The West Wing
S3E21
· Posse Comitatus

Bartlet Caught Smoking, Exposing Vulnerability

Descending into the dimly lit theater mess at night, President Bartlet pauses past the men's bathroom and lights a cigarette—a rare, illicit personal ritual amid the crushing weight of authorizing Shareef's assassination. A female employee spots him, prompting Bartlet to smile sheepishly and admit defeat. This fleeting, intimate breach of his composed public persona humanizes the leader, revealing private frailties and the toll of unrelenting leadership pressures before the brewing confrontation.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Bartlet is caught smoking by a female employee in the theater mess, displaying a moment of vulnerability.

casual to tense ['theater mess']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4
Female Employee
primary

Calm curiosity with subtle authority

Quietly spots Bartlet lighting his cigarette from the dim corners, her gaze piercing his solitude and eliciting his sheepish response in this charged backstage moment.

Goals in this moment
  • • Maintain vigilance over White House spaces
  • • Register the leader's unguarded moment
Active beliefs
  • • Presidents are human under pressure
  • • Silent witness upholds institutional intimacy
Character traits
observant discreet unflinching
Follow Female Employee's journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Sheepish amusement veiling profound exhaustion and isolation

Descends stairs past men's bathroom, lights cigarette seeking private solace, flashes sheepish smile when spotted by female employee, utters 'Caught me' in amused surrender, briefly humanized before tension builds.

Goals in this moment
  • • Indulge in rare personal ritual for stress relief
  • • Gracefully acknowledge exposure without defensiveness
Active beliefs
  • • Private vices sustain public endurance
  • • Authentic vulnerability strengthens leadership authenticity
Character traits
vulnerable defiant self-aware
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Rob Ritchie
primary

Neutral routine transitioning to alert engagement

Shadow cast on bathroom door while washing hands inside, exits immediately behind Bartlet post-spotting, poised to approach amid the unfolding intimacy.

Goals in this moment
  • • Complete personal hygiene before rejoining event
  • • Initiate interaction with President upon sighting
Active beliefs
  • • Public figures intersect unexpectedly in shared spaces
  • • Direct approach builds political rapport
Character traits
casual oblivious initially approaching confidently
Follow Rob Ritchie's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Bartlet's Cigarette

Bartlet lights the cigarette, drawing flame to its tip in a defiant ritual of solitude that symbolizes his concealed frailties and the personal toll of command; its glow draws the employee's gaze, shattering his isolation and underscoring vulnerability before confrontation looms.

Before: Unlit, held clenched in Bartlet's fingers
After: Lit and smoldering, smoke curling as Bartlet smokes …
Before: Unlit, held clenched in Bartlet's fingers
After: Lit and smoldering, smoke curling as Bartlet smokes it sheepishly

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Theater Mess

Dimly lit theater mess serves as clandestine refuge where Bartlet descends stairs past men's bathroom to light cigarette, employee spots him amid hushed isolation; it frames the breach of presidential facade, heightening intimacy and prelude to rivalry eruption.

Atmosphere Shadowy, tense hush pierced by lighter's flicker
Function Private sanctuary for illicit reflection
Symbolism Backstage limbo exposing offstage human toll of power
Access Semi-private staff area with opportunistic witnesses
Flight of stairs descending into dimness Men's bathroom door with cast shadow Quiet night-time seclusion

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2
Emotional Echo

"Ritchie's casual dismissal of Simon's death emotionally echoes Bartlet's earlier moral struggles, intensifying his resolve."

Bartlet Declares War on Ritchie Over Simon's Death
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's internal conflict about crime and morality is mirrored in his confrontation with Ritchie over the dismissive comment about Simon's death."

Bartlet Probes Therapist on Moral Crimes, Hints at Assassination
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
What this causes 1
Emotional Echo

"Ritchie's casual dismissal of Simon's death emotionally echoes Bartlet's earlier moral struggles, intensifying his resolve."

Bartlet Declares War on Ritchie Over Simon's Death
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Caught me.""