Donna's Bow Tie Banter with Josh Interrupted by Bill Crisis
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Donna struggles to tie Josh's bow tie as they banter about formal attire and Tony Bennett
Donna attempts to discuss timing for bringing Buckland back, revealing she needs to talk to Josh about something important
Josh's phone rings, interrupting Donna's attempt at conversation as she finally finishes his bow tie
Donna answers the phone call that signals the urgent political crisis, abruptly changing the scene's priorities
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Irritably distracted then instantly alert and commanding
Josh, dressed formally, banters lightly with Donna on bow ties, Tony Bennett, and plans to negotiate with Buckland before entree, sighs impatiently at her etiquette advice and personal request as phone rings, then shifts sharply to command 'Call around' upon hearing of the bill.
- • Finalize preparations for formal event and Buckland talks
- • Dismiss personal distractions to focus on immediate duties
- • Mobilize response to the incoming override bill crisis
- • Pre-entree timing suits high-stakes negotiations
- • Tony Bennett-style authenticity elevates presence
- • Work crises supersede personal conversations
Anticipated adversary in negotiation
Governor Jack Buckland is invoked in Josh and Donna's banter as the target of upcoming high-stakes dinner negotiations, with debate over optimal timing—before or after entree—to press for environmental concessions.
- • Leverage timing for maximum concession yield
- • Exploit vulnerabilities in White House alliances
- • Post-entree politeness weakens opposition resolve
- • Pre-entree aggression maximizes leverage
Playfully teasing with underlying urgency and unspoken personal concern
Donna ties Josh's bow tie with focused care, banters playfully about ties, Tony Bennett, and Buckland negotiation timing, persists in requesting a private talk despite dismissal, answers the ringing phone, verifies with Dolan, hangs up, and relays the bill's arrival crisply to Josh.
- • Perfect Josh's formal attire for the event
- • Secure a private moment to address personal issues
- • Professionally handle and relay the incoming crisis call
- • Post-entree timing softens tough negotiations
- • Authentic details like untied bow ties define charisma
- • Personal matters deserve space amid relentless duty
Trembling nervousness under procedural pressure
Nervous rookie clerk Donald Dolan places the urgent call from the Executive Clerk's office, speaking anxiously to Donna (who answers Josh's line) to confirm the estate tax override bill's arrival and proper notification per protocol.
- • Accurately notify Josh Lyman of the bill's arrival
- • Fulfill midnight protocol without error in his second week
- • Immediate alert to Lyman prevents procedural failure
- • Verification of identities and instructions averts chaos
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Donald Dolan's landline phone serves as the vital conduit for crisis ignition: Dolan dials Josh's line from the dim Executive Clerk's office, nervously confirming the blue-folder estate tax override bill's arrival to Donna, who verifies and relays, thrusting the White House into veto frenzy and symbolizing bureaucracy's sudden eruption into power corridors.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Dolan's call to Josh interrupts Donna's attempt to tie Josh's bow tie, shifting the scene's focus to the impending crisis."
"The phone call in Josh's office leads to the immediate shift to C.J.'s office, where the staff prepares for the Nobel dinner."
"The phone call in Josh's office leads to the immediate shift to C.J.'s office, where the staff prepares for the Nobel dinner."
Key Dialogue
"DONNA: "Why don't you just wear a pre-tied tie?" JOSH: "Cause it's not the same.""
"DONNA: "Can we talk sometime tonight? Maybe after the cheese course?" JOSH: "Donna?""
"DONNA: "([hangs up and turns to Josh]) Josh Lyman. Yes. It's here." JOSH: "Call around.""