Hollywood Pitch at the Fundraiser — Glitz Meets Duty
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
C.J. and Toby admire the grandeur of the mansion while engaging in playful banter about C.J.'s dress.
Mark Miller interrupts to introduce himself and proposition C.J. with a job offer in Hollywood development.
C.J. struggles to understand the vague Hollywood job description before escaping the conversation by pretending urgent White House business.
Sam reveals he received the same mysterious job offer, bonding them in mutual confusion about Hollywood's ways.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Polished and mildly amused on the surface; quietly impatient and committed beneath the banter—protective of her professional identity.
C.J. stands at the bottom of the stairwell, exchanges flippant banter with Toby, tolerates Mark's approach, politely rebuffs the vague job pitch, and then uses the President's needs as a clean exit to join Sam.
- • Deflect an opportunistic recruitment while preserving politeness and social grace.
- • Reassert commitment to her White House responsibilities to avoid appearance of being swayed by celebrity offers.
- • Her work for the President is meaningful and not interchangeable with Hollywood roles.
- • Celebrity offers are often nebulous and unlikely to fit her skills or obligations.
Ironic and mildly exasperated outwardly; prefers to avoid social theater and withdraws into drinking as a coping mechanism.
Toby stands beside C.J., offers clipped compliments, raises and holds his drink as a retreat signal, and quips sarcastically to keep distance while indicating he'll disappear to the bar to drink.
- • Avoid becoming entangled in the social/celebrity mingling.
- • Protect C.J. indirectly by staying out of the way and signaling disinterest in the pitch.
- • Hollywood socializing is superficial compared to the seriousness of their jobs.
- • Drinking or leaving the scene is an acceptable way to cope with uncomfortable social obligations.
Eager and self-assured on the surface; slightly flustered when pressed for specifics, relying on charm and prestige to carry the offer.
Mark Miller approaches confidently as a social salesperson, introduces himself as Paragon's head of new development, flatters C.J., and delivers a fuzzy, persistent pitch about 'development' without clarifying practical duties.
- • Leverage his donor/industry access to recruit high-profile talent for Paragon.
- • Convert proximity to power into potential creative or commercial advantage.
- • Access to political staffers equals untapped creative capital for entertainment projects.
- • A flattering offer and institutional brand (Paragon) will be persuasive even without details.
Amused and bemused; lightly sardonic at the shared absurdity of the Hollywood pitch while remaining tied to the White House's work.
Sam walks by and is flagged by C.J.; he reveals he's received the same vague development offer, trading a quick, knowing exchange that amplifies the comedic incredulity of the pitch.
- • Check in with C.J. about the offer and share mutual incredulity.
- • Maintain social connectivity while signaling his own loyalty to White House work.
- • Hollywood offers often lack substance despite attractive packaging.
- • Shared commiseration with colleagues reinforces workplace solidarity.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Ted Marcus's mansion functions as the theatrical backdrop for this exchange: glittering rooms and poolside glamour provide cover for flirtation and opportunistic recruiting. The setting heightens the dissonance between showbiz offers and the sober obligations of White House staff.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The lighthearted conversation about sunscreen contrasts with the later playful banter about C.J.'s dress, both serving as moments of levity amidst high-stakes political tension."
"The lighthearted conversation about sunscreen contrasts with the later playful banter about C.J.'s dress, both serving as moments of levity amidst high-stakes political tension."
"The lighthearted conversation about sunscreen contrasts with the later playful banter about C.J.'s dress, both serving as moments of levity amidst high-stakes political tension."
Key Dialogue
"MARK: Excuse me, I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Mark Miller. I'm head of new development at Paragon."
"MARK: I'll come right out and say it, C.J. I'm a big fan."
"C.J.: Well, at the moment I have a pretty good job and I understand what it is, so, uh, I sure appreciate... I appreciate it, Mark, I'm sorry, I've got to talk to Sam about a thing the President wants me to..."