The West Wing
S3E8
ยท The Women of Qumar

Bartlet's Whimsical Celtics 'Yes/No' Rule

President Bartlet enters the Oval Office, greeting aide Charlie with casual warmth before eagerly asking about the Celtics game. Charlie's blunt report of a crushing loss prompts Bartlet to humorously decree a new protocol: future responses to 'Did they win?' must be strictly binary yes/no answers, sparing him painful details. This breezy opener humanizes Bartlet's optimistic quirks and his playful denial of defeat, providing levity and character grounding before the episode's escalating crises engulf the Oval.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Bartlet enters the Oval Office, exchanging morning pleasantries with Charlie.

neutral to casual

Bartlet inquires about the Celtics game, prompting Charlie to deliver disappointing sports news.

casual to mildly disappointed

Bartlet establishes a communication rule, instructing Charlie to give binary answers to sports inquiries.

disappointed to directive

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Charlie Young
primary

Neutral and matter-of-fact, unfazed by the decree

Charlie stands ready at his post, responds to Bartlet's entrance with a crisp 'Good morning, Mr. President,' then delivers a blunt, unflinching report of the Celtics' crushing loss without sugarcoating.

Goals in this moment
  • • Uphold routine greeting protocol
  • • Provide honest, unvarnished game update
Active beliefs
  • • Truthful reporting strengthens aide-president bond
  • • Sports defeats are best stated plainly
Character traits
loyal direct resigned amusement professional
Follow Charlie Young's journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Playfully disappointed, channeling fandom frustration into lighthearted command

Bartlet enters the Oval Office purposefully, initiates casual greeting with 'Hey.', eagerly asks about the Celtics game, and upon hearing of the loss, humorously establishes a strict yes/no protocol for future updates to spare himself painful elaboration.

Goals in this moment
  • • Inject morning levity through familiar banter
  • • Institute protective ritual against sports-induced pain
Active beliefs
  • • Celtics loyalty demands emotional safeguards
  • • Presidential routine benefits from personal quirks
Character traits
playful witty passionate sports fan authoritative yet paternal
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics manifest purely as conversational catalyst, their previous night's crushing defeat prompting Bartlet's playful protocol decree; this reference humanizes the president, revealing his emotional investment in the team as a quirky anchor amid White House pressures.

Representation Via recent game outcome invoked in direct query and response
Power Dynamics Exerts subtle emotional sway over Bartlet, dictating banter terms despite defeat
Impact Highlights sports as escapist ritual contrasting geopolitical tensions
Secure victories to bolster fan morale Sustain cultural relevance through performance highs and lows Fandom loyalty shaping personal presidential habits Game results triggering protective behavioral shifts

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Did the Celtics win last night?""
"CHARLIE: "No, they got crushed.""
"BARTLET: "Okay, when I say did they win, you can just say yes or no.""