Fabula
S3E9 · Bartlet for America (Restructured)
S3E9
· Bartlet for America (Restructured) Flashback

Leo's Tense Handshake with CEOs Nine Days Out

In a flashback to the night of the third debate, nine days before a dead-heat election, Leo McGarry forces a broad smile while greeting two CEOs and a third man, shaking hands amid palpable anxiety over campaign funds. The CEOs rib his nervousness with a 'wallet' quip; Leo deflects by offering incoming steak sandwiches. CEO 2 pivots to drinks, and Leo acquiesces with a shoulder pat. This breezy fundraiser masks Leo's dread of financial exhaustion, foreshadowing his personal frailties and the campaign's knife-edge stakes.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Leo presents himself as welcoming and in control, despite the tension of the close election, as he greets the CEOs with forced cheerfulness.

nervousness to forced cheer

CEO 1 and CEO 2 acknowledge Leo's nervousness, with CEO 1 jokingly assuring that he is financially prepared for the event.

observation to reassurance

Leo offers food and drinks to the CEOs, indicating his attempt to keep the mood light and ease the tension.

control to hospitality

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Shanahan
primary

Feigned joviality veiling profound anxiety over imminent financial collapse

Leo shakes hands with each of the three men, forcing a big smile to mask anxiety, deflects CEO1's nervousness jibe by offering incoming steak sandwiches, then pats CEO2's shoulder and agrees to drinks, steering the interaction toward rapport-building.

Goals in this moment
  • • Secure crucial campaign donations from the CEOs
  • • Diffuse tension to foster positive donor relations
Active beliefs
  • • Outlasting opponents financially is key to election victory
  • • Personal charm and deflection can convert nerves into commitments
Character traits
strategic resilient deflective loyal
Follow Shanahan's journey
CEO 2
primary

Amused relaxation signaling confidence in his financial leverage

CEO2 chuckles at CEO1's wallet quip teasing Leo's nerves, then smoothly requests drinks after Leo offers steak sandwiches, contributing to the light-hearted yet expectant atmosphere before they sit.

Goals in this moment
  • • Build casual rapport to affirm donation commitment
  • • Escalate hospitality with drinks to prolong engagement
Active beliefs
  • • Leo's campaign merits support despite visible strains
  • • Playful banter strengthens political-financial alliances
Character traits
amused relaxed opportunistic
Follow CEO 2's journey
Leo McGarry
primary
Character traits
stoic assertive resolute loyal compassionate
Follow Leo McGarry's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Steak Sandwiches

Leo references the incoming steak sandwiches as a deflection tactic against CEO1's ribbing about his nervousness, positioning them as casual refreshments to ease tension and shift focus from campaign funding anxieties to shared indulgence in this high-stakes donor meet.

Before: Incoming/en route to the meeting
After: Offered and presumably arriving for consumption
Before: Incoming/en route to the meeting
After: Offered and presumably arriving for consumption

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
St. Louis (City)

St. Louis hosts this intimate pre-sitdown handshake and banter among Leo and the CEOs on the night of the third debate, nine days before a dead-heat election, embodying the shadowy urgency of last-ditch fundraising amid Leo's internal dread of fiscal exhaustion.

Atmosphere Chuckling camaraderie overlaying palpable electoral anxiety
Function Fundraiser venue for donor handshakes and pledges
Symbolism Epitome of knife-edge political desperation in a neutral battleground city
Indoor setting on debate night Pre-sitdown standing interaction

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Part of Larger Arcs

Leo's unyielding loyalty to President Bartlet clashes with Jordan and Cliff's aggressive push for a censure deal to end damaging congressional hearings

Key Dialogue

"CEO 1: "You look nervous, Leo. [glances at CEO #2] Don't worry about it. I brought my wallet.""
"LEO: "Anybody wanna eat? I got steak sandwiches on the way.""
"CEO 2: "Yeah and uh, let's have some drinks.""
"LEO: "[pats CEO 2 on shoulder] Sure.""