The West Wing
S2E5
· And It's Surely To Their Credit

Ainsley's Determined Search for Joyce and Brookline

Amid the late-night bustle of the White House, newly hired Republican lawyer Ainsley Hayes strides purposefully into an office, approaching a female staffer with unyielding resolve. She seeks out Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline—staffers who previously hazed her—signaling her proactive initiative to confront challenges head-on, prove her mettle despite skepticism, and plunge deeper into the escalating Capitol Hill crisis. The brief exchange underscores her tenacity, marking a turning point in her integration into the team.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Ainsley enters an office, seeking Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline.

determination to anticipation ['office']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Unidentified Woman in Gossip
primary

Neutral and unflappable routine efficiency

The unidentified woman, stationed in the office, responds curtly and efficiently to Ainsley's inquiry by calling out 'Steve, Mark,' facilitating the direction without hesitation or elaboration in the nocturnal bustle.

Goals in this moment
  • • Direct Ainsley to the requested staffers promptly
  • • Maintain operational flow in the late-night office environment
Active beliefs
  • • Standard protocol requires quick assistance to colleagues and newcomers
  • • The West Wing's high-pressure rhythm demands terse, effective communication
Character traits
efficient concise professional
Follow Unidentified Woman …'s journey
Ainsley Hayes
primary

Steadfast determination laced with underlying defiance against prior hazing

Ainsley Hayes enters the office with purposeful strides, directly approaches the woman at her desk, and clearly articulates her search for Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline, expressing gratitude upon response, her posture exuding focused intent amid the late-night quiet.

Goals in this moment
  • • Locate Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline to confront or engage them directly
  • • Demonstrate her initiative and integration into the White House team despite skepticism
Active beliefs
  • • Facing her hazers head-on will prove her mettle and earn respect
  • • Her conservative outsider status demands bold action to claim her place
Character traits
determined assertive resilient proactive
Follow Ainsley Hayes's journey
Steve Joyce
primary

Unknown (off-screen)

Steve Joyce is not physically present but explicitly sought by Ainsley Hayes in her direct inquiry to the staffer, positioning him as a key target of her proactive pursuit amid the unfolding staff tensions.

Character traits
dutiful approachable competent
Follow Steve Joyce's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Ainsley Hayes's Office

The White House Staff Office contracts into a tense proving ground as Ainsley surges through the door and approaches the woman amid glowing lamps and crisis-cluttered desks, transforming the functional workspace into the site of her resolute inquiry and symbolic claim on team space.

Atmosphere Dimly lit hush pierced by purposeful intrusion and terse exchange
Function Site of inquiry and staffer location
Symbolism Embodies the heart of skeptical insider loyalty Ainsley boldly invades
Access Staff-only domain breached by determined newcomer
Glowing lamps illuminating desks buried in files Contracted space echoing footsteps of resolve
White House Mess

The White House envelops the entire event in its nighttime fortress aura, with interiors pulsing under late shadows as Ainsley's hunt unfolds, underscoring the high-stakes integration battle within Bartlet's ideological bastion amid broader crises.

Atmosphere Nocturnal pressure cooker of political intensity
Function Overarching workplace framing the interpersonal clash
Symbolism Fortress of power dynamics where outsider steel tests insider walls
Access Highly secure government premises limited to cleared personnel
Night-engulfed interiors with urgent shadows Institutional hush amplifying personal resolve

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"AINSLEY: "Excuse me. I'm looking for Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline?""
"WOMAN: "Steve, Mark.""
"AINSLEY: "Thanks.""