Fabula
S3E2 · Manchester Part II
S3E2
· Manchester Part II

Leo Probes Bartlet's Rally Anxiety, Met with Deflection

Outside Columbia High School, Leo approaches President Bartlet to gauge his readiness for tomorrow's event, asking if he feels all right. Bartlet deflects by noting C.J.'s plan for a student introduction, then admits veiled anxiety about the impending big crowd—hinting at a need for warmup—before Leo reassures him it's his kind of audience. Abruptly, Bartlet retreats to a folding chair to finish his speech, leaving Leo resigned with a simple 'Yeah.' This terse exchange exposes Bartlet's vulnerability beneath his commanding facade, straining their intimate advisor-President dynamic and foreshadowing the emotional stakes of his public re-election launch amid personal and political pressures.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

6

Leo checks on Bartlet's well-being, subtly probing his readiness for the upcoming event.

concern to reassurance

Bartlet deflects with talk of C.J.'s introduction request, revealing his distraction.

reassurance to deflection

Bartlet voices uncharacteristic nerves about the crowd size, exposing rare vulnerability.

deflection to vulnerability

Leo attempts to bolster Bartlet's confidence by reminding him of his crowd strengths.

vulnerability to attempted reassurance

Bartlet abruptly shifts focus to the unfinished speech, physically retreating to a folding chair.

attempted reassurance to withdrawal

Leo's resigned acknowledgment underscores Bartlet's emotional distance as the scene fades.

withdrawal to resignation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Leo McGarry
primary

Resigned concern masking deeper worry for his leader's hidden strain

Leo approaches Bartlet on the high school grounds, initiates concern with a direct wellness check, endorses C.J.'s student introduction idea, reassures about the crowd suiting the President's style, and utters a resigned 'Yeah' as Bartlet walks away to sit alone.

Goals in this moment
  • • Gauge and bolster Bartlet's emotional readiness for the rally
  • • Affirm campaign logistics like the student introduction to ease tensions
Active beliefs
  • • Bartlet thrives with familiar, enthusiastic crowds despite nerves
  • • Subtle probing strengthens their trusted advisor-President dynamic
Character traits
loyal perceptive stoic supportive
Follow Leo McGarry's journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Feigned nonchalance veiling pre-rally anxiety over the massive crowd

Bartlet stands outdoors, deflects Leo's concern by mentioning C.J.'s plan for a student introducer, trails off on crowd anxiety implying a warmup need, declares intent to finish the speech, then walks off to collapse into a folding chair, pages in hand.

Goals in this moment
  • • Downplay personal doubts to maintain commanding facade
  • • Prioritize finalizing speech revisions in isolation
Active beliefs
  • • A warmup introduction will mitigate overwhelming crowd pressure
  • • Focused solitude sharpens his re-election message amid internal fractures
Character traits
deflective vulnerable resolute introspective
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Bruno's File Folder containing Leo's Re-election Announcement Speech Draft

The battered folder's speech drafts are implicitly clutched by Bartlet as he declares need to 'finish the speech' and retreats to the chair, embodying the fractious re-election document refined through staff wars—its pages now his private focus amid looming public declaration.

Before: In Bartlet's possession, partially revised from prior sessions
After: In Bartlet's hands in the folding chair, undergoing …
Before: In Bartlet's possession, partially revised from prior sessions
After: In Bartlet's hands in the folding chair, undergoing final scratches
Bartlet's Rally Folding Chair

Bartlet abruptly veers to the folding chair on the asphalt, collapsing into its metal frame with canvas straining under him as he hunches to revise speech pages—serving as a stark refuge symbolizing his retreat from vulnerability into solitary command, amid rally prep frenzy.

Before: Parked unoccupied on school asphalt grounds
After: Occupied by Bartlet, rocking faintly with his weight …
Before: Parked unoccupied on school asphalt grounds
After: Occupied by Bartlet, rocking faintly with his weight as he works on speech

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Columbia High School, Manchester, New Hampshire

The outdoor expanse of Columbia High School hosts this intimate exchange on its asphalt amid rally setup—gravel crunching, distant band echoes building tension—as Leo approaches Bartlet, underscoring the site's transformation from schoolyard to high-stakes political launchpad exposing presidential fragility.

Atmosphere Taut anticipation laced with isolation, brisk air humming pre-event frenzy
Function Staging ground for private pre-rally check-in amid public prep
Symbolism Embodies grassroots re-election pivot from elite crises to heartland resolve
Access Semi-public with security presence for presidential proximity
Asphalt expanse with folding chairs scattered Distant marching band horns and whipping flags

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"LEO: You feel all right?"
"BARTLET: I wouldn't mind a little... you know. There's gonna be a big crowd here tomorrow."
"LEO: Well, that's your kind of crowd."
"BARTLET: I need to finish the speech."