Leo's Call — 'Anyone but Mandy'
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
C.J. interrupts with a message about Leo’s readiness, pivoting the scene toward urgent West Wing business.
Josh probes C.J. about her conversation with Hoynes, revealing underlying tension and political concerns.
Josh emphatically opposes Mandy’s involvement, reintroducing personal conflict into the professional setting.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Surface calm and concise; internally guarded and practicing containment to prevent staff alarm.
C.J. approaches with procedural news — Leo will be ready in thirty minutes — and responds tersely to Josh's probes about Hoynes with repeated, clipped reassurances ('We're fine'), signaling deliberate containment and diplomatic cushioning of a likely bruising exchange.
- • Convey necessary logistics without escalating staff anxiety.
- • Reassure colleagues that the Hoynes discussion is not an immediate crisis while preserving confidentiality.
- • Information should be calibrated to avoid unnecessary panic among staff.
- • The vice president's sensitivities can be managed with careful messaging and limited disclosure.
Wry and mildly exasperated during banter; becomes guarded and controlling when the prospect of a sensitive call arises.
Josh starts in light banter about wagers and quickly flips into business mode: he interrogates C.J. about a call with Hoynes, presses for reassurance, and issues a decisive personnel veto — 'Anyone but Mandy' — signaling both tactical preference and personal distrust.
- • Ensure the incoming presidential-related call is handled without creating new political damage.
- • Control staffing on the call to protect the administration's messaging and personnel dynamics.
- • Personnel choices materially affect political outcomes and optics.
- • Mandy's presence on a high-stakes call would increase risk rather than mitigate it.
Amused and relaxed during banter; quietly alert and deferential when the work matter intrudes.
Donna moves through the bullpen bantering with Josh about the weekend pool, offering betting choices and trying to keep the mood light; she is present and listening when C.J. interrupts, registering the shift from levity to business rather than driving it.
- • Keep the social banter going and maintain camaraderie with Josh.
- • Remain available and composed once the office transitions into work mode.
- • Small workplace rituals (like a betting pool) build morale and are worth preserving.
- • When senior staff intervene, protocol and chain-of-command will take precedence over casual conversation.
Hoynes is not in the room but is invoked as the other endpoint of C.J.'s earlier call; his presence is …
Leo is not physically present but is the pivot of C.J.'s announcement; he is characterized as 'readying' himself and will …
Mandy is not present in the scene but is explicitly vetoed by Josh as someone he does not want on …
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The open-plan bullpen is both social space and operational hub: Donna and Josh move through it joking about a betting pool, and C.J.'s brief arrival transforms the same area into a staging ground for an imminent presidential-related call, concentrating attention and prompting staff readiness.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Josh's lighthearted watching of C.J.'s briefing escalates to a more serious discussion about the need for strategic action regarding the media fallout, showing the progression from personal reactions to professional concerns."
"Josh's lighthearted watching of C.J.'s briefing escalates to a more serious discussion about the need for strategic action regarding the media fallout, showing the progression from personal reactions to professional concerns."
Key Dialogue
"C.J.: "Excuse me. Leo will be ready for us in about a half hour.""
"JOSH: "Did you talk to Hoynes?""
"JOSH: "Anyone but Mandy.""