Fabula
S2E1 · In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part I

Hoynes' Charismatic Banter Shattered by Secret Service Swarm

In the White House lobby, Vice President Hoynes radiates effortless charm, posing with a jersey for reporters and sharing a self-deprecating anecdote about a college pickup game against Olympic athlete Drew Harper, drawing laughter. He warmly congratulates an NCAA coach on their season, embodying political accessibility. Suddenly, Secret Service agents storm in, barking orders to freeze and urgently escorting Hoynes away, their worry palpable. This jarring pivot from levity to lockdown shatters the public facade, thrusting Hoynes into the assassination crisis and amplifying national stakes by intruding emergency into everyday optics.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Vice President Hoynes engages in light-hearted banter with reporters while holding a jersey, reminiscing about his college days.

casual to nostalgic ['White House Lobby']

Hoynes congratulates a coach on his team's performance, showcasing his public persona and political charm.

nostalgic to congratulatory ['White House Lobby']

Secret Service agents abruptly interrupt the scene, urgently escorting Hoynes away, signaling a sudden shift to crisis mode.

congratulatory to alarmed ['White House Lobby']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Effortlessly charismatic and amused, swiftly shifting to palpable worry

Hoynes holds jersey aloft while posing vibrantly for cameras, queries crowd on roommate Drew Harper, delivers punchy self-deprecating anecdote eliciting laughter, shakes coach's hand with warm NCAA congratulations, then visibly worries as agents surround and escort him out.

Goals in this moment
  • Cultivate public rapport through humorous personal anecdotes and photo-op charm
  • Bolster political image by congratulating local coach amid national optics
Active beliefs
  • Self-mocking stories humanize leaders and disarm audiences
  • Athletic triumphs bridge everyday voters to elite politics
Character traits
Charismatic Self-deprecating Accessible Poised
Follow John Hoynes's journey

Engaged and quick-witted

The unidentified woman interjects succinctly with '72?' in direct response to Hoynes' query about Drew Harper, engaging the anecdote amid surrounding reporters and contributing to the lively crowd interaction before the evacuation chaos.

Goals in this moment
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Olympic history to connect with Hoynes' story
  • Participate actively in the reporter pool's banter
Active beliefs
  • Shared cultural references like Olympics strengthen group rapport
  • Prompt responses keep conversations dynamic
Character traits
Responsive Attentive Conversational
Follow Unidentified Woman …'s journey

Urgent worry fueling clipped professionalism

Unnamed Secret Service agent storms in with team, barks 'Excuse me! Everyone stay where you are. Mr. Vice President, would you come with us please?', surrounds Hoynes urgently, and escorts him outside, enforcing lockdown amid puzzled reporters.

Goals in this moment
  • Secure and evacuate VP immediately to continuity protocols
  • Contain lobby crowd to prevent security breaches
Active beliefs
  • Swift extraction averts cascading threats in crises
  • Perimeter control stabilizes executive chain
Character traits
Authoritative Decisive Protocol-driven
Follow Unnamed Secret …'s journey

Pleased and unflappable amid praise

The unnamed coach stands composed as Hoynes approaches to shake his hand firmly, receiving direct congratulations on his NCAA team's prior season and returning starters, anchoring the photo-op's warmth until agents disrupt the scene.

Goals in this moment
  • Leverage photo-op for personal and institutional visibility
  • Absorb VP's endorsement to elevate team profile
Active beliefs
  • Political handshakes amplify athletic achievements publicly
  • Composure projects reliability in high-profile moments
Character traits
Reserved Steady Professional
Follow Unnamed Coach's journey
Cameron
primary

requests Vice President Hoynes to hold the shirt up higher for photos

Goals in this moment
  • capture optimal photo of Vice President with jersey
Character traits
provocative legislatively assertive polarizing policy-focused
Follow Cameron's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Vice President Hoynes' Jersey

The jersey functions as a central photo-op prop, gripped triumphantly by Hoynes and hoisted higher at cameraman's request under lobby lights, symbolizing casual triumph and accessibility; its flare amid flashes underscores the jarring pivot from levity when agents seize the moment, propelling Hoynes' exodus.

Before: Held by Hoynes, positioned for optimal camera angles …
After: Remains in Hoynes' possession as he is urgently …
Before: Held by Hoynes, positioned for optimal camera angles during posing
After: Remains in Hoynes' possession as he is urgently escorted out

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"HOYNES: "Yeah, one of my roommates at S.M.U. is Drew Harper. Anybody know that name?""
"HOYNES: "72 Olympics in Munich. Well, I played against him at a pick-up game while on the quad, and I thought I'd stuff him with an overhead slam. He sent that ball back at my face like I talked about his sister.""
"AGENT: "Excuse me! Everyone stay where you are. Mr. Vice President, would you come with us please?""