, catch me up.
Commander Harper's been entertaining us.
Given the hour, I'm not sure entertaining is the right word...
...with her theory on the assassination in Kazakhstan.
Mr.
Secretary, your customary default acerbity...
...which some may characterize as snide, but I never fail to find delightful...
...is not the right tone for my mood this evening.
Now, would you catch me up?
Assassination's been a historic tactic of Russian security services.
I feel we should look in their direction.
The Russians and the Kazakhs are allies.
Kazakhstan's cozying up to Beijing.
They announced the establishment of a partnership.
On top of the oil pipeline they agreed to build to China.
When they announced this, they stressed it wasn't directed against a third party.
Doth protesting perhaps a bit much.
You buying this?
We're catching her up.
Moscow's not thrilled.
It's not only competitive with Russia's oil interests, but it's emblematic...
...of China's growing dominance.
Who takes over Kazakhstan with Issetov dead?
Constitutionally, Prime Minister Tarimov.
Who has ties that go back to Moscow.
Russia's interests are directly served by removing the sitting president.
What will the Chinese do?
That's the question.
Russia and China eyeball to eyeball in Central Asia.
Over oil.
With 900 U.S.
Marines...
...stuck right in the middle.
Oh, God.
This is so scary.
Congressman, you got a minute?
Yeah, sure.
What's she watching?
That latest Rob Zombie film.
Seems to be enjoying it.
I guess.
You a big Rob Zombie fan?
I prefer his earlier, funnier movies.
Lou and I have been discussing the staff.
What about them?
Making changes.
Are you kidding me?
She's not talking to you.
The campaign's not hitting on all cylinders.
Could be time for a course correction.
How many people?
About 45.
You can't be serious.
You can't do that.
That's a lot of people.
Look like panic.
We'll bring in experienced operatives.
Have we been turning them away? "
You can't work for us, you have too much experience."
We need to make changes.
Are we panicked?
No.
Of course not.
Well, you're running this thing.
It is a big layoff and it's gonna get noted in the press.
But if you think it's needed.
I do.
One of the people is Ned Carlson.
What?
I know he's been with you a long time.
I'm sure he was a real asset.
You can't fire Ned.
He is not cut out for this.
The pace.
Thinking fast on your feet.
Send him back to the Congressional office.
And we will get him something in the administration once we're in.
Matt.
Anyone not getting the job done...
...is gonna go.
Do you wanna be the one to tell him?
You can take care of it.
Mrs.
Santos.
That's how far I got before his attorney intervened.
Do you feel you got the whole story?
He said he discussed the existence of the military shuttle with you.
He did.
Direct him to leak the information?
I did not.
Urge it?
No.
Subtly hint?
Absolutely not.
Why, did Toby give any indication that I had?
No.
His account matches yours.
It's important all stories are in sync.
They are because it's the truth.
Have you discussed this with anyone since Mike and you last spoke?
No.
No comment on what's going on in the Roosevelt Room or Toby's office?
Of course not.
Others you encountered will so testify?
Yes.
Spoken to anyone outside the building?
No.
And the White House phone logs will so confirm?
I placed a call to Leo McGarry.
For what purpose?
For what purpose, C.J.?
I didn't reach him.
But had you, was your intention to discuss the fact that Toby Ziegler...
...was the White House leak?
I didn't reach him.
He and you should be very glad about that.
What, if any, message did you leave?
I told Margaret not to leave any.
That it wasn't anything important.
Were those your exact words?
I don't know.
I may have said not to even mention that I called.
You have between now and tomorrow morning...
...when I imagine the first question will come about this...
...to consider whether you had a reason to phone Leo this evening...
...other than discussing courses of action...
...in dealing with this news regarding Toby Ziegler.
Which might to outsiders appear like consideration of a cover-up.
It's time to tell the president.
What will be the recommendation of the Counsel?
The same as yours.
Congratulations.
Honestly, that ring, it's lovely.
You don't think it's too big?
Oh, there's no such thing, dear.
Almost got you a rebate there.
I only wish I could've afforded an even bigger one.
I wanna hear all about the proposal.
Tell me everything.
We went for a mountain bike ride to a secluded spot in Rock Creek Park.
We did it there.
I did it there.
Romantic.
Very.
The two of us and my Secret Service detail.
When are you thinking about having the wedding?
As soon as possible.
We don't wanna distract...
...from the election, of course, but any time after that could work.
A White House wedding at Christmas?
I don't think she wants that.
What?
To do it here.
What could be more wonderful?
Undoubtedly a White House wedding would be very beautiful...
...and terribly romantic, but it would be quite a spectacle.
Out of all of us, Ellie's been the one who's shied away from the spotlight.
Why don't you consider having the wedding...
...after your father's left the office entirely?
Sure.
If you wanna turn your back on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Hopefully, the wedding is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
You would seriously consider not getting married in here?
You could do something very private at the farm.
Where, at the moment, is the less pressing concern.
There's another consideration that may need to take precedence...
...as far as scheduling goes.
And, you know...
...why we might not wanna wait.
Well, we should probably get right on to scheduling that, then.
I'm sorry for the interruption, Mr.
President, ma'am, Ellie.
Nancy, this is our new son-in-law to be, Vic Faison.
Nice to meet you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Sir, C.J.
And Oliver Babish would like to speak with you.
Of course.
Excuse me, please.
Self-aggrandizing and self-destructive?
I was trying to make a point.
Quasi-orgasmic might have been a bit much.
A little colorful rhetoric.
Occupational hazard.
Why'd you do it?
Save lives.
Your brother was an astronaut.
Astronauts' lives in the short term.
Start a discussion about whether we wanna extend mankind's capacity...
...for warfare into the heavens.
The weaponization of space.
I believe in an open society.
You debate in the light of day.
That's supposed to happen in a democracy.
Global pacifism, freedom of information.
These are things people...
...will rally around.
We can get a lot of lefty support.
College campuses, Hollywood...
Good.
Help defray my legal expenses.
I'm serious.
So am I.
I know what you charge.
A couple of well-placed editorials, some cable news spots...
...public demonstrations.
This could be very helpful.
Certainly not gonna hurt.
Won't keep me out of jail.
There's a lesser criminal statute: 35 USC, 799, which makes it...
...a misdemeanor to disobey a regulation set forth by the administrator.
Penalty's likely a fine.
No more than a year's jail time.
Yeah, I know, it's a little pie in the sky around the edges.
Keep thinking, counselor.
It's what you're good at.
Toby?
Is it possible to be astonished and at the same time not surprised?
I've debriefed him, sir.
It seems to have involved no one else.
Obviously, there will be a partisan push to probe past Toby...
...to cause us and the Santos campaign difficulty.
The fact there's no there there should limit...
...the other side's ability to get traction.
The political fallout is not my first concern.
We should move quickly, sir.
Oliver's pointed out that not only do we not want the appearance of a cover-up...
...we don't want the appearance of having considered...
...anything but full and immediate disclosure.
I'll make a statement.
And Toby.
I'll take care of that, sir.
No.
Bring him here.
Respectfully, Mr.
President, you shouldn't be in the room with Toby.
He's radioactive, sir.
Potentially toxic to the presidency.
Thank you for your counsel, but I have to do this myself.
Then I have to insist on being present.
Give me a moment.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you, sir.
God.
See, this is what puts people off.
Lurking.
No one likes a lurker.
How'd it go in there?
For your theory?
Not well.
I think there's a better one.
It can't be better if it's wrong.
Good night, Charles.
The pattern is so obvious.
Children, even kindergartners would see.
I'm trying to save everyone's jobs, okay?
What?
All right, your theory.
What is it?
Tell me.
It's a pretty scary scenario.
Leads to Russia and China on the brink of confrontation.
Neighboring nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, poised to pick sides.
Japan and the U.S.
Being drawn in against their will.
A horror show.
World War III nightmare.
Very cool.
You wanna grab coffee?
Ned.
Hang out a minute.
What's up?
Am I in trouble?
You know, this kind of thing is never easy...
...but we've decided to make a change.
Sorry?
We're shaking up the staff, and you're one of the people...
...we're gonna let go.
I'm sorry.
You're joking.
I'm not.
You're firing me?
It's reassignment to the Congressional office.
No.
You don't fire me.
Does the congressman know this?
He signed off on it, yeah.
I'm really gonna have to hear it from him.
He's going to the meet and greet and then, I really hope, to bed.
Well, he's gonna need to find some time.
Listen to me.
Talking to the congressman isn't gonna change anything.
I wanna thank you for all your work.
Screw you.
You know, you can fire as many of us grunts as you want.
But you wanna know why this campaign is floundering, look in the mirror.
C.J.?
Something break in the leak investigation?
Since I'm supposed to be heading it...
I can't talk about this right now.
I feel like I owe you an apology.
You don't.
And I really can't discuss this right now.
The president wants to see you.
Just Toby.
I'm afraid I have a problem with that.
You didn't just invite yourself into the Oval Office.
I request that the courtesy of an invitation be extended...
...to Mr.
Ziegler's attorney, or my client's not going.
It's okay.
Toby.
It's all right.
Go home.
Yeah?
Mr.
President.
Toby.
I was hoping we would be able to speak in private, sir.
Your actions have pretty much made that impossible.
I haven't had much time to absorb this news...
...so I'll apologize in advance if I express any half-formed thoughts.
But the one thought that hits the hardest is that this was somehow inevitable.
That you've always been heading for this crash and burn.
That self-righteous superiority.
Not that you were smarter than everyone.
That you were purer.
Morally superior.
With due respect, sir, I don't think I'm morally superior to everyone.
No.
Just to me.
Sir, I've drawn up a letter of resignation.
What is that, the third one?
Rip it up.
Sir?
I can't accept your resignation.
I have to fire you.
For cause.
You'll need to turn in your credentials.
A guard will come to escort you from the building immediately.
You may not take anything out with you.
All personal effects will be sent to your home...
...after Counsel staff has cataloged the contents of your office.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Toby.
When you walk out of here, there'll be people out there...
...perhaps a great many, who will think of you as a hero.
I just don't for a moment want you thinking I'll be one of them.
Hey.
Is he in?
C.J.
Cregg to see you.
Thanks.
Hey.
Hey.
What's up?
I'm offering...
Well, not so much offering as dragooning you...
...to be the new White House communications director.
Starting now.
I'll smooth things over with the VP, but first you should know...
...the president's making a statement in...
...3 or so minutes, in which he'll announce...
...that Toby Ziegler has been fired for an egregious national security violation.
Termination taking place within the hour of Mr.
Ziegler's confession...
...of responsibility for this act.
Does the president want me to help with the statement?
I think he's got a good handle on what he's gonna say.
Counsel sealed Toby's office, so feel free to use Annabeth's old one.
Which, come to think of it, used to be yours.
Funny how things work out.
Not so funny, really.
No.
Not so much.
News on the upcoming election of Congressman Matthew Santos...
Rough in there.
To be expected.
Thought he'd thank you for your service.
He's angry.
Someone should thank you for your service.
Mr.
Ziegler?
I'll need your hard pass, sir.
If you'll come with me.
Good evening.
Less than an hour ago, White House communications director Toby Ziegler...
...
confessed to making an unauthorized disclosure...
...
of classified national security information...
...
to a reporter from The New York Times newspaper.
This admission was promptly brought to my attention...
...
and Mr.
Ziegler was immediately fired from his position in this administration...
...
effective at once.
He's been relieved of his credentials and asked to leave the White House...
Subtitles by SDI Media Group